Our Services

We also accept same day placements, and these will be arranged on a case by case basis dependent on the individual needs and circumstances of the young person.
When arriving at the service, the young personis introduced to thesupport staff, and will have an induction into the accommodation (including demonstrations of the operation of all domestic appliances and heating system). This includes expectations which are presented and explained.  Induction into the house will also include safety systems, fire exits, both communal and in accommodation, as well as a brief introduction to facilities in the surrounding community.
A young person’s handbook isprovided to support the induction process, which includes information regarding the complaints, advocates, and emergency contact details aswell as discussing the rules of communal living at the accommodation and the expectations of their placement plans and their responsibilities as young people to maintain their placement agreement.
Our staff approach is person centred, to assist young people who seek greater independence and autonomy.
Young peoplealso receive alicence agreement which clearly defines the service that will be provided, including their rights, responsibilities to live in the accommodation, the service fees as applicable, payment arrangements and the procedure for changing and ending the contract.  Initially, support staff will assist young people with practical support, such as housing related support matters and registering with the local GP, Optician and Dentist.

All missing persons or unauthorised absences will be reported to the police if they fail to return to the service by 10pm.
The following should be considered and recorded when a young person goes missing from the site:

• Time and date the young person were last seen, time reported missing to the police, their age, their appearance, their risks, known frequencies, precipitating factors that may have led them to go missing, their personal circumstances, and the time and date they return home.
• All young people should be interviewed by a member of staff or a manager to ascertain why they felt cause to leave the site when this has not been prior agreement. This is called the return home interview. A copy of the missing report and return home interview must be sent to the young person’s social worker without delay.
• The responsible local authority must provide the opportunity for the service user to have an independent return to home interview via an independent person. The police should also complete a self and well check upon the service user returning from being missing by the police.

Prior to each planning meeting including pre-placement meetings, consideration will be made as to whether it is appropriate to discuss associated risks of the service user absenting him/herself. Where it is appropriate the discussion will include the following and be recorded:

• degree of risk of the service user absconding
• level of supervision/support offered to the service user
• social worker advice on what action should be taken if the service user goes missing
• level of risk presented if the service user absconds

The views and wishes of young people are important to us. The young person is requested to be fully involved and invested in their support, they are fully listened to and their views, preferences and beliefs inform how their package of support is delivered on a day to day basis.

This includes:

• Choice of decor and furnishings of the home, including their bedrooms
• Individual recreational, sporting and cultural activities
• Choice of birthday and Christmas presents
• Educational and careers matters e.g. choice of subjects/exams, and choice of college/ training provider
• Involvement in staff selection processes
• Where appropriate, choice of key worker
• All health matters

This happens from the point of referral, subsequent placement planning meeting and regularly thereafter through key worksessions and young people’ meetings. Measures are in place to facilitate participation in all areas of service delivery including from significant others. An integral element of this is toensure young people are able to maintain their identity and links with their culture and religion. The provision of service user’s healthcare and education must reflect their cultural needs. For those young people where English is not their first language, interpreters will be sourced who speak their preferred language whenever they are interviewed or require access to their services.

We routinely monitor young people’ feedback through feedback forms and young adult complaints and outcomes will be maintained and be made available for inspection. We will be responsible for ensuring consistent compliance with these requirements and will have robust systems for documenting, monitoring, and ensuring such compliance. We will also demonstrate that the standards of service required are being delivered and the needs of the young adult are being met.

Young people will be supported to maintain family contact and positive support networks as much as is safe and positive to do so.

• Alarm tests are carried out weekly by staff.
• Alarm points are tested alternatively to ensure they are in working order.
• All alarm tests are recorded in the house fire log.
• Emergency lighting tests are carried out at the same time weekly and recorded in the fire log.
• Fire evacuation drills are carried out monthly and when a new young person or staff member is introduced to the service.
• Employees/young people are made awareof fire procedures and of the location of firefighting equipment, escape routes from the premises and meeting points as part of their induction/admission.
• Employees will ensure that there are no obstructions to any firefighting equipment or escape route.
• Employees must report any deficiency of the firefighting/safety equipment to the manager immediately.
• Employees are trained in the actions to be taken in the event of a fire emergency, know what actions they will be expected to take.
• Any person discovering a fire will immediately operate/activate the alarm via the nearest fire point.
• In the event of a fire or sounding of the alarms the building must be evacuated as quickly as possible via any appropriate exit.
• The designated person/staff member will ensure their individual responsibilities are undertaken which include:
  • Assisting and ensuring young people and any visitors vacate the building.
  • The visitors’ book is taken out in order to check that all young people, visitors and personnel can be accounted for and provide the fire service with accurate information.
  • Telephone 999 requesting the services of the fire service.
  • Staff may attempt to tackle the fire provided they have received appropriate training with the equipment available until the fire brigade arrives but at no time should they put their own life or wellbeing at risk.
  • Details of any activation of the fire alarm must be recorded in the fire log as must details of any evacuation including drills.
  • The house will conduct weekly visual electrical checks e.g. Cracks to the casing of electrical appliances, cracks or cuts to wiring, damaged electrical sockets, plugs etc. in line with health and safety requirements. Any defects found will be addressed immediately.
  • A current electrical installation certificate is available. An annual portable appliance test (PAT) is conducted by qualified electricians and a current landlord’s gas certificate is held in the service.