Statement of Purpose Print Version

Crusoe Care - Statement of Purpose

Aims Purposes and Objectives.

Small units working towards independence for children who may benefit from taking some control back in their lives.

Crusoe Care has been in operation now for four years. It was created with the intention of trying to normalize the experiences of children in care. Provision provided by large unnatural and ungainly units where care although well intentioned has become subsidiary to the institution and where children can become lost in rules and procedures that are formulated with the unit and not the child in mind.

It is our express intention of ensuring that the children in our care have the freedom to develop physically and emotionally in a secure and stable environment. We are not a family, we do not try and replace families but where we are able we try to take the family unit as a template. We try to take the stigma out of being in care. It is not a sentence but a positive experience that ought to be better in so many ways to what the residents have had before.

It is the design of the units to ensure that the transition from care to independence is smooth and that all residents retain a support network of friends and colleagues, that they have achieved an education commensurate with ability, emotional state and circumstances on arrival and that they have experienced some form of employment and introduction tot he world of work.

Crusoe Care eschews the benefit culture. We do not prepare youngsters to fail, but help them to finally come to terms with being in care and gradually to begin to take control of their own lives.

Each unit encourages and develops independence for the older child, encouraging autonomy and enabling the individual to pursue an initial route through early adulthood with which they feel at ease. Eventually they may function purposefully within society with self worth and integrity.

As a tool to these end Crusoe Care values above all else the relationships that develop within the homes. We attempt to influence behavior and values by creating an atmosphere in which healthy and respectful relationships can flourish. We also help youngsters to recognize the positive aspects of relationships from their past and if possible and appropriate help them to maintain these links.

Crusoe Care works through our relationships. We are not behavioral and we are not therapeutic. We doubt the meaning of these terms in dealing with the manifold issues in struggling through a childhood, which by definition must have had catastrophic disruption for them to come to us.

We operate two homes, one of which is designed for semi independence. We shall grow no bigger. There is no distance between those who run the homes and those who administer care. Communication is not compromised. Action is immediate. Care is paramount.

Ethos and Philosophy

Normalizing the experience of being in care.

Our experience is to create as far as is possible an atmosphere that is more homely than the young person in our care has previously been used to. In fact apart from the paraphernalia of documentation and other various necessities in the staff area (one room); the homes look and feel much the same as a normal well appointed and well kept home. We pay attention to the details of domesticity and encourage all residents to take a certain pride in their environment. The homes are designed to be places that both residents and staff alike should enjoy to be and this has proven to be the case as friends visit informally and staff 'pop in' unexpectedly. Procedures operate but are hidden, there is an operational purpose but as far as is practical we try to operate as a home and not as an institution.

The basic structure of the homes means that we aim to meet the specific needs of each child according to his own needs and personality. Thus the basic operational structure can be adjusted from individual to individual without the possibility of compromising another's care.

Some of our residents have benefited immediately from a period of safety and security that they may not have had in larger units and have thrived after receiving personal attention that may have been lacking elsewhere. Others have been indifferent to the unit itself but have benefited from our encouragement to work or to further their education only coming to appreciate the sanctuary of home in time. We also utilize the wide range of sporting and cultural activities in the area.

Our strength is our flexibility. Emphasizing the positives that we can find in all the differing personalities that we have dealt with no matter how hidden and unexpected they may be. Encouraging personal growth and responsibility and influencing these all the time through the building of strong relationships built on mutual respect.

Education

Finding hidden talent.

Crusoe Care values education as both a means of equipping a youngster with the requisite tools to progress through life but also because attendance at a local school or college is extremely invaluable in helping to normalize life and circumstances.

While we recognize that education may not have been an integral part of the immediate past of someone who may come to be with us honest concern of their immediate future it would still feature heavily in our planning. If a youngster as is frequently the case has found education to be a problem or has become somewhat disillusioned then we would encourage them to reassess this. In certain circumstances this personal re assessment could within an appropriate time frame become a condition on them remaining in the unit.

We have fostered good links with the local school in the area and more importantly with the local college. There are a multitude of courses both academic and vocational to choose from.

We therefore feel confident that we can find an appropriate and rewarding route through the education system for a youngster allowing him to learn according to aptitude, needs interest and potential. This helps as well as the youngster gets used to attendance and the ebb and flow of the day, appreciating the weekends, learning socialization and availing themselves of the social activities (both official and otherwise) which academic institutions always provide.

Aside from a key worker we have a member of staff designated to deal with the study programme. This is specifically to help with the work itself, to see that homework is done and that the education process is worthwhile and not just a holding exercise.

Separate from this member of staff we can in certain circumstances provide a tutor. This would primarily be for use with short-term placements or for a youngster who is struggling with a particular aspect of a course. It is not a long-term option. We do not provide education on site.

Recreation, Sport and Culture

Getting away from gaming, fast food gangsta' rap and the bill.

Crusoe Care values all recreation and sport as a way of helping to develop the youngsters outlook on life and to give them social options beyond the norm. Children in care are too often restricted to a continual round of repetitive, inan and lowbrow entertainment and unsurprisingly buy into it. This in turn creates a repetitive, inane and lowbrow atmosphere, which is essentially unhealthy, and hostile if unchecked by the normal restrictive boundaries a family would set.

We therefore make good use of the excellent facilities in the surrounding area and give ample staff time and financial backing into encouraging participation in local pursuits. Recent incumbents have been involved with both a local amateur dramatics group and a local youth football team at which a member of staff coaches both with positive results. We are a small unit and can afford structurally to specialize thus any sport or hobby in which a youngster shows genuine interest can and will be pursued so far as we are able to. Within the safety parameters which we are obliged to operate.
This is home not cultural elitism and we do live firmly in the real world. We wish only to give youngsters options and to see that these get a fair chance. At home within the unit we have all the usual facilities and mod cons that you would expect within any modern household. Stereos and television (including SKY) and ask that these be used in a mutually respectful and age appropriate manner. We do have several gaming platforms, they do build bonds, but the same restrictions apply. Everything is appropriate to those accommodated within the unit.

We are ostensibly a Christian unit. This is in so much that we follow a typical calendar, 'celebrate' Christmas and take our holidays at the usual times. There is no religious aspect to any aspect of the care we provide.

We are tolerant and respectful of all other cultures but neither encourage nor dissuade from religious observance. We support specific religious and cultural needs in so much as we are able and as long as these needs did not undermine the general running and ethos of the unit and that they did not interfere with the professional care of any other youngster accommodated within the unit.

We would fully expect such needs to be brought to our attention at the planning stage of any youngster's possible stay with us.

Child Consultation

Creating an atmosphere in which a child makes choices and then takes responsibility for those choices.

The very ethos of Crusoe Care helps promote personal development and autonomy. The youngster is in care and the home is structured accordingly. If we are successful however it should run as a normal household in which the accommodated child is an integral part. Child input into the day to day running of the unit is not only hoped for but also expected as part of the personal development plan.

This input can take several forms. A 'typical' youngster in our care may be working towards, or benefit from training in, independence. This necessitates budgeting and requires that they have a large say in the domestic finances of the unit. The grocery shopping would be done in a large measure by them; this would include both food and most other of the basic household goods, personal grooming items and sanitary products. We would also expect eventually for them to manage an electricity meter and for older residents to be aware of the cost of other utilities and of basic conservation of all.

None of this would happen immediately and not at all until they have had some training in all and never without supervision from the staff. For example before a grocery shop has been done the child will have created a meal plan. Before a meal plan has been made they will have had advice on diet and nutrition been taught basic meal preparation and been observed extensively operating in and around the kitchen in a safe manner.

The accommodated youngster is also consulted over the general rules of behavior within the unit. Standards that both children and staff try to keep to. This ranges from the way people within the unit might address one another if this has become a problem, to music volume, television programming, issues of privacy and other general behavior. This is particularly pertinent if the unit is operating with two occupants. No youngster has a final say or a veto or any option to disregard these rules but as they are arrived generically and not imposed from above feelings of despondent railing can hopefully be circumvented.

The child is also involved as far as is appropriate in the evolution of their personal development plan. They will have ideas of what their goals are, areas of behavior that we are all working on, domestic issues to be resolved as well as receiving praise and acknowledgement of progress they have made.

The forum for all of this is the weekly meeting. A time during the week when the whole household comes together and issues can be aired and resolved. The child will be able to talk or have his advocate do it for him. Often issues may seem petty such as staff dish washing or bath cleaning. The importance is the feeling of enfranchisement. More serious structural issues such as room times can often be aired hear too and occasionally altered. More often the reasons for not changing can be re iterated and explained. We have found that these meetings are extremely valuable in re invigorating plans and strategies and give youngsters the assurity that they are being heard.

Access To Personal Files

Honest and open practice.

Arrangements are made to maintain an individual case record for each and every resident accommodated in the home.

The case record is held in a file capable of being divided into sections to hold different categories of information.

All personal files are kept in the office in a lockable cupboard, to secure against loss or theft.

Residents are made aware of the existence of such files and are encouraged to contribute to them.

When a resident leaves, the personal case file is passed on, ensuring that precise information is recorded as to where the file or components of the record have been transferred.

Local Facilities and Services

Making the most of a beautiful area.

The house: - The unit is a large three bed roomed terraced house in Newhaven, a port town not far from Brighton on the Sussex coast. One small room doubles as a staff room and office, the two occupied by residents are on separate floors, spacious, very warm and bright, with pine beds small televisions and large amounts of storage space. The staff room is at the epicenter close to both rooms and the stairs. Downstairs there is a comfortable homely lounge with the usual entertainment facilities and a multi purpose room used ostensibly for meals, but frequently also for games, college work, computers etc. The kitchen is newly refitted in a country style with lots of work area. Outside we have a garden with a vegetable patch (which has frequently sparked the imagination of residents) flowerbed, B-B-Q and laundry facilities.

The area: - Newhaven is a medium sized port town situated in a dip in the South Downs mid way between Brighton and Eastbourne. Brighton itself is fifteen minutes away by car and slightly longer by train. There are also good links to London and Eastbourne. The county town of Lewes is only ten minutes away and would be the rail station we use ourselves. The house is five minutes walk away from the main shopping precinct and the same from the local rail station. The beach of course is very nearby and plays a definite part in our summer activities as this area receives some of the largest sunshine in the country. Brighton offers traditional resort type entertainment and facilities as well as lots more sporting and cultural diversions from Christmas panto's to great outdoor festivals in the simmer. Eastbourne, although more residential is where we tend to go for karting, football and clothes shopping. We are surrounded by woodland and countryside and although it usually takes a lot of encouragement youngsters often enjoy camping trips once we get them there. Some of our staff are involved in running local youth teams and activities and we have numerous contacts with other clubs and societies.

Review Procedure at Crusoe Care

We insist on regular contact with the relevant placement authority. Our care plans, communication and reports are of a high standard and we expect full support in return.

Crusoe Care would expect to have settled procedures for the holding of reviews during the process of the initial placement. Especially in the early days it is important that both the young person and ourselves have dates to work towards at which the progress of the placement can be ascertained to everyone's satisfaction.
This means holding what is often described as a 'mini-review' between a week and a fortnight after the placement has commenced. Often this may just be a visit from the Social Worker, who will however have been given a good idea of how we think the settling in process has gone. It might be brief and informal but it is necessary and expected.
Thereafter reviews should be held every two months and at no more than three monthly intervals. It is our experience however that the ideals seem rarely able to be accommodated and that reviews particularly concerning youngsters in placements that appear to be running smoothly and causing few problems can frequently be cancelled, postponed or neglected by involved parties. We would vigorously oppose such happenings except in exceptional circumstances and would emphasise that such occurrences can in themselves alter the dynamic of a placement, enhance feelings of stress, diminish self worth and create a problem in themselves.
Mini-Reviews would ideally therefore be held at an appropriate interval between main reviews.

a) AIM AND PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW
The statutory review is to ascertain the continuing viability and suitability of the placement and to discuss the implementation of new strategies with the knowledge and agreement of all concerned parties, particularly the young person involved. Aspects including:
i) General health and well-being of the youngster including diet and hygiene
ii) Progress within the unit in developing relationships with staff
iii) Social development outside the unit
iv) Further education and/or employment progress
v) Professional help required from outside the unit such as psychological assessments
vi) Continuing prior relationships with relevant parties
vii) The young persons general mood, happiness and optimism for the future.

b) WHERE/WHEN
We expect the review to take place on the premises of the unit at such a time as not to seriously inconvenience work or college attendance and so that relevant parties have adequate and convenient travel time also.

c) ATTENDANCE
Crusoe Care expects the attendance of the entire available staff team to reviews. In attendance also we would expect as well as the Social Worker any Chairperson the borough wishes to provide plus accredited parties concerned with the care aspect of the case. Also parent/ guardian and other parties the young person feels ought to be in attendance if appropriate.
d) ADVOCACY
In our experience some boroughs do provide a 'Chair' to keep the agenda in order and to ensure key problems are addressed. However the key worker who will usually have been chosen by the youngster will at the meeting perform as an advocate. Ensuring by prior consultation that those issues of primary importance to them are addressed and that the contribution that the youngster makes is consistent with how they feel and not just political or pragmatic. The young person is aware that the advocate speaks to the meeting only if consulted but may speak directly to the young person.

e) REPORTS
Crusoe Care is in the practice of furnishing the relevant parties with the daily reports on a fortnightly basis. If preferred they can be e-mailed. This can be tailored according to requirements such as workload to ensure that they are read.

f) ASSESSMENT/ REVIEW DOCUMENTS
At least a week before the review and ideally with the young person's consultation documents we will send our assessment of progress to that point. This will contain an overview of development since the last review, how any policies have been implemented and an outline of the main points we would like addressed.

Staffing Policy

Crusoe Care is a single occupancy unit that specializes in a proximate relationship between the young person in care and the staff. Ostensibly we work through a ratio of 2:1 unless otherwise agreed by the placing authority. However it is also the policy of Crusoe Care to initiate this very negotiation at the outset if any young person is coming into the unit as sole occupant.

The minimum number of staff on duty is one. This is supplemented by a 24hr on call facility for the staff member to use. There is also the facility to raise the duty quota to two during exceptional circumstances such as the two-week settling down period when a new youngster has arrived at the unit or for the duration of any emergency placement.
By night it is our policy to have two staff on duty, one waking, one sleeping in unless otherwise agreed with the placing authority. As stated earlier it is the homes policy to initiate these negotiations during the placement planning.
Shift patterns are split between 'early' and 'late' shifts. 7.30am-3pm and 2.30pm-10.30pm respectively. This allows adequate time for a 'handover' between the coming and parting members of staff. Both the 'sleeping in' shift and the 'waking' night shifts span the hours 10pm-7.30am.
Crusoe Care is a home for older children and most domestic duties are integrated into the care plans. As such we have little need for ancillary staff.
The manager or the deputy will be in the unit each weekday between 9-1pm and for an hour a day during the weekend. If there is more than one staff on duty then the senior member of staff takes responsibility for the shift.
The care at Crusoe care centres around the accommodated young person. When a youngster is in the unit it will always be staffed.
At no time will a young person be left alone in the unit regardless of age or perceived maturity.
There is always one senior staff member 'on call' and they are contactable by phone and are aware and in the vicinity. This is independent of the 'on call' system already in operation.

Staff Supervision and Training

Crusoe Care is a small organization and as such does not have an in house training programme. We do have a commitment to training staff to the appropriate level and for a commitment to support staff for and subsequent training thereafter. This includes paid study time and payment of tuition fees.

Staff are expected to attend reviews, meetings and other discussions to aid the continued smooth running of the unit. So far as is possible these are to be accommodated within the framework of the rota.

A fortnightly supervisory scheme is also in place. Again accommodated within the rota. This will take place with the manager of the unit and will be for several purposes.

1.To openly discuss how the individual feels the work is going in general.
2.To discuss their relationship with the youngster.
3.To discuss and find ways to move this forward.
4.To discuss and find ways of implementing ideas of policy changes from staff members.
5.To discuss domestic policy within the unit.
6.To discuss the development of the individuals career path. Such as training opportunities and possible promotion prospects.
7.To discuss other domestic issues such as pay, holidays etc.
8.To encourage staff members to air any concerns difficulties or in fact anything they find a worry.

Staff always have the facility to opt for personal supervision with a qualified outside source, who reports and feeds back to the manager. This option is intended to create a totally safe and unpressured space for staff that may prefer this style of supervision. This system can be used on a regular basis alongside the fortnightly scheme or just when it's required.

Behaviour Management

Home or Institution?. Stopping the circle of abuse.

At Crusoe Care we have not had the need to use physical restraint or holding in the last three years. If it did become necessary we feel that the failure on our part would have been the end result of a sequence of events in which we would have failed the youngster catastrophically. Crusoe Care is a home. Restraint and holding sound institutional and happen in institutions and we would do everything necessary to circumvent such an outcome. It is the policy of this home that events that lead to a restraint would require an immediate emergency review of the placement involving all relevent parties concerned to to be held within 48hrs of the incident.

Furthermore in the intervening time those involved in the restraint would not work or be in the vicinity of the child until the review had taken place and if the placement was to continue, remedial work on the relationship had been completed. This could mean a period of suspension but it would be on full pay and without prejudice.

If the review and remedial work had created a positive outcome and the placement was to continue shift patterns would be altered accordingly ensuring that there was always someone on duty who was not involved.

Crusoe Care takes restraints seriously therefore. We are a fairly small organization and an episode of repeated restraints on the same young person may make this policy unworkable. There are several factors that would be taken into consideration including of paramount importance the wishes of the young person involved and the influences on his life at the time from outside the unit. Repeated incidents of restraint from the same member of staff would also prompt an internal investigation possibly leading to disiplinary procedures. Generally however the need for repeated restraints would lead to the termination of the placement.

Crusoe Care works with older teenagers and attempts to influence behaviour by building relationships in which there is clear and apparent mutual respect and trust.

Behaviour which is negative and contrary to the smoothe operation of the household affects the relationship and the first sanction or consequence of this is the withdrawal of goodwill. Favours such as lifts to and from social events, cups of tea and other apparently minor things can and have often forced the problem to resolved adequately.

A second level of santioning and the first that would require recording would be the withdrawal of treats such as videos, takeaway meals and outings.

A third level would require some level of reparation for damage to the structure of the unit or a proven theft that has been dealt with internally. Some of our youngsters could be in the early stages of employment and this payment could be more than if they are just recieving pocket money each week. The amount however would be intended to cause reflection and an element of financial inconveniece without being too punitive. Neither would it be directly linked to the true cost of repair or compensation. All damages at Crusoe Care are repaired immediatley as an indication of how we feel about the unit. Youngsters would be encouraged to help if they so wish.

A fourth level of punishment would require the denial of certain priviledges. This would be in response to an episode of particularly challenging behaviour, continually pushing boundaries, the threat of aggression to staff or other residents or repeated minor damage. The main restriction would be a curfew or 'Grounding'. This would not be enforced physically but its continued contravention would again require an urgent review of the placement.

As a last resort a Physical restraint may be required. It is not a punishment as such but a crisis response to a crisis situation. It is only used to prevent likely injury to the child concerned or to others or likely serious damage to property. A need for restraint as explained would set into motion a crisis meeting. There however is no further sanction as such after the need for a restraint and no faullt or blame is apportioned.

All incidents of sanctioning are recorded in the 'sanctions log'. This would include the date and time that the sanction was issued, for how long it stands and a detailed account of the behaviour that required it. The signatures of all those present in the unit at the time would be required togather, if possible with the signature and comments from the young person involved. A review and discussion with the young person about the sanction may then take place the following day if this is so wished and after an advisory discussion with the independant advocate. The withdrawal of goodwill is not a sanction and can be commented upon in the daily log.

A review of sanction and their effectiveness is carried out monthly by the manager and then encompassed in the review reports and the possible alteration of the care plan.

All incidents of restraint are kept in a dedicated log. Details must include the date, time, location, details of the behaviour requiring the restraint, the duration of the restraint and the names of all those present as well as their signatures if that is possible. It is also required that the percieved effectiveness of the process are logged togather with any injuries no matter how minor.

All incidents of restraint are to be reported to the placing authority, inspection and registration bodies and parents ( if appropriate ) at the earliest opportunity after the incident has concluded.

Positive Behaviour

We have never had a restraint at Crusoe Care in the three years we have been operating. This is not a matter of pride but more a case of the structure , so far, operating the way that it was hoped that it would. The first part of this happens at the planning stage of a placement with the demand of full disclosure of all documentaion so that we can make an informed judgement on whether or not a particular youngster may benefit from the regime we try to opertate.

We require that the placing authorities fulfill their duties as they are supposed to. That they contact the resident regularly, that problems are dealt with promptly and that reviews are regular, well attended and always improve the life of the youngster involved. In return we keep them well informed of all that is happening in the lives of the youngster for whom we are responsible. They are fully informed at the planning stage of our policies and procedures.

With that support we offer a homely, comfortable and stable place from which the youngster can assess, with advice and help, his options and begin to take some control and build relationships of trust. The young person must want to come and like it enough to stay and that is the ultimate element of 'control'. If they want to stay then they must abide by the reasonable codes of behaviour that we require.

Bar the repayment of video rental fines we have not issued a sanction in the time we have been operating for much the same reasoning. Many times goodwill has been withdrawn and this has seemed to suffice. Staff meet regularly and there is a continual dialogue with the young person to circumvent any further breakdown of the relationship. It is one of the advantages of having a small unit. It is our policy to try as far as we are able to function in the manner of a normal household and to 'normalise' the lives that have often become institutional.

The principals relating to the use of physical restraint may be summarised as follows.

Staff should have good grounds for believing that immediate action is necessary to prevent the child from significantly injuring himself or others, or causing serious damage to property.
Staff should take steps in advance to avoid the need for physical restraint, eg through dialogue and other diversionary techniques. The child should be warned orally and must be aware that restraint will ensue unless he desists.
Only the minimum force necessary to prevent injury or damage should be applied.
Every effort should be made to secure the presence of other members of staff before applying restraint. The 'on call' system must be utilised immediatley
As soon as it is safe restraint must be gradually relaxed to allow the child to regain self control.
Restraint should be an act of care and control, not punishment.
Physical restraint should never be used to force compliance to staff instructions when there is no immediate risk to people or property.
All incidents must be recorded in the appropriate log and reported to the manager, who will countersign.
In all cases both those staff members who carried out the restraint and the young person must be given the chance to express their reaction to the restraint and to make a complaint if approprate.
All staff members are trained in the latest methods of restraint and diversionary techniques.

Room searches

If it is felt that the youngster has anything in his room that he may use to harm himself /others or cause significant damage to the unit. ( such as knives,guns matches etc.) it may be neccessary to conduct a room search. This also applies if there are good grounds to suspect that illegal substances are being harboured in the room.

The grounds for the search must be recorded in relevent log.
The grounds for the search must be recorded in relevent log.
The individual must be aware that a room search is occuring.
The search must be carried out by at least two people.
The results of the search must be logged accordingly.
The relevent placing authority informed.
At no time must the search contravine working alone with
The search must be carried out by at least two people.
The results of the search must be logged accordingly.
The relevent placing authority informed.
At no time must the search contravine working alone with

Health and Safety

As a home that primarily deals with older children living through their last few years of care we are scrupulous that advice recommendations and guidance help to promote a healthy lifestyle.

We operate a very serious attitude to health and safety both within the unit and outside when participating in activities. All youngsters are registered with the doctor, dentist and optician on arrival, having an initial check up at each. The unit is very similar in style to that of a family home, producing the usual potential hazards that you would expect to find. Although our aim is to create a homely environment we adopt a cautious approach to general safety. Smoke alarms are situated on each floor and in each of the youngster's bedrooms. These must be checked at regular fortnightly intervals and signed off in the fire book. Industrial Fire extinguishers are situated on each level of the building. The one on the ground floor outside lounge door is a foam extinguisher for use on electrical fires. All others are water based. Fire blanket situated on wall in kitchen. In the event of a fire staff must do everything in their power to ensure that the youngsters are accounted for and ushered safely out of the house using hall and front door as the route. Then stood a safe distance away prior to contacting emergency services.

All staff must already be trained first aiders to a certified standard, or willing to undertake training to gain the qualification.

First aid boxes are situated in the kitchen cupboard indicated by the sign, and in the staff sleepover room. All injuries, no matter how small must be reported in accident book and first aid kit replenished as soon as is possible.

Particular attention must be paid to the storage and cooking of food. Fridge must be stocked according to instructions on fridge door. It is also important to check use by dates on all packaged food to ensure there is no risk to health. All food must be packaged, covered or wrapped.

We operate a non-smoking policy within the unit.

Fire precautions/ prevention policy.

Fire gathering points are located at the front and the rear of the unit. Youngsters are advised to go accordingly.
Youngsters are not responsible for tackling fires.
Alarms are tested weekly.
Staff are aware of location of extinguishers and blanket.
Fire equipment is tested weekly and recorded in the fire book.
All staff are required to receive suitable training.
When alarm sounds, all staff and residents follow pre-designated paths to gathering points.
We have regular fire drills, overseen by the manager who logs practice accordingly.

Missing persons

We take an active role in locating the young person and in ensuring that they are both safe and well. We always provide a welcoming atmosphere on their return but aim to address the issues as soon as possible. All staff are made aware of procedures involved in reporting young people missing from home under care order or pace 1984.

People to be notified.

The manager.
Duty social worker for placing authority.
Local police (missing persons form).
Parents.
NCSC.

Medication policy.

No medication is administered bar that required by a condition for which a doctors prescription has been sought.

All prescriptions administered according to doctors advice and recorded in dedicated medication log.
Low-level remedies such as 'Lemsip' may be administered but also recorded in log.
No medication may be used without prior consultation to the log.
Qualified medical nurse scrutinizes the medication log once a week.

Personal Relationships and Sexuality

We aim to give youngsters a firm base from which they can re-evaluate and assess all their relationships and make the important bond stronger.

1. Relationships with staff. Within the context of the unit these relationships are of primary importance and we invest a lot of effort in developing and maintaining them. It is through developing mutual reliance and a great degree of trust that we try to influence the crucial years that our youngsters are entering. We emphasize that any rules and boundaries are built around respect and tolerance.

2. Relationships with Parents/Guardians. Our experience has shown tat these can be the most difficult to manage. By the very nature of the situation, there has been a severance, which must be addressed in accordance to the expressed wishes of the social Services. But the young person's wishes remain paramount. We encourage youngsters to express themselves about these feelings. Telephone contact is maintained at their own pace. After a settling in period visits are also encouraged according to circumstances. We also try to evoke appropriate responses and responsibility in analyzing the past, ideally they would reach adulthood with us and have begun to view their past relationships more maturely.

3. Contact with and facilitating the continuance of previous relationships. By the time most youngsters come to us they may have already developed strong bonds at a previous placement /home. Not withstanding that problems arising from these attachments should have been addressed at the initial consultation, we do encourage the maintenance of the most important of these. However the lack of immediacy tends to allow time for re-evaluation of them. We do not encourage visits, and allow none within the first six weeks, dependant on circumstances. After advice and consultation with all parties we would provide the facilities for meetings and visits from family as well as escorted visits to and from home if appropriate

4. New relationships. We fully expect and encourage new relationships to develop and flourish in the local area. We expect the unit to be clearly seen as a home and youngsters are entitled to entertain within reasonable limits, like any home. In fact we much prefer it this way. We do have house rules and certain areas are out of bounds, depending on numbers and time. The unit has a member of staff in attendance at all times, allowing for all visits to be monitored informally.

Sexual development. The youngsters that come into our care will usually be entering a crucial stage of their sexual development and we address this by approaching sexual issues with full and frank discussion. We do realize however that some of the problems, which they have, may well be sexual and any discussion would be taken under advisement from the placing authority.

1. Social. We continually monitor the attitude that the youngster has towards women. We try to avoid sexual stereotyping that may be the result of past experiences and try to modify this through example and discussion. We have found that youngsters in our care can be very sexist and have extreme antipathy towards the opposite sex. We do however find that in one form or another that opportunities to discuss sex are frequent, we teach moderation, respect, and equality. We also encourage sex to be viewed in the wider social context.

2. Responsibility. As far as we are able we try to ascertain the sexual activity of the youngster in our care. If we believe that he is in a sexual relationship we promote and emphasize the need for responsibility both towards her and himself, also ensuring that he is fully aware of the possible consequences of unsafe sex.

3. Other sexual relationships. We are aware that youngsters in our care may have some confusion with their own sexual identity. Homosexuality is discussed openly as a policy. We encourage the youngster to see all types of sexual lifestyles as part of the naturally more diverse side of the wider society. If we feel a youngster may be having doubt about his sexuality we would endeavor to help him feel that this was acceptable. Although at 14 plus yrs we would not be encouraging them.

Bullying.

Although the structure and atmosphere works naturally to counter it, when a unit contains two youngsters there exists the possibility for bullying. Bullying of any kind is not accepted at Crusoe care be it physical or more implied and subtle. Our staff are required to carefully watch for any signs of chastisement. The youngsters in turn are made aware of what constitutes bullying and that such an act be complained of through the complaints system. Bullying can result in the termination of placement at Crusoe care if we are not able to isolate the problem.

It is company policy and explained thoroughly in the job description and contract that if any member of staff has some concern in these matters or any issue of child protection they must inform both the placing authority and the local child protection team who's numbers are displayed in the office.

Children's Rights.

Youngsters are made aware of their rights and responsibilities vis-à-vis living and thriving in Crusoe care through the children's guide on arrival. This guide is explained to them be the key worker designate as soon as it is prudent and productive to do so. These rights include minimum levels of decorum and hygiene, clothing etc. As well as lifestyle, freedoms of movement, from bullying and verbal chastisement, phone calls and the relationship maintenance. There are more specific rights as well associated with anti-racism and religious observance. Responsibilities do not affect these rights but are explained as minimum standards of behavior. Such as noise levels, bedtimes, levels of hygiene and standards of addressing staff and other associates. Furthermore Crusoe care fully endorses and supports the United Nations 12 basic 'Rights for the Child' and they are on display in the office and given separately to the young person with the children's guide.

Admission Criteria

We are not looking simply to benefit the placing organization but looking to see whom our organization might benefit the most.

Crusoe Care is primarily concerned with children who are, or have been emotionally or behaviorally disturbed and who are coming to the last few years of their time in care. Perhaps moving towards independence. While we are not looking to exclude any youngster who for any number of reasons may benefit from the way we work we do have a number of criteria from which we cannot deviate. While recognizing that each young person will have a history that needs to be respected as intensely personal and unique, we do have experience of caring for youngsters with problems that have manifested in many different and quite unpredictable forms. By ensuring that procedure is followed thoroughly at the placement stage we can circumvent some unnecessary problems.

Planning. Ideally any placement would have been planned for anything up to three months prior to arrival. Initial visits from the placing authority and or the Childs social worker and a day or if possible an overnight visit from the youngster himself. This helps with the adjustment and means we can enter into a preparatory dialogue more informally with all parties concerned. It helps immeasurably if the child really wants to come.
As far as is reasonable the needs and wishes of any incumbent youngster can be addressed at this time.
We expect also a full case file and reserve the right to make further enquiries if it is felt insubstantial. Any problems we encounter that were not alluded to in this information transfer would be treated with the utmost seriousness.

Education. We do not provide education on site. We have good links with the local school but as a rule most of our youngsters will be coming to the end of their full time education which itself will often have been interrupted. Our focus would be on re evaluating education through the local college. We would not consider youngster below 15yrs.

Structure. Crusoe care works because of it intimacy. There is a staff ratio of not less than 1:1. Although there may be periods of single occupancy they are designed and operate best when two youngsters occupy them. We would expect o be made aware at the planning stage of reasons why a youngster may not be in the company of other young people. While it would be our aim to teach integration, interpersonal skills and domestic respect in a more conducive setting a history of excessive violence towards other residents for example may put an incumbent at unacceptable risk.

Single sex. We do not admit girls. Our staff group is predominantly male and we feel as suchto appropriately equipped to deal well with the needs of younger women. We are also in principal opposed to the mixing of sexes in care homes.

Emergency placements. We do not admit emergency placements while our units are occupied. It interferes with the care of the incumbent youngster and is too disruptive and unsettling for both child and staff group alike. We strive to create a natural home and emergency placements or the possibility of them negates from a homely environment.
Each unit will be available for emergencies in the interim between longer-term placements. They are taken for a fixed term only. Any fixed term placement arising from an emergency placement must be renegotiated in the appropriate manner.

Complaints

We of course hope that a complaint that results in serious discipline will never be made, but while we would not encourage a child to make complaints, if there were none at all we may re-examine the whole development in itself. We cannot get enough right.

We operate a fully open and simple complaints procedure for the youngsters in our care. This is for the more serious complaints, possibly procedural but most likely if they have a problem with another resident or a staff member. Incidents of bullying and physical or sexual misconduct, though for very serious incidents this would only be the start of a more thorough investigation involving the appropriate authorities. This may also be used as a type of appeal mechanism if a continued chronic problem has been aired at the weekly staff meetings and has not been resolved satisfactorily. Any child has the simple structure for making a complaint conspicuous in his children's guide. His advocate or key worker as a matter of policy will have drawn it to his attention on his arrival in the unit. This also applies to the 'list of rights', which we give in the children's guide. This helps to formulate in the youngsters mind when he feels he has legitimate grounds for complaint. He may have many more reasons but the guarantees in his 'rights' address all the more serious aspects.

Mechanics of an appeal

1. The child would make a verbal complaint to on duty staff or to his advocate/key worker.
2. Staff/advocate would contact manager to set a date for a meeting.
3. Advocate/key worker informed immediately.
4. All necessary testimonials and all written information recorded in complaints book. Dates / times etc.
5. Copies to be sent to relevant authorities.
6. Meeting with manager to be held not more than 12 hours after time of complaint. (Overnight etc.)
7. Meeting to involve manager/child/advocate and any parties required being there by child.
8. Meeting with other parties involved held separate from initial meeting.
9. A period of arbitration to be entered into in which a calming time can be entered if appropriate.
10.Decision to be made not more than 48 hours after time of complaint.

Addendums / Caveats

1.The advocate visits at weekly intervals but can be contacted by child whenever.
2. If complaint were about manager then the deputy would operate in his stead.
3. All relevant authorities would be informed by telephone.
4. The calming period would be for not more than 24 hours.

Possible out comes of a complaint.

1. Suspension of a member of staff pending a more serious investigation via appropriate authorities.
2. Removal of staff from vicinity from the youngsters unit to another.
3. Opportunity for child to move to alternative unit.
4. Immediate emergency review.
5. Structured re-integration or examination of failing relationship. Staff to be closely supervised working with child and finances and facilities made available for it to be re-established.
6. Re iteration and explanation of roles and boundaries appropriate to that relationship.

Crusoe Care,
75 Lewes Road,
Newhaven,
East Sussex,
BN9 9SH.
Tel. 01273 515221
enquiry@crusoecare.co.uk

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