Description:The building that was to become the children's home on Sutton Road was originally built as a doctor’s house. It was purchased by the Council in 1966, adapted and opened as a children’s home in 1967.
A detached three storey building, the adapted rooms were designed to accommodate between 14 and 16 children.
In 1989, the home was the subject of some controversy, accusations of poor practice which were investigated and did not lead to convictions. There was however, negative media coverage locally.
That year, a decision was made to change the function of the home to one which would specialise in the preparation of children and young people for fostering or adoption.
Staff absences and unfilled vacancies meant that the home was closed temporarily in October 1989. The assumption is that when it reopened, it reopened with its new function.
Sutton Road closed in 2005. In the run-up to its closure it had accommodation for eight children.
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Image: Sutton Road children's home in 2004. Photograph reproduced here with the kind permission of Paul Dolan.
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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.