Download pdf - Statement of Purpose Coanwood Children’s Home... · Coanwood Children’s Home is located in Cramlington. The home is line managed by the Wellbeing and Community Health Services

Statement of

Purpose

Coanwood Children’s Home

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Contents

Location of home 5

Mission Statement 6

Quality and Purpose of Care

Introduction to Coanwood Children’s Home 7

The ethos of the home 7

Service outcomes and approach 8

Outcomes Coanwood seeks to achieve 9

Coanwood meets outcomes through 9

Developing a quality service 9

Facilities 9

Diversity and Cultural Needs 10

Care Planning

Criteria for admission 11

Admission process 11

Emergency admissions 12

Reviewing arrangements for young people 12

Discharge/Exit planning 12

Views Wishes and Feelings

Consulting young people about quality of care 13

Equal Opportunities 14

Anti-bullying 14

Representations and Complaints 14

Advocacy 14

Children’s Commissioner 15

Participation 16

Education

Education Support 16

Employment Development 17

Enjoyment and Achievement

The development of enabling skills 17

Activities 18

Res Homes Admin/Coanwood Children’s Home SOP updated 01.02.19 Ratified by Corporate Parenting: June 2015

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Health

Health care 18

Positive Relationships

Working in partnership 18

Promoting contact 19

The development of positive values and pro-social behaviour 19

Protection of Children

Safeguarding 20

Behaviour support 20

Approach to physical intervention 21

Restorative Justice 21

Fire, health and safety arrangements 22

Food hygiene 22

Missing child policy – responding to unauthorised absence 22

Visitors 22

Online Safety 23

Communications System 23

CCTV 23

Leadership and Management

Staffing structure 23

Staff induction 24

Staff training 24

Staff monitoring systems 24

Linkworkers 25

Staff supervision 25

External consultancy 25

Contact Details

Inspection and monitoring (responsible body) 25

Scope of responsibility 26

Responsible body 26

Review arrangements for Statement of Purpose 27


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Appendix A – Staff list

Appendix B – Structure chart


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Location of Home

Directions from A1 Take A19 exit from the A1 sign posted Cramlington/Blyth/Ashington. At the roundabout take the 3rd exit sign posted A19 After one mile, take the slip road onto A1171/B1505 Continue to follow A1171 going straight over 2 roundabouts At the 3rd roundabout, take the 3rd exit After one mile take the 2nd exit at the small roundabout onto B1326 Almost immediately take the right turn into the housing estate Turn right and follow the road around. At the junction, turn right again and then left. Follow the road around until you reach number 22 on the left hand side. Directions from A189 (Spine Road) Take the exit toward Cramlington/Town Centre/East Cramlington At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto B1326 Turn right onto B1505 Turn left onto Clifton Rd Take the 2nd left onto Coanwood Drive


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http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&safe=vss&q=22coanwood+drive+cramlington&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x487e73aa329eef53:0x3421743fa42377fc,22+Coanwood+Dr,+Cramlington+NE23+6TL&gl=uk&sa=X&ei=iMhRUduPKsOVO8LDgdAC&ved=0CDMQ8gEwAA




COANWOOD CHILDREN’S HOME

MISSION STATEMENT

Coanwood offers young people a family setting residential living experience where they can be healthy, safe from harm and are

able to develop their confidence and well-being leading to fulfilling their potential.

Each young person will be respected, valued and nurtured to

allow their individual talents, strengths and self-worth to develop during their time living in the home.

The staff team foster positive relationships with the young people through activities and shared daily life in a well maintained, safe

and stimulating environment.

The staff team will be attentive to the needs of young people, and have high ambitions for their futures.

The staff team work closely with families and others who have a relationship with the young person, to achieve positive outcomes

through shared responsibility.


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Quality and Purpose of Care Introduction to Coanwood Coanwood Children’s Home is located in Cramlington. The home is line managed by the Wellbeing and Community Health Services Group. Coanwood Children’s Home provides residential care for children and young people who have had a troubled and often traumatic start to their lives. The home provides placements for up to 4 young people of either gender. The age range on admission is 10 to 15, with young people living in the home up to the age of 17. The length of the placement will be dependent on the needs of the young person identified in the Care Plan and ongoing requirements of the young person. Coanwood Children’s Home endeavours to provide a safe environment for all its residents, meeting their requirements through individually tailored packages to address their presenting risks and/or social needs. The ethos of the home The practice in Coanwood Children’s Home is underpinned by the philosophy of the Children Act 1989, the Care Standards Act 2000, and the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015. We offer a listening, caring, family orientated environment with the emphasis on working with young people, their families and other professionals to address patterns of behaviour, through positive and constructive interventions by a skilled and committed staff group. The staff team ensure that they adopt good parenting responses to maintain the safe management of young people, whilst allowing them to take measured risks to develop as individuals. Coanwood’s approach is designed to ensure that the young people in our care can feel supported to make positive choices and therefore access services who will address their emotional, social, educational and cultural needs. The staff team will address behaviour or circumstances that have led them to an admission to the Looked after Residential Services. Coanwood Children’s Home will ensure that young people are not discriminated against on grounds of their race, culture, gender, sexual orientation, faith or disability. Any form of discrimination will be challenged. Young people will enter the Residential Looked after Service for various reasons:

● Challenging behaviour ● Family breakdown ● Risks to themselves and others ● Actual abuse or serious risk of abuse


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Young people are placed in the care of the Local Authority under the provision of the Children Act 1989, Section 20 or through:

● Voluntary Accommodation, Section 20 ● Full Care Order, section 31 ● Interim Care Order, Section 38

Many young people will have experiences of rejection, significant loss or change; some may have suffered some form of abuse: emotional, physical or sexual. The Coanwood staff team have the skills and empathy to engage with young people through their understanding of child development and relationship skills. Young people are actively encouraged to understand their behaviour and the impact it has on others and themselves, and the consequences of their actions in the immediate and longer term. Risk assessment is one medium that informs our decision making for all young people accommodated. The risk management plans will take into account the young person’s wishes and needs whilst ensuring that all situations known are safe and in the young person’s best interest. Service Outcomes and Approach Coanwood Children’s Home offers a group living environment. The social care approach by the Coanwood Staff team is focussed on building resilience within each young person. The essential building blocks of our approach and what we aim to achieve are: Providing a positive stable environment, this offers the young person a sense of belonging and security. In order to achieve this, we use the Pillars of Parenting and attachment theories to underpin our practice and to help us develop our understanding of the young person’s significant relationships and patterns of behaviour. We use the concept of a “secure base”, within resilience theory to develop an environment which creates security and predictability for the young person. Coanwood aims to provide the young person with the ability to develop healthy relationships with others, to feel valued and reassured by the home and its staff. We do this by providing:

▪ Reliable and predictable care routines. ▪ Clear and understandable rules and boundaries. ▪ Safe care, informed by risk assessment, which helps the young person

understand their strengths and limitations. ▪ Regular opportunities to engage in joint activities. ▪ Planned time and space for the young person to discuss their experiences,

wishes and feelings.


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Individual work with the young person to plan and monitor interventions to meet their developmental needs, as identified within the Children’s Home Regulations 2015. Outcomes Coanwood seeks to achieve Through a committed and well trained staff team we aim to provide residential care through a stable environment which supports young people; their individual rights, their individual needs and encourages them to make positive choices to reach their potential. Coanwood meets the outcomes through: ▪ Delivering service through a diverse, caring and skilled staff team. ▪ Offering opportunities for young people to access external services supporting their

health, social and educational needs. ▪ Providing a positive group living experience, allowing young people to develop

relationship and social skills. ▪ Enabling either a return home or to develop skills for the young person to have

accommodation choices in the future. ▪ Working alongside families, education, health, psychological services, IRO, social

worker, youth justice and other bodies involved with the young person to gain an understanding of their needs and plan for appropriate intervention.

▪ Providing clear care plans for young people throughout their stay in conjunction with

their social worker and family. ▪ Involving the young person in taking an active part in their care planning process. ▪ Acting as “good parents” during the young person’s stay. ▪ Protecting the young person’s rights: to choice, privacy, independence, respect,

dignity, partnership and liberty, whilst developing their understanding of responsibility.

▪ Providing a quality and best value service within the expected standards and

regulations, as required of the monitoring bodies. Developing a Quality Service Northumberland County Council is committed to providing the highest possible standard of care for children and young people who, for whatever reasons, are unable to live with their family for any length of time. It is recognised that the quality of care provided in a children’s home relies on the commitment and ability of the staff to care in a positive and creative manner, which will


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enable young people to fulfil their potential. Facilities The home strives to create a family atmosphere within the parameters of a residential home; the décor and furnishing are kept to a good standard through a planned maintenance programme. All bedrooms are single occupancy with quality bedroom furnishings. The spacious living areas comprises of an entrance lobby, family kitchen for food preparation, dining room, spacious TV lounge, multi-use room, staff office and fully equipped laundry facilities, a relaxation area, games room, staff office, four large bedrooms, storage room and two bathrooms. There is ample parking in the front, a large garden area and allotment to the rear. In addition, there are staff facilities and separate locked office. Diversity and Cultural Needs All children and young people in Coanwood Children’s home will be supported to follow their chosen religion and beliefs. Where necessary, staff will actively seek any information/advice, which will help the young person follow their chosen faith. Staff, their parents and carers when making decisions on this sometimes sensitive subject will guide children and young people. Where possible, representatives of a young person’s religion or belief can be invited to visit the young person if they request a visit. All reasonable steps will be taken to enable young people to attend religious services of their choice and to provide opportunities to follow the customs of their religion (e.g. festivals, prayers, clothing and diet). Young people will be actively encouraged to embrace the diversity of others. Staff will explore ways of developing a multicultural and diverse ethos within the home through various approaches and opportunities. All staff will be encouraged to attend training to develop diversity and cultural awareness. Northumberland Children’s Services – Community and Well-Being Group, is committed to ensuring that all our staff are aware of the issues of power and inequality in our society and the part they play in creating discrimination and disadvantage. We are aware that this can be particularly damaging for young people living in children’s homes. Northumberland Children’s Services – Community and Well-being Group, supports the


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United Nations Convention ‘The Rights of the Child’. Its three main principles are:

▪ Non-discrimination ▪ Keeping the young person’s best interests in mind ▪ Hearing the young person’s views

These principles are enshrined within the Children Act 1989 and underpin good practice. We aim to ensure that the young people always have the right to dignity, privacy and humane care. With rights come responsibilities, and so young people are encouraged to take as much responsibility for their behaviour as they can. Behaviour that creates victims or disturbance is not condoned and is managed in an appropriate manner. Northumberland County Council’s policy on Anti-Discriminatory practice applies to all children and staff resident or working in Coanwood

Care Planning Criteria for Admission Young people will usually be between 12 and 15 years of age at the time of admission. (Exceptionally and subject to assessment of need, slightly younger or older young people may be admitted). Young people will usually have a complex range of emotional needs requiring a high level of dependency. In planned admissions young people will be admitted following an introductory process which takes account of the young person’s needs, those of the current resident group, parental agreement and the young person’s agreement, under the provisions of the Children Act 1989 (see Philosophy). Admissions will, in normal circumstances, be managed in a planned way. A care plan will be drawn up before admission. After admission, case planning will be worked with on a regular basis to ensure progress is made. Admission Process Requests for a placement should be made to the Placement Officer, Looked After Children (LAC) by the social worker following agreement by the High Cost placement panel. Any referral should be discussed with Senior Manager for Looked After Children and the Registered Manager of Coanwood to complete a matching process before a placement can be offered.


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Emergency Admissions Admissions will usually be on a planned basis; there will, however, be circumstances that may require a young person to be accommodated on an unplanned/emergency basis as an appropriate response to the needs of the young person. In the event of an emergency admission, a review of arrangements and longer term planning will take place within a maximum period of 72 hours. Reviewing Arrangements for Young People The care plan for each young person will be formally reviewed at regular meetings. The first review will be held not later than 28 days after a young person begins to be looked after. A further review meeting will be held at three months and again at six months. Young people will always be encouraged to attend review meetings and will be given support (if needed) to enable them to participate. Parents/carers will always be invited and supported to attend unless there is a clear reason why this would be inappropriate. Young people and parents/carers will also be invited to make comments in writing. Meetings held to review arrangements for a young person will always be chaired by an Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO). The Reviewing Officer will try to meet the young person before any review to make introductions and offer an opportunity for the young person to say what they want to be discussed at the meeting. Other people who are important to the young person (i.e. teacher) will also be invited to attend unless a young person has expressed a wish that a particular individual is not to be invited. A record of the meeting will be held on the case record and a copy provided to those who attend including parents/carers and the young person. Care team meetings will be held monthly to include the linkworker, young person, family, social worker and other relevant professionals. The purpose of the care team is to consult and ensure progress is consistently maintained. Discharge/Exit Planning Notification of Withdrawal of Placement Good practice dictates that all responsible parties should agree any changes in placement. However, in exceptional circumstances and, based on risk assessment and with the agreement of the Service Manager for Looked After Children and/or The Registered Manager, it may be necessary to withdraw the service. In these circumstances Coanwood Children’s Home will take account of alternatives available and the timescales needed to access identified facilities.


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Views Wishes and Feelings

Consulting Young People about Quality of Care All young people are encouraged and enabled to express their views and make comments and suggestions about the care that they receive. Such comments will always be given serious consideration and feedback (eg an action to be taken as a result of a comment or suggestion, or an explanation as to why the action is not possible) will always be provided to the young person. Comments can be made to individual members of staff or at young people’s group meetings and as part of social interaction within the home. A range of mechanisms are in place (and are constantly being developed) to help staff in their task. It includes the following:

▪ The creation of a healthy climate in which staff work together towards clear aims, objectives and standards to be achieved.

▪ The promotion of an open culture where staff and residents feeling confident about raising problems and concerns.

▪ Careful selection of staff with the right experience, skills and attitudes to provide quality care.

▪ Training and development for staff. ▪ Staff support and supervision, which includes private, individual discussion about

work performance on a regular basis. There are also a range of measures that are intended to further promote the safety of the young people, they include:

▪ There is clear oversight by corporate parenting and senior officer on performance. ▪ Feedback is collated from the young people about how to develop the service.

The young people are encouraged to participate in any developments. ▪ Monthly unannounced visits, carried out under Regulation 44, Children’s Homes

Regulations 2015. These inspections check and report on aspects of the running of the home to senior managers and Ofsted.

▪ Regular visits by elected member of the County Council, known as Rota visits. ▪ Twice yearly unannounced inspections by Ofsted, working within the Care

Standards Act 2000, who inspect the quality of care provided by the home as well as the living conditions of the young people. Their inspection documents are made public and are available to service users, carers, parents and any other interested parties. They can be contacted at the following address and telephone number: Ofsted Piccadilly Gate Store Street Manchester M1 2WD tel: 0300 123 1231 email: [email protected]


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mailto:[email protected]


Equal Opportunities Coanwood Children’s Home aims to provide a high quality service to all young people regardless of their gender, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, language and sexuality. Northumberland Children’s Services are committed to ensuring that all our staff are aware of the issues of power and inequality in our society and the part they play in creating discrimination and disadvantage. We are aware that this can be particularly damaging for young people living in children’s homes Our aim is to ensure that staff teams are enabled to implement high standards of care and understand the need to develop a non–oppressive practice.

Anti-Bullying Coanwood Children’s Home has a clear policy on anti-bullying. Both young people and staff are valued as individuals and any form of bullying will be strongly challenged. Representations and Complaints Should a young person be dissatisfied with an aspect of his/her care, they may wish to contact the Client Relations Department to discuss the matter with a member of the team. A Quality Assurance Officer will work with the young person to resolve the matter through discussion with the relevant people. Where it is not possible to resolve the matter this way or if the young person prefers, he/she can make a formal complaint to the Client Relations Department and an independent investigation is likely to follow. The Quality Assurance Officer will also advise the young person of their right to an advocate should they wish to have one. All young people are provided with information about how they can use the complaints procedure at an early point after admission.

Client Relations: 01670 628888 / FREEPHONE 0800373615 Advocacy Northumberland County Council has an advocacy service in place for looked after children and young people. All young people are entitled to speak to an advocate at any time if they feel they are not being listened to or if they are having difficulty getting their views across. Advocates can also support young people in making a complaint if they wish. Referrals for advocacy can be made by anyone who is supporting the young person although they must gain consent to do this from the young person first. There are 2 parts to the Advocacy Service: In House Provision – NCC have a Participation and Advocacy Officer who is based within the Northumberland Adolescent Service (NAS). The officer responds to requests


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for advocacy support within two working days, ensuring that support is put in place swiftly. The Advocate can be contacted as follows:

● Mobile: 07966332280 ● Email: [email protected]

Independent Provision – Action for Children provide an external, independent service for young people who need an advocate, that can’t be arranged through the “In House Provision”. The Participation and Advocacy Officer can refer young people to this service following discussion with team managers and senior practitioners. (A detailed referral process outlining the key responsibilities and necessary timescales will follow) Children’s Commissioner Anne Longfield OBE is the Children's Commissioner for England. She has a legal duty to promote and protect the rights of all children in England with a particular focus on children and young people with difficulties or challenges in their lives, and in particular those living away from home, in or leaving care, or receiving social care services. Her work focuses on making sure that adults in charge, or making decisions, listen to what children and young people say about things that affect them. She encourages adults, including the people making decisions about children's lives, always to take their rights, views and interests into account. If you feel that the people responsible for care are not valuing your rights you may contact the Office of the Children’s Commissioner using the contact details below and ask for some help in addressing any concerns you have. The Office of the Children's Commissioner Sanctuary Buildings 20 Great Smith Street London SW1P 3BT Free Tel: 0800 528 0731 Email: [email protected] Tel: 020 7783 8330 Email: [email protected] Participation Looked after children have a fundamental right to be involved in decisions about their care, from an individual level where decisions affect their own care, up to a strategic level, influencing the care of all looked after children. There are a number of ways for


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young people to get involved including:

● Being involved in their care planning. ● Attending their review meetings. ● Taking part in Young People’s Meetings. ● Speaking to link workers, the Registered Manager or Senior Managers. ● Having an advocate. ● Completing Reg 45, Children’s Rights and other online surveys. ● Becoming part of a group, such as Voices Making Choices (VMC),

Northumberland’s Children in Care Council. ● Speaking to a Reg 43 visitor when they visit the Home. ● Speaking to an Elected Member when they carry out Rota visits.

It is important that young people are encouraged to take part and give us their views, to ensure that we are delivering a service which meets their needs. Northumberland County Council has Participation and Advocacy Officer, who is available for looked after young people who need advice, support or information. The officer is based within the NAS team and can be contacted by:

● Mobile 07966332280 ● Address Participation and Advocacy Team

Northumbria House Manor Walks Shopping Centre Cramlington NE23 6UR

Education Education Support It is nationally recognised that young people who are looked after are often disadvantaged educationally as a result of having frequent moves of school and/or having had periods out of school. Raising their level of achievement is acknowledged as a key aspect in improving the life chances of these children. All staff place a high value on education and training, promoting attendance and celebrating success. Wherever possible, Coanwood Children’s Home will enable young people to continue to attend their own school. Where it is not possible, for example when a journey of unreasonable length is involved, the team works with the educational authorities to identify a suitable school as soon as possible. There is a dedicated educational psychologist from the psychological services identified to support the young people and staff to promote educational attainment. In addition Coanwood Children’s Home benefits from a wide range of resources to help young people to:

● Reach their potential


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● Set and attain academic goals ● Set and achieve aspirations

Linkworkers take responsibility for:

● Being aware of when school holidays are and to plan accordingly. ● Supporting the young person in purchasing school uniforms ● Ensuring that the young person has any equipment needed to attend school ● Regularly checking the conditions of school uniforms and equipment; arranging

replacements with the young person.

The staff team are all responsible for supporting the young person to complete homework, although the Linkworker will liaise with the school in relation to timetables. The staff team at Coanwood Children’s Home strive to enable all young people to develop important life skills during their stay. The staff team encourage independent living skills development and promote positive group living. Employment Development As a core part of preparation for independence, the teams have established links into local colleges and training facilities for young people. Young people aged 15 to 18 benefit from access to a Advice and Guidance Advisers, who are based in ESLAC. These officers, offer a wide range of support and advice in training and employment (including apprenticeships). Young people attending mainstream school are able to access this service within the school.

Enjoyment and Achievement

The Development of Enabling Skills

Engagement within Coanwood is highly promoted and the young people enjoy a full and varied program of activities. Within the team there is a wide range of skills, interests and experience. This creates many opportunities to engage with young people resulting in a very unique caring environment which achieves many positive outcomes. Engaging the young people in positive activities is possibly one of the most powerful tools available to build self-esteem, improve well-being, strengthening relationships and to inspire young people to become more active and live full and rewarding lives. We will work with young people to help them understand their strengths and difficulties by:

▪ Identifying and supporting talents and interests ▪ Supporting their education and extracurricular activities ▪ Using solution-focussed approach to help young people develop problem-solving

skills ▪ Providing practical resources within the home for leisure activities.


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Sport and Leisure Activities

Regular sport, exercise and leisure activities are actively encouraged as regularly as possible. This would include scouts, cadets, youth clubs, sports clubs, swimming, snooker and gym sessions etc. Positive engagement in regular sports and leisure activities will contributes significantly to achieving better outcomes and personal development for the young people. The team are creative in their approach to engagement and have the mindset and motivation to overcome barriers to participation.

In addition there is a Participation Officer within NAS services who support young people to access activity groups and young people’s forums.

Health Health Care All young people are registered with a GP and dentist of their choice within the catchment area. Positive approaches to the achievement and maintenance of fitness and good general health are encouraged. Regular visits to dentist and, if needed, optician is arranged. A varied and balanced diet is offered and young people are encouraged to participate in menu planning and the preparation of some meals. Regular exercise and the development of individual hobbies and interests are encouraged. Opportunities are offered for young people to develop a good understanding of the importance of health and fitness, including access to information and advice about health issues that may be significant for young people, for example alcohol and substance misuse, smoking, sexuality and health. The County Council employs a Health Advisor, Sorted (drugs service), psychological services and CYPS (mental and emotional health service for young people) to address issues regarding the health of Looked After Children.

Positive Relationships

Working in Partnership Coanwood Children’s Home approach is designed to promote young people’s ability to access support, develop positive relationships and feel valued and appreciated. We do this by providing practical and emotional support to enable young people to:

▪ Access services and resources, which will address their needs. Examples of agencies which Coanwood regularly work with are, Sorted (substance and alcohol misuse), ESLAC (Education Support for Looked After Children), EOTAS (Education Other Than At School), psychological services (educational psychologists), and the Health Advisor for Looked After Children.


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▪ Maintain contact with people who are significant to them (within a risk

assessment framework). ▪ Keep a close link with the young person’s school/education placement. ▪ Maintain cultural links. ▪ Support positive peer relationships. ▪ Develop and maintain links with community resources such as youth clubs,

activity clubs, mentoring schemes. Promoting Contact Contact between young people and parents/carers, family members and other important people will be encouraged in accordance with the care plan and support will be given according to need. Visitors will be welcomed and private space will be made available within the home for personal visits. If it has been agreed that it is needed, supervision will be provided with sensitivity to the needs of the young person for privacy, balanced with regard to safety. Transport will be arranged if necessary, to enable young people to make home visits and visits to other family members and friends, which have been agreed as part of their care plan. The Development of Positive Values and Pro-social Behaviour The Coanwood staff team strive to help young people develop positive self esteem by encouraging their capacity to understand and develop pro-social behaviour. Coanwood uses pillars of parenting and social learning theories to understand young people’s behaviour and provide interventions to encourage pro-social behaviour. We do this by:

▪ Using a pro-social modelling approach, this promotes positive values and relationships within the home and gives the young person the opportunity to learn pro-social behaviour by example.

▪ Rewarding positive behaviour with praise and encouragement. ▪ Clear and understandable consequences for behaviour. The pro-social modelling

approach is the main method for promoting positive behaviour, we will also use individual behaviour management plans and behaviour incentive plans to promote and reward appropriate behaviour. Occasionally formal sanctions may be used to help the young person understand and change their behaviour (see Control and Discipline).

▪ Young people will be encouraged to take part in discussion about the rules and routines of the home.

Protection of Children

Safeguarding Comprehensive details of the joint agency protocol and procedures for the protection of children are included in the Inter-Agency Procedures and Practice Guidance document from Northumberland Safeguarding Children Board. This is available to all staff at Coanwood Children’s Home as a printed document or via the County Council’s


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intranet. Child Protection is part of the induction training for new staff to become familiar with, and gain an understanding of, child protection issues and protocol. All staff receive regular training in Child Protection provided by Northumberland Safeguarding Children Board as part of their ongoing professional development. The Registered Manager of the home is responsible for managing allegations and would liaise with the Local Authority Designated Officer in the event of an allegation being made. Behaviour Support Positive relationships between young people and staff provide the essential basis for both care and support. We recognise that young people need clear boundaries so they can feel secure and that enable them to relate to other people. Aggressive and destructive behaviour will be addressed in a direct but caring and firm manner, with recognition of responsibilities, expectations and consequences. Coanwood Children’s Home seeks to promote positive behaviour in the context of normal child/ adolescent development. Young people have the right to feel safe at Coanwood Children’s Home. Equally, young people are expected to demonstrate respect for other young people, staff and the building. The principles of pillars of parenting and social learning theories inform our everyday practice when dealing with challenging behaviour. The staff team are encouraged to apply these principles when trying to understand and interpret young people’s behaviours. The staff team are trained to work in a pro-social modelling manner to encourage group living and acknowledge positive behaviours and challenge negative responses. All young people need to know what the boundaries of acceptable behaviour are, both for their own protection and the safety of others. Although behaviour displayed can require staff to take control of situations, the aim remains that of empowering young people with the skills and coping techniques to help them control their lives. De-escalation of difficult situations is seen as a vital part of the work with young people. Where dialogue fails and the young person’s behaviour begins to put them or others at risk of being physically hurt, staff may have to physically intervene with the young person. Approach to Physical Intervention Physical intervention should always be an absolute last resort, but if it is needed staff will


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use the Crisis Aggression Limitation Management (CALM) technique. This is a technique accredited by the British Institute for Learning Difficulties (BILD) as a safe method of physical intervention, with the emphasis on safety, comfort and integrity for both the young person and staff. All of the Coanwood staff team are CALM trained, staff are re-verified on a yearly basis and practice sessions, which include de-escalation techniques, are offered once a month. Incidents are carefully monitored, scrutinised and recorded. All information gathered is assessed and used to inform practice and behaviour management plans. When the staff team are considering the use of sanctions for negative behaviours displayed, they will not be applied in such a manner as to undermine the self respect and self-esteem or lessen their sense of responsibility. The sanction must have a purpose and be used as a positive tool to influence behaviour. Coanwood Children’s home has a clear statement on the use of sanctions and this should be read and adhered to in conjunction with the Northumberland County Council guidelines on imposing sanctions on young people. Northumberland County Council has approved a range of sanctions available to staff when working with difficult children. Each sanction is permitted within the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015. The use of sanctions is always recorded. The following sanctions are permitted and will be used, according to individual need:

▪ curtailment of leisure activity ▪ taking care of the living environment ▪ increased supervision ▪ reparation plans ▪ restitution

Reparation and restitution (perhaps better described as making good and compensation) are permitted approaches to dealing with behaviour which causes people personal offence (either emotional or physical), and/or damage to property; but will only be used after discussion and agreement with the child concerned and should not be punitive in nature. Restorative Justice The staff team promote restorative justice and consider it a priority when resolving issues. Fire, Health and Safety Arrangements Comprehensive arrangements regarding health and safety have been approved by the appropriate organisations. Fire precautions have been designed in partnership with the local fire and rescue service that monitor their efficiency regularly. All staff and young people are encouraged to understand and observe health and safety policies and where


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necessary training is given. Food Hygiene There is a clear policy and practice guidance in relation to food hygiene to ensure compliance with relevant legislation and with standards set by the Environmental Health Department of the District Council. Missing Child Policy – Responding to Unauthorised Absence A joint protocol is in place between Northumberland Children’s Services and Northumbria Police, regarding children and young people missing from home and care. Northumberland County Council has a dedicated social worker for children who are missing. The social worker for children who are missing works closely with the police, social workers, education and parents/carers to ensure appropriate responses are put in place to address any missing person incidents. Running away from the home or failing to return after permitted absences are seen as part of a young person’s overall range of problems, showing a degree of instability and insecurity. It is an issue that is addressed as a matter of importance and the necessary action will be taken. If a young person indicates that he/she is about to leave the home without permission, every attempt will be made to dissuade him/her. It will be made clear to older young people that they must accept responsibility for their own actions and that a decision to leave is one that they can make, albeit against the advice of their carers. If a member of staff has good reason to believe that a young person would be likely to harm him/herself or another by running away, they are expected to take reasonable measures (including the use of physical intervention) to prevent this. A young person who returns to the home after running or staying away is welcomed back. The reasons behind the behaviour are explored constructively with the young person by the linkworker and the other staff. The registered manager will keep and review a record of all occasions when a young person is absent without permission. Visitors Visitors to Coanwood Children’s Home will be made welcome and requested to sign a visitor’s book on arrival and departure. It is the responsibility of the staff on duty to monitor all visitors, thus ensuring the safety of young people and adults. Young people are given guidance on the arrangements for inviting friends and family to the house and such arrangements will be guided by risk assessment. Students will be subject to checks in response to the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015.


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All other visitors to the home, such as contractors are made through prior arrangements with the home or the Service Manager for Looked After Children or the Building Maintenance Officer. All visitors will be subject to identification checks. Online Safety There is a clear policy in place to support the safe use of the internet. There is a watcher system in place for computers, laptops, Ipads provided by Northumberland County Council. This system sends an alert to the Registered Manager and the maintenance manager, in the event of a young person attempting to access inappropriate website. Safe use of the internet is promoted for the young people, with the staff team attending online safety training to ensure they are fully equipped to deal with any issues which arise. Communications Systems The home will keep records in accordance with the statutory requirements The Care Homes Regulations 2001 and the Children Act 1989. It also operates daily routines, changeover periods, and team meetings. The home has established systems for sharing information with families, case managers and other support agencies. To maintain and develop positive communication with other professional all residential child care officers have business email access. CCTV There are surveillance cameras monitoring the entrances / exits of the building in line with Northumberland County Council’s policy. Images are monitored for the purposes of security ensuring the safety of young people, staff and the general public. Information Commissioner's Officer (ICO) Registration Number 21727733.

Leadership and Management Staffing Structure The aim is to have two members of staff on duty between 07:45 and 22:30. There is one member of staff on duty between the hours of 22:30 – 07:45. This is subject to change, dependent on the numbers and needs of current resident group, training requirements, sickness, holiday and the process of risk assessment. All posts in Coanwood Children’s Home are subject to Northumberland County Council’s recruitment procedures including Disclosure and Barring Service checks, health checks and confirmation of qualifications. The staffing structure is as follows:

▪ 1 Homes Manager (registered manager) Res Homes Admin/Coanwood Children’s Home SOP updated 01.02.19

Ratified by Corporate Parenting: June 2015 23

▪ 1 Assistant Home Manager ▪ 1 Team Leader ▪ 4 fte Shift Coordinators ▪ 5 fte Residential Support Workers ▪ 0.5 fte Domiciliary Support ▪ Administrative Support delivered centrally

Age range of staff is 22 - 65 (see Appendix A and B). Staff Induction All newly appointed staff will undertake an induction programme, which is linked to the process of supervision and personal development review and complies with Quality Standards for induction. The programme will contribute to the development of Workforce Diploma competencies. As a minimum, all newly appointed staff will receive induction training for three weeks, including Crisis Aggression Limitation Management (CALM). They will spend at least a week in the home to familiarise themselves with the operation and philosophies of the home. Those staff who transfer from other homes on a time limited basis will have a brief induction process. Agency staff used on a block contract will also be provided with induction appropriate to their responsibilities. Staff Training All individuals within the team will have an agreed training profile, which is directed by performance and personal development review. The home will have a training schedule, delivering training in accordance with the home’s requirements and those of the wider organisation. New staff will receive induction training within their first six months in line with the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015. New staff who do not hold the Diploma level 3 qualification are enrolled on the programme within 6 months of commencing employment. Staff are provided with written guidance, these include:

▪ Staff handbook ▪ Child Protection Manual ▪ Staffing Policies ▪ Procedures and Guidance on daily routines and systems

Staff Monitoring Systems The performance and conduct of staff members will be monitored through the following system:

▪ Professional supervision and appraisal ▪ Internal and external management monitoring systems ▪ Shift leading arrangements ▪ Observation of practice by colleagues


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Linkworkers Each young person will be allocated two linkworkers from within the staff team. The linkworkers will be responsible for ensuring, with the young person, that their care plan is being implemented. Staff Supervision

● Staff are supervised on a regular basis and within the guidance of NCC policy ● Supervision is conducted by a named supervisor. ● Supervisory roles are conducted by the registered manager, assistant manager or

a team leader. ● Team leaders are supervised by the registered manager. ● The registered manager is regularly supervised by the Service Manager for

Looked after Children. External Consultancy External consultancy may be provided subject to the homes needs.

Contact Details

Reg 43 Visitors

Vicky Lockyer, Judith Keepin and Alyson Purvis


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Reg 43 visitors visit the home once a month to check that you are looked after properly. Northumberland County Council has identified Vicky Lockyer, Judith Keepin and Alyson Purvis as Regulation 43 Visitors. They have worked for Northumberland County Council for over 15 years. Vicky can be contacted by: Telephone: 01670 623293 Email: [email protected] Alyson can be contacted by: Telephone: 01670 622791 Email: [email protected] Judith can be contacted by: Telephone: 01670 623675 Email: [email protected]

Scope of Responsibility Northumberland County Council (“the Council”) is responsible for ensuring that its business is conducted in accordance with the law and proper standards, and that public money is safeguarded and properly accounted for, and used economically, efficiently and effectively. The Council also has a duty under the Local Government Act 1999 to make arrangements to secure continuous improvement in the ways in which its functions are exercised, having regard to a combination of economy, efficiency and effectiveness. In discharging this overall responsibility, the Council is responsible for ensuring that there is a sound system of governance in place. Governance incorporates the system of internal control which facilitates the effective exercise of its functions, and which includes arrangements for the management of risk. The Council has approved and adopted a local code of corporate governance, which is consistent with the principles of the CIPFA/SOLACE Framework “Delivering Good Governance in Local Government”. The statement explains how the Council has complied with the code, and also how it meets the requirements of regulation 4(2) of the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2003 as amended by the Accounts and Audit (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2006 in relation to the publication of a statement on internal control. Responsible Body


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The responsible body is the Northumberland County Council and the Elected Members of the County Council. Day to day management is the responsibility of Karen McDonald, Service Manager, Safeguarding and Looked after Children, Northumberland County Council, County Hall, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 2EF.

Karen McDonald Service Manager

Safeguarding & Looked After Children BIOGRAPHY

In this role Karen line manages Children's Residential Homes, Contact Service and Safeguarding Service (IRO). Karen has worked in Children's Residential services for 30 years and has been a manager for 25 years initially as a Registered Manager. Karen is a qualified and registered Social Worker (SW54315), and holds an Post Graduate from University of Northumbria Public Sector Management. Karen has held a number of management roles in the public sector including:

● Secure Residential Home Manager ● Fostering and Adoption Lead ● Safeguarding for Child Protection Chairs and IRO service ● Family Support and Contact ● Karen has worked for Northumberland County Council since 1988 in a social

care role Karen is dedicated and committed to ensuring that all services are of the highest quality possible and that they are safe, well governed and that the settings are appropriate to ensure excellent support to Northumberland children, their families and carers. Also that staff are well trained and supported to complete their roles to meet best outcomes for the children they care about and for.


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Review Arrangements for Statement of Purpose This document is reviewed regularly in a process that incorporates the views of young people, staff and placing authorities. Any comments, suggestions or criticisms you may have of the Coanwood Children’s Home Statement of Purpose and Function should be directed to the registered Manager.

Karen MacDonald Service Manager Safeguarding & Looked After Children

Northumberland County Council County Hall Morpeth, Northumberland NE61 2EF Tel: 0345 600 6400 Email [email protected]

Registered Manager: Sue Harvey 22 Coanwood Drive Cramlington Northumberland NE23 6TL Tel: 01670 623146 Email: [email protected]

Ofsted Piccadilly Gate Store Street Manchester M1 2WD Tel: 0300 123 1231 Email: [email protected]

The Office of the Children's Commissioner Sanctuary Buildings 20 Great Smith Street London SW1P 3BT Free Tel: 0800 528 0731 Email: [email protected] Tel: 020 7783 8330 Email: [email protected] Ben Sanderson Lead Youth Participation Worker Northumberland Youth Service


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Northumbria House Cramlington NE23 6UR 01670 620325 07876392151

Children’s Residential Mailbox Email: [email protected]

IRO (Northumberland) Safeguarding Unit County Hall Morpeth NE61 2EF Tel: 01670 624888


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See Appendices A & B


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