A planning application has been submitted for a residential home for up to three children to provide some of the borough's most vulnerable young people with a stable, nurturing environment.

If approved, the new home would be a sister home to Hope House, a five-bed residential home in Richmond which opened in September 2020.

Owned by Kingston Council, the new home would be operated by the council's children's services provider Achieving for Children. 

There are between 100 and 150 children in care across the Royal Borough of Kingston, and Kingston Council is responsible for their safety and wellbeing, and acts as a corporate parent.

Children enter the foster care system for a variety of reasons, and when it is not suitable for them to be placed with a foster family, the council looks at placing them in residential care. 

The number of children in Kingston that need to be supported in a residential setting is growing and the borough has very limited residential places.

Kingston Council says it is "committed to increasing the amount of residential accommodation available in the borough".

Cllr Diane White, Portfolio Holder for Children's Services, said: "This home will provide essential support to some of the most vulnerable young people in our borough who need a stable, caring environment. 

 "As the local authority, we have a responsibility to look after children in care - we are the corporate parent. Just like any parent, we strive for the best for them. It is in their best interests to stay within their community.

"If approved, this new home will ensure more children in care can stay within the borough, with the care and therapeutic support they need."

The final designs for the proposed new children's home reflect the comments received from key stakeholders and neighbours.

The planning application seeks the "Demolition of two semi-detached residential properties and associated garages, and erection of two-storey home for looked-after children" on Chamberlain Way in Surbiton.

The planning application is now open to the public for comments.

Full details of the application, including architect drawings, can be viewed here.

Subject to planning permission, it is hoped the proposed new home would open at the beginning of 2026.