St Hill House, Values and Principles

Philosophy and Key Policies

We offer quality residential placements to children who may exhibit behavioural difficulties as the result of past emotional/physical problems. Children are admitted to our resources between the ages of 10 and 17 years. We believe all children have the right to access and participate in education, to achieve success and recognition in accordance with their potential. Where possible, we aim to return children to mainstream school/college provision. When children are admitted they are frequently lacking in confidence and self esteem and are often unable to form and sustain positive relationships. Generally they are unable to function to their full capability, whether socially, emotionally or intellectually, and are therefore extremely vulnerable. Our objective is to provide a safe, secure environment in a typical family house accommodating small groups of children (6 maximum). In this placement - with regard to appropriate group dynamics - we will empower them to recognise and deal with their feelings and behaviours, increase their self-esteem and social skills. We achieve this by adopting a ‘good parenting’ approach, thereby enabling children to move on to independence, return home or move to a substitute family.

Summaries of our key policies:

Protecting Children from Harm:

We understand our first priority is to promote children’s rights, protect them from harm or injury and safeguard their welfare. All reasonable steps will be taken to ensure staff/carers and children and parents are informed about how to deal with suspicions or allegations of [Significant Harm], and we will ensure that any issue is dealt with promptly, in keeping with Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures.

Admissions, Placement Planning and Reviews:

Wherever possible we ensure that children are placed in a planned and sensitive manner, and that services are provided on the basis of initial and continual assessment, planning, monitoring and review. To this end, each child will have an Assessment/[Care Programme] or Written Agreement that underpins their [Care Plan] and accurately reflects the way in which identified needs will be met whilst placed with us. This will include meeting identified outcomes and placement objectives in accordance with the five areas outlined in ‘Every Child Matters’. The ECM agenda is integral to the organisations values and beliefs and underpins all our policy and procedure.

Behaviour and Activity Risk Assessments will be undertaken as part of the process of Placement Planning and review to ensure the child lives within a structured and safe environment, within which it is hoped they can take steps towards meeting their full potential in all areas of their life and development.

Avoiding delay:

All decisions in relation to the provision of services to children will be made promptly and within agreed time-scales, having regard to the needs of the child; the achievement of these timescales will be monitored and reviewed by the Senior Management of St Hill House.

Valuing Diversity:

We are committed to the principles of anti-discriminatory practice; children and families will be treated fairly with respect and dignity. Children will receive services which respect their race, culture, language, disability, sexuality and religion; and we will ensure that procedures and practices in our services are designed to combat racism, sexism and other forms of discrimination.

Partnership:

We embrace the principles of The Children Act 1989 with regard to partnership and participation. We do not work in isolation and expect to work in partnership with the placing authority. We value the contributions made by professionals caring for or working with children in other agencies and we will do all that is reasonably possible to engage and work in partnership with such professionals with a view to promoting and protecting the rights of children placed with us.

Family Contact:

Where appropriate services will be provided in partnership with parents and with other agencies to assist and support parents in meeting their children’s needs. To this end we will do all we can to promote and facilitate positive contact between children and their parent(s), wider families and significant others when it is in their best interests to do so.

Keeping children informed:

Children have access to appropriate information and support which they may find beneficial to their ability to make choices. For example, we provide information and advice on matters relating to children’s health care and to services or facilities available to them.

Physical Contact and Relationships:

We encourage staff/carers to develop professional relationships with children, based on clear boundaries, which demonstrate affection, acceptance and reassurance. We encourage staff/carers to use appropriate physical contact, positively and safely in keeping with children’s past experiences, needs and wishes. We understand that staff/carers often have to spend time alone with children, but we ensure that such practice is underpinned by effective procedures, evidence-based risk assessments and training which safeguard the interests of both children and staff/carers. No play fighting under any circumstances between the children or between the staff/carers and children is allowed.

Quality services for children:

Our services will be provided by competent, well trained members of staff/carers, committed to meeting children’s needs; in a manner which promotes their physical, emotional, social and psychological needs welfare and in an a safe and nurturing environment.

Promoting independence:

We encourage children to be as independent as possible and to take a full and active part in everyday life as is appropriate to their age and level of understanding. To this end we provide children with information, advice and further education to help prepare them for adult life. We work in partnership with appropriate agencies in the development and implementation of Pathway Plans and we will develop appropriate social and life skill packages which promote children’s independence and prepare them for the time when they move on from us or leave care.

Health Care:

We ensure that there is a continuity of treatment and that the physical, emotional and psychological health needs of each child placed with us are identified, recorded and appropriate action taken to meet these needs in full (e.g. dental, optical and general medical needs). We can access external psychotherapeutic provision where necessary. Children are provided with guidance, advice and support on health and personal care issues (including HIV/AIDs, sexual health and relationships, smoking and other drug and solvent misuse) appropriate to the needs and wishes of each child and, where appropriate, their parents.

Smoking:

We operate a ‘No Smoking’ policy within our premises. Staff/carers are not permitted to smoke in the presence of children. We actively discourage children from smoking. For those children who are habitual smokers on admission, a smoking contract is implemented which encourages the gradual reduction and eventual termination of the habit. Smoking is only permitted in designated out of doors areas, with the written permission of social workers and parent(s), if appropriate.

Education:

We promote and support the educational attainment of Children throughout the time they live with us. A positive learning environment is promoted both at school and within the home, for example, by supporting children with homework, coursework and possibly home study. The staff team also work closely with social workers and other professionals e.g. teachers to ensure that each child has a clear [Personal Education Plan (PEP)] which accurately reflects their needs and is reviewed at regular intervals. Each individual PEP will be regularly reviewed and any changes made will be communicated to all relevant parties.

Alcohol:

We operate a ‘No Alcohol’ Policy in all of our premises. National Minimum Standard 12.6 requires that children are actively discouraged from alcohol “abuse”.

Leisure and Recreation:

Children are provided with opportunities to participate in a range of risk-assessed leisure and recreational activities appropriate to their needs, abilities and interests. We have a budget to fund suitable leisure activities and consideration is given to how children will be encouraged and financially supported. Children’s birthdays, name days, cultural and religious festivals will be celebrated where appropriate, and children will participate with staff/carers in the planning of these events. Children should be encouraged and supported to pursue particular hobbies/interests and develop social skills within the home and wider community.

Giving and Receiving of Gifts:

We discourage the exchanging of all gifts between our staff/carers and children. However, we appreciate that a card or small gift may be acceptable in the appropriate circumstances. Staff/carers are required to make a written record of any gift that has been given and inform their line manager at the earliest opportunity. We also discourage children from lending items to each other or to staff/carers. Note that we encourage children to ‘share’ and view this as a positive experience.

Behaviour Management:

Staff/carers will respond positively to acceptable behaviour, by giving praise, recognising achievement and possibly through incentive schemes where appropriate. Where the behaviour of a child is regarded as unacceptable, they will be responded to in a way which is consistent and fair, and takes account of their age, level of understanding and previous behaviour. Sanctions or Reparation will only be imposed following an evaluation of the incident or circumstances, with the intention of encouraging acceptable behaviour in the future. All sanctions are to used to enable the children to recognise and take responsibility for their behaviour and must be approved in line with company policy.

Restraint and other forms of Physical Intervention:

On occasions, it is necessary to physically intervene when managing the behaviour of children. The circumstance in which [Physical Intervention] is used is in accordance with government guidance and with approved methods. All staff/carers are trained in behaviour de-escalation and appropriate restraint techniques and work in accordance with our policy on the use of Physical Intervention. The use of Physical Intervention is a last resort and only implemented when all other resources have failed and there is a serious risk of harm to persons or property.

Incidents:

We take all reasonable steps to prevent incidents, such as Self harming, Bullying and Violence, from occurring. All children, on admission if deemed appropriate, will have an individual behaviour management plan, which is regularly reviewed by the staff/carers working with the child. This Risk Assessment addresses all areas of the child’s care and is used in collaboration with the child’s [Care Programme]/Written Agreement on a daily basis. Should incidents occur, staff/carers will ensure they are recorded accurately, and at the earliest opportunity following the incident. We will also ensure that risk assessments are reviewed and updated. Management Reviews are undertaken if necessary, to help us reduce and prevent re-occurrence. Advice and intervention will be sought from appropriate resources as required.

Safe Practices, Health and Safety:

We have a written Health & Safety policy which clarifies responsibilities under The Health and Safety at Work Act and related legislative guidance. In accordance with this we implement controls of the health and safety risks arising from our work activities. The organisation has in post a Director responsible for Health and Safety and designated Health and Safety representatives. All members of staff/carers are consulted on matters affecting health and safety, in order to provide and maintain safe working and living environments. Each resource and department completes comprehensive Health and Safety Risk Assessments, which are regularly reviewed and monitored. Utmost vigilance is ensured in the safe handling and use of substances and information, instruction and training are given to all employees.

Listening and Consultation:

We promote an ‘open door’ policy for all children, parents , significant others and staff/carers/, which encourages them to express their views, wishes and feelings on all areas that affect the child’s life, their future or living environment. We strive to ensure the child’s views are known and taken into account when decisions are made. The child’s view is sought during formal forums such as residents meetings, Key and Link Worker sessions (also, [Advocacy], [Children’s Guardian]s and allocated social workers, as appropriate), reviews and confidential questionnaires. In addition Staff utilise more informal settings such as meals times to good effect. We will ensure that children have access to a Children’s Rights Officer and or an independent Advocate when appropriate.

Comments, Compliments and Grievances:

We welcome comments, both positive and critical about the service we provide, and actively seek information and feedback under our review and quality of care procedures. Routinely, we seek information through consultation and questionnaires from all professional bodies, children and their parents/carers who have knowledge about the service. The purpose of seeking this information is to give us the opportunity to learn, adapt and provide a better service.

Complaints:

We understand that sometimes complaints can arise from a simple misunderstanding or a general dissatisfaction. This often gives the opportunity to do something better and it is our policy to engender a culture of continuous improvement. This policy is intended to ensure that representations are dealt with properly and that all complaints or comments by children and their relatives, social workers and staff/carers are taken seriously.

Grievances:

We value comments made by our staff/carers, whether positive or negative. Where staff/carers have grievances, we will do all we can to ensure rapid and effective resolution, preferably informally. Where it is not possible for a grievance to be resolved informally we will initiate formal procedures aimed at resolving matters to the satisfaction of all.

Respecting Privacy:

We recognise that being [Looked After] can make it difficult to enjoy privacy. All staff/carers are alerted to this and should be sensitive to its significance. We believe it is fundamental to treat children with respect and provide them with opportunities for privacy and personal space. In our care young people will have the opportunity to express individuality through choice of personal possessions and bedroom décor. Staff/carers will promote the development of the young person’s sense of identity.

Room Searches:

Young people’s possessions and personal space will not normally be subject to search. This will only be the case where failure to carry out such a search would put at risk the welfare of the young person or others. Any such searches will be carried out as sensitively as possible, and will be fully documented. Any room search must be authorised by a senior member of staff, conducted in line with company policy and with sensitivity and respect for the child. Whenever possible the child should be informed of the search and the reasons for it, prior to the search being carried out.
Personal/Body searches are not authorised except for certified Custody Officers.

Promoting Contact, Friends and Visitors:

We promote meaningful contact between children, their families, friends and other significant persons unless particular circumstances indicate that such contact would not be in their best interests. We will assist children in having regular contact with official visitors such as Field Social Workers and those that have some responsibility for the child’s welfare. We will encourage those with [Parental Responsibility] to participate in some way in the child’s daily life in so far as this is compatible with the facilities of the home, the child’s [Care Programme] and associated agreements. We encourage children to establish and maintain relationships with friends within and outside the home and with people from the wider community. We take steps to ensure that such relationships protect children’s rights and interests.