On the heights of Pont-du-Casse, what is hidden behind this imposing gate? Or rather who? The Balade home nourishes many fantasies. Within the confines of this imposing building, managed by the Departmental Council, live around fifteen young people experiencing great difficulties. “They are not delinquents.” Precision is important for Jérôme Gardeux, director of the Children and Youth Center at the Departmental Council, and the director of the structure, Nathalie Perrot. Understand that they have not done anything criminally reprehensible when they arrive at Balade.
A walk is the last resort. After the evaluations of the ASE services, the social workers believe that it is urgent to “place” these children, pre-adolescents and adolescents. To the widely used term “placed”, the social workers of the Departmental Council, who are responsible for steering the public policy of social assistance for children (ASE), prefer “welcomed”, “entrusted”.
Fever peaks
This summer, the Balade home experienced “a peak of fever”. The metaphor is signed by Christian Delbrel, the mayor of the town. An episode of violence which required numerous interventions by the gendarmerie who, moreover, are notified as soon as a runaway occurs. “There are some every day,” specifies the city councilor. “But that’s protocol. »
Did the Balade children's home weigh in the balance of the geographical choice for the establishment of a new gendarmerie brigade in Pont-du-Casse? Without doubt none: the structure, which accommodates around fifteen young people, would have judicial activity (excluding runaways) which is close to a town of 1,500 inhabitants. In opposition to the Department, the question of the training of educators arises. Christian Delbrel brushes aside this hypothesis. “They do a remarkable job. »
“The structure, which accommodates around fifteen young people, would have judicial activity (excluding runaways) which is close to a town of 1,500 inhabitants”
During this period of tension, “which is calming down a little this fall”, educators were injured, and the police intervened in a forceful manner. “It can increase very quickly depending on new arrivals. Sometimes all it takes is a spark… Because these are kids who are abused, incested, destroyed, disorganized. I am happy that Pont-du-Casse welcomes this type of establishment because they are necessary. »
Lack of suitable structures
Alas, according to the councilor, Balade sometimes welcomes profiles who have nothing to do within these walls. “These are orientation faults. Some come under psychiatry and present very, very serious problems. But there is a lack of suitable structures to accommodate them. And Candélie, too, no longer has any places. And there are fewer and fewer caregivers. “
The social workers at the Cassipontine home see this every day. “We had a particularly difficult group this summer. Alas, in the event of serious behavioral problems, we need places in suitable medico-social establishments. But there is none anymore,” they whisper. “These children, who present multiple problems, are “unbreakable” even though they require special care. This is explained, among other things, by repeated educational and parental deficiencies since childhood. They land at Balade. This is not within the competence of the Department. “
However, Balade never leaves anyone behind. Scarification, violence… “We are witnessing acts of all kinds. So yes, the firefighters and the police come to protect children who sometimes need an adult with them all the time,” says Nathalie Perrot who, beyond all these circumstances, wants to put the church back in the middle of the village. “We ask a lot of these families, of these young people. They are no longer in their environment. For some, it's the first night they've spent away from home. And they don't know when they're going to go back. You have to be able to adapt, put up with others, the boarding school, etc. »
1,225 minors welcomed in the department
The employees of the home carry out progressive work, on a daily basis, to get these young people in daily care and their families out of the impasse. “Sometimes it works. Sometimes less…” A long-term task that is sometimes difficult to understand from the outside. At the start of November, Marc (1) is happy. “I’m going to go to a host family. Finally. » His friend, a roommate, does not yet have this chance. “I’ve been here for a year and a half,” she sighs. Marc went through a delicate period in the summer. Which he managed to overcome with the Cassipontine educators. In parallel with the activity of the structure, Balade works with 17 family assistants spread across the Lot-et-Garonnais region.
As of December 31, 2023, 1,225 minors and young adults were accommodated in the Department's child protection establishments. An increase of 15.24% between 2018 and 2023. “This development in Lot-et-Garonnaise is observed in the same proportions at the national level,” specifies Jérôme Gardeux. The Departmental Council devotes an annual budget of 65 million to it [dont 6,9 millions pour Balade, NDLR]. And 80% of this budget is devoted to placed minors and adults. “A foster child represents on average 60,000 euros per year,” he concludes.
3 million euros of renovation, an extension in Damazan
The Balade children's home will be renovated for 3 million euros. The objective is to refurbish everything, particularly the obsolete boarding school. “We are going to rebuild two pavilions with eight places each. But also the kitchens, the offices…” The project should extend from 2025 to 2028. An annex to the Balade site will also see the light of day in Damazan, on the Cazala site for a total budget of 245,044 euros. This operation aims to provide this site with an initial reception capacity of eight beds, with a planned extension to 16 beds, in a second phase. The project also includes the installation of administrative services and management units necessary for the proper functioning of the establishment,” stipulates the Departmental Council. This site, used by Algeei until January 2024, presents infrastructures which, although generally suitable, require certain refreshment work as well as safety compliance to guarantee the reception of future miners.
