Plans to close residential activity centre Stubbington

Plans to Close Residential Activity Centre Stubbington Spark Controversy

Hampshire County Council aims to replace Stubbington Study Centre with a new care home for vulnerable children, raising concerns about outdoor education.

Local

Fareham, Hampshire, Stubbington Study Centre, Residential Care, Children’s Services

Fareham: So, Hampshire County Council is thinking about shutting down the Stubbington Study Centre. They want to build a new home for vulnerable kids instead. It’s all about meeting the growing need for residential care, which is pretty important.

But here’s the catch: if they go ahead with this plan, all the outdoor activities and school trips that the centre offers would have to stop. That’s a bummer for schools that rely on those experiences.

The council says there are over 100 other places that can provide outdoor education, so they’re not too worried about that. They’re asking for feedback from schools and the community about this change, which could happen as soon as September 2025.

The new home would have 18 beds and replace another one in Southampton. They looked at other sites but decided Stubbington was the best fit. Councillor Nick Adams-King mentioned that there’s a real need for specialized care for kids, and this could be a great opportunity to create something new and beneficial.

He also acknowledged that the Stubbington Study Centre is popular and used a lot. They want to make sure that schools can still find good outdoor learning options if the centre closes. It’s all about balancing the needs of the kids.

Schools and organizations have until February 10 to share their thoughts online or via email. The council is keen to hear what everyone thinks before they make any final decisions.

After the feedback, the proposal will be reviewed by a committee in March, and if all goes well, it could be approved by the cabinet later that month. If that happens, they’ll then need to get the government’s green light for the new children’s home.

Image Credits and Reference: https://www.basingstokegazette.co.uk/news/24856223.plans-close-residential-activity-centre-stubbington/?ref=rss