THEYDON BOIS: Neighbours to discuss fostering centre plan (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

THEYDON BOIS: Neighbours to discuss fostering centre plan

12:07pm Saturday 26th February 2011 in Epping Forest News By Clare Hardy

A MEETING has been called for residents to discuss plans for a foster carers' training centre.

A planning application has been lodged for a “training and leisure centre” for children in foster care and foster carers on the former site of the Old Foresters Sports Ground, near Theydon Bois station in Abridge Road.

Applicant James Harris, of Ongar Road, Abridge, said in a statement to the district council on the plans that he wanted to provide training to foster parents that they may not be able to access in their own homes.

“Fostering has evolved from the kind aunty who took children into her home to caring professionals who have an excellent knowledge base and understanding of the issues children and young people in the care system face,” he added. “In addressing this issue, fostering agencies have a duty to provide annual programmes of training, but in a lot of cases, do not have the facility to provide this on-site.”

If given the go-ahead, the centre would back onto Forest Drive and the Theydon Bois Action Group has called a meeting on Tuesday evening for residents who want more information on the plans.

The meeting will start at 7.45pm in the function room of the Queen Victoria pub in Coppice Row.