Former police station set to provide home for vulnerable children

As reported, Venn Academy Trust has agreed to buy Gordon Street Police Station, off Boulevard, from Humberside Police. It will provide new accommodation for The Sullivan Centre, which caters for young people who cannot attend their usual school because of their medical or mental health needs.

At present, The Sullivan Centre is housed in a neighbouring building in Boulevard, alongside The Venn Boulevard Centre. Terry Johnson, who chairs the trust, said a move to the police station would open up 40 more places for children who need them.

Mr Johnson said the centre had been operating at maximum capacity for some time. “Historically The Sullivan Centre has been without a long-term, permanent site, having previously been sited on the NHS estate, rooms in a children’s centre, using rooms in a special school and currently using space on the Venn Boulevard Centre site,” he added.

“The Venn Sullivan Centre, Health and the Medical Needs Education Service provides classroom-based learning and therapeutic intervention for pupils who are to unwell too attend school. The Gordon Street site would provide room for both short-term pupils and pupils with an education, health and care plan, as well as therapy and counselling rooms and outdoor play space for pupils. Venn is also looking at ways The Sullivan Centre could support the local community through a range of after-school activities.”

Details of the Trust’s plans come after the Police and Crime Commissioner approved the sale of the west Hull police station for £350,000. Campaigners had hoped to block the move, arguing that the station was the oldest in Hull, had benefited from a £1.3m refurbishment in 2008, and could help to tackle antisocial behaviour in the area.

However, Humberside Police argued that the building was surplus to requirements, had become a focus for antisocial behaviour, and was costing around £12,000 a year to maintain. “The offer from the Venn Academy Trust would seem the most viable and attractive given its presence in the local community and support it brings to the children and residents of the area,” a report for the PCC stated.

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