We hope the information on this page provides the clarity you need. If you have any other queries, don’t hesitate to reach out via our contact page, we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Yes! For our residents, this is their home. Each child has their own bedroom (no sharing), and they’re encouraged to personalize their space with decorations, posters, and more to feel settled.
Trained staff are on-site 24/7 to ensure children feel safe, cared for, and supported to reach their full potential.
The Responsible Individual oversees overall service quality and compliance, ensuring managers have support and that homes meet regulatory and ethical standards. At Kennet Care, this role is held by Dennis Visser.
No. You can join Kennet Care without formal qualifications! However, it’s a legal requirement that all staff working with children hold a Level 3 qualification in Health and Social Care (Children and Young People) or an equivalent.
After passing your six-month probation, we support you in completing this qualification within 18 months. All staff also attend regular mandatory training and receive specific courses tailored to the needs of new referrals, such as working with the travelling community or children with medical needs.
All staff undergo a rigorous recruitment process, including:
New hires spend their first three weeks working closely with our training and induction manager
to prepare fully for safe, effective work with children.
Not all children engage in therapy—it can feel intimidating or unnecessary to them. However, Kennet Care employs an in-house therapist, Simon Waggett, who builds trust by participating in activities children enjoy, offering support on their terms.
Children have scheduled appointments with Simon but can also choose to attend sessions as they feel ready. Some children may attend external therapies if they prefer or have previous relationships with other therapists.
No child is forced to attend therapy, but we encourage them to make the most of the support available.
Yes! Education is compulsory, and all children at Kennet Care are expected to attend as part of their placement agreement.
Each child’s education journey is tailored to their needs. Some attend mainstream schools, while others benefit from specialist provisions, Pupil Referral Units, online learning, or home tutoring.
Our staff actively support children in understanding the importance of education and help them engage with the best options available.
Absolutely! From day one, we support children in developing age-appropriate independence skills—ranging from personal hygiene and meal prep for younger children to budgeting, booking appointments, and navigating public transport for older ones.
This is a carefully planned, ongoing process designed to empower children to confidently and safely step into adulthood.
Ofsted—the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills — is a non-ministerial UK government department responsible for inspecting and regulating services that care for children and young people, as well as those providing education and skills for learners of all ages.
In short: if a residential children’s home, school, college, nursery, or fostering agency is doing a brilliant (or less-than-brilliant) job, Ofsted is the team turning up with clipboards, checklists, and a healthy dose of scrutiny.
Ofsted inspections carry significant weight and can impact reputations. Naturally, staff often feel
anxious or stressed ahead of a visit, hoping their hard work in meeting every child’s needs
shines through clearly and fairly.
All referrals come from Local Authorities or Social Services, who assess each child’s need for placement. Children enter care following concerns raised by Child Protection teams, schools, healthcare professionals, police, or family members, typically when their current environment is unsafe.
Every Kennet Care staff member has a duty of care and shares this responsibility. However, the Registered Manager and the Responsible Individual hold overall accountability.
Additionally, an independent Regulation 44 visitor inspects our homes monthly—checking care quality, speaking with children, reviewing records, and raising any concerns. Their reports are submitted directly to Ofsted.
No. All referrals must come through Local Authority or Social Services channels.
We encourage resolving issues informally first—please call us to discuss any concerns. If a
formal complaint is needed, please refer to our complaints procedure.
We always welcome compliments, positive feedback, or constructive criticism. To share your thoughts, please click here.
Our team of support staff will ensure that each child receives the individualised care they need in order to develop their independence and achieve to the best of their ability.