Home Details

Introduction

Situated in the suburban town of Dartford, Kent, Shenley House is a charming four-bedroom home providing care services for children aged over 6 who have been identified as having mild, moderate, or severe learning disabilities. These children may also experience physical challenges and complex care requirements, which can include mobility difficulties, sensory deprivation, communication needs, and associated health conditions such as epilepsy.

Shenley House offers a nurturing environment that respects and values young people irrespective of their disability, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. Tolerance and acceptance are central to our ethos and underpin all aspects of our work within the home.

We believe that young people thrive through positive parenting and by actively participating in the everyday decisions of the family unit. Accordingly, our home is committed to providing children and young people with quality individual time, the development of meaningful relationships with keyworkers and development of qualities such as tolerance and acceptance others by living as part of a group.

Our overarching goal is to equip children and young people with the skills they need to make a successful transition into adulthood. Although Shenley House is our newest establishment, it proudly upholds the core principles and care philosophy that have guided The Drive Care Homes for over two decades.

Testimonials

Facilities

Driving for excellent accommodations

During the initial planning stages for Shenley House, we recognised the importance of good accessibility, as this often presents a challenge for children and young people with disabilities. This is why we are proud to have Shenley House located in a busy suburban area with convenient access to public transport links, including buses and trains into London, as well as nearby amenities such as:

The home comprises four single-occupancy rooms and enjoys a modern, warm, and homely atmosphere, thanks to the generous furnishings throughout. Specialist equipment is stored away when not in use to maintain a comfortable and domestic environment for the young people. To foster a personal connection between each child and the home, we accommodate the views and preferences of any young person moving in, allowing them to decorate their room and create a space they can truly call their own.

We believe the importance of good nutrition cannot be overstated, particularly when caring for children and young adults. We encourage both the children and the staff who support them to enjoy mealtimes, to eat well-prepared, nutritious, and well-cooked food, and to view mealtimes as opportunities to relax, share stories, and reflect on the day’s events. To help prepare children for adulthood, they are given opportunities to learn skills related to food preparation and presentation. They are also supported in incorporating foods from their own cultures, as well as exploring foods from other cultures, into their diet.

Our care staff are all highly trained in food preparation and planning. Every staff member holds Food Standards Agency-recognised training and has completed Food Hygiene Level 1 certification. By investing in staff development, we ensure the highest standards are maintained within the home, including respecting children’s choices and accurately recording information related to the nutritional needs of those who require specific dietary support

Bedrooms

Dining Rooms

Bathrooms

Laundry Rooms

Garden

Patio Area

Conservatory

Lifestyle

Driving development through opportunity

The principle of choice for children and young people is a core value that guides all employees at The Drive Care Homes. Every effort is made to ensure that the care team at Shenley House are fully aware of the individual preferences of each child and young person in the home. Given the varying complexity of individual needs, our care staff employ innovative and creative methods to understand which activities children enjoy participating in. Staff also support children in trying new activities, as we believe this is the most effective way to discover their interests.

Shenley House offers a wide variety of both in-house and external activities, including:

Playtime – using toys, books, painting, sensory items, and other creative tools
Opportunities to assist with domestic chores such as cookery and housework
Computer use for both educational and leisure purposes
Swimming
Cinema trips
Shopping outings
Park visits
Excursions to zoos and the coast

The ethos underpinning our approach to activities for children and young people is rooted in the belief that those in our care should be offered the same opportunities to explore different hobbies, experiences, and interests as we would offer our own children.

Admissions

Shenley House has 4 available places for children and young people who have been identified as having mild, moderate or severe learning difficulties with associated complex needs. Such needs may include;

Epilepsy
Physical disabilities
Speech and language difficulties
Sensory impairments
Autistic spectrum disorder

We would also be willing to consider accommodating a young person who, in addition to a learning disability, has also had negative experiences in their past, for example ‘abuse’. However, our care team have not received the same industry leading training in this area, and so the help of external specialists would be used in such a scenario so that we can determine if we will be able to meet the needs of the child. Please contact our referrals team on 0800 7833 779, or complete our enquiry form to learn more about availability at Shenley House.