Health Minister Edwin Poots cut the first sod on the site of the new £2million Intensive Support Unit at Ballee in Ballymena.

Edwin Poots MLA

The new unit will be built on a site adjacent to the existing Ballee Children’s Home and will provide a much needed residential facility for children with complex and challenging needs.

Mr Poots said: "This new Unit will provide a homely living environment for children whose needs can best be met in a residential facility. Our focus must always be on providing the very best and most appropriate care for children with very complex needs. When the new Unit opens next year, children and young people will receive the latest care in a modern domestic style facility, close to their family and friends."

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"The Unit will provide excellent facilities to include: six single ensuite bedrooms, an independent self contained flat with kitchenette to encourage young people to take part in every day household tasks such as laundry, preparation of meals and shopping. It will also provide a computer resource area with Wi-Fi, hairdressing facilities and landscaped exterior with recreation facilities such as the Multi Use Games Area to encourage young people outside. It also provides a variety of shared spaces for individuals and groups and rooms available for contact with family members and carers."

(CD/GK)