Description:In the early 1970s, six purpose built children’s homes were built each of which could house 18 children. This home in Perry Barr was one of these, opening in 1973.
When the home was being built in 1969, it was described as "a two storey home with lean to/flat roofs built around a central a central open courtyard (22’ x 16’).
"The ground floor will consist of entrance hall, office, toy store, children’s play room, sitting room, and quiet room, resident staff sitting / dining room and kitchen, children’s dining room and kitchen, house parents’ kitchen, dining room and living room and toilets for children, resident staff and visitors.
The first floor will consist of 8 bedrooms for the children having 18 beds, 3 bedrooms for resident assistants, one two-bedroom flat and separate toilets.
"A footpath crossing to serve the two lock-up garages and three visitors’ parking spaces is required. The open areas within the site are proposed to be landscaped."
While it was built as an 18-bed unit, the capacity was reduced to 16 in 1974.
Both boys and girls lived in the home.
Image: A promotional shot used by Birmingham's children's Department in 1967. At this stage, the Birmingham Children's Homes project does not have any photographs of this children's home.
Source: This history was compiled by the Birmingham Children's Homes Project, an initiative to explore Birmingham City Council-run children’s homes between 1949 and 1990.