Staff at a youth jail at the centre of abuse allegations have been re-trained on how to restrain youngsters.

All employees, including the senior management team, at Medway Secure Training Centre in Rochester have undergone the sessions by a team from the Ministry of Justice on how to minimise and manage the techniques.

Footage secretly filmed by BBC Panorama, undercover at the centre last year, showed staff appearing to use excessive force on some young inmates.

January’s documentary led to an investigation and four members of staff were arrested on suspicion of child neglect and assault.

Since then, an independent improvement board has been set up, led by experienced head teacher Gary Holden, chief executive of the Williamson Trust, and a number of measures have been implemented.

These include more training and the use of body-worn cameras by frontline staff.

New phones have also been installed in the children’s bedrooms, allowing them to call pre-authorised numbers for friends and family without having to go through staff.

G4S has announced it is selling its children’s services business, which includes its contracts to manage Medway Secure Training Centre and Oakhill in Milton Keynes, but said it was still committed to the inmates’ welfare.

Paul Crook, managing director for children’s services, said: “While G4S recently announced its intention to exit children’s services, our commitment to the welfare of the young people at Medway is undiminished.

"We continue to work closely with the Ministry of Justice Independent Improvement Board and auditing team as well as progress with our own review of governance, culture and practices.”

• Three men from Medway, aged 25, 34 and 35, were arrested on suspicion of child neglect. A Medway man, 28, was arrested on suspicion of assault, and a 25-year-old East Sussex man was arrested on suspicion of child neglect. They have been bailed until April.