Welcome to St Edmunds A Young Person’s Guide Whatever it takes Whatever it takes Updated June 2010 Updated June 2010

Welcome to St EdmundsWelcome to St Edmunds

AAYoung Person’sYoung Person’s

GuideGuide

Whatever it takes Whatever it takes Updated June 2010Updated June 2010

Safeguarding and Corporate Safeguarding and Corporate ParentingParenting

Name and address of the Responsible bodyName and address of the Responsible body Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council,Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, Riverside HouseRiverside House RotherhamRotherham

St Edmunds is located in Thurcroft.St Edmunds is located in Thurcroft.

It is a detached 8 bedroom property.It is a detached 8 bedroom property. The house has a fitted kitchen, laundry room, The house has a fitted kitchen, laundry room, dinning room and sitting rooms to the front anddinning room and sitting rooms to the front and rearrear

There are 6 bedrooms, one for each young There are 6 bedrooms, one for each young person, 2 staff bedrooms, 1 bathroom 1 person, 2 staff bedrooms, 1 bathroom 1 shower room and toilets.shower room and toilets.

To the rear of the house is a garden.To the rear of the house is a garden.

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Our commitment at St EdmundsOur commitment at St Edmundsisis

“Whatever it takes”“Whatever it takes”We will make sure that while you are with us you are safe, happy and have the opportunities you need to develop your We will make sure that while you are with us you are safe, happy and have the opportunities you need to develop your

full potential so that when you leave, you are prepared for your future and you have fond memories of your time full potential so that when you leave, you are prepared for your future and you have fond memories of your time here.here.

To do that we willTo do that we will Give you a safe, clean environment to live inGive you a safe, clean environment to live in Make sure that your health is our top priorityMake sure that your health is our top priority Make sure that you are always protected from harm and are able to keep yourself safe too.Make sure that you are always protected from harm and are able to keep yourself safe too. Make sure that you get the most out of life by having the chances and support you need to enjoy your education and Make sure that you get the most out of life by having the chances and support you need to enjoy your education and

leisure activitiesleisure activities Respect you and expect you to have respect for othersRespect you and expect you to have respect for others Make sure that you have fair and equal rights and access to all of the responsibilities available to all children and Make sure that you have fair and equal rights and access to all of the responsibilities available to all children and

young people.young people. Recognise and celebrate all your achievements.Recognise and celebrate all your achievements. Listen to what you have to say and make sure you are involved in any decisions we make about your care.Listen to what you have to say and make sure you are involved in any decisions we make about your care. Give you financial support and training so you can take advantage of opportunities and prepare for life careGive you financial support and training so you can take advantage of opportunities and prepare for life care Make sure you can get the support you need from other agenciesMake sure you can get the support you need from other agencies

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Managing the HomeManaging the Home The current Manager isThe current Manager is Shaun ScalesShaun Scales

Qualifications: Qualifications:

Dip Social WorkDip Social Work Dip HE in Social WorkDip HE in Social Work Dip in Management L5Dip in Management L5 Experience-Experience- 22yrs working with Children and young people in residential children’s homes22yrs working with Children and young people in residential children’s homes

The Deputy Manager is The Deputy Manager is Glyn BrownGlyn Brown

Qualifications:Qualifications: NVQ L4 in managementNVQ L4 in management NVQ L3 Children and Young PeopleNVQ L3 Children and Young People Experience- Experience- 10 yrs working with Children and young people in residential children’s homes10 yrs working with Children and young people in residential children’s homes

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Senior StaffSenior StaffThis does not mean they are old!This does not mean they are old!

It means that they are responsible for making sure that It means that they are responsible for making sure that you are properly looked after and that all the jobs are you are properly looked after and that all the jobs are done on their shift. They are also responsible for done on their shift. They are also responsible for making important decisions when they are working. making important decisions when they are working.

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Senior Residential Care WorkersSenior Residential Care Workers

Shane GrevilleShane Greville

Kate KirkKate Kirk

Diane WellingsDiane Wellings

Andy RevilleAndy Reville

Quentin Holroyd-DoveQuentin Holroyd-Dove

Bev BlumenstockBev Blumenstock

Deborah WatsonDeborah Watson

Residential Care WorkersResidential Care Workers

We also have staff who work with young people but don’t have We also have staff who work with young people but don’t have the responsibility of leading shifts. Theses are our Level 2 the responsibility of leading shifts. Theses are our Level 2 Residential Care Workers. These staff however make important Residential Care Workers. These staff however make important decisions with you and for you whilst you are here.decisions with you and for you whilst you are here.

The Level 2 RCW staff are-The Level 2 RCW staff are-

Sarah DodsworthSarah Dodsworth Alison FletcherAlison Fletcher

Derrick WilliamsDerrick Williams

The home is kept clean and tidy by our fantastic domesticThe home is kept clean and tidy by our fantastic domesticJane CristieJane Cristie

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Information about the homeInformation about the home

There will usually be 2-3 staff on shift during the morning and There will usually be 2-3 staff on shift during the morning and evening. One of the staff on duty will be a senior worker. 2 staff evening. One of the staff on duty will be a senior worker. 2 staff sleep in at night, so there is always someone there for you. sleep in at night, so there is always someone there for you.

We also have a domestic who helps us keep the unit clean and We also have a domestic who helps us keep the unit clean and tidy.tidy.

All staff will write in a file which is special to you. Other young All staff will write in a file which is special to you. Other young people do not have access to this. Staff record in your file each people do not have access to this. Staff record in your file each day and night. This is done so that everyone who is working day and night. This is done so that everyone who is working with you knows what they need to be doing to assist you and with you knows what they need to be doing to assist you and meet your needs.meet your needs.

You can read certain parts of your file and we will encourage You can read certain parts of your file and we will encourage you to add your own comments.you to add your own comments.

All young people are encouraged to attend young people’s All young people are encouraged to attend young people’s meetings. This is where young people can have the opportunity meetings. This is where young people can have the opportunity to make comments on how we can improve things for everyone. to make comments on how we can improve things for everyone. Those that attend have a take away of their choice. Those that attend have a take away of their choice.

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We aim to provide a safe and homely environment for you to live in. In order for this to happen we expect you to We aim to provide a safe and homely environment for you to live in. In order for this to happen we expect you to respect the home and the people who live and work there. Everyone has the right to be happy and comfortable so respect the home and the people who live and work there. Everyone has the right to be happy and comfortable so everyone needs to take into account the feelings and wishes of other people. We expect the same respect be everyone needs to take into account the feelings and wishes of other people. We expect the same respect be shown to other people’s property and the privacy of others.shown to other people’s property and the privacy of others.

You will be expected to act appropriately, although we don’t expect angels, nobody is perfect! We may however at You will be expected to act appropriately, although we don’t expect angels, nobody is perfect! We may however at times put in place sanctions which are designed to assist you to “stop and think” and to encourage you to make times put in place sanctions which are designed to assist you to “stop and think” and to encourage you to make appropriate decisions in the future. Sanctions could beappropriate decisions in the future. Sanctions could be

reparation for damagereparation for damage

curtailment of leisure activitiescurtailment of leisure activities

increased supervisionincreased supervision

All sanctions are recorded.All sanctions are recorded.

However if you deliberately and persistently damage the unit or are violent to staff or another young person, this However if you deliberately and persistently damage the unit or are violent to staff or another young person, this may have to be dealt with by the Police.may have to be dealt with by the Police.

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Restraint PolicyRestraint PolicyIf your behaviour puts you or others at risk, then staff may have to hold If your behaviour puts you or others at risk, then staff may have to hold you in a safe way for a short period of time. Staff at the unit have been you in a safe way for a short period of time. Staff at the unit have been trained in DeRisc (Defusion and Restraint in Social Care)trained in DeRisc (Defusion and Restraint in Social Care)

This is a last resort as staff will always try to defuse the situation and This is a last resort as staff will always try to defuse the situation and support you through it.support you through it.

Rights and ComplaintsRights and ComplaintsEvery one has rights and whilst you are with us we will ensure that you Every one has rights and whilst you are with us we will ensure that you are listened to and that that your rights are met. You can contact he are listened to and that that your rights are met. You can contact he Children’ Rights Officer at anytime during the day Mon-Fri, Children’ Rights Officer at anytime during the day Mon-Fri,

If you have any suggestions about how we can improve the service we If you have any suggestions about how we can improve the service we provide to young people these will be welcomed.provide to young people these will be welcomed.

Your key worker will explain the complaints process so that you fully Your key worker will explain the complaints process so that you fully understand the process.understand the process.

Remember Remember you haveyou have rights rights andand responsibilities. responsibilities. You must respect the You must respect the rights and beliefs of others, both staff and other young people.rights and beliefs of others, both staff and other young people.

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Religious and Cultural ObservanceReligious and Cultural Observance

Every young person will have the opportunity to attend religious services as are appropriate to the religious persuasion Every young person will have the opportunity to attend religious services as are appropriate to the religious persuasion the young person belongs to. Whilst at the unit every effort will be made to ensure that observance the young person belongs to. Whilst at the unit every effort will be made to ensure that observance such assuch as special special diets and clothing are adhered to.diets and clothing are adhered to.

If special hair and skin care are required this will also be provided.If special hair and skin care are required this will also be provided.

If staff require relevant information about specific cultures and religious backgrounds, we will actively seek this If staff require relevant information about specific cultures and religious backgrounds, we will actively seek this information.information.

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We sound the fire alarm once a week to make sure We sound the fire alarm once a week to make sure that the system works. We also have a fire drill once that the system works. We also have a fire drill once a month so we can check if everyone is reacting to a month so we can check if everyone is reacting to the alarm in the way we should do in a real fire.the alarm in the way we should do in a real fire.

This will be explained to you on your first day at the This will be explained to you on your first day at the unit.unit.

You will not be allowed to smoke anywhere inside the You will not be allowed to smoke anywhere inside the building.building.

This is important as we need to keep the unit safe This is important as we need to keep the unit safe for everyone who lives and works here.for everyone who lives and works here.

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We are inspected twice per year by our We are inspected twice per year by our inspector from OFSTED. inspector from OFSTED.

His/Her job is to ensure that the quality of His/Her job is to ensure that the quality of care being given at the unit meets standards care being given at the unit meets standards set by the Government regarding how set by the Government regarding how Children’s Homes should be.Children’s Homes should be.

Ofsted’s National Business UnitOfsted’s National Business Unit

Royal Exchange Buildings,Royal Exchange Buildings,

St Ann’s Square,St Ann’s Square,

Manchester,Manchester,

M2 7LAM2 7LA

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Whilst you are with us you will be expected to continue with your education. If you are not in school or you are exclude Whilst you are with us you will be expected to continue with your education. If you are not in school or you are exclude you will still be expected to do some education during school hours.you will still be expected to do some education during school hours.

Staff will support you with your education and keep in contact with school.Staff will support you with your education and keep in contact with school.

If you are experiencing problems at school we have access to staff who may be able to help. These are based at the If you are experiencing problems at school we have access to staff who may be able to help. These are based at the Get Get Real Team.Real Team.

You will have the use of a laptop computer which you can use to help you with your school work. We have internet access You will have the use of a laptop computer which you can use to help you with your school work. We have internet access to the sites that are used by Rotherham schools. to the sites that are used by Rotherham schools.

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Whilst you are with us you will use the same doctor and dentist as you did previously. If your Doctor or Dentist is to far away Whilst you are with us you will use the same doctor and dentist as you did previously. If your Doctor or Dentist is to far away we can arrange for you to be registered at another one.we can arrange for you to be registered at another one.

Any health concerns you have regarding smoking or substance misuse which may be harmful to your health, can be Any health concerns you have regarding smoking or substance misuse which may be harmful to your health, can be discussed with the Looked After Nurse, discussed with the Looked After Nurse, Louise BishopLouise Bishop. She deals with the health need of young people who are in the care . She deals with the health need of young people who are in the care system. system.

We can also put you in touch with someone at We can also put you in touch with someone at Know The ScoreKnow The Score re substance misuse. re substance misuse.

You can discuss this further with your key worker.You can discuss this further with your key worker.

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Missing from the unit/abscondingMissing from the unit/absconding

We expect you to be in the unit at a reasonably time, which may We expect you to be in the unit at a reasonably time, which may be dependant on your age. These times will not normally be be dependant on your age. These times will not normally be past 11.00pm regardless of age and independence.past 11.00pm regardless of age and independence.

If you fail to return at night or abscond, staff will search your If you fail to return at night or abscond, staff will search your room, building and surrounding area to make sure you are not room, building and surrounding area to make sure you are not in the unit or local area. If this is the case staff will report your in the unit or local area. If this is the case staff will report your failing to return or absconding to South Yorkshire Police. Staff failing to return or absconding to South Yorkshire Police. Staff and Police will contact your family and friends in order to return and Police will contact your family and friends in order to return you safely back to the unit.you safely back to the unit.

On your return a Police Officer will have to speak to you about On your return a Police Officer will have to speak to you about where you have been. This is so he can formally record that he where you have been. This is so he can formally record that he has seen you and you are safe and well.has seen you and you are safe and well.

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Reviews and Case Planning meetings.Reviews and Case Planning meetings.

Whilst you are with us you will have meetings which are called Whilst you are with us you will have meetings which are called Reviews. These are attended by you, your parents, social worker , Reviews. These are attended by you, your parents, social worker , key worker and anyone else who is involved in your care.key worker and anyone else who is involved in your care.

This meeting will look at your care plan and your future.This meeting will look at your care plan and your future.

Staff will encourage you to attend and fully participate at the Staff will encourage you to attend and fully participate at the meeting. This is meeting. This is youryour meeting, about meeting, about you. you. Before the meeting you Before the meeting you will be asked to fill a short questionnaire. Your key worker will help will be asked to fill a short questionnaire. Your key worker will help you with this if you wish.you with this if you wish.

If areas of your life change or decisions need to be made to further If areas of your life change or decisions need to be made to further assist your progress, a case planning meeting might be called.assist your progress, a case planning meeting might be called.

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Family ContactFamily Contact

Every opportunity will be taken to encourage and maintain links with your Every opportunity will be taken to encourage and maintain links with your family. family.

Your family can visit the unit at any reasonable time. We would ask if you let Your family can visit the unit at any reasonable time. We would ask if you let staff know when they are coming just in case we are really busy and things staff know when they are coming just in case we are really busy and things are happening at the unit.are happening at the unit.

Usually this isn’t a problem.Usually this isn’t a problem.

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Key worker SessionsKey worker Sessions

You will be allocated a Key Worker when you have settled in at the unit. He/she will help and support you whilst you are You will be allocated a Key Worker when you have settled in at the unit. He/she will help and support you whilst you are with us. with us.

Each week you and your key worker will have a 2 hour session to discuss your progress, worries or future plans. It is Each week you and your key worker will have a 2 hour session to discuss your progress, worries or future plans. It is also a good opportunity to develop a positive and trusting relationship.also a good opportunity to develop a positive and trusting relationship.

You and your key worker might choose to do this around an activity or just go out for a drink. You and your key worker might choose to do this around an activity or just go out for a drink. (Tea, Coffee or pop !!!)(Tea, Coffee or pop !!!)

These sessions will be recorded in your file.These sessions will be recorded in your file.

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Staff will work in a non-judgemental way where Staff will work in a non-judgemental way where discriminatory remarks of any kind are unacceptable discriminatory remarks of any kind are unacceptable and will be actively challenged and reported.and will be actively challenged and reported.

Sexism, racist attitudes and prejudices are actively Sexism, racist attitudes and prejudices are actively challenged by staff at the unit in a sensitive and challenged by staff at the unit in a sensitive and informative way.informative way.

Bullying in any shape or form is never acceptable and Bullying in any shape or form is never acceptable and you will be supported by staff to deal with this.you will be supported by staff to deal with this.

Everyone has the right not to be discriminated against Everyone has the right not to be discriminated against and the responsibility not to make discriminatory and the responsibility not to make discriminatory comments against others.comments against others.

Everyone has the right to live free from verbal or Everyone has the right to live free from verbal or physical intimidation or bullying and the responsibility physical intimidation or bullying and the responsibility not to bully or intimidate others.not to bully or intimidate others.

Everyone has the right to be cared for according to their Everyone has the right to be cared for according to their cultural identity and the responsibility to care for others cultural identity and the responsibility to care for others in the same way.in the same way.

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Useful telephone numbersUseful telephone numbers

My Social Workers My Social Workers

name and tel:name and tel:

Complaints tel:Complaints tel: 01709 38212101709 382121

Residents tel: Residents tel:

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Other useful numbersOther useful numbers

Documents

Welcome to St Edmunds A Young Person’s Guide Whatever it takes Whatever it takes Updated June 2010 Updated June 2010