(Above, left) Nicola Davis - Manager of Westminster House, alongside members of the team
Following an inspection by Ofsted, the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills, the team at a children’s home run by Milton Keynes City Council have been commended for their care and support.
Westminster House in Bletchley provides long-stay residential care and support 365 days a year for children who have complex needs and multiple learning disabilities. The 19-strong team care for up to eight children at any time.
The children have a wide range of activities available to them each day including regular trips, arts and crafts, music lessons, cooking and visits to the park.
Inspectors visited the home in February and spoke with staff, children and their families, social workers and local school staff about their experiences.
In its subsequent report, Ofsted rated the children’s home as ‘good’ and inspectors described how children live in a warm and welcoming environment, with personalised bedrooms and regular input from health specialists to meet their individual needs.
Staff involve the children in decisions, such as taking part in holidays, trips and a wide range of experiences that reflect their interests.
The team at Westminster House are described as passionate and committed to helping children progress. They were also commended for placing a strong emphasis on recognising and celebrating children’s achievements.
“This report reflects the dedication and compassion of the staff who support these children every day. They create a nurturing, safe and stable environment where young people can grow in confidence, make progress and feel valued. We’re committed to ensuring every child has the support they need to thrive.”
“I’m really proud of this team and the positive environment we have created. Our role goes far beyond day‑to‑day care - we want every young person here to flourish, whatever challenges they face. We’ll continue working closely with families, schools and professionals to make sure each child has the best possible opportunities.”