THE boss of a children's home firm planning a development near Malpas has apologised for how the company has communicated with residents.

Bernie Gibson, CEO of Compass attended a public meeting with residents of Hampton Heath and Malpas at the Bickely Coronation Hall on Thursday, January 23.

In front of a full house, Ms Gibson answered 15 preset questions, as well as responding to any comments from residents.

The meeting started off with David Curry, headteacher of Bishop Heber High School saying that he felt reassured himself of the educational intent of the home.

Ms Gibson started the meeting herself acknowledging that things did not get off on the right foot initially at the previous meeting held two weeks ago.

"In terms of reflection, I am genuinely sorry," she said. "I genuinely acknowledge we could have done this differently.

"We can't wait to understand sooner [from residents] whether this is a suitable location for a home, and I'm willing to meet groups individually to discuss."

One of the biggest questions from residents was why Compass had chosen the site on Cholmondeley Road to be their home.

Ms Gibson responded that a rural location can often be ideal for children in residential care.

"We have to understand the children we're working with," she said.

"Living in a rural location, far away from the noise and the city and areas that are quite dangerous is good.

"Travelling can be quite therapeutic, and can give children an opportunity to talk.

"Living rurally really works and it means that the risk that children can jump on that bus and run away isn't there.

"The reality is children will live with us all the time, living in a rural location is something we can manage from a practical point of view."

When asked about the regularity of emergency services being involved with the home, Ms Gibson explained that in the last year none of Compass' 18 homes had an ambulance callout and that across that same period there were 20 police callouts across all 18 homes.

There was some concern from residents over the lack of a risk assessment on the planning application, but Ms Gibson explained that a risk assessment cannot be approved by Ofsted until planning is approved.

In regards to relationships with local authorities, Ms Gibson explained that Compass have always held good relationships and that both Cheshire West and Cheshire East were very supportive of the company.

For many residents, a large sticking point with the home would be the types of children living there.

"These are children with challenging early life experiences – social, emotional and mental health difficulties," Ms Gibson explained.

"We can take children from ages seven to 17 but the average age is 12 to 13.

"The actual demographic will be led by demand and the needs of the local authority, but these are children that cannot live safely in their own homes."

Ms Gibson also added that the home would seek to work with the community, and function as "good neighbours".

When asked about the security measures at the home, Ms Gibson explained that it would just be a typical home, but the children would be supervised at all times.

"This is not a secure home, this is not a semi-secure home, this is a children's home," she added.

"We are a therapeutic community, it is very unlikely that children would be going into the community without the supervision of an adult."

But Ms Gibson added that it would be "not beyond the realm of possibility" that children might get involved with local groups such as Cubs.

When asked why information relating to children with Problematic Sexual Behaviour (PSB) had been taken off the website, Ms Gibson explained that is was generally aimed at local authorities rather than residents and that keeping it on the website had the side effect of making people fearful of the homes.

She added that it was also for safeguarding the children, with the possibility of people assuming children at the home were PSB, even if they were not.

She did concede that in future Compass needed a better way of informing residents.