The Bungalow - East Sussex County Council

APPENDIX D
Sorrel Drive
Children's Resource Centre
The Bungalow
Statement of
Purpose and Function
37 Sorrel Drive, Eastbourne BN23 8BH
Responsible Authority:
East Sussex County Council
Social Services Department
County Hall
St Anne's Crescent
Lewes BN7 1SW
Tel: 01273 481000 April 2002
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Establishment
The Bungalow
Operations Manager
– Residential
Antony Julyan
Address
Registered Provider
Helen Davies
Assistant Director,
- Children & Families,
Social Services Department,
County Hall,
St. Anne’s Crescent,
Lewes,
East Sussex.
BN7 1SW
Telephone: 01273 481000
Registered Manager
Paul Taylor
Contact
37 Sorrel Drive, 01323 762024
Eastbourne,
East Sussex.
BN23 8BH
Core Statement
“The Bungalow” at Sorrel Drive Children’s Resource Centre provides respite care for
up to seven young people of either gender between the ages of 10 and 19. The
resident group comprises young people who have severe learning and/or physical
disabilities.
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1. Operational Policy
1.1 The Bungalow is a residential unit which forms part of Sorrel Drive
Children’s Centre. It is an integral part of the residential
accommodation service for East Sussex County Council Social
Services’ Dept. embracing recommendations as described in the
Quality Protects agenda and provides services to young people and
their families across the county.
1.2 The Bungalow is registered with the National Care Standards
Commission and complies with the national minimum standards. It
operates within the Children Act 1999 and the Children’s Homes
Regulations 2001. Alongside this, the Bungalow complies with the
operational policies, guidance and instructions laid out by East Sussex
Social Services Department.
1.3 The Bungalow has a clearly definable admissions procedure, which
provides a firm structure to the case planning process. It also ensures
that realistic timescales are identified and agreed for a young person’s
stay within the Bungalow.
1.4 The management structure and the Bungalow’s internal scheme of
delegation is clearly defined and ensures that effective decision-making
in relation to the needs of the young people within the Bungalow is
made. It is a management task to assess that placements are
appropriate given the needs of the young person, taking into account
the mix of residents currently within the Bungalow. Clear and firm
expectations of the placing social worker during the initial placement
phase, increases the likelihood of meeting targets consistent with the
care plan objectives and that any placement drift will be highlighted and
resolved at an early stage.
1.5 The Bungalow aims to provide a caring and comfortable environment in
which a young person can feel safe and secure. The key principle
enshrined within the Bungalow’s operational ethos is that residential
care can be a positive experience, which offers an opportunity to be
both creative and innovative within the care planning process.
1.6 The core concepts for practice within the Bungalow are based upon a
clear planning, intervention and evaluation. All young people admitted
to The Bungalow are participants within this process, which provides
the foundation for individual care planning at all levels of their period of
accommodation.
1.7 The health of a young person is considered of paramount importance
and to support this, the services of a General Practitioner, Clinical
Nurse Specialist and local Health Centres are available to the unit to
help support staff, young people and their families and contribute to
effective and cohesive teamwork
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1.8 Whilst we do not offer formal education within the Bungalow, staff
members, in conjunction with parents and social work colleagues,
remain proactive in attempting to secure formal education in a
recognised establishment within East Sussex.
1.9 The philosophy and care culture within the Bungalow actively promotes
the notion of protection of individuals rights. All residents are
encouraged to participate in activities outside of the centre and to
maintain family contacts on a regular basis. All young people have
unsupervised access to a telephone.
Information from East Sussex Social Services Department’s
Complaints Department at County Hall is easily accessible to young
people within the Home.
1.10 Emphasis is given to ensuring an effective and efficient service is
maintained via comprehensive quality assurance systems. As required
in the Departmental Best Value Performance Plan, systematic user
feedback is obtained in order to measure outcomes.
1.11 The Warner recruitment process is rigorously observed to for all care
staff appointments and the TOPPS induction programme is in place for
all new recruitment’s. Individual and team development plans are seen
as crucial to our work and these are processed through regular
supervision, personal development systems, individual training profiles
and a comprehensive training package.
1.12 Comprehensive Team Plans are clearly linked to Government
agendas, in particular Quality Protects objectives. Our main service
objectives fall under the following 5 headings:-
• Promote learning and development opportunities for staff
• Constantly strive to improve the quality of service we provide
• Meet the health and educational needs of all young people we look
after
• To actively involve users in planning and delivery of service
• To develop effective partnership with other agencies
Specific practice standards are contained primarily in the following documents:
Children’s Homes Regulations 2001
The Children Act 1989
The Children Act 1989 Guidance Volume 4
The Children Act 1989 Guidance Volume 6
Care Standards Act 2000
Children’s Homes National Minimum Standards
The Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000
E.S.C.C. Departmental Operational Instructions
East Sussex Child Protection Procedures
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Human Rights Act
Health and Safety legislation
Data Protection Act
Social Services Best Value Performance Plan
Quality Protects Management Action Plan
2. Facilities
“The Bungalow” is a place where young people live. Therefore, it is our
intention to provide as normal living surroundings as possible.
2.1 Attention is paid to furniture, soft furnishings, equipment and fittings.
This is with a view to creating a warm and relaxed atmosphere. We
aim to provide a light and airy environment, which can give young
people a sense of space and of not being hemmed in. The main living
area has enough space and facilities to promote activities and
relaxation via listening to music, watching videos, indoor games and
arts and crafts activities such as painting and drawing.
2.2 Each young person has their own bedroom which is personalised with
familiar objects, toys, pictures and posters so that the young person will
be able to identify what is their own space.
2.3 On the same campus at Sorrel Drive we are lucky enough to offer the
following facilities:
• A Snoezelen room which offers a variety of stimulating sensory
activities, such as bubble tubes, a ball pool, music and soft
furnishings.
• A large playroom complete with exploratory equipment for young
people, such as tunnels, a small climbing frame, physiotherapy
balls and go-kart.
• A hydrotherapy pool where young people have the opportunity to
enjoy swimming and water – obviously with a high staff presence.
• The Bungalow also has a large garden which is used as often as
possible in good weather. In very good weather the young people
will eat “al fresco” at the picnic table in the garden,
• Additionally the Bungalow has an adapted bus which can transport
the young people out into the community to partake in any activities
or events which mainstream young people would enjoy.
2.4 Sorrel Drive has seven bedrooms, each has the facility for an overhead
hoist to be fitted so that non-ambulant young people can be safely
moved from bed to wheelchair and vice versa. All the doorways and
corridors are wide enough to ensure wheelchair access and “The
Bungalow” has a well-provisioned bathroom which includes an Elysee
bath, shower tray, shower chair and Potterton toilet chair. All these are
accessed via an ‘H’ track hoisting system.
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2.5 The only circumstances where young people would be placed together
in a bedroom would be if they were part of a sibling group and the
sharing of a bedroom was appropriate.
2.6 Staff will undertake physiotherapy exercises with some young people.
However, these are exercises prescribed by a physiotherapist external
to Sorrel Drive but carried out by staff members.
3. “The Bungalow” Staffing Structure
Operations Manager
|
Unit Manager
|
2 Resource Officers
| | | |
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Senior Care Night Care Admin 1 Driver/Handyman Relief Care
Officers Officers Asst. Officers
2 p/t Cleaners
1 p/t Cook
4. Staff Qualifications - Experience
NAME
Antony Julyan,
Service Manager
Paul Taylor,
Unit Manager
QUALIFICATIONS
20 years residential experience
NVQ Internal Verifier Award 1999
Certificate in Social Services 1985
17 years residential experience
Certificate in Social Care 1988
(Lewes Tertiary College)
Institute of Management Certificate 1997 (University of
Brighton)
Diploma in Therapeutic Child Care
1999 (Exeter University, Caldecott College)
NVQ Assessors Award – Caring for Children & Young People
1999
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Melanie Ross – Resource
Officer
Ann Crabb – SCCO
(Nights)
Gill Gausden – SCCO
Tony Hines – SCCO
Nikki Ransom – SCCO
Janet Osborne – SCCO
Christine Scutt – SCCO
19 years residential experience
Certificate in Social Services 1984
Child Protection 2 1995
Child Protection & Children with Disability 1996
Supervision Training 1996
17 years residential experience
Lifting/Handling
9 years residential experience – children with disabilities
NVQ3 Caring for Children & Young People – commenced 2000
Child Protection 1 & 2 1993
Halliwick Method – swimming therapy 1992
ASA Swimming Teacher Cert. 1990
3 years Psychiatric residential experience
First Aid Lifting/Handling
9 years residential experience
NVQ Level 3 – Caring for Children & Young People 2000
Child Protection 1 & 2 1993
First Aid Lifting/Handling
19 years residential experience
NVQ level 3 Caring for Children & Young People 2000 Child
Protection (Signs & Indicators) 1998
13 years Home Help / 8 years Residential experience
East Sussex Social Care Course, Lewes Tertiary College 1993
Child Protection 1 1993
BTEC GNVQ3 Health & Social Care 1996
Child Protection Foundation 1998
Advanced Diploma in Child Care & Education 1998
D32 & D33 NVQ Assessor’s Award 1999
First Aid Lifting/Handling
2 years Family Link Scheme
3 years working with Elderly
3 years Childminding
Advanced Certificate in Counselling Skills & Theory, Central
School Therapy & Counselling, London 1999
Gordon Tinworth – SCCO 5 years working with Adults with Learning Difficulties (Special
Needs)
5 years Residential experience working with Children (Learning
Disabilities)
Child Protection 1 1997
Child Protection – Working in Partnership 1997
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Paula Woodley – SCCO
Rose Cooper – SCCO
Melissa Crouch – SCCO
Jo Stratford – RCCO
Olive Clark – Cook &
Domestic Assistant
Bob Lewin –
Driver/Handyman
Brenda Goldsmith –
Domestic Assistant
Vaila Saunders – Admin
Assistant
6 years residential experience
NVQ3 Caring for Children & Young People commenced in
1999
Child Protection 1 1996
Lifting/Handling
2 years Respite Home Care
5 years Physio Assistant Children with Learning & Physical
Disabilities
2 years Residential experience (learning disabilities)
Commenced NVQ – Caring for Children & Young People Sept
2000
5 years Residential experience (children & adults with learning
disabilities)
BTEC National Diploma in Social Care, Lewes Tertiary College
1995
BSL Stage One 1999
BSL Stage 2 – commenced Sept. 2000
Child Protection (Basic Awareness) 1998
6 years residential experience
2 years voluntary work
Diploma in Nursing (Learning Disabilities), University of
Brighton 1997
Registered Nurse, Learning Disability
BSL Level 1 2000
BSL Level 2 – commenced Sept 2000
12 years at Sorrel Drive
Food Hygiene Course 1993
First Aid Certificate 1996
16 years at Sorrel Drive
National Plant & pool Technicians Certificate 1993
First Aid Appointed Person 1999
14 years at Sorrel Drive
Basic first aid 1996
Lifting & Handling 1997
13 years at Sorrel Drive
ESCC Social Care 1 1991
MS Word ’97 Introduction 1999
MS Word ’97 Intermediate 2000
Excel Training 1999
Meetings/Agendas/Minutes 1998
Word Processing 1996
Customer Care 1995
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5. Staff Development
5.1 The selection of staff is critical to the provision of a quality service and
ensuring the protection and safety of young people accommodated.
The Bungalow’s recruitment process is rigorous and challenging and in
line with the “Warner” Committee report on staff recruitment and
selection within residential units.
5.2 Clear expectations are placed upon staff within the Bungalow in
relation to their commitment towards achieving high standards of
practice and care for service users. Strong emphasis is placed upon
individual staff supervision and practice competency planning through
the TOPPS induction and foundation process for all newly appointed
staff.
5.3 Every member of staff has a personal development review which
measures their performance against departmental, and team plans and
incorporates a development action plan for the year ahead. The
monitoring of PDS forms part of regular supervision and individual
agreements are tailored to the needs of the individual supervisee and
reviewed on a six monthly basis
5.4 In addition to this, an active commitment is given to professional
training and development through individual and team training
programmes. A rolling programme is in place for all staff to achieve
N.V.Q. Level 3, Caring for Children and Young People. On site we
have 3 N.V.Q Assessors and one N.V.Q Internal Verifier.
6. Services Provided
6.1 The young people admitted to The Bungalow have very complex
emotional and behavioural needs which invariably have led to multiple
breakdowns in previous placements. These will outweigh any
disability. We aim to meet their psychological, social, emotional health
and educational needs within a non-rejecting homely environment.
6.2 In almost all cases, admission to the Bungalow will be planned and as
such would have been subject to a pre-admission planning meeting
involving the young person, parents and relevant professionals.
Identification of the young person’s co-ordinator within the Bungalow
will have taken place prior to this meeting, ensuring that the primary
service users are able to meet the co-ordinator within the residential
setting before admission.
6.3 Agreement as to the purpose and duration of the placement is
confirmed at this pre-admission stage and emphasis is placed upon
the social worker to provide relevant and accurate information within
the “Looked After Children” framework.
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6.4 The core assessment model is primarily based on the Framework for
the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families (HMSO
2000)Assessment”
6.5 A plan of intervention identifies targets for measurement which are
regularly evaluated for their effectiveness. Individual care planning
allows the opportunity to focus on outcomes from both the initial and
ongoing process. This is formally monitored via the Looked After
Children’s review process
6.6 Additional services which could form part of a young person’s care
plan include:-
• Group work
• Family work
• Art/Play Therapy
• Independence Training
• Pre and post placement support work
• Joint work with the Leaving Care Team
• Joint work with the Fostering and Link Teams
• Leisure and recreational activities
All aspects of the service provided are within the context of achieving
the aims of the care plan and meeting the identified needs of the young
person.
7. Referral and Admission Process
7.1 It is the intention of the Bungalow to provide short-term respite care to
young people with severe learning disabilities often combined with
physical disabilities.
7.2 Occasionally young people have stayed for longer periods of time
when there has been a breakdown in their home care arrangements
and there has been no suitable alternative accommodation available.
However, it must be stressed that it was never intended to provide
such a service at “The Bungalow”, as it is not considered to be in the
best interests of any young person to be placed for a significant length
of time in an environment with a constantly changing and residents
group.
7.3 In order to procure a service to “The Bungalow” for respite care the
following process is followed:
• Family/living placement agree with Social Worker and following an
assessment that respite care is needed.
• Social Worker presents a referral to the Disability Service Respite
referrals monthly meeting.
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• If a service is agreed the parents/guardian and young person are
invited to visit “The Bungalow”.
• If the parents/guardian and young person are happy with what they
see, a member of staff from the Bungalow will meet with the parents
and young person to arrange a “Care Plan”. The Care Plan will
give detailed relevant information about the young person’s needs
during their stay. Any other relevant information from other
agencies such as the young person’s school and other support
services will be recorded in the Care Plan. Once the Care Plan is
completed the parents/guardians will receive a copy. In this
process the member of staff will:
• Gain written permission for emergency medical treatment, if it is
needed.
• Explain the Medical Procedure endorsed by the Social Services
Department.
• Gain a written agreement from the parents endorsing the use of
residential respite care.
7.4 Wherever possible the young person involved will be encouraged to
participate in this process.
7.5 The young person will be invited for up to three “tea visits”. These
normally take place after school and give the young person an
opportunity to spend a few hours in the Bungalow to acclimatise. If this
transition is successful then the young person will come for an
overnight visit.
7.6 If the overnight visit is successful, i.e., the young person appears
happy to stay, then the agreed amount of respite care can commence.
7.7 The core principal of the unit mean that they are not primarily to be
used for emergency admissions. However, the reality is that young
people who have challenging behaviours and who are in placements
(family or otherwise) that cannot meet their needs, will exhaust the
placements to the point where it is untenable. In such situations there
may be no where else to place a young person. Therefore, emergency
admissions can only be countenanced if:
• Not to place a young person in the unit would render them
homeless.
• The young person meets the criteria for the unit they are to be
placed in.
• All other options have been explored (e.g. fostering, link extended
family) and are not viable.
• The placement is agreed at Operational Manager level or above.
• The placement is reviewed urgently after the admission.
• The underlying principal should be that emergency admissions are
avoided.
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8. Involving Young People in the Running of The Bungalow
8.1 Young people’s views about the running of the home are actively
sought in the following ways:-
• House meetings.
• Individual sessions with “preferred” members of staff.
• Feedback at meetings/reviews.
• Use of viewpoint software on computers.
• Access to advocates via “Xpress”
• Access to inspectors, County Councilors and Reg. 33 “off line
inspector”.
• Access to a complaints officer.
8.2 All the staff involved in the running of the units are acutely aware of
past mistakes and scandals involving residential care Nationwide.
They are committed to seeking and valuing young people’s feedback
about their feelings and perceptions of the care they are receiving and
how the home is functioning.
9. Young People’s Rights, Representation and Complaints
9.1 The Bungalow is visited by independent representatives either from
Xpress Advocacy. The Unit is frequently visited by these
representatives who give young people the opportunity to meet with
them privately and confidentially to discuss any matters which the
young person wishes.
9.2 The allocated Social Worker is expected to visit regularly and a young
person has a right to contact them. On admission, young people are
informed of their rights, which includes their right to complain about
aspects of the service being provided to them. All young people are
encouraged to raise concerns in a positive way, with the intention of
resolving difficulties. The Unit displays prominently the information
relating to the Independent Representative and the Departmental
Complaints Officer. Records of all complaints are kept, in line with
departmental policy.
9.3 If someone is particularly pleased or impressed by any aspects of their
child’s care then they can report this verbally, or in writing to the
Bungalow staff, Resource Officers or Unit Manager.
9.4 We welcome any comments which may help improve the service
provided in The Bungalow.
9.5 In addition to the above, the Bungalow is inspected twice annually (one
announced, one unannounced inspection) by the National Care
Standards Commission.
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9.6 The Bungalow is also the subject of an unannounced visit once
monthly by an appointed officer from the County Council but who does
not work in the home. This is carried out in accordance with
Regulation 33, Children’s Homes Regulations 2001.
9.7 Additionally, the new legislation has added another dimension to
complaints in that the National Care Standards Commission can also
receive complaints from young people, staff, family members and
others involved with young people of the home outside the home. The
NCSC can be contacted at Ivy Terrace, Eastbourne.
9.8 Every resident has the right to pursue a normal pattern of life in the
community, irrespective of the origin, status, ability, sex, age, creed or
contribution to society.
9.9 Every person has rights to self-determination, choice, responsibility,
value and dignity. The home aims to provide an atmosphere where
young people can experience a safe and caring environment.
9.10 Research has proved that young people in care (Looked after Children)
lose out on “life chances”. Therefore the young people resident have
the same rights and should have the same opportunities that any
young person deserves. Any stigmatisation for Looked after Children
must be avoided at all costs. “Quality Protects” objectives are a very
useful reference point for this section i.e. that young people gain
maximum life chances, are supported when leaving care, are securely
attached to carers and are protected from significant harm.
10. Health
10.1 The unit actively promotes awareness for young people in relation to
their health and general fitness. All staff encourage residents to take a
responsible attitude towards their health and general welfare. Attention
is given to general hygiene, personal care, exercise, diet and
recreational activities.
10.2 All young people have access to local G.P’s. Alternatively, where
possible we endeavour to retain their own GP. Strong emphasis is
based upon ensuring that a young person is subject to a medical upon
becoming a resident and that dental and eye care checks occur. It is
recognised that many young people with physical and learning
disabilities often have complex medical needs. Therefore, it is vital
that prior to any admission a very clear protocol for a young person’s
medical needs is in place in the young person’s Care Plan.
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10.3 Any medication needed for the young person during their stay is
checked on admission. Medication must be prescribed from the young
person’s G.P. and must be in its original packaging/bottle. If this
procedure is not followed then it is possible the young person will not
be admitted for respite care unless their medication is corrected
immediately.
10.4 Once the young person is resident, two staff on each shift will check
and cross check medication times and quantities in order to ensure
accuracy and safety. Any medication administered is recorded on the
correct form in their Care Plan.
10.5 In the event of a medical emergency, medical assistance, i.e. a Doctor
or ambulance will be summoned immediately. The parent or guardian
of the young person will also be informed of the situation as soon as
possible.
10.6 Young people who are suffering from contagious conditions such as
chicken pox, scabies, etc. will not be admitted to “The Bungalow” until
the condition has cleared up.
10.7 If the young person has a change or addition to their medication, the
staff at the Bungalow must be informed of this in writing.
11. Promoting Education
11.1 As carers for young people the staff have an obligation to support
young people to attend and succeed to their potential in their schooling.
Each young person will either have a Statement of Educational Needs
or a Personal Education Plan which has the investment of all relevant
parties and will outline what support is needed for each young person
throughout their education.
11.2 The following key principals underpin the ethos supporting a young
person’s education.
• All young people will be encouraged to attend school regularly.
• Key workers will identify the named person at school with whom
workers will liaise at any given time.
• Any attendance issues will be dealt with promptly and the
necessary people informed of non-attendance, i.e. school, parents,
Social Worker.
• Staff will ensure that a young person’s Individual Education Plan is
understood and supported.
11.3 Staff will actively encourage young people to complete homework,
ensuring they understand what is being asked of them and assist in
identifying any useful resources that could help.
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11.4 At other times staff should support and encourage young people to
read as much as possible.
11.5 Staff will ensure knowledge of any communications sent by the school
in relation to after school clubs and activities as well as parent
evenings. Young people resident in the Bungalow are expected to
attend their usual school. Parents, social workers and bungalow staff
are expected to liaise with the school to ensure that transport is
arranged so the young person can attend.
11.6 A “communication” book is a vital tool in letting school and parents
know of any day-to-day events or significant incidents that have or will
be occurring.
11.7 Whilst there is a formal education offered via the school we also
believe that “education” can also be seen in a broader context of young
people learning from different activities and experiences outside of
school.
11.8 Facilities for homework or private study
• Each young person has a room where they can go to complete
homework, study or read.
• Additionally each unit has at least one computer which young
people can use to access information off the Internet or to use for
word processing or constructing documents.
11.9 Recreation sport and culture
• The Bungalow has facilities which offer the opportunity for young
people to enjoy music, television, indoor games, art, crafts and
individual hobbies. The staff team are encouraged to explore
outside opportunities for the young people to become involved in,
such as football, scouts, brownies, swimming or any other activities
or clubs young people belong to. This process is underlined by the
ethos generated in Quality Protects and Social Inclusion. It is
appreciated that children “Looked After” for a significant amount of
time can become isolated and excluded from the community.
11.10 If there are specific cultural issues, activities or anniversaries e.g.
Christmas, Easter, Ramadan, Divali which the young people have
expressed an interest in or are directly culturally linked then the staff
will ensure that they are celebrated and acknowledged.
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12. Maintaining Outside Contact
12.1 Contact by family and other persons identified by the young person as
important are actively promoted through visits home. Contact through
correspondence and telephone is agreed with the young person’s
Social Worker and ensures that any child protection issues are
addressed and adhered to.
12.2 Contact with Social Workers, legal advisers and independent visitors
are unrestricted and private.
12.3 We have a duty to maintain contact for young people in the Bungalow;
however, we also have a duty to ensure that those who contact the
young people are “safe” people who will not pose any threat to a young
people emotional or physical wellbeing.
13. Religious Observance
13.1 On admission to the unit staff ensure that enquiries are made into
religious and cultural background of each young person as part of the
overall case plan. Special effort is made to help a young person make
contact with a local church or group of adherents to the young person’s
religion. Special privacy is afforded for the purpose of prayer during
the day. We feel it is important that a young person recognises that
every possible consideration is being given in respect of their religious,
cultural and dietary needs.
14. Reviews
14.1 In order to promote the welfare of each young person, it is important
that, when considering placement, there is a clear view as to what is
hoped to be achieved by admission and how this fits into the overall
care plan. If a young person is “looked after” for less than 120 days a
year and for not more than four weeks at a time, the above pattern of
reviews can be maintained. However, if this is not the case the above
sequence will be changed as per instructions in Section 26 of the
Children Act 1989.
14.2 Statutory reviews held under Section 26 of the Children Act 1989.
Service Review or case planning meetings are also held to ensure a
young person’s welfare is safeguarded and promoted through
comprehensive planning. These meetings focus on a young person’s
educational, behavioural, social, emotional and health needs and
monitor how the placement plan is progressing in the context of
achieving the overall care plan.
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14.3 All young people, parents and other interested parties are encouraged
to attend. In the event of a young person not wishing to attend, the coordinator
takes steps to ensure that any feelings or wishes that the
young person may wish to have voiced at the meeting are presented
and recorded. Also an Advocate may attend to represent the young
persons views.
14.4 The use of “Viewpoint” can also be used to help young people express
their views at reviews. This can be done via either a document
produced by the young person for each member of the review or a
document to be used as an aide memoir for the young person in
assisting their verbal feedback, if they are confident enough to do this.
Additionally, Co-ordinators will also produce a written report in
consultation with the young person for the planning meeting.
14.5 The meeting will be recorded on the appropriate LAC review forms and
any salient points will be recorded on the CRC6 forms in the young
person’s file.
15. Measuring Outcomes
15.1 The Bungalow is a respite provision and intended to assist and advise
parents and carers with the care and support of disabled young people.
15.2 It is possible that young people may attend the Bungalow for several
years as part of a rolling programme of respite stays.
15.3 It is important that outcomes are considered for both the young person
and their siblings and carers.
15.4 Regular six monthly reviews are held throughout the duration of a
young person’s involvement with the Bungalow, these provide an
opportunity for discussion and feedback on outcomes for young people
and their families.
15.5 Young people have individual Care Plans giving details of their
personal care and any programmes currently being followed. These
are regularly updated by co-ordinators in consultation with the young
people and their parent/carers, these provide a useful indication of
outcomes.
16. Child Protection
16.1 All unit staff receives training in the signs and indicators of abuse. The
staff members have key roles in identifying possible abuse and there
are clear procedures, which they have to follow as set out by the East
Sussex Child Protection Committee.
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16.2 The underlying principles, which dictate practice in this matter, are:
The East Sussex Child Protection Committee believes that:
• Children are entitled to protection from neglect, abuse and exploitation.
• A child’s welfare is the paramount consideration.
• Working in partnership is the paramount consideration.
• Working in partnership with families and supporting parental
responsibilities are vital to the protection of children.
• Child protection must take account of the racial, linguistic, cultural and
religious needs and differences of families and children.
• Personnel from different agencies must work together constructively.
• Suitable forms of supervision and support are essential for persons
who are formally responsible for protecting children.
• Confidentiality is essential amongst agencies.
16.3 If any member of staff is concerned about a young person’s well being
they must inform the On-Call Manager.
16.4 If for some reason a Resource Officer or the Unit Manager are not
available during Office Hours then they contact - either Operations
Manager.
16.5 No form of bullying is acceptable within the Bungalow. Staff raise
awareness of bullying by:
• Dealing with bullying when it occurs.
• Developing a culture in which respect and consideration for others
is fundamental.
• Developing staff understanding through induction and training.
• Staff being vigilant and consistent.
• The young person being able to report bullying and it being taken
seriously.
• Incidents being investigated and recorded.
• Giving young people the opportunity to talk about bullying in general
terms.
17. Control and Discipline
17.1 The Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations state: -
“A major determinant of good behaviour and positive ethos of the home
is the quality of the relationships between the staff and the children.
Relationships between the staff and the children need to be based on
honesty, mutual respect and recognised good professional practice.”
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17.2 The ethos of each unit emphasises that we believe the regulation to be
correct and that our methods of work are planned accordingly. We
stress the need for mutual respect and fairness, combined with clear
consistent boundaries, which help establish a safe and caring
environment. However, there will be times when disciplinary methods
are necessary and the following sanctions are approved:
• Restitution: i.e. the use of a proportion of pocket money to make
restitution for damage, stolen money or goods, or to pay fines
imposed by a court.
• Reparation: i.e. where appropriate, making good or repairing any
damage.
• Curtailment of leisure extras.
• Additional house chores.
• Increased supervision.
17.3 In reality it is extremely rare for a young person to be subject to formal
disciplinary sanctions as the staff on shift will strive to de-escalate
situations using diversion tactics. However, if a member of staff does
need to impose such a sanction, then it must be clearly recorded in the
“Control and Discipline” or “Sanctions” Book, and the action must be
endorsed by the Manager.
17.4 On occasions, physical restraint may be necessary to ensure the safety
of all concerned.
17.5 Physical restraint is only exercised as a last resort in the following
circumstances: -
When a young person is:
• Likely to cause themselves physical harm.
• Likely to cause another person physical harm.
• Likely to cause serious damage to the fabric of the building and/or
furniture or fittings.
17.6 In every case, no more than the minimal necessary force is used within
the shortest timescale possible to achieve the objective. The young
person is given repeated opportunities to exercise their own self-control
and the restraint is ceased at the earliest opportunity. The young
person is talked through the incident, with the intention of ensuring they
are fully aware of why it happened and what can be learned and
understood from it.
17.7 All incidents are fully recorded and monitored by the unit manager and
discussed in detail at the following team meeting, in order to ensure
that any practice issues are identified and rectified if necessary.
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18. Unauthorised Absence of Young People
18.1 Upon discovering that a young person is missing, police may be
informed immediately and a ‘missing persons’ form completed and sent
by facsimile to the police. The following people are also informed:
• Resource Officer
• Children’s parents/guardian
• Social Worker
• Emergency Duty Service
• Any other relevant person
18.2 On return all relevant people are informed. The circumstances
surrounding the absence will be investigated and discussed with the
young person, to ascertain their whereabouts and activities whilst they
were missing, with a view to helping the young person to keep
themselves safe in the future.
18.3 Every effort is made to return the young person safely and all incidents
of going missing are collected centrally within the Department and
subsequently transmitted to the National Missing Persons Help line.
19. Electronic or Mechanical Surveillance
19.1 No forms of electronic surveillance are used in any of the units save a
“baby listener” at Sorrel Drive. This is a portable device, which can
help alert staff (especially Night Care Officers) to a young person
becoming distressed or suffering an epileptic fit.
19.2 All the bedrooms have call points, these are fitted to allow young
people to summon assistance and do not have any surveillance
facility.
20. Fire Precautions
20.1 The Unit is inspected by the East Sussex County Fire Officer to ensure
that fire precaution conditions are satisfactory. We maintain the
following: -
• Adequate precautions are taken against risk of fire.
• Adequate means of escape in the event of fire.
• Adequate arrangements are made for detecting, containing and
extinguishing fire.
• Adequate arrangements are made for warning of an outbreak of fire
and for evacuation in the events of fire.
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20.2 Fire drills are held at least monthly at different times of the day and a
full record kept. No advanced warning is given. All staff are aware of
the procedures to be followed in the event of a fire alarm sounding and
these are explained to the young people at point of admission.
Footnote:
We trust that this booklet has been helpful and should you require any additional
information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
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