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Hobbit House

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Reviewed by: Megan Barton

Date: 15th June 2017

NURTURE

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CARING FOR CHILDREN

1. A statement of the range of needs of the children for whom it is intended that the children’s home is to provide care. PAGE 4&5

2. Details of the children’s home’s ethos, and the outcomes that the children’s home seeks to achieve and its approach to achieving them. PAGE 6&7

3. The arrangements for enabling children to enjoy and achieve, including how the children’s home promotes their

participation in cultural, recreational and sporting activities.

PAGE 8

4. The arrangements for supporting the cultural, linguistic and religious needs of children accommodated in the

children’s home.

PAGE 9

5. The arrangements for promoting contact between children and their family and friends.

PAGE 9&10

6. A description of the children’s home’s approach to consulting children about the quality of their care.

PAGE 10

7. A description of the children’s home’s policy and approach in relation to— (a) anti-discriminatory practice in respect of children and their families; and (b) children’s rights. PAGE 11

8. A description of the accommodation offered by the children’s home, including— (a) how accommodation has been adapted to the needs of children cared for by the children’s home; (b) the age range, number and sex of children for whom it is intended that accommodation is to be provided; (c) the type of accommodation, including sleeping accommodation. PAGE 12

9. A description of the location of the children’s home.

PAGE 13

10. Details of the children’s home’s policies for safeguarding children, preventing bullying and the missing child policy.

PAGE 14&15

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11. Any criteria used for the admission of children to the children’s home, including any policies and procedures for

emergency admission.

PAGE 16

12. The arrangements for dealing with complaints

PAGE 17

CHILDRENS BEHAVIOUR

13. A description of the children’s home’s approach to the surveillance and monitoring of children accommodated

there.

PAGE 18

14. Details of the children’s home’s approach to behavioural support, including information about— (a) the children’s home’s approach to the use of restraint with respect to children accommodated there; (b) how persons working in the children’s home are trained in the use of restraint and how their competence is assessed. PAGE 19&20

CONTACT DETAILS

15. The name and work address of— (a) the registered provider (including details of the company owning the children’s home); (b) if nominated, the responsible individual; (c) if applicable, the registered manager. PAGE 21

EDUCATION

16. Details of provision to support children with special educational needs.

PAGE 22

17. Where the children’s home is dually registered as a school, details of the curriculum provided by the children’s

home and the management and structure of the arrangements for education. NOT APPLICABLE

18. Where the children’s home is not dually registered as a school, the arrangements for children to attend local

schools and the provision made by the children’s home to promote the educational attainment of children.

PAGE 23

HEALTH

19. Details of any health care or therapy provided, including— (a) details of the qualifications and clinical supervision of the staff involved; (b) information about— (i) how the children’s home measures the effectiveness of its approach; and (ii) the evidence referred to by the children’s home to demonstrate the effectiveness of its approach, and how this information can be accessed. PAGE 24

STAFFING MATTERS

20. Details of the experience and qualifications of staff working at the children’s home, including any staff

commissioned to provide education and health care.

PAGE 25&26

21. Details of the management and staffing structure of the children’s home, including

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arrangements for the professional supervision of staff employed at the children’s home, including staff that provide education or health care. PAGE 27&28 22. If the staff working at the children’s home are all of one sex, or mainly of one sex, a description of how the children’s home promotes appropriate role models of both sexes. PAGE 29

Welcome to Hobbit House. This statement of purpose is written in accordance within the regulatory requirements of the Quality Standards for Children’s Homes 2015 and the Children’s Home Regulations 2001 (Amended 2013). (Amendments 2014) (Amended 2015) There are a number of references made to the home’s policies and procedures within this document and these can be read in conjunction with this statement of purpose. The policies and procedures are available in full at Hobbit House or upon request. A copy of this statement is provided to Ofsted and is also available to:

Each person who works at Hobbit House. . Each young person provided with accommodation at Hobbit House.. All Parents or person(s) with parental responsibility of any young person provided with accommodation at

Hobbit House. The Local Authority or placing Authority of the young person who is provided with accommodation

Regulation 4.2A - where a children’s home has a website, the registered person shall ensure that a copy of

the statement of purpose is published on that website unless the registered person considers that such publication would prejudice the welfare of children cared for in the children’s home.

A copy of the Home’s statement of Purpose can be found online at www.eslandcare.co.uk/our-homes however this can be reviewed at the discretion of the Home’s manager and where this may conflict with the placement of a young person within the home this document may be removed from the website. Any web version of the document may have restricted content and alternative contact details to ensure that confidentiality is maintained in respects to any young person placed in the home.

CARING FOR CHILDREN

1. A statement of the range of needs of the children for whom it is intended that the children’s home is to provide care.

Hobbit House provides care and accommodation for a maximum of 2 young people with Emotional and Behavioural

Difficulties, including but not exclusively mild to moderate learning disabilities, Child Sexual Exploitation risk factors,

sexualised behaviours, non-compliance with education, self harm, aggression and young people engaging in pro-

criminal behaviours. Hobbit House will aim to look after young people aged between 10 and 17 years on arrival

however young people under 10 years old will be considered subject to a robust impact assessment being completed

on them. Any young person turning 18 and requiring a short term extension will also be considered in partnership

with Ofsted.

At Hobbit House we focus on the young person’s experience in the home. We offer a happy, homely, safe, nurturing

and stimulating environment for all the young people to help them aspire to and achieve their full potential. We aim

to support young people to develop and maximise their Independence and social skills whilst having the opportunity

to reflect on their past, learn to develop self coping and regulation strategies and remain safe.

We provide highly personalised care to help young people feel safe and positive. We have a staff team who are

motivated, passionate and committed to working with young people and pursuing the best outcome for each child

We want young people to have a place which offers them a unique experience where issues and concerns which

have affected them can be addressed positively and where they can progress to new heights. The young people

placed at Hobbit House are assessed on their individual needs and the support given is tailored to their need as no

two young people are alike. This may be in their educational learning, socialising, or emotional needs.

Working together with each young person, those significant to them and other professionals we endeavour to

enhance each young person’s level of self-esteem by creating and maximising safe opportunities, in which they

learn, develop and achieve.

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We believe that to make life long changes we have to give young people the tools and support which enable them

to move forward into adulthood

Our principle of working from a child centred perspective is focused around placement plans which will inform future

planning. Where it is possible, we aim to achieve the best and desired outcome for any young person such as family

reunification or working towards independence.

Hobbit House also accept referrals, which once matched to the home, may need a short break where the young people go out on an Esland Adventure. This is a maximum of a four week outward bound activity based camping program based in various locations of the High Peak. When a referral is received for the Esland Adventure, the manager looks at the matching process and completes an impact risk assessment. If the referral is considered to be a match to Hobbit House, they will be admitted to the home. Whilst the young person is on the camp, the manager carries out weekly visits and provides an on call process for the staff. Esland Adventure can be used as introduction and planned admission to the home, the young people are supported by 2:1 staffing and go out to give them the opportunity to prepare for their placement, break the cycle of behaviour that they are experiencing and environmental Therapy that can help to break down and stabilise negative cycles of behaviour including Challenging Behaviour and Aggression, Drug Abuse, Gang Culture and Child Sexual Exploitation. As a minimum we would provide an assessment as to what the young person needs to assist with placement searches. The young person would be staffed 2:1 and have a full timetable of different activities each day throughout the program. An example of the activities which form the activity based program include Rock Climbing, Mountain Biking, Caving, mountaineering, bush-craft canoeing and Kayaking amongst many others. The young people will also be taught survival and self-care skills such as finding shelter, cooking and building a fire (where appropriate) helping them to achieve personal development and improve their self-esteem

We provide highly personalised care to help young people to feel safe and positive. We have a staff team who are motivated, passionate and committed to working with young people and pursuing the best outcome for each child.

We want young people to have a place which offers them a unique experience where issues and concerns which have affected them can be addressed positively and where they can progress to new heights. The young people placed at Hobbit House are assessed on their individual needs and the support given is tailored to their need as no two young people are alike. This may be in their educational learning, socialising, or emotional needs.

Working together with each young person, those significant to them and other professionals we endeavour to enhance each young person’s levels of self-esteem by creating and maximising safe opportunities, in which they learn, develop and achieve.

We believe that to make life long changes we have to give young people the tools and engagement which enables them to move forward into adulthood Our principle of working from a child centred perspective is focused around placement plans which will inform future permanence. Where it is possible, we aim to achieve the best and desired outcome for any young person such as family reunification or working towards independence.

2. Details of the children’s home’s ethos, and the outcomes that the children’s home seeks to achieve and its approach to achieving them.

Our ethos at Hobbit House is an ethos which promotes the development of meaningful relationships between staff and young people based on the core values of mutual respect and good parenting. We pride ourselves on respecting the values of privacy, dignity, independence, choice, rights and fulfilment for all young people. All staff at Hobbit House seek to improve the life opportunities of young people. We are committed to providing young people with a positive and nurturing environment where they are able to achieve outcomes in all aspects of their lives.

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Staff seek to provide a positive and unique group living experience, allowing young people to develop relationships, build and develop social skills and enable young people to feel empowered and feel included within the wider community. However the size of the home does mean that there is ample opportunity for young people to have time alone should they wish. By limiting the number of young people at any one time to 2 this allows staff to create a family atmosphere and to devote individual time to young people. At Hobbit House young people are actively encouraged and supported to influence their care and the way the home is run. Regular consultation with young people takes place and every view point is considered. Staff endeavour to meet the requests and suggestions of young people in a positive manner and where this is not possible we ensure that the young people are clear about the reasons why and how compromise can be reached. All staff will be encouraged to have an active awareness of each young person’s identity, having great consideration for their racial, cultural, religious and dietary needs. Young people placed at Hobbit House have the same rights as all in society and we will endeavour to create an environment where the young people feel they are valued, respected and have a place in society. Staff will actively act as advocates for young people where they feel they may have been discriminated against or treated unfairly outside the home. Young people are also encouraged to seek the support of an advocate external to the home and this would usually be sourced from the local authority placing the young person. We endeavour to show sensitivity in practice, especially when dealing with personal issues of young people. We aim to provide young people with a platform where they are able to talk through their problems and where we are able to support them in gaining viable options to deal with their concerns. We are strong believers in care planning and will ensure that young people have up to date placement plans and reviews which will track the young person’s progress throughout their time with us. We will ensure that the provision young people receive is the most appropriate and it meets health, education and social needs of each young person. All Young People at Hobbit House will be actively encouraged to share and influence the day-to-day routines and practices within the home through a variety of means, including their own Young person’s meetings and individual keyworker sessions. The home strives to look at both the individual and collective needs of young people. Young People will also be given the opportunity to actively engage in, and influence the planning and delivery of a wide variety of leisure activities which may include holidays both abroad and in the UK. Staff at Hobbit House will use a range of techniques for managing young people’s behaviour based on the avoidance of punitive measures in reaction to negative behaviour(s), so that young people have opportunities to understand and learn from their actions. Positive feedback, reward and praise are considered the cornerstone of all the work we do with young people and staff ensure that any positive achievement is noted and celebrated with the young person and any other key people in their life. Overall aims of the home and objectives to be attained are:

To offer care of the highest quality to young people based on their individual care needs.

To provide security and stability for young people in the care system.

To provide good role models based on robust surrogate parenting.

To provide age-appropriate routines and activities to encourage young people to develop their social skills, and to maintain existing practical skills, whilst learning new ones.

To devise a comprehensive and individualised placement plan to meet the young person’s physical, personal, social, psychological/emotional, behavioural, cultural, spiritual, communication and health care needs.

To promote the active and positive presence of young people within their local community.

To empower young people to exercise choice. In order to achieve these aims, the home will provide:

A safe and ‘homely’ environment.

A child-centred approach with their wishes, views and feelings taken into account regarding all aspects of their care.

The development of a multi-skilled and highly trained staff team, following rigorous and stringent recruitment procedures.

The effective management and supervision of the staff team.

The provision of an effective key worker system.

The use of effective placement planning and risk assessment.

Consistent approach to rules and boundaries, through appropriate and reflective rewards and consequences.

The encouragement of positive relationships and investment in the placement, from all people involved in the welfare of the young person.

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3. The arrangements for enabling children to enjoy and achieve, including how the children’s home promotes their

participation in cultural, recreational and sporting activities.

Participation in recreational and sporting activities is promoted here at Hobbit House Participation in activities is seen as a way to channel negative energies, learn new skills, develop a level of fitness, develop social skills, teamwork and confidence and achieve positively. We would like young people to be able to participate in activities which are beneficial to their development but also enhance life opportunities and develop their abilities and talents. In the early stages of the young person’s stay activities will be based around what they like to do and in what they have been successful. Any special interests will be catered for, especially if these have been a feature in their lives prior to admission. We want young people to continue to flourish in their strengths and build on their areas of improvement. Young people will always be encouraged to try new, different and challenging experiences, as we believe this will not only support them in the present but also the future. We will support young people to not only take part in local based activities but also support the young people to partake in their own cultural activities whilst supporting those they live with to also share in the experience. We believe that our young people can help other young people to develop understanding about diversity and the home will actively promote a variety of special occasions. We also want young people to have experience in different cultures and will plan trips aboard which will enrich the young people’s understanding of the world we live in. On a weekly basis the young people will be encouraged to participate in both individual and group activities. Young people are encouraged to pursue their own interests such as horse riding, roller skating or whatever their interests may be. We want young people to build on their talents but learn that they may have hidden skills. We will encourage young people to partake in groups such as youth clubs and will actively work alongside a number of organisations who promote young people’s rights. As the young person begins to move towards leaving Hobbit House, activities start to become tailored to their future placement or future income. It is seen as important that the young person might begin to enjoy activities that are realistic for them to develop and continue into their future. The home will also work its own in house programmes with young people to offer them better options to move forward in life. The young people are encouraged to learn and develop independent skills which involve house chores, food preparation and cooking, learning budgeting skills along with in-house activities of art and crafts board games and quizzes. Young people are provided with a leaving care APP which is a pack they can complete with the support of staff. This enables them to work through their independent skills and develop where required. Religious and cultural activities will be identified normally through the care planning process. All religious and cultural activities important to the young person and their family and will be vigorously researched and thoroughly supported by the staff team. Some of the activities young people will be able to engage in are:

Dancing Tobogganing Swimming Cinema Trampoline Beach trips

Bowling Singing

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4. The arrangements for supporting the cultural, linguistic and religious needs of children accommodated in the

children’s home.

We believe in promoting identity and we will always take into account the racial, religious and cultural and linguistic needs of young people when determining how we will meet their needs throughout their time with us. We don’t only do this because it is a requirement of law we do it because it is our own personal belief that all young people are cared for in a child focused manner. We are committed in establishing a group living community within the home which is free of prejudice and which has an understanding and tolerance for difference. We believe in sharing experiences because we have all learnt from others at some point in life. A young person’s cultural background is fundamental to their identity and as such needs to be maintained and encouraged. Staff at Hobbit House will support all young people with learning about diversity and the importance of understanding others who have different backgrounds and different language. Some of the ways staff will support young people to appreciate difference is by:

To promoting young people’s cultural and linguistic identity and giving them a platform to share their experiences with others.

To give young people positive images of their identity To prepare young people for the society in which they are growing up in To learn about and share ideas of not only the young people’s cultures but staff and other wider

cultures. When any young person is placed in the home, the staff team will identify ways in which it can actively maintain and develop a young person’s cultural preferences. We will do this by:

Finding out about foods that the young person may like to eat (special dietary requirements) Finding out about essential cultural customs, like hair and skin care Finding out about the rules of specific religious observance Staff will research and Involve themselves and the young people in areas which reflect the young person’s

heritage Encourage young people to keep contact with members of their original community and to introduce you to

them – where this is appropriate. Learn about the historical foundations of the young person’s culture and share these with the young people Run numerous special occasions and events involving the young people in the planning. Staff will support the young person in their linguistic needs. Staff will assist the young person to obtain language support where and when required

Staff are trained in equality and diversity. Staff will act in a professional and courteous manner being aware of their own mannerisms whilst also examining their attitudes to ensure that they role model positive behaviours to young people on acceptance of diversity and promoting equality within the home.

5. The arrangements for promoting contact between children and their family and friends.

All children will have individualised contact agreements as per their care plan, legal status and risk assessments, and these will be facilitated by the home. All young people are provided with practical support and encouragement to have contact with family members, friends or other important significant people in their lives, provided that these arrangements have been discussed with the placing authority, detailed in the care plan and are safe for the young person to have contact with. The home promotes and facilitates all contacts whether this be via telephone, visits, letters or electronically. Staff will ensure that contact is arranged and facilitated in the manner most appropriate and responsive to the needs of the young person. Regular communication with placing authorities regarding restrictions (old or new) will be evidenced and recorded. Staff at Hobbit House will work and encourage building good relationships with the parents and carers of young people in the home. We believe that this allows for a greater level of support for young people where relationships with their family can be or have been problematic.

Staff will always support contact where this has been the view of a young person and shall support the contact by ensuring it is well planned and works for all concerned parties. In order to build on positive relationships the home encourages young people to invite family and friends for meals and on special occasions providing this does not intrude on other young people residing in the home.

All young people will have a contact risk assessment which covers the contact arrangements for each young person including whether or not the contact is open, supervised or restricted. This risk management plan is kept in children’s

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individual files and all staff are familiar with these plans. The content of these plans are developed from the LAC Care plan and are reviewed following any strategy reviews, LAC reviews and planning meetings.

6. A description of the children’s home’s approach to consulting children about the quality of their care.

At the home, children and young people are encouraged to take an active part in running the home and are asked for their views and opinions regularly. Young people have access to keyworkers, advocates and independent visitors. Hobbit House provide a homely, family environment and offer our young people the chance for their voice to be heard. Consultation will be taken on the following issues

Decisions affecting a child’s or young person’s future

Any decision affecting a child’s or young person’s rights.

Choices about daily living that the child or young person can participate in such as their choice of diet, fashion, entertainment etc.

Their choice of key worker

Changes in the way the home is run and managed.

The decoration and furnishing of their personal space

Leisure activities they would wish to participate in.

Young people participate in the recruitment process of staff and this can be in the means of them developing questions for the interview, meeting potential candidates and setting them practical tasks. The home values the opinions of young people when selecting staff.

Consultation with young people can be formal and informal some of the ways consultation will be carried out are:

Children’s and young person’s meetings, which will be held regularly and the minutes given to the Home Manager for their attention.

The children and young people will be made aware that they can discuss any issues with any staff member throughout the week, if the need arises.

They will have access to complaints forms at all times

LAC reviews -young people will be consulted for thoughts and ideas and asked to attend

Placement plans - young people will be consulted in creating placement plans.

Placing authorities, children and young people along with their families will be consulted by the home when any changes to the operation of the home are made. Regular contact will be maintained with placing authorities.

Young people’s questionnaires as to gain their views on the day to day living at the home

Esland will employ an advocate or translator should the need arise At Esland we recognise the importance in effective consultation in sourcing the views and wishes of children and young people in relation to their care and the offer of such to them. The manager has an open door policy and is available on a daily basis to discuss any issues that the young people have with their care experience to enable them to improve and progress these. There are also opportunities within the monthly manager’s audit and the Regulation 44 report that is completed monthly by an independent person and the Regulation 45 completed every four months. There are some direct questions in these around the quality of care offered in order to enable the author of the report to gain a realistic perception of the care offered at the home.

7. A description of the children’s home’s policy and approach in relation to— (a) Anti-discriminatory practice in respect of children and their families; and (b) Children’s rights.

Staff at the home recognise and acknowledge that all young people have both general needs as a developing young person and specific needs as an individual with a unique personal history and culture. The home is opposed to discrimination in any form. To this end the staff team is instructed to work vigorously to prevent discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or social origin, language, culture, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, political or other opinion, birth or status.

Staff are committed to maximising the young person’s potential. Any discrimination by young people or adults, no matter how subtle, will be challenged. Should staff witness any discrimination towards any young person by another member of staff, they will be expected and encouraged to challenge this and raise this with the Manager. Should this involve the Manager, the employee should raise this with a Senior Manager, the Registered Provider etc. Staff are also made aware of the whistle-blowing policy and of Ofsted as a route for complaints. Staff are encouraged to promote the rights of young people who may wish to make complaints by assisting them in whichever way the young person wishes, including assisting the young person to frame the complaint and pass on that complaint to the appropriate body. All young people have the right to:

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To be heard and to exercise choice.

To be treated with dignity and respect.

To have appropriate education and leisure time.

To be protected from harm.

To receive individual and appropriate care that is suitably risk-assessed.

Staff at Hobbit House will actively promote and advocate for care plans to be drawn up and carried through to meet each young person’s educational, religious, cultural, linguistic and dietary needs. In all cases decisions will be made that promote the best interests of each individual young person over and above any interests of the company. Hobbit House operates a strict policy on anti-discrimination and endorses a range of external organisations which are against forms of bullying, harassment and inequality. All staff are required to adhere to this policy whilst promote the values of the home in ensuring young people are free from prejudice and are able to exercise their ability to be themselves. Our staff team will not judge or treat young people and those significant unfairly or discriminate against them. All young people accommodated at Hobbit House will be made aware of their rights and how to access independent advocacy services, their Independent Reviewing Officer, Children’s Rights services and Ofsted.

8. A description of the accommodation offered by the children’s home, including— (a) How accommodation has been adapted to the needs of children cared for by the children’s home; (b) The age range, number and sex of children for whom it is intended that accommodation is to be provided; (c) The type of accommodation, including sleeping accommodation.

The home is registered to accommodate three young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties aged between 10 years old to 18 years old on admission. The home can accommodate both males and females and will consider mixed sex occupancy with appropriate risk assessment. Hobbit House will consider placements for young people experiencing issues with self-harm, aggressive behaviour, CSE, attachment difficulties, school refusal and non-attendance, offending behaviour, gang related behaviours and those with a history of missing from care. This is not an exhaustive list and the home will consider referrals for any young person with an emotional and behavioural difficulty. Careful matching takes place for all referrals and the needs of any young person already in placement will be considered as the priority when considering a new placement for the home. The manager will complete an impact risk assessment in order to ensure the placement is right for the home. Hobbit House has been consciously developed as a small two bedroom children’s home in order to offer the young people who come to live here the maximum opportunity to live within a family environment as close to family life as is feasible. There are a further two bedrooms that accommodate staff sleeping on the premises, with one acting as a staff office also. The Road to Resilience At Esland, we believe that there are two pathways that looked after children may find themselves on: the Road to Ruin, (where they struggle to manage themselves or their risks) and the Road to Resilience, (where young people are supported by staff to improve their life chances and choices). We recognise that the way young people deal with difficult situations is often underpinned by their life experiences, which ultimately affect their level of resilience. Facilities

A spacious house with large enclosed garden, large grassed area and overlooking countryside.

A large bathroom with shower.

Individualised bedrooms, all double sized The young people are encouraged to personalise to their taste.

Spacious living areas nicely furnished and decorated with 3 communal areas

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Utility room

Fully fitted kitchen

Lovely gardens for the young people to use

9. A description of the location of the children’s home.

Hobbit House is set in the small village of Wedhampton. Wedhampton is located in Wiltshire close to the town of Devizies.

Wedhampton is located 4 miles from the market town of Devizes which is able to offer a range of shops and is surrounded by picturesque countryside. The larger cities and towns of Swindon, Bristol, Trowbridge and Bath are all close by and easily accessible to the home. These towns offer a wide range of activities, leisure, educational and commercial facilities for young people living at the home.

There are a wide range of leisure activities and clubs within the local area. Within Devizes there are a range of different sporting clubs which cater for the interests of most young people. A local youth club runs twice weekly catering for different age groups. The town is well served in relation to local facilities and has a number of doctor’s surgeries, dentists and opticians. There are a number of shops, including a lot of more independent shops, restaurants and take aways, a library, and community centre.

The village area of Wedhampton has a more rural feel with a traditional village atmosphere where community is central to the feel of the local area and a popular charity festival is held annually.

There is a primary school within the village which was rated as Ofsted Outstanding in 2009 and the home falls within the catchment area for Devizes Secondary school. This school is located 5 miles from the home and a bus service is provided for pupils. The school was rated good by Ofsted in 2015. The home benefits from the beautiful rural location and is within easy access to local canals and nature reserves.

Despite its rural location Wedhampton has good links with local public transport with a regular bus route locally and buses running from Devizes with direct links to Bath, Swindon, Trowbridge and London. The home provides a safe environment in terms of criminal activity and crime rate in the area to which is minimal and is evidenced by the location risk assessment in consultation with Wiltshire Safer community team and local authorities.

10. Details of the children’s home’s policies for safeguarding children, preventing bullying and the missing child policy.

The young people placed at the Hobbit House are more vulnerable than others due to their complex needs and therefore they are supervised at all times in and out of the home unless free time is authorised.

Staff at Hobbit House are proactive in assisting young people to find other solutions to difficulties they are experiencing, and young people are offered planned placement sessions in which they can discuss difficulties and alternative strategies in an attempt to channel their anxieties into behaviours that are potentially less dangerous than going absent without permission. The young people are also given support to complete keyworker packs which can assist young people with individual behaviours such as self-harm, healthy sleeping patterns, managing aggression and sexual health.

Notwithstanding this approach, for some young people going absent without permission is one way that they are able to manage their problems. For these young people, staff will attempt to minimise the risks associated with this behaviour by ensuring the young person knows the risks and the potential consequences associated with going absent from the home. Staff are also very aware of the need to closely supervise vulnerable young people. Young people will only be permitted to go out unsupervised following agreement with the social worker and following a risk assessment. Hobbit House work very closely with our local police officer who visits the home on a regular basis in order to build and maintain positive relationships with the young people.

In terms of staff managing Runaway and Missing from Home and Care (RMFHC) the following procedure is in place:

A recent photograph of the young person will be on file.

A placement plan will have identified the risk and management strategy for known behaviour such as going absent without permission. Within this plan the time scale within which the young person must be reported missing will be identified. Known addresses where the young person runs to will also be identified along with contact numbers for all parties with a legitimate interest in the welfare of the young person.

The attitude and mood of the young person along with their dress for the day will have been recorded on the young person’s daily record sheet.

When it is known the young person is absent without permission, an immediate search of the premises and surrounding area will be undertaken. Other young people in the home will be questioned as to the missing young person’s whereabouts and possible ‘contacts’ will be telephoned.

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Staff will consult the prepared documents and follow the RMFHC protocol as to who to contact and when. This will include the police and those with parental responsibility (social services and parent(s)) and the Manager on call.

On the young person’s return, they will not be sanctioned for going absent without permission. Staff will ensure the young person is safe and comfortable and they will be offered hot food and drinks, a bath and will be encouraged to discuss any concerns that may be responsible for them going absent.

A debrief with staff will be offered and a planned placement session will be set up.

All parties identified will be contacted regarding the young person’s return.

All information will be recorded on an incident form and faxed to the local authority with responsibility for the young person. Within 24 hours a regulation 40 notifications will be completed where there is police involvement or a concern for the young person’s welfare.

All young people have a Missing from Care Risk Management Plan regardless of whether this is an issue for them or not. This is completed at the point the placement is agreed and then is reviewed following each incident or a minimum of once a month.

The home believes that the welfare and protection of young people from abuse is of paramount importance. The management and staff at Hobbit House and across Esland work very closely with the (LADO) in terms of prevention and resolution of child protection issues and the investigation of allegations against persons employed in the home. All staff at Hobbit House are subjected to a rigorous vetting process as per the DBS requirements.

Staff are trained in child protection including identification of possible or suspected abuse and action to be taken in all cases of safeguarding

Staff operate in a contained environment and are able to monitor the actions of others at all times, whilst being aware of what constitutes as both good and bad practice.

All staff at Hobbit House are aware of the growing dangers involved with young people accessing the internet and the continual improvements in commutative technologies. Consideration is always given to the individual circumstances of particular young people in watching or accessing social networking sites and using the internet and age restriction software will placed on the home’s computers. Staff at Hobbit House shall also ensure that any visual content on TV or other media materials are of the suitable age to the young person viewing them.

There is an on call system for the home which provides staff with the opportunity to contact a Registered Manager or the Director of Care and Operations at any point throughout the evening or night.

Only the highest possible standards are acceptable from members of staff in working in line with the organisations policies and procedures. Any allegation of sexual, physical or emotional abuse will lead to a full investigation and, if substantiated, would lead to instant dismissal. Such dismissal will be reported to social services, Ofsted and, if a criminal offence has been committed, to the police. The Registered Provider / Manager will refer all allegations to the child protection team and to the Local Authority of the child. The local child protection team will take the lead role in any investigation. Bullying

The home has a zero tolerance of bullying in all its aspects, whether physical or mental. All young people are made

aware of this and will be regularly reminded of the need to treat others as they wish to be treated. It is the duty of all

staff to protect children from bullying.

All staff are trained to identify bullying and in techniques to counter bullying and its effects.

We will not allow initiation ceremonies of any kind.

We will actively encourage an environment in which bullying is seen to be totally unacceptable.

We will encourage young people to report any incident of bullying to a member of staff and will make young people aware that prompt action will be taken where appropriate.

Staff supervision will always be at a level where young people can be monitored and any instances of bullying will be quickly detected.

Measures to be taken to support the victim of bullying:

Meeting to be arranged.

Specific key work will be undertaken to support the young person and to explore why they are bullied.

Confidence building measures will be developed with the young person e.g. strategies to reduce contact with the perpetrator; practising eye contact and other assertiveness techniques etc.

Encourage the young person to keep a note of what is happening, when and by whom.

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A named member of staff on shift will oversee and support the young person.

Initiate support from trusted adults e.g. teacher, independent visitor, or from specialist agencies e.g. Childline (0800 1111) Kidscape 08451205204

Keyworker sessions will be undertaken with young people using the Self Esteem Keyworker Pack.

Measures to be taken to support the perpetrator:

Meeting to be arranged with the alleged perpetrator.

Undertake educative key work to explore the nature of their aggression and the feelings they generate in others, as well as exploring any underlying reasons for the bullying.

Shadow the perpetrator to offer support, prevent re-occurrence and encourage change.

Encourage an apology that is meant.

Restorative justice work to be used and mediation where appropriate to ensure that young people have the best possible support to change their behaviour and to encourage them not to bully in the future.

Where appropriate, a strategy meeting will be called with the social workers of both the perpetrator and the victim to ensure that an effective strategy is implemented.

11. Any criteria used for the admission of children to the children’s home, including any policies and procedures for

emergency admission.

Hobbit House is able to offer placements to young people with complex Behavioural, Social and Emotional difficulties who require high supervision on a 1:1 or 2:1 basis to ensure that they have the correct support around them to manage and to be managed where required. One of the successes of Esland is that we do a rigorous matching process prior to any placement offer being made and so this results in well matched placements being achieved and so this contributes to both the placement length and the outcomes experienced for individual children and young people. The home can offer planned, emergency and respite placements which will be considered dependent upon the needs of the young person being referred and the compatibility and needs of the resident group. There is an impact assessment completed for all admissions regardless of whether they are planned or emergency placements and this again contributes to the outcomes achieved for the individual children. All placements will, wherever possible be fully assessed and involved a visit by the home manager or senior member of staff to meet the child or young person before being placed. During this visit the home manager will assess the child’s or young person’s suitability for the placement and whether they would be a good match for the residents within the home already.

Through meeting the manager or senior member of staff this gives the child or young person an opportunity to get to know a face within the placement and ask any questions- aiming to reduce worries. The child will be given and young person’s guide to the home which will give them information they will require whilst living at the home and in a format to their level of understanding.

The young person then will be invited to the home to meet the resident young person; join in the homes meal and an activity. A further visit will be offered for an overnight stay.

Where agreed between the home and placing authority on placing a young person in an emergency a review is initiated no more than 72 hours after any emergency admission to consider whether the child should remain at the home, or it is in that child’s interests to move to a different placement. Pre-admission risk assessment & process From the information given and through consultation with the child/young person’s social worker (preferably at a planning meeting prior to their admission), an impact risk assessment shall be completed identifying any potential risks and the impact of these risk on the home and on the other young people. The risk assessment will also identify the actions needed to manage this risk. All young people work with staff to complete the I See You Workbook for their first 28 days in placement, this helps to ascertain their views and wishes and feelings and also helps to develop a meaningful placement plan. This is supported by the Initial Baseline Assessment which staff completes for the child’s first month in placement.

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12. The arrangements for dealing with complaints

At Hobbit House we endeavour to ensure good practice in dealing with concerns and complaints to improve our service to young people, their families, and local authority’s that have commissioned our service. Young people will know how and feel able to complain without fear, if they are unhappy with any aspect of the home. Any complaint is addressed seriously and without delay, a complaint will be fully responded to within a maximum of 28 days, and children and young people are kept informed of the progress.

Young people are made fully aware of the complaints produced on entry to the home. Complaints procedures and forms are displayed on the young person’s notice board and each child will be given a young person’s guide explaining how they can complain.

All complaints, whether made verbally of in writing are recorded on Complaints Forms and kept on the young person’s case file as a formal record, available to the young person, their social worker and Ofsted.

The home will support young people to have access to an independent advocate, to enable them to have someone autonomous to engage with and inform them off their rights.

Within the home, there are posters and leaflets with information of services available to support young people (e.g. Children’s rights, NSPCC etc.), should they need or want to seek advice away from the team within the home.

If a child or young person wishes to raise a concern with an outside professional the following contact details are made available to them-

OFSTED contact details- OFSTED, Piccadilly Gate, Store Street, Manchester M1 2WD 03001231231

Children’s Rights Director- Aviation House, 125 Kingsway, London, WC2B 6SE

Their social worker or IRO – details of which are kept on file and accessible to them First Response – 08001313126

CHILDRENS BEHAVIOUR

13. A description of the children’s home’s approach to the surveillance and monitoring of children accommodated

there.

Young people placed at Hobbit House are vulnerable and require a high level of support and supervision. The home will ensure that the young people are safe and secure at all times. All bedrooms have sensors fitted to the doors to detect opening and closing. This is an additional method of supervision and is not used as a replacement for staff supervision. The sensors will only be activated where there is an identified need and will only be used at night. This may be due to a young person’s behaviour, where they are unsettled or if there are to be mixed sex placements that cause concern. The use of door sensors will require consent from the placing authority and will be documented and placed in the young person’s file. Explanation of the use of door alarms will be given to the young people. Hobbit House will ensure an appropriate staff / young person ratio and adequate assessment of risk.

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All young people coming to live at Hobbit House and all placing authorities are made aware of this additional facility both at the time of referral and at the Placement Meeting stage of admission

14. Details of the children’s home’s approach to behavioural support, including information about— (a) The children’s home’s approach to the use of restraint with respect to children Accommodated there; (b) How persons working in the children’s home are trained in the use of restraint and how Their competence is assessed.

Staff at Hobbit House believes that control is best exercised through the development and maintenance of strong inter-personal relationships with the young people living in the Home. These relationships are built upon sensitivity towards the young person based on knowledge of them, the developing of trust and sharing experiences together. Rules are much easier for young people to manage when they have had the opportunity to contribute to them and are able to review them on a regular basis. ie if the young person has been able to invest in staff and the home. The home also believes that boundaries are much easier for them to maintain if they are applied in a fair, understandable and consistent manner across the team and there is opportunity to discuss the implementation of rules. These practices form the basis of mutual respect. The home encourages positive behaviours and there are reward systems in place. If an incident was to occur within the home the staff are trained in behaviour management techniques, these are TC2 techniques which is Esland Care’s accredited physical intervention holds and work on the premise of 95% de-escalation and 5% physical intervention. The staff team will use any or all of the following to de-escalate an incident, humor, distraction, limited choice, clear firm direction, swap of carer, support, reminder of consequences and reassurance. Positive and Negative consequences and rewards in place to manage behaviour in line with the authoritative parenting model of high warmth and high control. When they do need to be implemented, consequences will be thought through by the staff and be creative, realistic and fitting to the actions of the young person. These will be outlined in either the house rules; the behaviour management plan for each young person or their risk assessment. Staff are aware of non-permissible sanctions outlined in The Children’s Homes Regulations 2015, Section 17(5) and have signed statements to pledge compliance with this instruction. Staff at the home are trained in TC2 restrain techniques which complies with children’s home regulations with regards to the reasons for restraint. This strategy will only be used as a last resort, once all diversionary and diffusion techniques have failed. In the face of maintaining agitation, moving towards anger and aggression, it is important that the carer remains calm, allows the child/young person more personal space and alerts other staff members / carers that there is a potential risk arising and that assistance may be needed in order to return the young person to safety. All staff are trained in TC2 holds and the staff are trained to use the following holds see Appendix 1; We work with our staff to ensure that they know although to use de-escalation techniques, they should not:

Lose self-control or lash out

Shout

Attempt to enforce compliance over trivial or unnecessary matters like young people being in the staff office.

Take positions or issue warnings that cannot be maintained or will not be followed through

Attempt to continue to use reasoning in the face of mounting anger and aggression (when children and young people may have lost the ability to rationalise and negotiate)

Threaten or intimidate children/young people

Make fun of, ridicule or humiliate children/young people

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Confront challenging behaviour in front of an audience

Corner or closely confront a child/young person

Inflict any form of corporal punishment; i.e. any intentional application of force as punishment, including slapping, punching, rough handling and throwing missiles.

Make any restrictions relating to the consumption or deprivation of food or drink;

Make any restriction on a child’s contact with his or her Parents, relatives or friends; visits to the child by his or her Parents, relatives or friends or limit their access to counselling or advocacy services like Children’s Rights or placing social workers.

Once a restraint has taken place, a review of the incident is always suitably timed for when the young person has had a chance to recover, whilst ensuring the incident is still fresh in their minds. This is designed to support the young person in exploring their behaviour and considering other ways of dealing feelings in the future.

CONTACT DETAILS

15. The name and work address of— (a) The registered provider (including details of the company owning the children’s home); (b) If nominated, the responsible individual; (c) If applicable, the registered manager.

Esland was formed following a successful merger between Turnaround Care and The Boulters. The Esland Group has a range of services in Buxton, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Yorkshire, Northamptonshire, Wiltshire, Kent and London. Hobbit House is within the West region, which is managed by Liz Brownlees, Regional Manager supported by Laura Mumford her Deputy Regional Manager and allocated Quality Assurance Officer Louise Petcher completes the Regulation 44 independent visits for the West region. The Registered Provider is: Esland North (part of the Esland Group)

The Chief Executive Officer is:

Mr John Stamp Esland Group Riverside Business Centre Suite 1 & 5 Foundry Lane Milford Belper DE56 0RN T: 01773 823 989 Email: johnstamp@eslandcare.co.uk Contact: 07915 157 618 The Responsible Individual and Director of Care and Operations is:

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Mrs Linzi Sim Esland Head Office Riverside Business Centre Suite 1 & 5 Foundry Lane Milford Belper DE56 0RN T: 01773 823 989 Email: linzisim@eslandcare.co.uk Contact: 07713284591 Regional Manager East. Mrs Liz Brownlees Esland Head Office Riverside Business Centre Suite 1 & 5 Foundry Lane Milford Belper DE56 0RN T: 01773 823 989 Email: lizbrownlees@eslandcare.co.uk Contact: 07554441037

Homes Manager.

Megan Barton

Email: meganbarton@eslandcare.co.uk

Telephone: 07825815843

EDUCATION

16. Details of provision to support children with special educational needs.

The educational provision of the home is based on the individual’s entitlement to an inclusive and relevant education. We are passionate about young people attending mainstream or special education as soon as possible once they arrive into our care. We have excellent working relationships with the local schools and aim to have a high success rate of getting young people back into a mainstream provision, with extra support offered by our staff and a flexible timetable.

It is expected that some of the referrals to Hobbit House will be excluded pupils or pupils who have difficulty being integrated into mainstream schooling.

The methods to promote education are varied depending on the needs of the child as opposed to using a single focused

technique. We believe that various approaches are required to re-engage the children and young people into learning.

Building a relationship with the young person and assessing their needs is the first challenge to then assess what sort

of education package would be suitable.

Aside from education, the young people will be learning constantly from the staff within the home as to how to manage

behavior, socialize and learn independence skills.

It is expected that some of the young people residing at Hobbit House will attend specialist schools identified to specifically meet their needs.

Staff at Hobbit House will acknowledge and reward all successes achieved at school. Staff will support the young person and the school by attending all meetings and briefings.

Staff at Hobbit House will work closely with educational service departments to ensure that statements are maintained, updated and reviewed as required. Young people with special educational needs will be given the same schooling opportunities as any other young person and the staff will support them to find the best viable option where they can gain educational attainment.

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18. Where the children’s home is not dually registered as a school, the arrangements for children to attend local

schools and the provision made by the children’s home to promote the educational attainment of children.

Hobbit House positively promotes the inclusion of “looked after” young people in the wider community and the need for the young person to develop appropriate social learning and attachments. Wherever possible the young person will be maintained within their current school. In order to provide informal support, staff at the Hobbit House will support young people in the completion of projects and home work. Hobbit House will endeavour to source further education, colleges and work experience

HEALTH

19. Details of any health care or therapy provided, including— (a) Details of the qualifications and clinical supervision of the staff involved; (b) Information about— (i) How the children’s home measures the effectiveness of its approach; and (ii) The evidence referred to by the children’s home to demonstrate the effectiveness of its approach, and how this information can be accessed.

Staff at Hobbit House are committed in providing high quality primary health care in the areas of:

Emotional health the implementation of detailed risk assessments and placement plans. Ensuring all young people has access to relevant medical services. Supporting young people with any issues they might have by offering support and guidance.

Physical wellbeing. On arrival the young person will be registered with the local General Practitioner as well as at one of the local Dentistry practices and a local Optician. Current health needs will be identified and maintained, for example diets and routines.

Identifying/maintaining specialist health needs (e.g. mental health/physical needs) Ensuring prescribed medication is maintained, liaising with relevant professionals and attending specialist health and other significant outside agency services.

Staff take an active role in promoting all aspects of healthy living. Staff are proactive in ensuring the young person are

offered a healthy and a well-balanced diet, develop and maintain a good level of personal hygiene, develops appropriate

sleep routines and takes regular exercise.

Staff routinely address the issues of smoking, substance/alcohol abuse (if relevant), and the effects of bullying through

key work sessions and house meetings. An outreach sexual health nurse regularly visits the home should a young

person require advice or services in this area.

The young people have an in depth individualised health plan detailing all health needs and relevant information.

Hobbit House will actively support the promotion of a healthy lifestyle and this is one of our main focuses when caring for young people within the home. All staff share a common responsibility to promote the health and welfare of all accommodated young people at the home. All young people resident at Hobbit House will have a yearly Looked After Child medical assessment. All placements and young people who have been identified as being appropriate for Hobbit House will have a full

psychological assessment completed if they have not had one within the last 12 months. This is completed by our

partner organization Future Minds.

Future Minds offers a wraparound therapeutic intervention which is versatile in how it is delivered. This model is

designed in a way that staff can deliver the bespoke interventions to young people through meaningful keyworker

sessions. The staff at Hobbit House will meet with the psychologist and allocated therapist from Future Minds can

support staff with the review risk assessments and ensure that control measures are effective, to develop meaningful

keyworker sessions and to provide staff training or clinical supervision. If the young people are at a point that they are

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able to engage in therapy and should they require some practical support i.e counseling, art therapy or CBT, this could

be arranged where either the young person could go to Future Minds or the psychologist could visit the home and can

plan this time around the young person and their routines.

The staff team at Hobbit House is attuned to our young people’s subjective experiences, they try to make sense of those

experiences, and then they communicate them back to the young person. This is done with Playfulness, Acceptance,

Curiosity, and Empathy (making up the PACE model which is consistent with our behavior management model and with

the interventions provided through Future Minds). This model allows our staff to constantly fine-tune their practice, to

best fit the needs of the young person.

The home will work alongside a range of services that may provide alternative therapies such as drug and alcohol services, CAHMS or other counselling services for young people. The home will actively discourage young people from smoking and will ensure that smoking is not permitted on the premises. At Hobbit House, all medications (including non-prescribed) are stored in locked cabinet, in accordance with regulation, and are recorded on individual medical records held at the home. All staff are medication trained and are also trained in Health Promotion in accordance with the new Quality Standards, attachment and other Health Related courses as required.

STAFFING MATTERS

20. Details of the experience and qualifications of staff working at the children’s home, including any staff

commissioned to provide education and health care.

Manager: Megan Barton

Megan has worked within Childcare for 7 years and within a Residential Setting for 2 years. She has worked as a senior support worker and a Deputy Manager. During her time as a Deputy Manager she developed her skills to ensure she was positively leading a team with desired outcomes being achieved. Megan is qualified to Level 3 and currently undertaking her Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management in a Residential Setting. Megan holds all relevant qualifications including an Introduction to PECS and Teach, Safeguarding Children & Young People, Paediatric First Aid, Child Accident Prevention, Winston’s Wish(Supporting bereaved children and young people), Child Exploitation, Autism Awareness Course ,Food Hygiene, Fire Safety, Safeguarding Children Refresher, e-safety-Guidance for Practitioners Working With Children, Safeguarding Children from Abuse by Sexual Exploitation, Safer Recruitment, Supervisions, Safeguarding and Leadership, Management essentials, Understanding Child Attachment, Understanding Self Harm and Suicidal thoughts in Children and Young People, In-House Behaviour Management Course & Recording and Report Writing. Senior support worker: Megan Smith

Megan has 8 years’ experience in childcare and is qualified level 3 in children and young people work force. She enjoys supporting young people and helping them on the road to a positive future. Megan has experience working within early years and has worked closely with young people with behaviour difficulties. She is keen to develop her career at Hobbit House and undertake various courses to support her role. She has attended local authority training as well as in house training sourced by Esland Care such as, sexual health, TC2, First Aid, Behaviour management, Senior training and supervision training.

Senior support worker – Antony Pilling

Antony has a lot of experience in the care sector for Looked after Children and has worked with in various homes learning new skills. He is a positive influence on others and always has an upbeat attitude towards his work. He is currently undertaking his Level 3 in Children’s Residential Care. He has Worked 12 years in behavioural and pastoral role running peer mentoring, restorative justice and within a learning support group for Swindon Borough council. He currently holds qualifications supporting his role such as; TC2, behaviour management, senior and supervision training.

Senior support worker – Alison White

Alison has experience working in secondary education for 13 years and was a Specialist leader in behaviour and attendance. This included high nurture groups, self-esteem groups, anger management groups, learning difficulties, girls group for those at high risk of CSE. Issues including sexual health, substance misuse and healthy relationships were addressed in appropriate groups. Alison’s groups were very student led, so this meant they focused on what was needed for those particular students at that time. ADHD, Alison worked intensely with a young person managing him

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through school until suitable provision found for him, this was for 18 months including supporting parents, hospital visits, assessments and reviews. Alison is due to start NVQ3. Alison’s wants to be able to make a difference to the young people she works with to give them a positive experience in their home environment, so that they feel supported and genuinely cared for.

Primary Care Worker – Mary-Kate Dart

Mary-Kate has gained valuable experience when working in the early years sector and has transported her skills positively in to the care sector. She is qualified to a Level 3 standard and is due to attend a range of courses to enhance her knowledge and understanding of safeguarding and behaviour management. Mary-Kate has training within self-harm and child protection training.

Primary Care Worker – Victoria Murphy

Vicky’s experience of working with young people stems from an educational background. She is an arts award advisor for the discover and explore arts award and enjoys using the arts and applying drama to work with young people enabling them to explore complex situations. Vicky states that working within Esland has abled her to work with a highly skilled set of staff to promote positive change for the young people living there and provide positive height quality support. Vicky keen to enrol on her Level 3 with the company to further her knowledge and enable her to provide further support for the young people. Vicky is also looking at furthering her skills independently in children's psychology, counselling and drama therapy. This will enable young people to access further help and support in house.

Support worker – Jordan Franklin

Jordan has joined the team having experience in the care industry. She is qualified to a Level 3 standard. She has worked with adults in care sector establishments and is eager to develop her career working with young people and will be completing several courses to enhance her knowledge and understanding including safeguarding.

Support Worker – Dean Wood Dean has joined us at Hobbit House and has a vast amount of experience. He is qualified to a Level 5 standard. He has worked within management, managing services for young people and has a real passion for what he does. He has a love of football and sport which he is able to demonstrate with the young people in the home. Support worker – Graham Doyle Graham has recently joined us and has working experience with young people with learning difficulties. He is very active and loves sport. All staff have undertaken all mandatory training and have yearly refresher courses to include

Child protection safeguarding

Medication Administration

First Aid

Health and Safety

Fire Awareness

Food safety

T2 Training

Whistle Blowing.

Missing from Care.

Attachment disorders

Therapeutic Practices

ADHD

Autism Spectrum Disorders

Self-Harm

Sexual Exploitation

Eating Disorders

Behavior management

Equality and Diversity

Mental Health Awareness

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21. Details of the management and staffing structure of the children’s home, including Arrangements for the professional supervision of staff employed at the children’s home, including staff that provide education or health care.

JOHN STAMP

DIRECTOR & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

LINZI SIM

Responsible Individual & Director of

Care & Operations

LIZ BROWNLESS

REGIONAL MANAGER

Megan Barton

Homes Manager

SENIOR SUPPORT WORKERS

Antony Pilling

Alison White

Megan Smith

Primary Care Workers

Vicky Murphy

Mary-Kate Dart

Support workers

Jordan Franklin

Dean Wood

Graham Doyle

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The Home is managed by the Registered Manager supported by a team of 3 seniors and they are responsible for the daily running of the Home. The Registered Manager works 40 hours a week and works a flexible rota to meet the needs of the home. The home is staffed according to the needs of the young people in placement and their agreed staffing ratio, and then during the night there will be two members of staff who sleep in. Waking Night Staff can be provided if felt necessary in order to safeguard the young people. In order to work with Esland, there is a vigorous recruitment process ensuring good quality teams within the homes. When the new team member begins working they undergo an extensive induction programme, which has been developed to ensure when the worker is ready to work. They are able to do so safely and with good knowledge of working practices. New starters who have not attained their level 3 diplomas in Health and Social Care- Children and Young People, will then commence the care induction standards. To support with their induction standards and their development the new team members will be supervised every two weeks. In order to pass their probationary period new staff will be given an interview and a task to complete to demonstrate learning. After the probationary period of six months the member of staff will be supervised on a monthly basis or before if required. Further support for the team will be provided through team meetings taking place on a fortnightly to monthly basis where good practice can be shared and plans put into place for the young people. The home’s staff are trained in line with the quality standards and the children’s homes regulations along with any advanced training needs that may emerge from the assessment of the young people, supervision monthly and yearly appraisal. Training is monitored frequently to ensure all certificates are current and valid. Esland aim to provide high quality care for young people and this will be supported by a training plan for staff that ensures they have the highest level of skills and knowledge to fulfil their role in the company.

22. If the staff working at the children’s home are all of one sex, or mainly of one sex, a description of how the children’s home promotes appropriate role models of both sexes.

Where possible the staff team at Hobbit House will be mixed in terms of sex. We do place priority on recruiting the right

staff however and on occasion this may lead to the home having a larger balance of one sex over the other. On these

occasions the young people have appropriate role models of the opposite sex outside of the home. This is through their

education in the form of teaching staff, social clubs where they have youth workers as well as professionals that visit

the home. Where it is deemed necessary the home will provide staff members of specific sex through other homes

within the organisation and will recruit staff members of a specific gender if required. The home has access to bank staff

of both genders which allows some flexibility in terms of gender matching.

In the event that the home has a favourable slant towards one gender of staff consideration will always be given to the

impact this may have on any new resident being considered.