CHILDREN'S homes in Bromsgrove and Redditch are set to be axed as part of county council cuts.

Rivendell children's home in Bromsgrove and Downsell Road in Redditch will close next year as part of an effort to save the council more than £1 million.

Worcestershire County Council also announced a further three children's homes in the county will also be closed.

They said the plan to close the homes is so money can be spent on providing preventative services which stop children from going into care in the first place.

The county council also said the closures will save around £1.1 million next year – with the money pumped back into social care.

The Advertiser reported in October about an online petition that had been launched, trying to save Rivendell children's home from closure.

1,173 people had signed the change.org petition which was set up by Lorraine Lockyer, whose foster daughter spent time at Rivendell.

Downsell Road in Redditch, which closed for refurbishment in August, will not re-open.

County councillor David Roberts, cabinet member with responsibility for children and families, said: “Our main aim is to keep families together and improve the lives of our children and young people.

“This new and improved approach will help to prevent children from entering the care system where it is in their interests and we can support parents to care for their own children safely.

“We have a duty to protect children and young people and a duty to promote the upbringing of children in their family.

“We believe our new approach enables us to practice against these principals of social work practice.”

The council said the closures will currently impact 14 children and young people.