Statement of Purpose - Rubicon Childrens...

Statement of Purpose

Contact Rubicon Children’s Home on:

01227 375351

REFERRALS AND ENQUIRIES EMAIL:

[email protected]

www.rubiconchildrenshome.co.uk

1 Revised April 2017

This document describes the service provided at Rubicon House as required by the Children’s Homes

(England) Regulations 2015.

Rubicon Children’s Homes will actively embrace the Quality Standards to ensure a high level of care

and promoting positive outcomes for the children and young people in our home.

CONTENTS PAGE

Quality and Purpose of Care 2

Aims and Objectives including Admission Criteria

Ethos and Care Principles

Environment and Location

Religious Beliefs, Culture and Linguistic needs

Complaints

Access to further information

Children and Young People’s Views, Wishes and Feelings 6

Consultation with young people

Anti-Discriminatory Practice, Equality and Diversity

Rights and Responsibilities

Complaints and Representations

Education 8

Educational Provision

Supporting Children and Young People with SEN

Enjoyment and Achievement 9

Promotion of recreational, sport and cultural activities

Health and Wellbeing 10

Professional Involvement

Therapeutic Intervention

Positive Relationships 12

Contact arrangement with family, friends and significant others

Leaving the home

Protection of Children 13

Security and Surveillance

Behavioural Support

Restrictive Physical Intervention

Safeguarding Children and Young People

Countering Bullying

Children and Young People going missing from the home

Fire Precautions and Emergency Procedures


Leadership and Management 18

Registered Provider

Registered Manager

Staffing within the home

Advisory Panel

Supervision Arrangements

Training and Development

Care Planning 20

Admission to the home

Assessment of Needs

Occupational Therapy

Emergency Admissions

Review of Placement Plans


QUALITY AND PURPOSE OF CARE

Aims and Objectives (incl Admission Criteria)

Our aim is to provide an individualised placement for Young People with complex needs who may

have experienced trauma, neglect and abuse and we understand that surviving this harm often affects

both internal and external worlds. These children may suffer from mental health problems,

attachment difficulties, have ADHD, emotional, behavioural and social difficulties and / or present

sexualised behaviour leading to needing a therapeutic specialised placement.

We also accept young people who may have additional diagnoses of mild or moderate learning

disabilities and/or autism, where it is assessed that they would benefit from the therapeutic milieu and

positive behaviour support approach that Rubicon House offers. We recognise that these young

people may require additional support and specialist interventions in order to achieve their full

potential. Our staff team are committed to ensuring that these are provided and as such, have access

to specialist consultants for training and supervision.

Children and young people with a learning disability/ and or autism are more likely to develop

emotional, mental health and behavioural problems. Their learning disability may be as a result of

early abuse, trauma and attachment experiences. Communication, cognitive processing and social

difficulties can add to the complexity of challenges faced by children with these additional needs. It is

generally recognised that children with a learning disability and/or autism benefit enormously from the

provision of consistent, predictable environments which honour personalised routines and activities,

and where a range of communication and tailored approaches are available e.g. visual timetables,

alongside supportive and safe attachment relationships.

We provide a comprehensive assessment which fully explores management of risk, however, we do

not accept young people with the following: forensic history of arson or those whose primary

presentation is one of drug and/or alcohol abuse or those young people who would pose an

unmanageable safeguarding risk to other residents.

Ethos and Care Principles

We advocate that living and learning together, integrated with more formal treatment methods, will

provide the opportunity of more healthy choices in life.

We will provide ordinary life experiences, in a context of safety and containment allowing the

development of the necessary life skills to maximise their potential and prepare them to take their place

in the community.

Rubicon House provides a safe, warm, nurturing and empowering environment for young people to live

in. We aim to help young people achieve their full potential in relation to all aspects and dimensions of

their lives including:

o The ability to make, maintain and develop relationships o Self-awareness, self-management and positive thinking o A positive self-image and an enhanced self esteem o The highest possible level of academic and vocational achievement o A sense of personal competence and independence

We will provide a service that reflects and responds to the individual needs of each child placed at

Rubicon House. We also recognise that Young People often show their difficulties in groups and that a

healthy functioning group can be powerful in helping a Young Person develop social skills and abilities.

Each Young Person will be different and bring with them their own particular histories and needs and

we will work with how the Young Person shows their difficulties in a small group environment, encourage

responsibility for actions and their consequences whilst understanding that behaviours others find

difficult may be the defences that in the past have been necessary.


The service we provide requires our staff to work in line with clear principles. These principles enable

us to effectively achieve our aims and objectives and provide high quality care:

The Staff Team work to ensure that the following are an integral part of life at Rubicon House:

Care Principles

Rubicon House is a positive choice and experience at an important stage in young people’s lives. Young people and their families or carers will be treated in a respectful manner and supported to address issues and to be solution focused.

We recognise the value of young people, their uniqueness, and personal needs. We are committed to respond to young people with dignity and respect.

We will treat all personal information respectfully, sensitively and confidentially.

We have a commitment to listening to young people and ensuring they have the opportunity to voice their views, wishes and feelings.

We are committed to providing opportunities for young people to develop skills to act and think independently.

Staff will be trained and have a positive understanding of attachment theories and behaviour management strategies to ensure provision of a safe, appropriately structured and caring environment.

The staff team has a responsibility to make sure that young people in residential care are protected from abuse and neglect.

Rubicon House works in partnership with young people and other agencies. We endeavour to ensure effective communication within the team and across the range of services that work closely with us, to meet young people’s needs and support their families and carers.

Staff will be carefully selected and recruited to address gender, age and ethnic balance in order to reflect diversity and positive role models.

Environment and Accommodation

We have places for up to 5 young people up to the age of 18 years of mixed gender.

Location

Rubicon House is a detached property situated in a pleasant residential area of Herne Bay, Kent. The

house is within walking distance of all main amenities including local shops, the beach and a range of

leisure and activity venues including a swimming centre, library, and parks which are about a ten-minute

walk from the Home. The home is close to public transport including both the train station and regular

bus routes.

A full and detailed safe location report in consultation with external agencies and professionals has

been carried out and is available on request.

The Home:

The downstairs accommodation consists of:


• A comfortable lounge/T.V. room for general use of young people with a separate games area containing a pool table / table tennis.

• Kitchen

• A separate dining room

• Laundry Room

• Cloakroom

The first floor accommodation consists of:

• 3 young people’s bedrooms, all single occupancy.

• 1 staff sleep-in room

• 1 young person’s bathroom with a bath, shower, toilet and wash basin

• 1 cloakroom with toilet and wash basin

The second floor accommodation consists of:

• 2 Young Person’s bedroom

• 1 young person’s bathroom with a bath, shower, toilet and wash basin

• 1 staff sleep-in room

Attached to the main house is the ‘annex’ consisting of:

• A secondary lounge / activity room with games consoles, DVD’s, books and board games etc.

• A small staff room

• Staff Office

• Administration Office

• Staff shower room

Young people are encouraged to personalise their room and have choice of feature wall decorations.

All soft furnishings and bedding are flame retardant to promote fire safety. Young people have a choice

of either doing their homework in the dining room, the secondary lounge or in their own bedroom.

Outside the home:

The home has a fenced garden to the rear. The garden offers a well sized area of lawn, a patio area

with a barbeque and seating. The garden has well established shrubs and fencing to provide extra

privacy, young people are invited and encouraged to get involved with gardening and are able to choose

plants and vegetables to grow.

Religious Beliefs, Culture and Linguistic needs

Rubicon House staff will work in partnership with carers/family and young people to facilitate religious

observations including: attendances at services; following any dietary requirements and any religious

rituals a young person may wish to partake in, provided there is no risk of significant harm; respect for

a young person’s right to any chosen religious observance. Young people will be encouraged to thrive

culturally. Whilst their own culture will be encouraged, so too will be a broad knowledge of alternative

cultures through film and music, dance and drama, art and food.

Rubicon House will support children and young people who have individual linguistic needs and will,

when necessary, use a range of communication and tailored approaches which are available e.g. visual

aids for timetables and activities, documentation in alternative languages etc

Complaints

In accordance with legal requirements and relevant government guidance Rubicon Homes will ensure

that young people, families, staff and others working in our homes have access to policies and

procedural guidelines on how to make a complaint upon request.

Complaints can be made to any of the following:


The Home directly

Kent Social Services – County Duty Team 03000 41 11 11

Kent Police - Child Abuse Investigation Unit 01622 690690

Ofsted 0300 123 1231

Email Ofsted at [email protected] Or [email protected]

Write to Ofsted at: WBHL, Ofsted, Piccadilly Gate, Store Street, Manchester M1 2WD

Kent Safeguarding Children’s Board 01622 694859

Email Kent Safeguarding Children’s Board at [email protected],

The Local Authority who has responsibility for the young person placed at Rubicon House – please ask for contact details although bear in mind confidentiality restrictions when asking for information.

Access for further information

Any person may request individual or a full copy of our policies and procedures or safe area report by

emailing [email protected] or by telephoning 01227 375351.

CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE’S VIEWS, WISHES AND FEELINGS

Consultation with young people

Young people are consistently encouraged and supported to make decisions about their individual lives

as well as the ways in which Rubicon House is run and the quality of their care. We aim to promote

consultation and we provide as many avenues as possible for our Young people to make their voices

heard through:

Regular Young People’s Meetings Social Workers Individual Key working Sessions Questionnaires Advocacy Services Directly to the Home Manager The development of their own, young person friendly, care plan and communication passport.

The views of young people’s families and significant others are also taken into account through

organised meetings and the completion of feedback forms.

See also solution focussed practice for details of young person’s meetings and conflict resolution

practices.

Anti-Discriminatory Practice, Equality and Diversity

The staff team at Rubicon House work in ways that are consistent with and supportive of The Children

Act 1989, The United Nations Convention on the Rights of The Child 1991, The Care Standards Act,

2000 and relevant amendments and the Childrens Homes Regulations 2015 and associated quality

standards.

The team aim to be continually aware of the ways in which certain groups within society are

disadvantaged, particularly in relation to age, gender, ethnicity, religion, class, disability and sexual

preference. In order to help address inequality and disadvantage, the Rubicon House team embraces

diversity and uses a staff dynamics forum to challenge its prejudices.

We aim to ensure that services are accessible and we promote opportunities for all children and young

people and their families. The services provided by staff at Rubicon House will not judge young people’s

circumstances and backgrounds and will support and help young people make positive choices in their

lives. We will work in ways, which do not discriminate. We will challenge, support and encourage other

people not to discriminate against young people or others on the grounds of age, ethnicity, culture,

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language, religious beliefs, gender, disability, sexual preference or sexuality. A commitment to treat

young people fairly and safely is central to our services to young people.

Rights and Responsibilities

In setting the standards for the quality of care provided at Rubicon House we believe it is essential to

clearly identify the rights and responsibilities of young people, staff and family members / carers. These

are outlined below:

At Rubicon House, the young people have a right:

• To be treated fairly.

• To be physically well cared for in relation to, for instance: their health, clothing, food and a warm, clean and safe home.

• For friends and families to be made welcome in accordance with their care plan.

• To make mistakes and to expect new chances.

• To have their views encouraged and considered.

• To be supported in following any religion they may choose.

• To expect choices whenever they are available.

• To read what we write and record about them.

• To receive care, which is planned and reviewed regularly.

• To complain if unhappy with the care received or offered.

• To be included in and have access, with the help of staff, to their daily living files and care documents.

• To have their own copies of their daily care plan, statutory review and the reports from social workers and care staff, and a safe place to keep them.

• To have their own copies of other documents by negotiation.

The Team believe that with Rights come Responsibilities and therefore the Team expect Young People:

• To work with us towards identified goals.

• To treat themselves, other young people and staff who live or work at Rubicon House with respect.

• To value and look after the physical environment at Rubicon House, since this is their home and other young people’s.

• Not to bring into Rubicon House any drugs, equipment or device, which may be perceived as physically or psychologically threatening to them or others.

• Not to hurt, threaten, bully or frighten anyone at Rubicon House.

• Take part in house routines and respect house rules, for instance about bedtimes, use of TV, sharing chores.

• Attend the young people’s meetings.

• Admit responsibility when in the wrong and make amends.

The Team also expects parents.

• To work with us towards achieving their child’s goals.

• To continue to offer care to their child, to support and give encouragement.

• Wherever possible, to attend meetings about their child’s life.

Complaints and Representations

The young people who are placed at Rubicon House have a right to feel safe. They also have the right

to know that their views and feelings are listened to and will be acted on as long as it is consistent with

their overall welfare.


Complaints Procedure

The staff team supports the need for young people and their families in their right to make a complaint

about any aspect of their care. At Rubicon House we also believe it is important to help young people

and their families understand why the complaints procedure exists and how to use it should they ever

feel it necessary to do so. Staff work with young people to empower them to make complaints whenever

they feel their needs are not being met. Staff also work to ensure that young people who make

complaints do not feel stigmatised or guilty in any way.

If a young person needs to make a complaint, a member of staff offers help. It is acknowledged,

however, that a young person may need help from someone outside of the staff team and therefore,

young people are helped to involve the children’s advocacy service. If necessary, an interpreter can be

called upon.

The team endorse the view that, whenever possible, complaints should be dealt with informally. At the

same time, however, the team acknowledges that if an informal resolution is not possible, the process

for making a complaint must allow for an examination by someone who is not directly involved in the

care of the young person concerned. Finally, the team acknowledges the importance of young people

and their families having the right to complain to Ofsted, the Office for Standards of Education who is

the inspectorate for Children’s Homes.

On arriving in the home, the young people and their families are given information about the complaints

procedures. A record of complaints is kept at Rubicon House and is closely monitored by the manager.

Should a young person make a formal complaint we will furnish the placing authority with a written

report detailing the substance of the complaint and the action taken to assist the young person. In

addition, we operate a system whereby Young People can make a representation regarding an issue

that concerns them. We record all representation and our responses. This in no way affects the Young

Person’s right and responsibility to make a formal complaint.

EDUCATION

We acknowledge the importance of education within young people’s lives and we will work in ways that

support and help young people to reach their full potential within their education. It is often the case that

young people who have experienced previous difficulties will require specific educational support and

Rubicon House will work closely with the placing Education Authority and Kent County Council to ensure

a range of educational options are available.

These could include:

On-Site Tutoring in a dedicated facility

Special School Provision

Mainstream schools or colleges.

The educational option arranged for a young person will be dependent on the level at which they can

achieve optimum learning and all children and young people will be assessed prior to and upon

admission to Rubicon House to devise the appropriate education program based on any or all of the

following:

Access to the National Curriculum, including study for GCSE’s and BTEC

Literacy and Numeracy

Key stage 4 students, where appropriate, are offered a variety of opportunities for college placements and/or work experience;


To develop social and living skills in preparation for adult life as well as moral and cultural understanding.

Rubicon House is a registered ASDAN centre and is able to provide tutoring leading to accredited

qualifications from entry level to Level 2 in a range of courses as follows:

Stepping Stones – for younger children up to the age of 12 or 13.

PP: Personal Progress

PSD: Personal Social Development

Employability

The Diploma in Life Skills.

Vocational Study

For children and young people not currently in a formal education setting Rubicon House has a qualified teacher to deliver academic learning in a dedicated facility. Daily planners ensure that children and young people have 25 hours per week of learning consisting of academic and vocational studies and physical activities. Rubicon House will also source outside learning opportunities for the young people e.g. The MXCP Motocross Challenge Project: a 6 week project which includes theory work, mechanics and learning to ride the motorcycles, work experience in a range of environments, etc. Rubicon House provides a structured environment that aims to provide normal life experience for young

people. It is therefore an integral part of the homes structure to ensure homework / private study as

part of the evening and weekend activities. Staff will encourage private study and work closely with

young people and the educational facility they are attending.

Supporting Children and Young People with SEN

Where a child or young person holds a statement of special educational needs then support will be put

in place to ensure the child or young persons achieves to the best of his / her abilities. This could

include:

Daily support at school

Support with homework

The implementation of individually tailored learning tools such as pictorial aids

Attendance at SEN meetings

Close liaison with external provision and the relevant SENCO

Where it is identified that a child or young person may benefit from an EHC assessment then Rubicon

House will work with the Local Authority to achieve this.

Reference ‘The Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014’

ENJOYMENT AND ACHIEVEMENT

Promotion of recreational, sport and cultural activities

Young people are encouraged to take part in both group and individual activities which not only take

into account their ethnicity, culture, language, religion, interests and abilities but also help to widen and


deepen a young person’s experience of diversity. For instance, we encourage young people to

experience foods, festivals, films and books from different cultures.

If a young person moves into Rubicon House and they already take part in an activity, club or hobby,

we will endeavour to support them to continue with this. Young people receive a weekly activity

allowance to be spent, within the boundaries of legality, safety and appropriateness, as they choose.

This may include activities with their friends and families as well as unit activities; for instance swimming,

ten pin bowling, ice-skating, cinema, pool, snooker, and rugby/football.

Young people are encouraged to join the local library, purchase books and magazines. A local

newspaper is purchased weekly and T.V. magazines. Arts and crafts activities are promoted within

Rubicon House and all young people have access to the internet with access being made as safe, legal,

and age appropriate as possible. DVD’s are rented as requested with appropriate age certificate.

During school breaks, holidays and outings are planned with the young people, including trips to theme

parks, camp sites etc and young people will have the opportunity to two weeks holiday per year.

Birthdays, Christmas and other festivals, as appropriate, are celebrated with the young people by having

birthday parties within the home or special outings can be arranged.

Rubicon House are members of the Kent Wildlife Trust and are able to access various wildlife parks

across the county with provides interesting and fun days out as well as learning opportunities.

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

We work closely with the young people and appropriate health professionals to develop a Personal

Health Plan. The plan covers the whole range of potential health needs, including physical, emotional

and sexual health.

We will ensure that young people are registered with the local GP, Dentist and Optician and that they

are supported and encouraged to have regular dental, health and eye sight check-ups.

Rubicon House has developed clear policies on the handling of prescribed and non-prescribed

medications. We have in place a clear system for recording and monitoring medication. Where

appropriate and following a risk assessment young people are encouraged to administer their own

medication. The self-medication process provides a phased programme of supportive observation and

assistance for young people to develop these skills.

Whilst respecting young people’s rights and privacy, they are supported in getting help with any

illnesses or health issues that they experience.

Further specialist help for young people is identified, in partnership with young people and their social

workers, in order to ensure that young people gain access to the support they need. This includes: drug

& alcohol counselling, careers advice, sexual health guidance, and offending prevention services.

Therapeutic Intervention

In addition to any therapy that young people are already attending before they come to our homes,

Rubicon House also provides therapeutic input where appropriate and in agreement with others

involved in the young person’s care including multi agency professionals and parents / carers where

appropriate. The young people have access to internal occupational therapy and solution focused

therapy (see details below) and external therapists which is included in the fee structure. We have

links with and source the services of a psychotherapist and an art therapist, both of whom have been

working with the staff and young people for considerable time.

Some of our young people may have mental health and / or emotional and behavioural difficulties which

in turn could lead to special needs which require the use of therapies; Rubicon House have links with a

team of professionals to meet the assessed needs of each young person:


These professionals also work with and support the staff team to understand and manage the range of

issues and possible behaviours that young people face and present in order to ensure a well-planned

and consistent approach.

All therapists working with young people at Rubicon House receive external professional supervision,

arrangements of which are in existence before undertaking work for Rubicon House and details are

held within personnel files.

The young people may also access therapy through CAMHS, ALOT (Assessment and Liaison

Outreach Team) or social workers.

Any therapeutic work is detailed in the young person internal health plan and section allocated in the

live file, regular review meetings are held with other professionals involved with the young person and

progress monitored.

Occupational Therapy and Sensory Attachment Intervention (Louise Ellis – Director & OT) Occupational Therapy Is child centered and concerned with promoting health and wellbeing through the everyday meaningful activities that the young people engage in or occupy themselves in. Our primary goal is to identify a child’s/young person’s strengths and barriers to functioning and in turn enable them to participate in necessary and desired activities and full-fill life roles. Evidence shows that engagement in meaningful and purposeful occupations contributes to the child gaining a sense of achievement, self-esteem and wellbeing. Each child who comes to Rubicon will be assessed by our occupational therapist within 6 weeks, using a range of assessment tools, to identify and understand their usual occupations and discover what difficulties they face. We will support the child and relevant people, to evaluate challenges and strengths in doing occupations, and work with the child to set bite size goals and develop a series of graded activities to work towards achieving these goals. We cover all areas of

• work and productivity (going to school, work experience, volunteering etc) • life skills (self-care, washing, cooking, laundry) • leisure and recreation (engaging in hobbies) • social skills (spending time with friends, interacting appropriately with others) Sensory Attachment Intervention (SAI) is an integrative approach to the treatment of children and adults who have suffered abuse or severe neglect. Negative experiences in the womb and in early childhood impact on one's capacity to cope with stress throughout life. There is a tendency to either: flee and fight, freeze and dissociate, or fluctuate between these stress states when there is a hint or a reminder of traumatic events. Traumatised children and adults tend to operate in persistent fear mode. They maintain a state of hyper-vigilance. This impedes the capacity for filtering out "irrelevant" sensory experiences such as background sights and sounds. There is a tendency to be sensory defensive, as the sensory systems have become sensitised to the possibility of danger. Children develop behavioural strategies early on in order to survive their attachment environment. The goal is to either maintain the attention, and regulate the response, of their attachment figures or to elicit their attention and approval. While these self-protective strategies change in sophistication across the lifespan the basic functions of attachment do not (Crittenden 2015). SAI recognises the need to target the areas of the brain that are the source of the dysfunction. The first requirement is to establish regulation of arousal states i.e. to shift from the Autonomic Nervous System bias of either freeze dissociation or flight fight responses (Schore 1994). It then focuses on facilitating modulation of the body senses through the just right combination of up regulating and down regulating experiences. This in turn enables higher level sensory, emotional and cognitive functioning.


SAI follows the neurological principle of use-dependent learning i.e. all parts of the brain can modify their functioning in response to specific patterns of activation. (Perry 2001) This is achieved through changing daily living routines in ways that are regulating. For example, briskly washing and drying the skin is highly alerting and can inadvertently add to stress levels. In the case of children, the sensory and attachment patterns of Carers are also addressed, as attachment is a co-regulation process. At Rubicon we aim to engage the Young People in activities and routines meaningful to them to enable them to find ways to regulate their emotional states. Where appropriate, a Young Person will be provided with a sensory tool kit containing chosen items to help them achieve this. Throughout their day they are given opportunities for sensory breaks when the child themselves or staff recognise their need to regulate themselves. Solution Focused Practice (Carly Richards – Home Manager) SF operates from the belief that to address difficulties, it is often more helpful to focus on strengths abilities and solutions than deficits incompetence and problems. SF looks at what works, what has been tried and what are the hopes for the future. An example: An adolescent self-harms, when this happens they get lots of different kinds of attention from staff. The two self-harming episodes a day last for a total of 7 minutes but as a team this is our main focus. We spend time with the adolescent around their self-harm we discuss this in handovers and team meetings and Reflective Practice, we write file notes about it and incident forms. Most of our interaction with the adolescent is in the context of the behaviour we are working to decrease. An alternative story about this young person is the other 23 hours and 53 minutes of their day when they don’t self-harm, they participate in groups, they laugh, play and help other young person with their distress. In Solution Focus Practice the focus is on the healthy coping areas of the young person’s life and the times they feel overwhelmed by distress but find alternative ways of managing rather than cutting. Finding what works and doing more of it with the Young Person as an expert in their care. As staff we notice when they are not self-harming and how they are doing this. Carly delivers the SF approach into the home via young people’s meetings, this approach empowers

young people to find their own solutions in the shortest possible time, focusing on where they want to

get to rather than the details of the problem they are concerned about.

Solution focused conflict resolution meetings are carried out between the young people, and staff and

young people to enable all involved to move forward and look at how things would be better if their

behaviour towards one another was different.

The staff team meetings are also solution focused, led by positives using and implementing ‘the art of

brilliance’ working – allowing staff to talk about positives and work practices they are proud of.

POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS

Contact arrangement with family, friends and significant others

The Rubicon House staff team will work in partnership with young people to ensure that contact

arrangements with families and friends, as outlined in their care plan, are adhered to. We will give as

much support as possible to maintain contact and young people will be encouraged, when appropriate,

to keep their family at the centre of their lives. Children and young people have the use of the phone to

call friends and family and are able to do this in a separate and quiet room if required. Rubicon staff will

supervise contact where deemed necessary in the care plan and record sessions accordingly.


Families, friends and significant others will always be made welcome, as long as they behave in safe

and appropriate ways when visiting. Young people will be encouraged to spend as much time as

possible within the family home and their local community and to make friends at school and through

community activities.

We will ensure that when there are contact restrictions that young people understand the reasons why

these restrictions are in place.

Leaving the home

The staff team acknowledges that their relationship with the young people does not end when they

move on into the community, to a family or independent accommodation. A formal plan of support and

contact from Rubicon House can be offered for a period of up to three months, as part of the transition

plan. Staff value and encourage more informal longer-term contact, such as visits and phone calls,

which can reaffirm the importance that Rubicon House once played in the young person’s life.

PROTECTION OF CHILDREN

Security and surveillance

Rubicon house promotes relational security and uses methods of observation and engagement as the

primary method of surveillance. The staff team provide a high level of supervision throughout the home

to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all those resident in the house. There is no cctv equipment in situ

however there are movement sensors on the premises which are activated at night time for the security

of all the young people and staff, written agreement for the use of the sensors has been from those with

parental responsibility and the children and young people living in the home.

In cases where it has been assessed that a young person may need additional security at night we may

use a door alarm system. However, before these arrangements are implemented, full consultation,

agreement and additional written consent with the Placing Authority, the young person and, where

applicable, the parents, will occur.

If a young person is electronically tagged as a part of a court imposed sentence, the appropriate

surveillance equipment is installed at Rubicon House and staff have no responsibility for it.

Young people, who are deemed at a particular risk, such as drug use and/or self-harm, will be closely

observed and where there are concerns that these risks are jeopardising the safety of the placement at

Rubicon House, a meeting will be convened to discuss how the risks can be better managed.

Behavioural Support

To maintain the safety and promote the development of young people at Rubicon House, staff work to

balance the elements of care with clear boundaries to maintain control. Staff recruited will be required

to work with the clear boundaries outlined in Rubicon House Policy:

The staff team at Rubicon House believes that it is the responsibility of all staff to communicate with

young people about what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviour. Furthermore, it is the responsibility

of staff to maintain safe and appropriate boundaries with and between staff and young people.

Consistency and fairness are key ingredients to developing a safe and positive atmosphere.

The team also believe that methods of behavioural support, restraint and discipline can only have the

desired impact within the context of positive relationships existing between staff and young people.

Communication, negotiation and mediation are important skills that the team use to help young people

to address unacceptable behaviour. Within this overall context, the emphasis and aim of the team is to

promote, acknowledge and reward positive behaviour.


Rewards

The home encourages positive behaviour with the use of reward schemes, young people can earn

points for engaging in the daily planner, learning and positive interaction within the house, this scheme

runs month on month and the young people choose what they would like to achieve and then work

towards this. There is also times when ad-hock rewards are given, these could be for completing a task

like cleaning the car, or the display of a particular act of kindness or a special achievement at school.

Sanctions

Although the emphasis at Rubicon House is on safe and consistent approaches within the context of

positive relationships and rewarding positive behaviour, there are times when sanctions and reparations

are deemed necessary. At Rubicon House the following sanctions/reparations are used to ensure we

assist young people by holding them to account for their actions and supporting them to develop a

sense of responsibility:

• Extra Task/Reparation: Making good, wherever possible, criminal damage, for instance by re-painting walls, removing graffiti. Wherever possible the police are not involved in issues of criminal damage except in extreme circumstances.

• Financial: If a young person misuses money that has been agreed for something (a haircut, bus-fare/train-fare/taxi-fare, clothes), an agreed amount is paid back each week. This will never be more than two-thirds of the total pocket money.

• The withdrawal of a privilege such as not being permitted to go on an activity or outing.

Pocket money may be spent under supervision as part of a harm reduction programme if this has been

identified by Risk Assessment, in the same way as curtailment of leisure activities is used as a means

of control.

In using any of the above, young people should always know why certain behaviour is unacceptable,

since they are then more likely to understand and relate to why a sanction is being used. In this way

young people are more likely to want to address the issue. Any of the sanctions that are used above

are recorded and the manager checks and monitors their use.

Restrictive Physical Intervention

The restrictive physical intervention of a young person is not part of sanctions or punishment. There are

occasions when the use of RPI may be necessary but this is only used if the young person is likely to

seriously injure themselves or others. The techniques used are those taught by IRMA training (The

institute of Research of the Management of Aggression) the taught techniques are based on the NICE

guidelines (The National Institute for Clinical Excellence), and only members of staff that have been

trained should undertake restraints. Staff attend refresher training regularly, as a minimum annually

and only those deemed as competent by IRMA are given a certificate to evidence this.

All restrictive physical interventions are clearly recorded and monitored by the manager and debrief

meetings are held with staff following the incident and the incident discussed with the young person.

Safeguarding Children and Young People

One of the aims of Rubicon House, as stated at the beginning of this ‘Statement of Purpose’, is to

provide a safe and nurturing place for all young people to live in. Safeguarding procedures are a key to

keeping young people safe.

A Risk Assessment is undertaken with each young person and this is regularly reviewed and monitored

as part of the care planning system. It covers all aspects of behaviour and history that might cause a

risk to the young person or to others. Each Placement Plan contains a Risk Management plan, to be

followed by staff at all times. Risk assessment and management plans are updated regularly, at

statutory reviews and after specific risk events.


Staff at Rubicon House are familiar with and adhere to safeguarding protocol, and will be prompt in

raising any concerns relating to any of the Young People in our care. They are familiar with and refer

to the following:

• Kent County Council's Safeguarding Children and Young People Procedures

• Quality Standards, 2015

• Children’s Homes regulations, 2015.

• Working Together to Safeguard Children – revised March 2015

• Kent Police – Missing from Care protocol

We will also refer to any other Local Authorities Procedures that are relevant to the young people placed

at Rubicon House at any one time.

A copy of all of the above is readily available to staff.

Safeguarding Children and Young People is a key aspect of the induction training for new staff to

become familiar with, and gain an understanding of safeguarding issues and protocol. All staff, including

relief and ancillary staff will receive appropriate training.

Where safeguarding issues are identified in the home, which place individual young people at risk of

significant harm, staff will follow different strategies to minimise and reduce risk as well as following the

appropriate safeguarding procedures.

These strategies include:

• Joint working with social workers and parents, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and other relevant professionals such as drug alcohol specialists and counselling services.

• Harm reduction programmes undertaken within the home as well as educating young people with regard to risk and harm reduction.

• Notification to Ofsted if safeguarding issues or a significant risk event occur.

Countering Bullying

To be read in conjunction with the DoE paper ’Preventing and Tackling Bullying: Advice for School

Leaders and Governing Bodies’ July 2013

Children have a right to be free from bullying

Children need to know that it is not wrong to tell, and need to know that something will be

done to stop the bullying.

Bullying incidents will be challenged and both the bully and the bullied will be sensitively and

actively, supported and encouraged to change their attitudes and responses to those

behaviours.

Staff will observe and be ever conscious of the need to act where a child or young person provides

unlikely excuses to explain any of the above, or where a child or young person refuses to give any

reasons. Staff vigilance is the most potent deterrent against bullying.

Young people who bully will then know that it will be dealt with, and the victims of bullying will have

confidence for the same reason. Staff recognise that following those who bully to misuse power is not

only damaging to the victim, but also gives the opportunities for the development of sub cultures which

will hinder their work with the young people.

At Rubicon Homes we have created a culture and communication network where young people are

easily able to confide in each other or staff if they are being bullied. Even with effective communication

systems, we realise that the problem may still need to be tackled in a number of different ways,

Staff members will promote at all times anti-oppressive practice both with young people, each other


and any other person visiting the home either in a professional or personal capacity.

New admissions of children and young people as well as new staff will be made aware of the policy and related in house procedures.

Staff will report any concerns to the senior manager on duty. After discussion and agreement is reached that bullying is taking place an action plan will be agreed.

A full written account of the concerns and the actions that are carried out must be held in each home, and information placed on the relevant child’s file.

Children and Young People going missing from the home

To be read in conjunction with the Kent Police, East Division Local Agreement (signed 28/11/13)

for Children and Young People who run away or go missing from Care and the Department for

Education ‘Statutory guidance on children who run away or go missing from home or care’

updated June 2013

The Government’s response to the Children’s Safeguards Review (1998) included a commitment to

develop guidance on the action to be taken when a child goes missing.

A child is defined as missing if they spend time away from where they ought to live without the

knowledge and consent of their carers.

The Government promised to develop the approach set out in Missing from Care published by the

Local Government Association and the Association of Chief Police Officers (LGA/ACPO) in 1997. This

recognised the importance of collaborative working between the police and local authorities to offer an

adequate and prompt response to young people who go missing so that everything reasonably possible

is done to make sure that they are found and made safe. This document was further produced in June

2013 by the Department of Education as the ‘Statutory guidance on children who run away or go

missing from home or care’

The initial impetus for the research had been prompted by concerns about the safety of children in

public care that had been explored in depth as part of the report – People like Us – Sir William Utting

(1997). The research demonstrated that some young people missing from home would have similar

needs to those missing from care. In fact, running away from home may be a per-cursor to entry into

public care, where running away behaviour may continue.

At Rubicon Homes we do not simply view young people who run away as absconders, we view their

running away in the context of their lives. Children and Young people coming into our care often have

a backlog of unresolved experiences and confusing emotions. Being in a different environment with

different relationships may ease some of these problems, but the underlying experiences and emotions

will still be there. Children and young people need an opportunity to grow through these. However, if

running away or angry outbursts were part of their way of coping with difficulty before coming to live in

Rubicon Home’s services, then it is likely to be their response when they feel under pressure again.

This is not to say that the behaviour should be accepted simply because it can be expected, but it is

necessary for our staff to understand why children and young people seem to overreact sometimes,

and without warning.

Though something of bureaucratic term, unauthorised absence encompasses a range of behaviour’s

such as running away, going out without permission, or failing to return on time. All are features of

residential care, which can so easily cause staff to feel both anxious and powerless.

Within Rubicon Homes services we try to understand the behaviour in relation to what is known of the

child/young person's history and what is happening for them currently. This, along with an assessment

of the risks involved, is the basis on which we work to identify appropriate strategies and responses.


Children and young people may run away because they are:

Worried about something which is due to happen that day, such as a difficult meeting

Unhappy in the home, perhaps because they are being bullied

Wanting to go home as there has not been any recent family contact

Very worried about something that is happening at school

Afraid to comeback late. For example, when they have been punished on previous occasions for coming back late, perhaps after finding it difficult to leave a friend’s house on time in the evening

Children and young people do not always run away, they may be running too someone/somewhere!

The most worrying are those young people who are frequently missing without permission due to the

attractions or their friendships and lifestyles previously held. These risks may include sexual

exploitation. Drugs, alcohol, violence, crime, self-harm or neglect of health, e.g. failure to take

medication.

Staff should remain aware that changing this behaviour is not an overnight task. There are likely to be

continued risks. In Rubicon Homes we will ensure that there is a balance between realistic expectations

about what can be achieved and a commitment to help the young person change their behaviour and

reduce the risks to themselves and others.

Preventative measures

Staff in Rubicon Homes will take steps to reduce the likelihood of a child/young person leaving the

establishment without permission, although it is accepted that for a number of children and young

people the impact of such measures will be limited. At Rubicon Homes we will ensure that we:

Take a consistent approach Each of our homes agree how they will respond to a particular piece of behaviour or how they will

manage a particular child/young person

Plan ahead Strategies are developed to avoid a child/young person running away e.g. arranging to keep a close

eye on a child/young person before a difficult meeting to help them feel secure and reassured.

Structured activities. It is sometimes possible to divert the attention of one young person who is likely to run off taking others

with him/her.

Remain aware Are those factors in the home that may cause someone to run off, e.g. bullying? Etc.

Leaving without permission:

If a young person indicates that he/she proposes to leave the home without permission, staff should

remain aware that a young person might want a staff member to stop them or at least give them a good

excuse for not going. It is crucial that our staff always show care and concern, even if they are sure that

a young person is going to go anyway, it is important to make a point of showing care and concern,

both for their benefit and for others in the group.

During an Incident of a young person going missing from the home:

As soon as it is evident that a child/young person has left the home without permission, there is action

by staff. Within Rubicon Homes procedures are available for staff to follow when such incidents occur

– see appendix at the end of this section.

Dealing with the young person after return:

Young people have an opportunity to explain: - Making sure that the young person has the opportunity

to explain his or her point of view and tell their version of what happened


There is opportunity to explore strong feelings: - Staff and the young person will have experienced

strong feelings during such an episode, and these will need to be dealt with.

There will always be a follow up: - Concerns may need to be followed up later when the young person

is more receptive. Both staff and young person should have the opportunity to explain their point of

view, and each should be encouraged to listen to the other.

It maybe that the young person needs to talk to someone outside of the home and a visit from an

external visitor should be arranged.

We consider issues such as care planning and review.

Consideration needs to be given to whether the Child Protection procedures should be invoked. Staff

will refer to associated policies and procedural guidance on this issue.

Fire Precautions and Emergency Procedures

There are smoke and heat detectors throughout Rubicon House. Additionally, there are regular tests of

the fire alarms, emergency lighting and evacuations. Fire safety equipment is subject to regular

inspection by fire officers. When equipment has been used or damaged arrangements are made for its

immediate replacement.

Young people and staff are included in fire drills and evacuations. The staff team also discusses the

issues of fire and building safety with young people at regular intervals or indeed when particular issues

arise.

Smoking is not permitted in any part of the house in line with current legislation and in order to protect

the health and safety of all who live and work in the home.

The fire procedures are displayed around the unit and floor plans are available to hand should they be

required.

LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT

Management and Administration

Rubicon House is owned by Rubicon Children’s Homes Ltd,

Responsible Individual & Director - Louise Ellis. Louise has been a qualified Occupational Therapist for

12 years. She has a wide range of clinical practice ranging from Acquired Brain Injury and Neurological

Rehabilitation to working within Mother and Baby units. Louise has worked in the NHS, Charity and

Independent sector and has managed a National Charity at CEO level and worked as an Organisational

Consultant. Louise is HCPC Registered. Louise has recently qualified in working with Sensory

Attachment Intervention.

Director of Operations - Nikki Whistler, has been working in the social care sector for 30 years and has

managed services for children and young people, the mental health sector and outreach services. She

holds a Diploma in Business Studies, the NVQ L4 in Working with Children and Young People, the

Registered Managers Award and is also a qualified Assessor to level 5 and holds the PTTLS award.

Having been employed by Rubicon Children’s Homes Ltd since before Rubicon House opened Nikki

has an excellent understanding of the day to day operations of the home as well as the business aspect

of the organisation.

Registered Manager – Carly Richards – Carly graduated from Lincoln University in 2001 with a BA

(hons) in Social Work inclusive of the Dip SW and has worked in residential child care since that time.

For the last 8 years Carly has worked at management level and holds the Level 5 Diploma in

Leadership and Management, a City and Guilds ‘Safeguarding in Practice’ as well as being a qualified

NVQ assessor. Carly is also a qualified practitioner in solution focussed practice.


The home currently employs 16 staff in addition to the Management Team:

3 x Shift leaders, All shift leaders hold the L3 NVQ or Diploma in working with children and young

people.

4 x Senior RCW’s - All of which either hold the L3 NVQ / Diploma L3 or are near to completion.

8 x RCW’s – All of which either hold the L3 NVQ / Diploma L3 or are currently studying towards this.

2 x bank / sessional staff who are subject to the compliance requirements as per permanent staff.

Rubicon House benefits from the external support and advice of Dr Neil Brimblecombe, Director of

Nursing, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and Visiting Professor, Kings College

London. Areas of expertise - quality governance, mental health care and health service policy. He

volunteers his time and knowledge to support the Manager and staff team to provide the highest

possible standards of care for some of the most vulnerable people in society.

Staffing

The diverse nature of the team in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, experience, skill and qualification

provides the opportunity to promote a positive view of difference to young people. Furthermore, it is

diversity that the team is committed to continually building and extending upon.

All workers employed at the home will have a full Enhanced DBS check, (Disclosure and Barring

System) and will have documentary evidence of this and a minimum of 2 satisfactory references.

Staffing Levels

Rubicon House operates a one 2 one staffing ratio during the day (often there is additional staff on duty)

and a minimum of two staff at night. Efforts are made to ensure the staff on duty represents a range of

experience, gender balance and qualifications. Where identified as beneficial or through risk

management, staffing levels can be increased to meet the young people’s needs, for instance in the

evenings, at weekends, during holidays or when specific young people have a greater need for safety

or attention.

Where short term gaps in rota occur, due to training, sickness, vacancies or leave, these will be met by

the use of bank (relief) staff or, if necessary, agency workers provided by an approved local Agency.

The bank workers are appointed using the full recruitment and selection procedure, and receive the full

Induction training. They are attached to Rubicon House staff group, and are therefore familiar to the

young people when they come on duty. Should it be necessary to use agency workers then we use only

those who are approved by the agency and essential information has been received by the home. All

agency workers must provide proof of identity and evidence of their DBS status when they come on

duty.

Supervision and Appraisal:

Supervision is a vital part of supporting, managing and developing the staff team. It is a requirement

that staff both receive and take part in the supervision process. Supervision sessions are recorded and

staff are required to read and sign their notes, a copy of which are then placed on the staff member’s

file. If there are any disagreements these are recorded. All staff undertake a Performance Appraisal

with their supervisor annually, which reviews progress over the past year and sets personal work targets

and actions for the coming year, these are reviewed during the monthly supervision sessions.

Staff also receive monthly reflective practice session delivered by a qualified psychotherapist to help

support them in their work with the children and young people.

Staff Training and Development:

All staff are introduced, as part of their induction training, to the Safeguarding and Child Protection

procedures, fire drill and safety training, medical procedures and the recording of information,


immediately upon starting work within the home. There is a further programme of induction training

delivered within the first 6 months of employment.

Most staff working at Rubicon House hold the NVQ / Diploma in working with Children and Young

People at Level 3 and those who do not are enrolled for this once basic training, induction and 6 month

probationary have been completed.

Training needs will be discussed, agreed and monitored through the supervision and appraisal process.

These are recorded in a Personal Development Plan, which is part of the Performance Appraisal

system.

Staff development is seen as part of an ongoing process that includes:

• Training and supervision.

• The team meeting forum.

• Working as part of a team.

• Key working and joint working with colleagues within the team.

• Joint working with other professionals and agencies.

• Monthly in-house workshops.

Extra duties and responsibilities are delegated to staff as they become more skilled and competent

within the team.

CARE PLANNING

Admission to the home

At Rubicon house we practice a child centred approach which ensures young people are fully

involved in their programmes of care. We also recognise that the prevention and reduction of

challenging behaviour occurs within the context of increased quality of life, inclusion, choice &

participation, and the defence and support of valued social roles. Our aim is to ensure that children

with additional needs are equipped with the skills to make positive choices, gain the necessary skills

to manage behaviour, and maximise opportunities to achieve their full potential; whilst living at

Rubicon and afterwards when returning to their homes or communities.

Rubicon House is able to take children and young people for short, medium and long term placement

and will provide an individualised service tailored to the child’s needs.

Applications for placements are dynamic and the beginning of a conversation and we offer a

consultation and assessment service. If following assessment, we feel we are not the most helpful

placement we can often suggest alternatives which meet the Young Person’s need. Following initial

discussions, referral should be made in writing by completing the Rubicon House referral form and

submitting this together with agreed relevant reports.

Young people who meet the age and admissions criteria as detailed in the aims and objectives of the

home are initially visited by the home manager or a senior member of the staff team and assessed to

help us determine suitability and plan the transition to Rubicon House residential care. This assessment

will also include ascertaining whether the young person wants to come to Rubicon House.

Following initial assessment an interim Placement and Risk Management Plan will be developed in

conjunction with the young person, the placing authority, the allocated specialist care team and any

other significant parties. (See assessment of need)

A copy of The Placement and Risk Management Plans will be made available to the young person and

all relevant parties.

The young person will be offered to receive an introduction to Rubicon House prior to their placement

including an opportunity for them to stay overnight if appropriate.


Two key workers are allocated at the point of admission and all necessary documentation regarding the

young person should be provided by the social worker at this time which should include completed LAC

documentation, copies of any court orders and any other relevant information.

Documents required upon admission to the home:

Referral papers

LA Placement Plan

Medication / First Aid Consent

Activities Consent Form

Life skills Activities Consent Form

Emergency Admissions

Admissions to Rubicon House are usually planned however we do provide services for Young People

who are in need of emergency placement and in these circumstances we work closely with the referrer

to enable us to develop a clear emergency admission plan.

The procedure for emergency admissions are as follows:

Directors accept referrals via email or phone calls to [email protected] or 07812 987139.

Initial phone consultation and information shared between professionals, or via email.

The Senior Manager coordinating the referral will request detailed written information, for example referral form from the local authority.

If the referral is assessed as appropriate the information is then shared with the manager of the home where the vacancy is based.

Where possible the Home Manager or a senior member of the staff team will visit the young person to conduct an assessment to assess the suitability of the placement. This will also include assessing the young person’s willingness to come to Rubicon House.

Homes manager and the Senior Manager from head office agree if the placement is suitable and the outcome is then fedback to the local authority. This process is within the same day of the referral.

Detailed providers response form is completed by the Home Manager and emailed to the local authority, outlining the provision and how the home will ensure the young person’s needs are met.

Confirmation is then received from the local authority clarifying placement.

The manager and staff at the home will then complete risk assessments, initial strategies and 24 hour management program. This is supported by the manager, social worker and individuals at the young person’s current placement liaising to ensure the most up to date information is recorded and assessed.

That information is disseminated through to the staff team to ensure they are fully prepared.

The current young people at the home are informed and given appropriate information.

Arrangements are then made with the social worker to collect or receive the young person.

A keyworker is then assigned to the young person and the Working file is set up.

A placement planning meeting is arranged at the home and relevant documents signed.

Assessment of Needs

Each young person will have an internal Placement and Risk Management Plan, which covers the major

dimensions of a Young Person’s life. The plan is developed with young people, family, professionals

and significant others. It assesses and identifies the young person’s needs and issues and how these

will be met and addressed on a day-to-day basis.

Children and young people are assessed in a variety of ways starting with referral documentation

received from the local authority as detailed above, conversations with other professionals and the



home manager will also carry out a basic assessment when visiting the young person prior to

admission. This information and observations will fund the basis for an interim placement plan to be

put in place.

Young People at Rubicon House are also encouraged and given support to write their own child or

young person friendly version of the care plan and also a communication passport which enable them

to put across their views, wishes and feelings and is shared with all staff and external professionals.

Review of Placement Plans

A crucial task for the key worker is to monitor and review the placement plan on a regular basis and in

partnership with the young person and other significant people.

In addition, at staff meetings and reflective practice we review and evaluate the progress of the young

people in order to deal with the day-to-day problems and to ensure that the staff team maintain an up-

to-date knowledge of developments for each young person so that we can maintain a consistent

approach.

Information is collated from key working, supervision and feedback from other staff into a progress

report which is produced weekly and an additional collective report prepared prior to the Young Person's

LAC review.

The plan may also change in accordance with the outcomes of statutory reviews and are designed to

ensure young people achieve in all aspects of their lives:

It is our sincere expectation, commitment and duty to ensure that all young people that come to live at

Rubicon House and share their home with other young people and staff, find it a positive, safe and

rewarding period of growth and development. We aim to be the ‘difference that can make a difference’

to enable Young People to be safe and achieve more than they ever thought possible."

MISSION STATEMENTWe are dedicated to:

Promoting the ethos that every child, whatever their ability, is equally important and valued

Providing a safe, secure, caring and welcoming environment

Offering choice and supporting young people in making choices

Promoting positive relationships between staff and children

Respecting children’s uniqueness and their personal needs

Treating children with dignity and the right to privacy

Fulfilmentandrealisationofpersonalaspirationsandabilitiesinall aspects of daily life

Nurturing and development of each child’s potential and maturity

“It is our sincere expectation, commitment and duty to ensure that all young people that come to live at Rubicon House and share their home with other young people and

staff, find it a positive, safe and rewarding period of growth and development. We aim to be ‘the difference that can make

a difference’ to enable young people to be safe and achieve more than they ever thought possible”

Louise Ellis DIRECTOR

Statement of Purpose - Rubicon Childrens...

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