Published: Thursday, 8th June 2023

A children’s home which provides short breaks for children and young people with additional needs has been rated good by Ofsted, for the second year in a row.

The centre, which we run, provides short breaks for children and young people aged five to 18 who have diagnosed learning disabilities or both a learning and physical disability.

During its visit in May, Ofsted found that staff create quality and purposeful relationships with children who visit the centre which means that they feel happy and relaxed when they stay away from home.

Ofsted recognised that the centre has inviting spaces which have been purposefully designed for engaging with children and young people as well as plentiful resources including a grand dining room with lots of green plants, beautiful murals and cosy corners for children to read.

The report also highlights that staff work with families to create tailored care plans for children and young people who use the centre and ensure that they reflect children’s needs. Staff also write end of stay reports for parents and carers which capture the fun their children have had during their stay and how they have been cared for.

Ofsted also included some areas for improvement in its report including ensuring that staff training is recorded and monitored. We have already taken action to address this.

Ensuring children receive the best care and support possible

Cllr Adam Price, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services, said: “I am delighted that the children’s home has been rated good by Ofsted for the second year in a row. Our staff ensure that they know the needs of every child and young person who visits the centre, and it is these little details which have a huge impact and help them enjoy their stay even more. We are committed to ensuring that every child in Medway receives the best care and support possible.”

The work of the centre echoes Medway's ambitions to become even more child-friendly and provide more opportunities for children and young people.

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