The home, which will welcome its first children in the coming months, has been transformed from a family property into a specialist residential setting designed to provide a safe, nurturing and therapeutic environment for children in care.
Project Athena forms part of the council's Reforming Kent's Future strategy and will see four family homes across Kent purchased and converted into children's homes owned and operated by Kent County Council.
The homes will provide therapeutic, relationship-based care for children and young people aged eight to 17. Each home will accommodate up to two children, creating a calm and stable environment that reflects a family home setting.
“Project Athena is an important part of our wider plans to strengthen services for children in care.”
Located within local communities, the homes will help children stay connected to their families, schools, friends and support networks, while developing confidence, independence and important life skills.
The initiative also supports the council's ambition to reduce reliance on costly external placements, helping to deliver better value for money and, most importantly, improving outcomes for children and young people in care.
Paul Webb, Cabinet Member for Integrated Children's Services, said: "The completion of our first Project Athena home is a significant milestone and demonstrates our commitment to giving Kent's children the best possible start in life.
"We know children achieve better outcomes when they can remain close to their families, schools and support networks. These homes will provide high-quality care in nurturing environments that feel like home, while helping children build confidence, stability and a sense of belonging.
"Project Athena is also an important part of our wider plans to strengthen services for children in care. By investing in our own residential provision, we can reduce reliance on expensive external placements, deliver better value for taxpayers and ensure more children receive the support they need closer to home."
Project Athena represents an important investment in Kent's residential care provision and will help create a stronger, more sustainable system that keeps more children connected to their communities while receiving the care and support they need.
