CANTERA

Statement of Purpose

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Cantera

1. Quality and Purpose of Care Range of needs Cantera is an Independent Children’s Home that meets the needs of Young people males and females up to 19 years of age who have Emotional, Behavioral and Social Difficulties.

Cantera is part of the Keys Group with the day to day management being the responsibility of the Registered Manager.

Cantera has a team of specialist individuals who have been specifically recruited and trained for their respective roles.

Cantera is registered as a Children’s Home under the Care Standards Act 2000. Cantera Ethos Our purpose at Cantera is to provide a safe place, with nurturing, educating, structured, safe and supportive care for young people within a high quality standard of accommodation and then positively promote the care of young people for whom the best or safest option is residential care.

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The following principles underpin the care of children and young people “Looked After” by Keys including those living at Cantera:

• The welfare of the young person is paramount, and Keys with the placing authority

has a duty to act in a way that safeguards and promotes this principle for each

young person as an individual.

• Keys will work in partnership with the young people (taking into account their age

and understanding), their parent(s), and those with parental responsibility.

• Young people, their parents(s) and those with parental responsibility will be actively

involved in decisions that are reached, and their views will be taken into account.

• Every young person will have a written Placement plan, which is reviewed regularly.

CANTERA’S AIMS are: To Promote Permanency, Safety & Stability – typically, many young people at Cantera will have experienced rapidly changing family circumstances, situations where they have been at risk or they may have endured multiple moves. We recognise the importance of prevention and protection and maintain a focus on high aspirations for young people. Considerable skill and understanding of the individual experience of children and young people is fundamental to supporting stability and permanency. The provision of stability and constant role modelling from a stable staff team is imperative to develop a clear framework of needs for the young person and implementation of strategies that will contribute to improved outcomes, including preparing young people appropriately for stable transitions to independence or move on placements and the skills to keep themselves safe being able to recognise and avoid or remove themselves from dangerous or unhealthy situations or relationships. To Promote Conditions for Effective Practice – a strong culture of excellence and quality will underpin the work of Cantera. Shared beliefs, theories, appropriate training and positive staff attitudes will produce conditions for excellent performance and outcomes. To achieve optimum outcomes for children & young people, Cantera use shared approaches and techniques to enable and support an understanding of each young person’s needs. Cantera staff will support young people and each other using reflective learning and solution focused models of practice. Objectives will be promoted by the management and staff team and supported by an infrastructure that reflects our values. Leadership is further strengthened by investing in quality resources and professionally trained staff operating in stimulating, learning environments.

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Cantera objectives are to: • Work with each young person to implement the objectives of their written relevant

plans from their placing authority and the service.

• Provide an environment in which young people can be encouraged to develop

physically, psychologically, intellectually and socially.

• To seek to involve and re-integrate the child or young person into their local

networks for play and leisure in a safe way.

• To ensure that participation remains part of the young person's programme and

pathway through the service.

• To offer an accurate and comprehensive assessment with co-ordinated

management of risk factors to enable any psychological or psychiatric input to be

successful

• Offer support, friendship, encouragement and enablement to the young people in

order to help them to achieve to the best of their ability and eventually move on to

independent living in the community.

• Provide maximum opportunity for each young person to mature as an individual, to

develop their personal identity and accept responsibility for their own actions.

• Promote the ordinary living skills of young people at all times and encourage self-

care skills.

• Provide an environment for young people in which they can assess themselves

realistically and determine their own informed options and choices.

• Preserve and support the young person’s links with their own community, work in

partnership with the young people, parent(s), previous carers and those with

parental responsibility.

• Involve young people in decision-making as far as possible.

Cantera does not subscribe to any specific model of care, intervention and or therapeutic approach. We do however subscribe to a young person focused approach of aiming to provide a positive service to the young people we care for. This means providing positive adult role models, a warm family home, opportunities to engage in social and leisure activities to promote enjoyment, achievement and fun, and seeking to maximise the individual’s strengths as well as considering their needs. We do not believe that any one model or tool holds the answer to supporting young people to reach their potential.

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Much of our work lies within task focused approaches to positive behavioural support and management, setting small achievable goals identified by a deep understanding of individual needs, wants, wishes and dreams of each young person, their personality, abilities and our aspirations for them. Cantera aims to be an inclusive environment of giving rather than taking away and of developing realistic boundaries set in the context of the young person’s past experience To augment the above and through care planning we work in partnership with relevant people and organisations who the registered manager considers significant for each young person living at Cantera to meet their needs. The duration of a young person’s placement is subject to their individual needs as outlined in their relevant plans. All young people at Cantera are encouraged, guided and enabled to practice and develop self-care skills and work towards developing appropriate independence skills to their potential. This includes helping young people manage any responsibilities they have, such as budgeting their money, managing their own environments and personal hygiene routines, developing the ability to plan and cook their own meals and develop independence skills within the local community and beyond. Cantera is fully committed to the challenges of supporting and enabling young people to reach their full potential as young adults. Our approach is driven and influenced by practice evidence and research promoting good outcomes around empowerment, improved communication, participation and consistency for young people. Each young person will have positive relationship support from an allocated key worker and they are encouraged to choose their own if they wish. Our aim is to embed typical family structures in which adults and children draw support, affection and guidance from each other. Drawing on the strengths and unique abilities of each adult and matching the immediate and long term needs of individual young people with the right care, support and guidance at the right time. Some young people will live at Cantera with a plan aimed at returning them back home to the family or a foster care placement; we work collaboratively with professionals to help prepare young people for this transition. This includes working with family or carers, facilitating and supporting contact arrangements, relationship building and any specialist support task identified by relevant persons via the relevant plans. Accommodation Cantera is a modern detached house with a welcoming and wide entrance hall; a spacious dining room located on the ground floor along with two reception rooms, one is used as a den room which can be used for a variety of entertainment activities, there is a young person’s computer and study area with room to relax and to talk on the telephone or meet family members, professionals such as Social Workers, Youth Offending Workers, Independent Reviewing officers and friends.

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The TV lounge is spacious with modern family seating and digital TV, this area is identified as a more relaxed and quiet area. The house has a pleasant garden, perfect for outdoor games or a space to enjoy the occasional BBQ. The bedrooms are equipped with modern fittings and have good personal storage space, furniture and fresh décor; the young people are encouraged to personalize their own bedrooms. Rooms have door locks for privacy but are accessible by staff members to ensure safety. Home security and risk assessed matters for young people at Cantera are supported by appropriate and relevant security measures on windows and doors. There are two sleep in rooms one is on the ground floor and one is upstairs. Cantera can accommodate young people of both sexes up to 18 years old, careful consideration will be taken when considering the needs, age and gender of any referrals to ensure a suitable match with the young people already living in here. In addition the staff complement and range of skills will be taken into account and Cantera will only accept young people who are suitable for the service, whose needs can be met and where appropriate staff are in position. Home Location Located in a residential street in the Upper Shirley area of Southampton, Cantera blends into its surroundings alongside neighbouring properties, this assists with our aim of becoming a fully integrated part of the community. Cantera is close to local services including a wide range of shopping and community services such as health centre, library, cinema, bowling, community sports and fitness facilities, a theatre and a large public park. At the same time Cantera is close enough to the coast to enjoy walks along the beach. When travelling by car Cantera is within easy travelling distance of the countryside, The New Forest, Portsmouth and Bournemouth, the beaches and country parks on the Solent and within easy reach of theme parks and zoos both on the South Coast and on the Isle of Wight. Communication links are well served with rail links from Southampton Central station to Waterloo in 80 minutes. Nearby the M27 and M3 provide East and West and North bound motorway routes. Air travel is also an option with the nearby Southampton or Bournemouth Airports. Young people enjoying and achieving at Cantera is integral to what we do. Each young person will have their own weekly activity plan tailored to their own individual needs. This can be joining local clubs such as cadets, martial arts, dance classes and horse riding.

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Clubs like these provide excellent opportunities for young people to socialise safely and appropriately within their peer group but also gain a sense of identity and work towards goals and achievements. Cultural, Linguistic and Religious needs Cantera provides an inclusive environment to meet expectations for all young people’s religious and faith based activities. Whilst not promoting any particular religion or cultural practice, the team use a common sense approach in accommodating and upholding observances, traditions or cultures that young people have or want to follow. We will plan and prepared to meet the need of young people from all groups in the community and show an understanding, awareness and sensitivity towards all young people. This could typically mean ensuring we are able to separate cooking utensils and use Halal products or encouraging and facilitating attendance at church based activities; purchasing faith based literature and ensuring representative imagery is part of the décor. Diversity in the staff team is an excellent platform to learn from each other, share cultural practices and improve cohesion and tolerance. The team are proactive in educating and sharing knowledge about faith, religion and culture. Young people will have the opportunity to experience different religious holidays and occasions and through this will being able to explore different cultures. We recognise that there is great value in community engagement and Cantera is proactive in helping children and young people to maintain or achieve community connections, we seek support and advice from specific faith based or cultural agencies if there is a need for additional specialist support to understand. The team at Cantera are fully aware of the need to ensure children and young people are protected from any form of religious or cultural discrimination or abuse. Complaints We believe that complaints, concerns, comments and compliments are a valuable indicator and an opportunity to improve the quality of care at Cantera. We encourage young people to instigate the complaints procedure whenever they feel that this is necessary. We do not wish to confine complaints to major issues. We encourage young people to comment when quite minor matters are a problem to them. It is our policy that all matters that disturb or upset children and young people should be reported, recorded, and corrective action taken. Only in that way can we work towards meeting our aim of continuously improving our service. At Cantera we recognise that not all young people may be able to express this verbally so staff are alert to other indicators that suggest young people are unhappy about something or someone or resistant to a particular activity. Often this can be communicated through behaviours, incidents or refusals and if appropriate staff will act on behalf of young people if they feel it is in their best interest to complain.

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The keyworker sessions is another way of identifying complaints and / or the ‘My Views’ documentation. Young people are actively encouraged to ‘speak their mind’ or ‘express their views’ both on an individual basis and also within children’s meetings or other consultation processes. A complaint by a young person can be made to any relevant person or agency. Within the home young people have access to a phone if they need to make private calls. Complaints from families or relevant people in young people’s life will also be subject to the same processes. Cantera Complaints Commitment

• All complaints will be taken seriously

• All complaints will be acted upon with fairness and impartiality.

• Young people will receive a verbal response within 24 hours of the complaint

being made, and a written reply within 14 days.

• If the complaint is upheld, young people will receive a written apology and

appropriate action will be taken to rectify the complaint.

• Young people are entitled and encouraged to involve an impartial third party

in the complaint procedure if they so wish.

• Young people and their representatives will be supported to take their

complaints to persons in authority outside the home

• Contact and advice information about Children’s Rights and regulatory

bodies will be contained in the children and young people’s guide

The policy can be accessed via the website: www.Keyschildcare.co.uk

Or contacting; The Keys Quality Team – Tel; 02890 386050

Children and young people can also contact any of the following: Childline: 0800 1111 Who Cares 0500 564570

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Ofsted Piccadilly Gate Store Street Manchester M12WD 0300 1231231 Designated Safeguarding officer Michelle Callard- 07800 799209

Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) – Numbers are available to all young people in their contacts lists. Child Protection Child Protection, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everybody’s business although individual roles in the process may be different. Keys have a designated person with particular knowledge and experience of child protection. Any concern for the welfare of young people will be discussed with the designated person and or the home manager, without delay. It is the delegated responsibility of the home manager to ensure that care practices promote the welfare and protection of children and young people. The manager will ensure that all staff are aware of systems in place and how to access them in order to protect children and minimise the risk of abuse. A copy of the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board Procedures and that of the relevant placing authority/s is on site at Cantera and accessible to all. The Home Manager ensures that staff have read and understood the procedures via team meetings, supervision and training. All staff including agency and relief, must receive foundation, and where appropriate, a higher level of training in Safeguarding Children. Training in Safeguarding Children takes place via the induction/foundation programme, ongoing refresher sessions are also provided. All Safeguarding issues are taken seriously and in no circumstances will they, or the disclosures, be taken lightly or ignored. These issues will be investigated according to the local and placing authorities’ Safeguarding Procedures. Without exception, the social worker or their manager will be notified of the disclosure. If the disclosure occurs outside office hours, the emergency duty service of the placing authority will be notified. The Registered Manager will notify the instigation of, and the outcome of any child protection enquiries involving any child accommodated in CANTERA to Ofsted, LADO if appropriate and the young person’s placing authority. Cantera will keep written records of any allegations, safeguarding concerns or suspicions of any child protection matters, and of the action taken in response. Whatever the child’s situation, any allegation of abuse will be promptly investigated.

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All child protection and safeguarding work undertaken at Cantera is subject to continuous review and risk assessment, supported by on-going training All staff recruited to work for Cantera will be suitable to do so. Managers responsible for appointing staff are trained in safe recruitment practices. All references will be robustly scrutinized alongside the Enhanced DBS check.

• Local Safeguarding Children’s Board Tel: 02380 832300

• Ofsted, Piccadilly Gate, Store Street, Manchester, M1 2WD

• Tel: 0300 123 123 1 : Email: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk: Web: www.ofsted.gov.uk

• LADO Sue Sevier 02380 915535

The policy can be accessed via; www.Keyschildcare.co.uk Or by contacting; The Keys Quality Team – Tel; 02890 386050

2. Views, Wishes and Feelings Consulting Children It is essential that we, at Cantera, know what the children and young people think of the service and the way we support them. We regularly consult with the children on these matters. This consultation can take a number of different forms; Children will be able to take part in group meetings, key-worker sessions, and periodically, they will provided with a formal consultation form to complete if they wish. Children are also given an opportunity to talk to the independent visitor and our Ofsted inspector when they visit. Consultation activities at Cantera are based on a set of ‘Involvement Principles’ that are designed to create a more systematic approach of consultation based on knowledge and awareness. It is important that young people are supported to develop and learn appropriate skills for effective participation and Cantera aim to help young people develop skills so that they can be empowered to influence and negotiate successfully with adults, peers and their wider world. This also includes learning how to manage feelings and behaviours when negotiation or influence does not affect change. The ‘Involvement Principles’ are based on an empowerment approach that encourages a full level of participation in those who have the skills and motivation for such matters.

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For children and young people with less ability, confidence or motivation, the core principles below help push forward progress so that every young person at Cantera is given as much opportunity to engage in participation and consultation activities. 1. Positive Regard –recognising self-importance / value to others 2. Capacity Building –setting out aspirations, aiming high 3. Positive Contribution –volunteering, community activity, helping others The core activities to support consultation with children and young people are- My Views: a personalised record, to capture key issues from young people about their likes, dislikes, established routines and preferences. It is also very useful for planning daily activities and informing care and placement plan reviews

You Asked, We Did: this is a brief exercise where young people can tell us what they want, need or wish and hope for and how this has been facilitated or explained why or if this is not possible. House Meetings: In consultation with the young people these will have an agreed frequency of when these will be held, ideally house meetings will take place weekly and involve all young people. This is an ideal opportunity to listen to and value comments, contributions and objections. Typically the house meetings should cover ideas for meals, activities, chores, house routines and where the young people will be consulted about any changes needed or suggested for the home. This includes decoration, décor items and games as needed within the home. The house meetings are not appropriate for open discussions about individual young people or care plans and should be focused on issues that affect all young people living at Cantera. For some young people at Cantera, this may not be appropriate or possible and alternative strategies for house meeting consultation will be utilized and recorded on the young person’s individual file. Individual Consultation: Specifically for each young person with the Registered Manager or Reg 44 independent visitor; designed to offer maximum opportunities for young people to be regularly consulted and heard. The Registered Manager will use the meeting to ensure each young person is individually consulted about significant changes or development plans as well as offering young people the opportunity to make representations, complaints or suggestions. For some young people at Cantera, this may not be appropriate or possible and alternative strategies for individual consultation will be utilised and recorded on the young person’s file, e.g. review of weekly key-work reports or analysis of daily logs for young people. General Participation: There is active encouragement to participate in care planning meetings and professional support planning; preparing in advance and supporting young people to complete forms or otherwise demonstrate their views, wishes and opinions.

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For some young people at Cantera, this may not be appropriate or possible and alternative strategies for consultation about their care will be utilised, e.g. identifying an independent advocate or children’s rights officer if appropriate Specialised Participation: Young people are encouraged to participate in more specialised activities of consultation. For example, the recruitment of new staff, contributing to the appraisal reviews of staff and undertaking mock inspections or quality checks as part of the quality assurance framework. Cantera will use a range of tools to encourage young people’s engagement and ability to participate. Staff at Cantera can source further information and guidance on Participation from www.ci-ni.org.uk/participation_network.aspx www.freechild.org/ladder.htm www.participationnetwork.org http://sites.childrenssociety.org.uk/disabilitytoolkit Tell me about you. “I’m a good friend.” | Children’s advocacy guide Anti-Discriminatory practice and Children’s Rights Keys has a zero tolerance of any practices, attitudes, behaviours or communications that deemed offensive or discriminatory. Everyone has the right to be treated with consideration, dignity and respect and to be in an environment that acknowledges and celebrates differences. Clear advice and guidance for all young people on Equality and Diversity is provided in the house. This advice will cover the response and actions from the team if a young person who feels anxious, threatened, disrespected or abused because of religion, faith or culture. Cantera is committed to promoting and protecting children’s rights and we endorse and uphold the UN Convention on Children’s Rights. Young people will be advised of their right to comment, compliment and or complain and will revive a copy of the welcome guide, which will contain more detailed information

In practice we promote the above by:

• Safe recruitment & Safe living environments.

• Providing Information about Children’s Rights.

• Providing Children with easy access to external bodies; e.g. Child-Line, Ofsted.

• Responding positively and thoroughly to complaints and representations they may

make.

• Responding positively to staff concerns about any practice.

• Enforcing our Disciplinary procedure.

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• Advising the child’s placing authority and Ofsted of any matters that affect the

child’s welfare

Cantera is proactive and responsive to ensure all young people are valued, respected and treated with dignity at all times in managing their entitlement to children’s rights. Below is a list of typical areas that can bring challenges but must be upheld and honoured for all young people at Cantera

• To have their form of communication established and used

• To be supported in gaining independence and choice

• To be supported to establish and maintain friendships and interests

• To feel comfortable / settled in their own home and in all areas of the house

• To understand their gender and that there are other genders

• To know about their body and the changes through life

• To know that sexual feelings are Ok

• To explore and experiment with themselves and understand physical and sexual

urges

• To know and understand what is acceptable and what is not

• To have their questions answered openly and honestly

• To have the support and opportunity to learn social skills

• To have their spiritual, cultural and social needs met

• To be supported to understand what is morally right / wrong

Individuality and Self Expression Young people are supported and enabled to express individuality and to pursue a personal

identity of their choice. This may include a young person’s self-expression through dress and

appearance or an association, membership or interest with a group or club. The team will

offer positive guidance and direction, including helping the young person understand and

reflect on any impact this may have on others. The team offer a supportive response that

empowers any young person to be confident and self-assured with personal identity or self-

expression.

We acknowledge that young people are often subject to discrimination, victimisation or

bullying in the community, school and home. The team at Cantera will have a clear

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understanding at the point of admission of the cultural, linguistic and religious background of

the young person and ensure that all care planning and activities will reflect this.

At all times staff at Cantera recognise that for some young people there may be a lack of

expressed desire or intent and therefore staff need to use knowledge and common sense to

ensure that the young person lives in accordance with their family, cultural or religious values

and expected behaviours whilst fully ensuring any action is in adherence to the young

person’s relevant plans.

Privacy and Dignity Cantera will respect young people’s privacy and dignity at all times. This is demonstrated by our commitment to protecting personal space such as individual bedrooms and quiet areas as well as our commitment to consulting young people on matters that affect them. Our commitment extends to ensuring that young people have the confidential nature of their circumstances protected when it may impact on their ability to fit in or maintain respect or dignity. For example, when accessing universal services such as local sports facilities or clubs, it is common for young people in residential care to face serious stigma or prejudice from the general public or peers. In some circumstances, pro-active approaches to protect a young person’s dignity may be required if they lack an understanding of this. Advocacy and leaving Care Young people are encouraged to access an independent advocate which can be facilitated by MIND South, all young people will be given the opportunity to be supported to complete an application form and submit in particular during transition or leaving care. Young people will be supported to access the Become charity, www.becomecharity.org.uk to support them independently with living in and leaving care and forging a successful future.

3. Education It is our aim that young people will continue their current educational placement if at all possible on admission to Cantera. Aspirations and expectations around school attendance, participation in alternative education and learning are high priorities for Cantera. We believe that all children and young people want to enjoy and achieve at school and will challenge and champion this entitlement at all times. Cantera will endeavour to ensure that all young people are undertaking an education programme that is appropriate for them and will ensure that relationships with schools,

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teachers and education services are productive and effective. If required and in partnership with professionals, Cantera can provide a learning mentor and tutor for additional support Our approach ensures that there is appropriate adult interest and guidance in all school related matters. This includes everything from homework, to parent /carer school events. Attainment and attendance matters are central to any support and guidance with children and young people irrespective of the type or style of educational setting. The Registered Manager will ensure that channels of communication between school and Cantera are open and consistent. Key workers are responsible for organising regular link meeting with all school professionals, monitoring progress of PEPs and extra- curricular engagement. If a young person is not able to attend a mainstream education facility then a placement may be offered at a local specialist school. Cantera and the school will complete an assessment and an individual education package will be tailored to each young person. Children and young people will have access to a library of educational resources, including the facility of IT based learning support tools. In addition to the private space of young people’s bedrooms, specific areas have been identified for homework or out of school learning. All resources required for school will be provided by Cantera and the School. Young people are encouraged to take up opportunities for further learning and development. For example, education visits to galleries and museums such as Eureka for interactive learning opportunities.

4. Enjoyment and Achievement We recognise that for some children and young people we will need to make additional efforts to ensure they participate and access quality leisure and social time. Cantera actively supports young people to engage in out of school, extra curriculum activities or personal interests/hobbies. This support would typically include practical assistance and a genuine interest and encouragement from the staff team. We have access to transport to increase the opportunities for everyone to enjoy and participate in fun and leisure based activities together. There is significant emphasis from Cantera on the benefits gained by all in participation of group based as well as solo activities. We believe this helps build relationships and provides another opportunity for social learning, building self-esteem, confidence and trust. Each young person will have a personalised activity planner and this will be part of an ongoing calendar of activities that includes after school and school holiday activities. In addition there will be some special activities that will be linked to rewards and recognition of progress.

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Cantera supports all young people to pursue positive and productive activities. This includes managing the time young people engage in activities that are less productive such as watching TV or playing computer games. Young people have ample opportunities to rest and have time for themselves, doing activities of choice and the team encourage young people to make sensible choices about how they spend leisure time. Often, suggestions and ideas about alternative activities will be required to influence young people to spend their time having fun; such as board games, outdoor games, swimming or bike riding. For some young people at Cantera a more structured approach is required to plan appropriate and stimulating activities. Young people with specialist hobbies, talents or skills are given additional time and resources as required to ensure they are maintaining and hopefully making progress in their interest or skill.

5. Health Therapy – Cantera currently does not have any specific therapy in place. Cantera does not subscribe to any specific evidenced based model of care, intervention and or therapeutic approach. We do however subscribe to a whole person approach, using person centred interventions with the aim to provide a positive service to the young people we care for. This means providing positive adult role models, professionally trained staff, quality accommodation, stimulating and healthy environments and access to a broad range of leisure and recreational opportunities to maximise young people’s strengths in the context of their unique needs. We are committed to working in partnership with others to secure a good quality of healthcare and promotion of healthy lifestyles for young people at Cantera. This consists of considering and developing individual personal, social, life skills and health needs. We will actively seek to engage, encourage and support young people to have a keen interest in their own health, well-being and lifestyle.

• The staff at Cantera adopt a proactive approach to the health of the young people

in their care by closely monitoring their well-being and development progress,

together with administering medication and first aid treatment.

• If the young person’s admission is short term or the home is located nearby to their

own GP it is more likely that they will retain their GP. Where possible some choice

over their assigned doctor will possible (e.g. a doctor of their own sex).

• Should specific health issues arise with a need for further input Cantera staff will

liaise with the local LAC Nurse

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• On admission to Cantera the staff will arrange for the young person to have a full

medical examination and a written health assessment completed. Thereafter the

written health assessments will be carried out on an annual basis unless stated

otherwise.

Physical Health All children and young people will have a basic health check when registering with a GP as part of the admission procedure. This will be informed by any existing health information or needs assessment and completed in conjunction with the school nurse or LAC nurse. A Personal Health Plan will be maintained as part of the overall care plan; this will include registration with a GP, dentist and optician. Young people will be encouraged to have 6 monthly check ups that will inform any ongoing health planning and care. Specialist health assessments or advice for managing or educating about medical conditions will be identified and sourced. Healthy Eating Promoting healthy eating choices and educating young people about nutrition is an important part of healthy living. Sharing mealtimes and enjoying food together supports and educates young people about making sensible diet choices. Young people will lead on the main decisions around meal times, menu choices and grocery shopping. There will also be opportunities and expectations that everyone helps, contributes and participates in meal times to stimulate and encourage interest in healthy lifestyle choices. This will obviously be risk appropriate and could include responsibilities such as setting the table, washing up or peeling vegetables. As appropriate, young people are encouraged to gain independence and life skills in relation to food and meal preparation. Young people that require a special diet are catered for with all staff being fully aware of the individual need and how this is to be met. This will be clearly identified prior to admission. Health Promotion The staff at Cantera will play an active role in the health education of the young people in their care, by providing them with advice and information sessions on such issues as healthy eating, alcohol/substance abuse, sexual health and positive mental health. The home will report regularly upon such matters to the young person’s social worker. Medication All staff at Cantera are trained in the administration of medicine and we adhere to the requirements of the Care Standards Act 2000. To ensure safety of all young people and the avoidance of errors all prescribed medication must be in the original bottle / box with the pharmacy label intact and unaltered. There are important instructions that staff must follow when admitting medication into the home: These are:

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• A Clear / not obstructed label • Full name of the child/ young person • Name and strength of medication • Dosage of medication • Times to be given • Current expiry date • Labels marked ‘as directed’ or ‘as before’ are not acceptable In the administering of medicine, staff cannot and will not change the dosage of the medication administered to the young person on the instruction of parents or any other professional apart from an instruction from a qualified medical professional. Under no circumstances will another person’s medication be administered to a child/ young person. All medicine administered to young people is recorded on their individual medical file and countersigned by management for audit and control purposes.

6. Positive Relationships Cantera and the placing authority have a duty to promote contact between the young person and those connected with them unless otherwise specified by a court order. Arrangements for contact are made as soon as possible after admission and are sufficiently flexible to enable visits from parents who may live some distance away, or who have irregular working hours. We actively promote the young people’s normal social networks and social activities within any risks or limitations. Relevant records will capture life history, social networks and contacts. The admission policy and pre admission activities also help the team to capture young people’s preferences for contact with family, carers and friends. Staff will be aware of the people who have agreed contact arrangements with young people living at Cantera

• We facilitate contact with parents, those with parental responsibility, foster carers,

social workers etc.

• We encourage reasonable contact between a young person and relatives etc.

unless it is detrimental to their welfare. Arrangements for contact should be

specified in the young person’s relevant plan.

• We aim to offer a welcoming setting for contact visits, with an appropriate amount of

privacy.

• Wherever possible, parents are encouraged to participate in the young person’s

daily life e.g. shopping for clothes.

Social activities, networking and friendship groups are important contact matters and staff will support young people to make arrangements as part of normal daily living. Under no

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circumstances will contact arrangements that are part of relevant plans be the subject of any sanctions or behaviour response measures. Typically, it is expected that the staff at Cantera will have a significant role in contact arrangements; facilitating meetings, dropping off young people at contact visits or locations and responding to some of the presenting issues from parents, carers and other adults agreed as involved in contact with children and young people. Friends & Visitors All young people are welcome to arrange for visitors to come to Cantera again within risks and structures as required for the safety and protection of young people. For example, a young person invites a friend over for dinner after school or they go with a friend to the local cinema. Plans and decisions will be communicated to the staff team and a shared decision should be made to ensure that no other young person is negatively affected by any visiting arrangements. Visitors to young people who have not been suitably risk assessed will be welcomed at Cantera however, the staff team will ensure that under no circumstances will any young people be unsupervised.

7. Protection of Children Monitoring and Surveillance of children Cantera’s policy is that there will be no surveillance equipment in the home. The only exceptions to the above are:

• Where a child/young person is subject to electronic monitoring imposed by a Court;

and

• Where it can be explicitly demonstrated with the consent of the child’s placing

authority that such equipment is absolutely necessary to protecting and

safeguarding the child’s welfare.

• There are window restrictors on all upstairs windows as a safety measure due to

the height of the building.

Room Searches Young people’s rooms will be searched only if there is an identified cause for concern, perceived risk or suspicion that any inappropriate or illegal items/substances are being kept there. Young people will be informed of the need for a room search whenever possible to give them the opportunity to hand over any contraband. Should consent not be given or it is possible to wait for as the level of risk is too high two members of staff will complete this and the young person will be informed as soon as practicable.

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A central log of all room searches is kept at Cantera. Behavioural support The staff at Cantera provide a warm, caring and supportive environment with an emphasis on treating young people with respect. This will be underpinned by clear boundaries, expectations and accountabilities. Young people will have a sense of consistency and security to help reinforce positive behaviour, self-control and discipline. Positive behaviour management and support considers an overall objective of enabling young people to develop self-regulation and behaviour management techniques for themselves in full recognition of their individual needs and risks. Young people will be guided and supported to manage their behaviours and attitudes and develop control of their emotions, thoughts and feelings. In order to promote and support positive behaviour, Cantera uses a structured behavioural management system that identifies (through observation, assessment and trends) Pro-active and Re-active strategies to maximise wanted behaviour and reduce incidents of unwanted behaviours. Cantera staff recognise that individual behaviour support plans must be flexible and responsive to each young person and each plan will vary according to their unique situation; however all actions and interventions will be based upon the framework of security, respect, acknowledgement, praise or reward. An agreed approach from the whole team is required to ensure this is systematic and everyone is informed about issues of risk and agreed responses. Rewards and Incentives We believe in promoting positive behaviour and as part of this we include in the young people’s Behaviour management and support plans what positive behaviours we need to promote and how we will do this. This will include incentives and rewards which are individual to each young person and may be as simple as a note of congratulation, thank you or a milk shake out up to big days out which can be earned over a period of time. Sanctions & Consequences Managing and implementing positive behaviour support and management when young people are displaying behaviour that is more serious, such as self-harm, risk taking, bullying or aggressive conduct is not a matter for sanctions and consequences. Behaviour management and support plans are personalised and detailed to enable staff and young people to gain a clear and consistent understanding of how staff will respond or intervene on each occasion or incident. Under no circumstances will sanctions or restrictions be placed on children and young people that are detrimental to the objectives of the young person’s relevant plans. Cantera will agree with supporting adults and young people if possible, a range of set consequences for behaviour related incidents that are considered not to be associated with any diagnosis or condition that limits the control or understanding of the young person. Sanctions will only be used in situations where young people are age or developmentally appropriate and are testing and pushing boundaries. In every circumstance the sanction will

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be relevant to the behaviour and be time bound or limited. Full details of permissible and unauthorised measures of control can be found in the Behaviour Management Policy. Physical restraint In situations when an emergency arises and immediate control is required to reduce significantly harmful behaviours staff will follow the guidelines of the Behaviour Management and Restraint procedure. If it is necessary to physically intervene, this will be used in accordance with the principles of protection, safeguarding and respect. All incidents of this nature will be immediately recorded and reported to the registered manager. Physical restraint as a behaviour support technique will only be used when all other courses of action would be likely to fail, to avert an immediate danger of personal injury to the person, or another person, or to avoid immediate danger of serious damage to property. Whenever possible, this should involve more than one member of staff, using minimum and reasonable force, in order to restrain and calm the person involved. Team Teach is the preferred techniques used within Cantera. All staff have received a two day course within induction and then a one day yearly refresher. Restraint will only be used as the final resort and if clearly identified as part of the young person’s care plan and agreed by all professional bodies and parents. All incidents of restraint are recorded on a restraint record and in the home’s centralised incident log.

8. Leadership and Management Registered Provider, Responsible Individual and Registered Manager The name and address of the registered provider is: Keys Group Loganwood House 44 Newforge Lane Belfast County Antrim BT9 5NW The Responsible Individual for Cantera is: Michelle Callard

The Registered Manager for Cantera is Samantha Choules

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Experience and Qualifications of Staff

Role

Qualifications

Experience

Manager

QCF level 5 Management of Residential Services for Children and Young People

12 Years experience working with young people who display challenging behavior

Team Leader

QCF level 3 Children and Young People

Over 3 years’ experience within the Childrens Services.

Senior Support Worker

QCF level 3 Children and Young People

Foster parent for 10 years for Children and Young People with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

Senior Support Worker

QCF Level 3 Volunteer for Street Scene for drug and alcohol support

Support Worker

QCF Level 3 Volunteered at youth club working with children

Support Worker

QCF Level 3 Previous experience of outreach working with children displaying challenging behavior.

Support Worker

On Programme QCF Level 3 Previous experience working with young people who display challenging behavior.

Support Worker

Induction Process Previous experience in education and coaching rugby to children

Support Worker

On Programme QCF Level 3 Previous experience working with young people who display challenging behavior.

Support Worker

Working towards a degree in psychology – QCF Level 3

Experience working with children and adults with challenging behaviour.

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Support Worker

On Programme QCF Level 3 Experience working with children at a youth club

Management and staffing structure of the home Regional Manager Manager of Cantera

The support staff team at Cantera includes

1 full time Manager

1 Team Leader

2 Senior Support Workers

8 Support Workers There are no volunteers or ancillary staff employed at the home. Arrangements for Staff Supervision All staff who are in their probationary period will have supervision every 2 weeks until they have successfully passed their probation. This will consist of alternating sessions of formal supervision (with the service manager) and buddy/mentor supervision (with the person assigned to ‘buddy’ the person during their probation). Staff who have successfully completed their probationary period will receive regular supervision in line with the following guidance:

Contracted to complete up to 40 hours a week – minimum requirement of supervision

monthly

Contracted to complete up to 30 hour a week - minimum requirement of supervision

every 6 weeks

Contracted to complete up to 16 hours a week – minimum requirement of supervision

every 9 weeks

Contracted to complete up to 8 hours a week – minimum requirement of supervision

every 12 weeks

All staff are required to complete documentation during supervision about any concerns that staff may have. All supervision will be recorded. All staff have their performance appraised at least annually after the 6 month probation review. This includes the views of the young people and is to identify levels of performance

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achieved, targets for the coming year and agreed training needs to be met within the following year. Outstanding or emerging training requirements will be discussed through structured supervision, which will include time-bound personal development planning and performance improvement. The Home Manager provides direct on site, support, monitoring and supervision to augment formal supervision.

9. Care Planning All referrals for admission must be led by the young person’s social worker and placing authority. The decision to accept a referral will be made by the Home Manager in conjunction with the senior management of Keys. Admission decisions are made using information sent via a referral request and care plan, pre-placements visits where practicable, a full impact assessment and where possible the views of the young person. This will ensure that individual young people receive the correct and appropriate care for their needs and that they are not affected by the needs of others to their detriment. Care histories, specific vulnerabilities and the skill set of young people and staff will be considered in matching admissions. In addition, certain behaviours and or offences may prevent admission to minimise any child protection matters arising. Specific consideration will be given with respect to compatibility of age, ability and gender of young people who come to live at Cantera. Pre- admission activities will include the completion of an initial risk assessment to help inform this decision and facilitate a smoother and more successful transition. Admission procedures should be inclusive of young people and if appropriate the family / carers. This includes finding ways to ascertain the views, wishes and feelings, interests, fears and aspirations of young people. The Manager will consider an appropriate admission through the following process:

• Review of care and Placement Plans.

• Completion of Impact Assessment Forms.

• Pre Placement visits

• Initial Risk Assessment

• Skills and experience of staff.

• Immediate needs of other children.

All relevant information, reports and LAC documentation are required and must be provided prior to or at the time of admission (or at the latest by the end of the next working day as per admission policy and care planning policy)

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In exceptional circumstances, pre-admission assessment or activities may not be practical. In this situation, daily admission reviews will take place with appropriate professionals for 7 days. This is to ensure that all information, issues or concerns are addressed at the earliest possible opportunity. The needs of the children and young people are paramount in any admission assessment. A pre-admission assessment will be carried out ideally by the home manager and/or the team leader, to assess the suitability of Cantera to meet the needs of each young person. Cantera cannot accommodate young people with mobility, severe physical impairment or disability requiring mechanical aids.