Regulation 44 Independent Visitor Short Break Overnight Units

Kent County Council wishes to select and appoint a suitable provider to fulfil the statutory requirements set out under Regulations 43 and 44 in the supply of an independent visitor service to overnight short break children's homes in Kent. Kent County Council own and manage 6 Overnight Short Break Units for disabled children & young people up to the age of 18. To comply with the Children's Home (England) Regulations (2015) and maintain their registration with Ofsted, KCC are required to employ Independent Visitors. A new service is required to be commissioned and in place by 1 October 2022. The six inhouse overnight stay units are: • Fairlawn, Ashford • The Den, Sunrise Centre, Southborough • Tree Tops, Dartford • Blue Bells, Detling • The Beach Hut, Windchimes, Herne Bay • The NEST, Ashford A seventh unit, The Nest two, is currently under the early stages of development and will have the same inspection requirements. The estimated timeline for the seventh unit to expected to open towards the end of 2023.