East Row Children’s Home

The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea agreed in November 2011 to build a new, state of the art children’s home in East Row which will provide the latest and best practice in child care. The new home will replace the current one at Whistler Walk on the World’s End Estate.

As a home, Whistler Walk has long been praised by inspectors for its exceptional standards of care. As a building however, it leaves much to be desired. Built in the 1970s, the internal layout feels institutional and doesn’t easily lend itself to the creation of a homely, family atmosphere. This fundamental problem cannot be addressed by a refurbishment. Once East Row Children’s Home is open Whistler Walk will be closed and converted into Council housing.

Despite living in difficult times, with pressure on the public purse, the Council feels it must ensure its most disadvantaged children get the best possible care and accommodation.

What will the new children’s home be like?

The new home will provide places for up to nine children at a time. It will have four individual flats for children who will be leaving soon and five rooms for the other children, a quiet room and recreational space outside. There will be 24-hour care provided by residential workers.

When all the work is completed there will be a three-storey children’s home that will give children high quality, energy efficient, accommodation with green roofs, solar panels and heat recovery units.

When will work start?

The construction of the home began in January 2013, following the granting of planning permission. Construction work will be completed in October 2013.

We have taken account of the location of Emslie Horniman Pleasance and the listed Voysey Gardens in the design for the new home so that they will not be adversely affected during or after the works.

If you have any questions please email eastrow@rbkc.gov.uk.