Acorns - East Sussex County Council

1.8 Whilst we do not offer formal education within Acorns, staff members,in conjunction with parents and social work colleagues, remainproactive in attempting to secure formal education in a recognisedestablishment within East Sussex.1.9 The philosophy and care culture within Acorns actively promotes thenotion of protection of individuals rights. All residents are encouragedto participate in activities outside of the centre and to maintain familycontacts on a regular basis. All young people have unsupervisedaccess to a telephone.Information from East Sussex Social Services Department’sComplaints Department at County Hall is easily accessible to youngpeople within the Home.1.10 Emphasis is given to ensuring an effective and efficient service ismaintained via comprehensive quality assurance systems. As requiredin the Departmental Best Value Performance Plan, systematic userfeedback is obtained in order to measure outcomes.1.11 The Warner recruitment process is rigorously observed to for all carestaff appointments and the TOPPS induction programme is in place forall new recruitment’s. Individual and team development plans are seenas crucial to our work and these are processed through regularsupervision, personal development systems, individual training profilesand a comprehensive training package.1.12 Comprehensive Team Plans are clearly linked to Governmentagendas, in particular Quality Protects objectives. Our main serviceobjectives 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 lookafter• To actively involve users in planning and delivery of service• To develop effective partnership with other agenciesSpecific practice standards are contained primarily in the following documents:Children’s Homes Regulations 2001The Children Act 1989The Children Act 1989 Guidance Volume 4The Children Act 1989 Guidance Volume 6Care Standards Act 2000Children’s Homes National Minimum StandardsThe Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000E.S.C.C. Departmental Operational InstructionsEast Sussex Child Protection Procedures4