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Walmer House185 Dover Road, Walmer, Deal, Kent CT14 7NB

Telephone: (01304) 367706 Fax: (01304) 37225424 Hour Referral Line: 01304 367706

(Established 2010)

Statement of Purpose

ForWALMER HOUSE

URN 473404

Registered Provider: Back on Track Children’s Services SE Ltd.Responsible Individual: John McDonald-Baker

Registered Manager: Kim Twyman

1Statement of Purpose Walmer HouseReviewed and Updated 10.03.2019

CONTENTS

0 Supporting Young People to get and stay “Back on Track” PageOur Mission Statement 3Promoting Equality at Walmer House 3

1 Quality and Purpose of Care PageAll about Walmer House 3Ethos and outcomes of care and how we achieve them 3Accommodation Offered 4Our policy and approach in relation to anti-discretionary Practice in respect of children and their families and promoting children’s rights. 5Supporting the cultural, linguistic and religious needs of children and young people 6Making a complaint 6

2 Views, Wishes and Feelings PageOur approach to Consulting with children and young people about their quality of care 7

3 Education PageArrangements for education Including: 8

Supporting Young People with their education and educational attainment 8

Supporting children and young people with Special educational needs 8 Promoting learning opportunities and independent living skills 8

4 Enjoyment and Achievement PageDeveloping and promoting creative, intellectual, physical and social interests 8Pocket money, clothing and savings 9

5 Health PagePromoting health care and therapy 9Promoting sexual health and PSHE 11

6 Positive Relationships PagePromoting Contact between children/young people and their families 11

7 Protecting Children and Young People PageSafeguarding 11Rewards 13Consequences 13Positive physical intervention 13Surveillance (door alarms, security cameras, light systems) 14

8 Leadership and Management PageOfsted 14Children’s Commissioner 15Registered Provider 15Manager and responsible individual details and profile 15/16Safer recruitment of staff 16Staff development-training and supervision 17Staff structure 19Experience and qualifications of staff (see appendix 1) -

9 Care Planning PageAdmission of children and young people to the home, including emergency admission 204 Stages of referral 20Young People accommodated 22Matching 22

10

Walmer House Policies PageAppendix (1) Staffing team and qualifications and training. 24Back on Track Childrens Services SE Ltd – Terms and Conditions 29Reviews, amendments and updates to the Statement of Purpose 30


Our Mission Statement Walmer House will promote the well-being of young people by providing quality care through a range of services delivered by highly motivated, skilled and supported staff who have a commitment to meet the needs of all young people placed.

Our aim is to be a welcoming, nurturing, supportive and child orientated home and provide a dedicated service to care for children and young people with social, behavioural and emotional needs.

We offer a diversity of opportunities for all our young people and through the consultation and gaining feedback from all the stakeholders; young people, parents, families, staff team, social workers, outside professionals and our own quality management systems, all effectively contribute to the development of the service we provide.

Promoting Equality at Walmer House Back on Track recognises that discrimination and victimisation is unacceptable and that it is in the interests of the company, its employees, children/young people, their families and placing authorities, to utilise the skills of the total workforce. It is our aim to ensure that no employee, young person, their family or job applicant receives less favourable facilities or treatment (either directly or indirectly) in admission, recruitment or employment or through care practice, on the grounds of age, disability, gender/gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity/paternity, ethnicity, religion or belief, gender, or sexual orientation. These are entitled the “protected characteristics”.

Our Equality Policy has been assessed to ensure it is compliant with the Equality needs impact assessment. This policy will therefore be reviewed on an annual basis to ensure it maintains compliance.

About Walmer HouseWalmer House is a detached home situated in Walmer, Deal, in Kent. We provide a dedicated service and can care for young people both male and female, from varying backgrounds and presenting different individual needs as a result of suffering abuse, neglect or childhood trauma.

The House is located in the rural sea side town of Deal and within walking distance of Deal Pier, beach and town centre, located within 2 miles of Deal & Walmer historic castles, and a short drive from Dover Castle and the White Cliffs. We have good transport links to the local town centre, access to M20, M2 and further afield.

Walmer House provides a homely, nurturing and welcoming environment for all young people.


Supporting Young People to get and stay “Back on Track”

Quality and Purpose of Care

Our Ethos and outcomes of care and how we achieve themIt is our ultimate objective that each young person accommodated at Walmer House has the opportunity to fulfil his or her potential, without fear of harm or danger and at all times preserving and promoting their dignity and self-respect.

The primary aims of our service are;

To enhance the physical, intellectual, emotional and social well-being of each young person and build self-esteem, confidence and resilience.

To ensure that each young person receives educational opportunities in line with national educational standards and is provided with the appropriate education setting to do so.

To promote and provide a safe, secure, accepting, non-judgemental and nurturing environment.

In order to achieve our aim, we will: -

Adopt a holistic and individually tailored child -centred approach to each young person

Provide a facility for longer term and emergency/short term placements Provide a high staff/young person ratio at all times Provide staff support twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week

throughout the placement Produce an individual placement plan for each young person consistent

with his or her specific needs as originally identified by the placing authority

Promote and encourage appropriate social and recreational opportunities for the young person and manage bullying and negative behaviour appropriately

Work in partnership with other concerned professionals involved in the young person’s welfare

Enable our young people to be actively involved with making choices about their care and the development of their home, by regular consultation and key working

Recognise each young person as an individual in exploring identity and life story issues (as appropriate) and promoting appropriate historical links

Accommodation offeredWalmer House five bedrooms and all bedrooms are for individual use, there is no sharing allowed unless they are siblings (and this is part of an agreed Care Plan), assessed as appropriate and in full agreement with the Local Authorities.

We aim to provide home like facilities and aim to make all children and young people as comfortable as possible. All our bedrooms provide a small double bed, desk and chair, wardrobe, chest of drawers and bedside table, flat screen TV, Freeview and DVD player. The young people are actively encouraged to personalise their bedrooms to their own taste and needs. Two of our rooms also provide en-suite facilities.

The ground floor contains: -Lounge- The lounge is large warm and inviting area consisting of a large seating area with sofas, TV, Freeview and DVD, with double doors leading to the


conservatory.Kitchen: - The kitchen is a large open space and connects through to the conservatory. The kitchen is bright and modern, where staff and young people spend time socialising whilst preparing and cooking meals together and independently. The Kitchen has plenty of cupboard space - enough for individual cupboards for young people to assist and promote their independence skills and store their shopping. There are large work surface’s, fridge, cooker, toaster, washing machine, stainless steel sink and access to the dining area.Conservatory: The large conservatory is dual purpose, it has a dining table and chairs where staff and young people enjoy their meals or just sitting and chatting, at the other side of the conservatory is our games section consisting of a sofa and bean bags with a TV and games console, laptop and Internet and a selection of games.There are also two staff offices and toilet on the ground floor, both with magnetic door closures so the office doors are always open when staff inside- enabling:

an open door approach to our care reducing barriers between staff and the young people provides a homelier feel provides better supervision of the young people

The first floor consists of: - Five well-furnished and comfortable bedrooms for young people, bathroom, and toilet.The second floor consists of a staff sleep in room Outside there is large back garden with a large patio area and decorative flower beds running alongside the side of the garden, barbeque facilities, football goal, basketball net and in the summer a large inflatable pool. The garden is always well maintained providing a safe outside space for the young people to enjoy engaging in activities, relaxing or to let of some steam.Our policy and approach in relation to anti-discriminatory Practice in respect of children and their families, and promoting children’sWalmer House recognises and promotes the rights of young people living at the home. All young people are openly encouraged to explore their individual rights, but also to recognise and practice the responsibilities that are associated with these rights.

Young people at Walmer House also have access to an Independent Advocacy Service.Back on Track Children’s Services SE Ltd, actively promotes anti-discriminatory practice. It is recognised that this can take many forms as young person can be discriminated against and stigmatised on the grounds of: -• Being a ‘Looked After Child’• Ethnic background• Culture


• Gender• Religion• Sexual orientation• Disability• Appearance• Family background• Personal Hygiene• Personality

This list is not exhaustive but covers many of the common areas where discrimination can occur, hindering the emotional well-being of the young person.The company expects all employees to practice in such a way that will not be prejudicial to the understanding, development, and furtherance of each young person and also their families. Staff are also to project the same professionalism when dealing with the young people’s parents and provide them also with respect, and not to discriminate against them in any way.Any issues that arise will be discussed in staff meetings, group and individual supervision sessions, in order to promote the recognition and understanding of such issues, and also to raise awareness of its effects.

Supporting the cultural, linguistic and religious needs of children and young peopleChildren’s placement plans show how their religious and spiritual development needs are being accounted for with a view to encouraging and supporting them to maintain a positive regard for their background and culture.Children are provided with balanced information and advice about their own religion and cultural background, or that of their family.If they wish to do so children are encouraged and supported to join or confirm their faith. They will also be supported to explore and choose a different faith or no faith at all.Children's daily routines, including their mealtimes and diet, are adapted to account for their religious and spiritual observances/needs.

Birthdays or other celebratory days or occasions relating to children's preferred religion will be given special significance and celebrated as appropriate.

Making a ComplaintWalmer House ensures that all children and young people are aware of their rights to:

Protection (the right to be safe) Provision (the right to be well looked after) Participation (the right to have their say and to be listened to)

The staff team at Walmer House are responsible for promoting and safeguarding children/young people’s rights, which must be respected at all times. All children and young people have a right to dignity, privacy, choice, safety, education, equality and recognising cultural diversity.


The home’s manager will take all reasonable steps to ensure that children feel comfortable with the making of comments or complaints and free from reprisals if they choose to do so.

When children indicate they wish to make a complaint, the person receiving it should do what they reasonably can to ensure that all other resolutions available have been tried, rather than resorting to the making of a complaint.

Where a young person wishes to make a complaint, staff will pass this on the manager to investigate and deal with appropriately. If a complaint is made about the manager of the home, it should be passed on to the Responsible Individual and if it is about the Responsible Individual, this will be passed on to the Director to deal with.

External resources will also be provided If a young person wants to complain outside of the home and may include an Independent Advocate or a Social Worker. They may direct their complaints to the Regulatory Authority Ofsted, or the Children’s commissioner for England. Children are to be advised of their right to make a complaint with regards to their care, the home and any professional working in the home. These numbers and contact details are also included in the children’s guide.

Complaints should preferably be put into writing, in a letter or using a Complaints Form; however, other methods may be used, including the use of audio tapes or verbally.

All young people should be given any reasonable assistance they require or request, including being introduced to people or groups independent of the organisation that may assist them, such as Advocacy Groups. The young person must be advised that if they choose to complain directly to the Placing Authority, the Placing Authority must provide information and assistance.

If assistance is provided to young person in recording or writing their complaints, the record/letter should indicate the name, status and contact details of the person providing the assistance.

If any complaint is made directly to or received at Walmer House, it will also be logged in their central complaint file. A full copy of the Walmer House’s policies on complaints is available upon request.

Our approach to consulting with children and young people about their quality of careStaff members demonstrate a high level of awareness of a young person’s needs, choices and views through 1-1 discussions with staff and management, observation and feedback. Young people’s wishes will be taken into account when making either day-to-day decisions of their lives and the running and development of Walmer House.


Views, Wishes and Feelings

Staff will use 1-1 and Key-working sessions with the children on a regular basis to discuss issues and topics relevant to the young person’s care, planning and development. We will fully consult with each young person as to what they want for their future and how they wished to be cared for, we also develop and design with the child a behaviour management plan which includes the child’s wishes of how they wish to be supported and cared for, this information is incorporated into the placement plan and risk assessments ensuring that staff are aware of the child’s wishes when supporting and caring for them.

Walmer House encourage regular children’s house meetings where all young people are encouraged to share their opinions, thoughts and wishes relating to menus, achievements, activities, upkeep of the home and any issues that they may have, these also include a themed section where the child chooses and discusses a topic of their choice this has included bullying and current news topics.

The children have monthly monitoring meetings with their keyworkers where they review their progress and development and discuss areas or targets that they would like to focus on.

Children/young people meet regularly with the manager to discuss issues, development and progress and are also encouraged to share their thoughts, views and feedback. Where possible the Management will use this in improving and developing the service provided at Walmer House.

Back on Track Children's Services SE Ltd prides itself on the standard and quality of its Placement Plans. These are begun prior to each child/young person being admitted to our home. They are kept under constant reviewed (monthly) and are updated as and when necessary and after each statutory looked after review.

Arrangements for education Walmer House’s does not provide in-house education; therefore, the home actively seeks suitable outside education provisions for our young people.

Walmer House will source an education provision for our young people that will assist the child to achieve their educational targets and goals as recorded in their relevant plans such as placement plan, statement of Special Educational Needs and Education, Health and Care Plan. Our aim is to;

Support young people with their education and educational attainment Supporting children and young people with Special Educational Needs And promote learning opportunities and independent living skills

For those in the upper age range within this group and for those post 16, access to appropriate work experience, college courses or work-based learning will be sought in support of the young person’s relevant educational plans.


Education

Staff will support each child’s learning and development including homework, reading at home, spellings etc. and to help develop independent study skills and to promote opportunities for each child to learn informally.

Staff will if required and appropriate, will support the young people within their education provision. Walmer House promotes regular communication with our young people’s education provision to ensure that their educational needs are being met, achieved and developed. For those young people who are unable to attend outside provisions or are currently awaiting a provision, a short term/temporary/time limited “structured day” timetable of study/life skills and physical activity will be individually developed, this will be done in close association with the placing authority. This is designed to keep the young people motivated and into a routine so that they will adjust to getting back into full time education as soon as possible, this is not an education package.

It will be set based on prior attainment, practical hands on learning and the interests of the young people.

Each young person’s bedroom has a desk where they can study in private if they so wish or they can study in the living areas where staff will be available to provide support and encouragement to them as required.

Developing and promoting creative, intellectual, physical and social interestsParticipation in appropriate recreational, sporting and cultural activities is recognised as a positive tool for the development of self-esteem, self-determination and self-worth in young people. It promotes positive engagement for young people with both the staff of Walmer House and peers and the wider community.

Young people are encouraged and given age appropriate opportunities to take part in activities and leisure interests which take account of their choices, race, culture, language, religion, interest, abilities and disabilities.

Leisure interests and areas in which a child has or is able to develop talents or abilities are sourced and encouraged by staff.

Young people are encouraged and supported to follow the particular requirements (such as dress, diet and prayer) which are a part of their cultural needs.

Young people are encouraged to take an active role in the planning of both individual and group activities. Staff will actively encourage the young people to talk about, learn and gain from their experiences.


Enjoyment and Achievement

Staff will encourage and support children in celebrating birthdays, cultural and religious festivals and where appropriate young people and staff will plan these events together.

Staff will consult and gain advice and knowledge from those in the wider community who have particular knowledge about ethnic or cultural groups to ensure that appropriate advice, guidance and support is available to support the children.

Pocket money, clothing and savingsAll our young people are provided with pocket money every week. Additional monies can also be earnt through good behaviour and achievements and forms part of our behaviour modification/ reward system.

All young people are encouraged to save, and the company also provides weekly savings that is kept for their future.

Clothing money is allocated monthly for young people to purchase new clothes as they need them, and guided by staff, but encouraged to make their own choices.

Money for toiletries, haircuts to care for their personal hygiene and raise their self-esteem and self-image is provided every month and is mobile phone credit to also keep them safe.

Staff at Walmer House will welcome all children/young people into a warm and friendly environment.

They will make sure that all young people’s health needs are catered for and in line with the recommendations from their care plan. Walmer House will support and encourage the young people to attend all their regular health checks and regular attendance to checks with the dentist and opticians. Staff will encourage and educate all young people to eat a healthy diet, get regular sleep and stay active.

All young people placed are registered with a local GP, dentist, and optician within five days of being placed. Other health needs are catered for within the local health authority provision. Any specialist service required can be accessed, as and when deemed appropriate, in consultation with the relevant parties.

Doctor Cedars Surgery24 Marine Rd, Walmer, Deal, Kent CT14 7ND01304 373341

Dentist Pennypot Dental 234 Dover Road, Walmer, Deal, Kent CT14 7NE01304 800096

Optician Specsavers Opticians13 High Street, Deal, Kent CT14 7AA01304 382420


Promoting health care and therapy

Staff will actively encourage young people to take an interest in their own health and well-being, offering guidance, support, and advice where appropriate. Issues such as smoking, substance abuse, low self-esteem (that can result in self-harming), and sexual health will be raised and discussed as appropriate to the individual needs of the young person. Smoking is not allowed at Walmer View, this will be actively discouraged, those young people that arrive who are already smoking will be provided with help, support and guidance to attempt to wean them off of smoking, this will be done in consultation with health care professionals and smoking cessation clinics.

Mental Health First Aid – (MHFA)Here at Walmer House there is a member of staff that is trained in “Mental Health First Aid” this is to provide advice, assistance and guidance to staff in working with the young people. Our MHFA aims to provide an insight and understanding, enabling staff to be kept informed about emotional/Mental Health problems, learning disabilities, autism and others on the spectrum. The purpose of this type of training is to provide carers with the tools to be able to support and develop individuals who may have emotional or mental health issues/conditions, to become resilient, self-reliant and as independent as possible within a warm and encouraging environment.

Therapy We believe that therapy is not just the one or two sessions per week administered by qualified therapists but that it is the way in which we work with our young people on a daily basis that provides the foundation of a “therapeutic” ethos, culture and a secure base.

All qualified therapeutic interventions such as psychotherapy is carried out by a practitioner registered, and holding a current recognised qualification, verified as valid with the awarding body or relevant register.

A therapist will be available to meet with all our young people as and when required, and in-house therapeutic supervision for staff takes place throughout the year, to assist in supporting the staff in their care of the young people, to discuss the impact their behaviours may have upon them, and teaching them different coping strategies and ways to manage challenging behaviours.

Back on Track Children Services SE Ltd sub-contracts individual therapy sessions to qualified and recognised therapists after the appropriate checks and references have been fully undertaken and recorded. Part of this process includes such things as who provides the individual therapists with their professional supervision, insurance etc.

Additionally, on appointment Back on Track Children Services SE Ltd will put in place a service level agreement with the therapists detailing the requirements of the therapy that is being commissioned along with how the effectiveness of this therapy is to be monitored moving forwards.


Promoting sexual health and PSHESexual health and education is a vital element in preparing young people for their lives, now and in the future. Factual information about the physical aspects of sex, although important, is no more important than a consideration of the qualities of relationships, family life and of values, standards and the exercise of personal responsibility. These affect individuals and the community at large. Therefore, whenever sex education arises, moral issues will be dealt with objectively along with medical issues, but not necessarily in the same session.

A sexual Health professional will be sourced when required and will talk to young people about sexual health and relationships, and staff will also encompass this in their key working sessions where appropriate.

Promoting Contact between children/young people and their families and significant others

“Research has shown that where contact between parents and extended family is promoted (where appropriate) that fewer breakdowns of placement occur and children and young people benefit from these experiences.”"Patterns & Outcomes in Child Placement" (Department of Health)

Contact should be viewed not only as face to face meetings but by telephone calls, letters and young people within Walmer House have access to these facilities. The home provides a comfortable sitting room that is used for the young people and their guests, who are made to feel welcome, and provided with light refreshments. We are conveniently close to a local railway station and can arrange hotel or guest house accommodation for visitors who may wish to stay overnight.

Appropriate friendships are encouraged, therefore young people can invite friends into the home if planned and agreed by the homes manager.

At Walmer House we both welcome and actively encourage parental and extended family contact whenever appropriate, provided the young person or other young people resident’s safety and well-being is not compromised in anyway. We are able, in conjunction with the social worker to make arrangements on behalf of the child for such visits, and will both escort and facilitate supervisedcontact visits if required

Child Protection and Behaviour management polices

Safeguarding Walmer House we aim to:

Protect and ensure safety of all children and young people from harm Promote children/young people’s health or development


Positive Relationships

Protecting children and Young People

ensure all young people are growing up in an environment and circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care

provide a plan of action to address and enable all children to have the best outcomes.

“Child protection is the activity undertaken to protect specific children who are suffering, or are likely to suffer, significant harm.”(Safeguarding children and young people and young vulnerable adult’s policy. Ofsted. February 2015)

All staff at Walmer House receive appropriate safeguarding training every year, making sure they are aware of safe caring practices and the reporting procedures that need to be followed. The registered manager has undertaken the Designated Safeguarding training, and Kim Twyman is the Designated Safeguarding Lead for Walmer House.

All incidents, disclosures and complaints are recorded and reported to the necessary external agencies and professionals as a matter of procedure, to safeguard the young person in question.

Working together with all involved in the care of each young person provides a holistic approach to their care. Good communication practices amongst the staff team and outside professionals is imperative in the safeguarding and positive placement of any young person in our care.

All day to day aspects of care are risk assessed, to ensure any possible risk to the young person have been removed or identified and support or preventative measures have been implemented.

The home operates a zero tolerance to bullying, coupled with high ratios of staff, has boundaries in place to provide structure and a safe environment to protect the young people from harm.

Bullying

Back on Track Children’s Services SE Ltd. has a zero-tolerance approach to bullying and take this very seriously; this is outlined verbally to the young people when they first arrive, and they also receive a copy of the anti-bullying procedure within their children’s guide.

Young People are encouraged and supported by staff to keep Back on Track Children’s services SE Ltd. free from bullying and are encouraged to speak up if they are being bullied or know someone who is. As with safeguarding, the staff member’s relationship with the young people is essential in terms of disclosures of bullying and also the likelihood that both bullies and victims will accept support and help from staff.

Where a bullying incident or claim occurs, it is thoroughly documented and investigated by staff. The staff work hard to ensure that appropriate action is taken, and the right support is put in place to help the bully and the victim explore why it happened and how to avoid it happening again.


https://www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/

We also access support from external agencies such as the Anti-Bullying Alliance to offer support to young people as and when needed.


Reinforcing positive behavioursRewards Walmer House actively promotes good behaviour and believe all young people have the right to live in a happy and relaxed atmosphere. Positive behaviour is rewarded and the staff promote this by rewarding positive behaviour through set targets and reward systems. When targets have been met, the young person is rewarded with their agreed choice of monthly or weekly rewards depending on their preference and what works well for them.

Rewards and target setting is used as a positive reinforcement of boundaries where rewards can be also be gained for achievement. This is the preferable alternative to consequences where a loss of privilege is used to address negative behaviour.

Consequences It is our aim is to reinforce the leaning of achieving positive outcomes with reward and celebration for positive achievements and behaviour. When rules are broken, positive use of consequences will reinforce this. The young people will be involved in formulating consequences for their behaviour. All rewards and consequences will be recorded and made available to be viewed by inspectors, social workers, regulation 44 visits and will also be regularly reviewed by the homes manager.

The systems in place also reveals patterns of negative or risk-taking behaviour, if they arise, and once identified, the problematic areas can be built into and addressed, in the young person’s Placement Plan (PP).

When consequences are necessary following incidents of unacceptable behaviour, they are undertaken in a thorough professional manner and the young person’s individual needs and problems will be taken into account. A de-brief or 1-1 discussion when possible will also be carried out with the young person to gain their thoughts and views and an opportunity to discuss strategies to prevent these behaviours in the future.

Consequences if used must be: -

Appropriate to the situation and particular needs and understanding of the young person.

Very clear as to what it is for and whenever possible given and served within a reasonable time of the behaviour occurring.

Consistent throughout the staff team for similar or related incidents. Seen to be fair and discussed with the young person. Recorded on the sanction log and agreed upon by the homes Manager. Financial reparation must be a token amount, and deducted from pocket

monies for only a limited period.

Positive Physical InterventionIt is part of our duty of care to provide children and young people with adequate levels of control and to keep them “Safe from harm” as far as is “safely” and “legally” possible. This statement suggests that we must always justify any physical interventions when the need occurs.


Physical Intervention will only ever be used as a last resort to prevent: - Injury to self Injury to others Destruction of property

It is our belief and practice that restraint is the last option to be used when dealing with children and young people.

We intend to use the approach of control and restraint and provide regular training and refresher courses held by outside professional and accredited trainers to ensure staff remain up to date and competent.

Staff employed by Back on Track Children’s Services SE Ltd attend compulsory training in Control and Restraint. Staff are not to undertake any form of restraint if they have not been fully trained. Regular refreshers are undertaken by staff to ensure they remain fully up to date and competent.

Surveillance (door alarms, security camera, light systems)Walmer House has a surveillance camera that has visible access to the front of the house and the car park and additionally covers the back garden. Along with security lights which are situated outside the building the purpose for this is to help safeguard the young people living here.

The home also has installation of door alarms on each of the young person’s bedrooms. This is discussed with the local authorities for each young person placed at Walmer House and agreement is fully documented should the individual need of the young person require these to be activated, this will be fully risk assessed.

If the door alarm system is decided that it is appropriate to be used, once the young person is settled at night staff use a pager/buzzer system which sounds when a bedroom door is open, and this alerts staff. All young person are made aware of this system and that staff will attend to them through the night, this is used as part of a package of safeguarding measures that are individually tailored

to the young people.Registration and InspectionWalmer House is registered, regulated and inspected by Ofsted.Unique Registration Number: 473404

Their address is:OFSTEDPiccadilly GateStore StreetManchester M1 2WDTel: 0300 123 1231Fax: 0300 123 3159Email: [email protected]: www.ofsted.gov.uk

Children’s Commissioner for England


Leadership and Management

Anne LongfieldThe Office of the Children’s CommissionerSanctuary Buildings 20 Great Smith Street London SW1P 3BT Tel: 020 7783 8330https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/

Regulation 44 Independent Visits and Inspections:Vicky WillsEmail: [email protected]: 07813 838188

Registered ProviderRegistered Provider: Back on Track Children’s Services S.E Limited

The Responsible Individual: John McDonald-BakerJohn has spent the last 28 years working in Children’s Residential Social Care, as a Manger/Responsible Individual and as a Freelance Consultant undertaking Regulation 33/44 Independent Visitor reports on Residential Children’s Homes across the South East of England and further afield.

John owned a highly successful Therapeutic Community that was held in high regard by Social Workers and Placing Authorities, providing Residential Childcare, Education, Specialist Fostering Services Training and Early Years Settings, until he sold the company in December of 2009 to pursue his freelance consultancy business.

John is continually being asked to help and support many childcare organisations across the country to help them improve their services and the outcomes for the Children and Young People living there and in turn the organisations “Ofsted” gradings. John has continually developed himself personally over the years, a great deal of knowledge and skills with transferable attributes to support homes in the most challenging of circumstances and now looks forward to being the Responsible Individual for Back on Track Children’s Services SE Ltd.

John has experience across the board from children from as young as five up to and including adolescents living in residential care. He is a former foster carer providing long term placements to mainly siblings groups that were described as “difficult to place” with complex needs. These were young people who themselves were victims of profound neglect, sexual, physical and emotional abuse.

As part of his consultancy business he also conducts the Regulation 44 visits at a number of homes across the South East of England and in the East Midlands areas and has developed a good insight into the organisations and their working


practices, establishing highly effective and positive professional relationships with all the people he works with.

Her has provided consultancy services over the years to Back on Track, so joining the Company now as their Responsible Individual feels the most natural thing to do.

Contact details are c/o Walmer House185 Dover RoadWalmerDealKent CT14 7NBTel: 01304 367706

Registered Manager: Kim TwymanKim has been working in social care for over 34 years, and during this time has cared for children of all ages, diverse in their background experiences, needs and ability.

She has over 14 years’ experience in a management role which has also included managing a home specialising in caring for children and young people with Autism and learning difficulties.

She has received training in ‘facilitated communication’ which has also included ‘widget’ and ‘Makaton’, and has also been a designated safeguarding officer, so utilises these skills to protect children and is able transfer previous skills to offer various channels of communication.

Kim is passionate about providing a nurturing and secure base for all children and young people placed, and is also a strong advocate in making sure all the young people’s needs are met and ultimately the best outcomes for them are achieved.

Contact details are Walmer House185 Dover RoadWalmerDealKentCT14 7NBTel: 01304 367706Fax: 01304 37225

Safer recruitment of staffWalmer House is selective in the staff group recruited to work within the home. This is essential both to ensure quality of care service, protection for the young people and promoting the ethos and values of the company.

Walmer House ensures that there is a high staff ratio to support and meet the needs of the young people at all times and also have additional staff member on call for additional support.


The nature of the problems and difficulties exhibited by the young people require a level and competence gained only through experience and training, which are enhanced by regular staff supervisions and on-going in-house training.

The home is set up to accommodate up to five young people. The staff team work on a shift rota basis ensuring a high ratio of staff which meets the individual needs of the young people accommodated in Walmer House, taking into account experience, gender and cultural requirements.

Walmer House’s recruitment policy outlines our recruitment procedures. In summary, however, all care staff applying to work with Back on Track Children’s Services SE Ltd undergo a rigorous screening process before an offer of employment is made. This includes: -

CV & Detailed written application 2 stage Interview process involving dynamic scenarios Identification verification (Birth Certificate, Driving Licence etc.) DBS check (enhanced) Written references as well as verbal verification

A list of the current staff team employed at Walmer House is shown in Appendix 1 at the end of this document All qualifications and training is included.

Staff development- training and supervisionOn joining Back on Track Children Services SE Ltd at Walmer House, each member of staff will be allocated someone to support them throughout their induction and probationary period. It is a requirement that Management team and inductee meet regularly on an individual basis. Members of staff who are in their probationary period are expected to meet with their supervisor every two weeks. In addition, each member of staff is expected to attend regular staff meetings.

All staff at Walmer House will receive regular monthly supervisions, these will focus on the issues and responsibilities specific to the individual and will be evidenced by the recording forms used during supervision. Supervisions will include discussions regarding the needs, care and development of the young people placed at Walmer House any areas specific to their key-child.

Staff’s competence, progress, training, and development points are discussed and recorded. Staff development will be guided by staff achieving their individual needs and targets, identified in regular supervisions and annual appraisals. Walmer House have a policy of on-going and regular staff training.Walmer House have a policy of on-going and regular staff training.

We use a combination of online mandatory training to keep staff compliant and face to face training provided by experts in their own remits. Walmer House also identifies and implements specific training to ensure that the needs of the team are met to be able to meet the individual needs of the young people placed, providing them with a better insight and understanding of behaviours, conditions and techniques.


Supervision can also highlight a required training need, as a result of care practices and testing competencies. All staff have an individual Personal Development Plan to address their specific learning needs.

Staff structure The hierarchal structure of the home is very straightforward. The Responsible Individual, oversees, monitors and supervises the Registered Manager in the running of the home.

The Registered Manager has overall responsibility for the operation and function of the home.

The Registered Manager’s working week will be based on the office routine of Monday – Friday, 09.00hrs - 17.00hrs. However, the Manager will work the required hours to ensure the smooth running of the home. It is expected that the Registered Manager will be based at Walmer House for their working day.

The staff team consists of a Deputy Manager, Senior RSW’s and RSW’s. The Deputy manager will oversee the home in the absence of the Registered Manager.

The remaining team members will be allocated specific roles and responsibilities within Walmer House, in line with their standard job description, in order to promote the development of their role and to ensure the smooth running of the home.

There is an out of hours on call system in place, and delegated amongst the Registered Manager, Deputy manager and Responsible individual.

The management structure ensures that there is a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), available on call at all times, the services current DSL is Kim Twyman.


Staff team structure


Registered Provider:Back On Track Services

SE

Responsible Individual:John McDonald-Baker

Registered Manager:Kim Twyman

Deputy Manager;Nicola Kent

Senior Residential Support Worker:

Kingsley Hird

Residential Support Worker:

Tommy Atkins


Wendy Grice


Lisa Sinclair


Hanna Bowley

Residential Support Worker:Vacancy

Residentail Support Worker:Vacancy


Chloe Fowler


Vacancy

Office Manager:Sophie Reid

Admission of children and young people to the home, including emergency admission, stages of referral and our matching process. Applications from Placing Authorities for placements at Walmer House are made via the homes Management team. There is a detailed procedure, which will be followed for every admission whether planned or emergency/same day placements.

Referrals are considered from any Local Authority, when it is felt that the home, can meet the specific needs of the young person.

The young people referred will often be experiencing personal, social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. The young people may also have a Statement of Special Educational Needs.Stage 1 – Initial ReferralA placement enquiry is received. The enquiring Placing Authority will send a referral form to the homes manager who will then complete an initial response and placement match form and request further information from the placing authority if required

Stage 2 – VisitIdeally, the placing social worker should visit Walmer House together with the young person. If this was not possible, then the Registered Manager would, where able, would arrange to visit both the young person and the referring Social Worker at the existing placement.

It must be accepted that this is not always convenient, in which case it is essential that the placement match and risk assessments have been completed, giving due consideration to the most recent, comprehensive information provided by the local authority.

Stage 3 – Information gatheringIt is at this stage that a decision is made on offering a placement. The Director, Responsible individual and the Registered Manager make this decision. For a planned placement, it may at this stage be possible to offer the intended resident the opportunity to have an integration package, which will include a visit and an overnight stay.

To enable a full and detailed Individual Placement Plan (IPP) to be prepared if a placement is deemed appropriate, the Registered Manager, gathers relevant information. This will be from a variety of sources, i.e. recent placement/s, parents, social worker, Police, youth offending team, psychiatric reports, LAC, previous placement, school, and education reports.

Each young person’s IPP will contain the following, tailored to meet the individual needs of the young person: -

Placement Objectives Behaviour Management Plan Risk Assessments Boundary Agreements


Care Planning

Contact Arrangements Education Health

Each young person’s IPP is developed with the placing social worker at the initial planning meeting, which should take place within five days of the placement commencing. However, an interim plan will be formulated using all available information, (the initial response document) for the staff to work with for the first few days prior to this meeting.

All relevant parties including the young person where possible must agree with the plans put in place, and should indicate this by signing the document, which is then placed in the young person’s file.

Walmer House will require the placing authority to provide all of the following documentation: -

Placement Information Record Looked After Child Care Plan LAC Health Assessment Record Signed Medical Consent Contact details/arrangements for family and significant others.

This information will include any health issues, and prescribed medication the young person may require.

Stage 4 – AdmissionUpon admission, the young person is welcomed into Walmer House, introduced to peers and staff and given a tour of the home. They will be shown to their room and helped to settle in, personalising it as much as possible.

They will be given a copy of the Children’s Guide, and they would be supported by staff to read this. This will give them essential information about the home.

It is normal to follow a routine, which is set out in the guide, as are house-rules, complaints procedures, and issues around bullying.

They will also be supported in completing an inventory of belongings and making safe provision for valuables.

If any medication is brought with the young person, it must be checked and details written up on a Medication Administration Record (MAR sheet), which will be kept in the file. The medication will be locked away for safe keeping until it needs to be administered, unless there is agreement that the young person is able to self-administer under risk-assessment.

A young person’s wishes/requests will be sought with relation to their care planning, likes dislikes, menus and activities at the earliest opportunity.

Emergency AdmissionsWalmer House offers a 24/7 service for 365 days of the year and at any time, dependant on the needs of the child. The home will consider as a preferred option planned placements, however, other consideration can be given to same day/emergency placements once a full review of the impact this may have on the children currently placed takes place. It is the aim of the referrals team and


home’s Manager to ensure that all required LAC information is gathered prior to admission, although it should be understood that this is not always possible and while it remains a priority a delay in the arrival of this paperwork can occur.

Back on Track Services SE Ltd will ensure that a placement planning meeting will be booked within 72 hours/five working days of admission, Social Workers will be informed that failure to attend this meeting may result in the placement being terminated.

As a minimum, the following information will be required at the time of placement:

Contact arrangements that may be permitted between the child and his/her parents, siblings, relatives and friends – no contact may be allowed without the approval of the social worker, in writing or set out in the child’s Placement Plan meeting)

A copy of the child’s LAC Health Assessment Record or, if this is not available, details of any health care or medical needs/requirements that the home should be aware of e.g. Home Remedies or medication that the child may require and signed medical consent.

Copies or information relating to any Court Orders that may be required or influence the child’s placement e.g. if the child is subject to a remand.

The person administrating this process will keep a record of the matters that are not undertaken and pass this information to the reviewing officer at the emergency review, so that they can be followed up.

Young People AccommodatedReferrals will be considered for young people of either gender between the ages of 8 to 17 upon admission. However, there are instances when a young person stays over the age of 18, due to a suitable placement not being identified in time. Risk assessments will be undertaken to address the management of risks associated with the care and accommodation of those aged 18 and over and ensure this does not adversely affect the care of those under 18. Accommodation is available for up to four young people, at any one time of either gender, the number of people living here at Walmer House will not exceed five.

The selection criteria and placement match carried out upon referral for each young person will include careful consideration of the needs and displayed behaviour of any existing resident/s.

MatchingA placement matching criteria and risk assessment will be undertaken prior to a placement being offered. Consideration will also be given to the ages of the young person to be placed, as in most circumstances it would be preferable not to have an age gap in excess of four years between the youngest and eldest young person. Due to the size and design of the home, it would not be deemed appropriate for young people with significant physical disabilities.

The needs of the other young people are also discussed at this stage, taking into consideration the impact of another young person’s needs will have upon the young people already resident, the identified behaviours, staffing ratios and if the staff have the skill set to manage these and possible additional staff training to support this placement.


The following Walmer House Policies Behaviour Management Child Protection- Safeguarding children and young people Complaints and Concerns

Can be located in the Policies file within Walmer House.

Should you require a copy of any or all of these policies, a written request can be made to our Head Office, the details of which are as follows:

For the attention of the Responsible Individual/ Registered Manager: -

Back on Track Children’s Services SE LtdWalmer House, 185 Dover Road, Deal, Kent CT14 7NBTel: 01304 367706

John McDonald-Baker – Responsible IndividualEmail: [email protected]

Kim Twyman – Registered ManagerE-mail: [email protected]

Katie Smissen – Registered ManagerE-mail: [email protected]


Walmer House Polices

mailto:[email protected]



Appendix 1

Walmer House - Staffing Structure

Name Position Date of Birth DBS Check Start Date Qualifications Relevant

Experience Training

John McDonald-Baker

Male

Responsible Individual

05.03.1965 21.10.2015Registered with

the update service

20.10.2018 D32, D33, D34 Awards. V2 External Verifier NVQ - Strategic

Management Level 5 Advanced Care

Management 325.3, NVQ level 4 in care. Licenteship of City & Guilds

in Management, Health & Social Care

Fellow of the Institute of Leadership and Management

Graduateship in Management from City & Guilds.

NVQ Level 5 in Learning and Development

Diploma in Teaching n the Lifelong Learning Sector – Level 5

Canterbury Christchurch University Certificate is Residential Social Worker

+ Many others

John started Lynstead Children’s Services in 1991 and has developed it from one unit up to a group of four homes, 2 schools, nursery schools and a City & Guilds training provider, until selling up in December 2009 after almost twenty years.

Has been an approved foster carer for the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames for fifteen years.

I have been a local education authority governor and a parent governor of another school as being appointed as chair of governors when the school was put into special measures and led the governing body to get the school out of special measures.

John has completed various internal as well as external training courses and to list them all would be unrealistic however this is a sample.First aid, fire training, health & safety, child protection, physical intervention, manual handling, stress management, supervision, Foster care training, business management, finance, marketing, Investors In People, health & hygiene, sex and relationships, promoting health, Disciplinary Proceedings, Performance Management & Conflict Resolution Workshop, Team Teach, Team Teach Refresher, Autism Awareness, Psychodynamic Thinking, Risk Assessing Young People and Activities; Whatever – Supporting young people’s self-esteem, Working with Young People that Self-Injure. Values, rights and principles of social care, Medication


Refresher, Placement Planning and Evaluation

Kim Twyman

Female

Registered Manager

21.08.67 05.11.14Registered with

the update service

21.02.13 Diploma Level 5 in Leadership for Health and Social Care and Children and Young People’s Services – Children and Young People’s Residential Management.

NVQ Level 4 in Leadership and Management

NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care – Children and Young People.

Prior to employment with Back on Track Childrens Service Kim had 30 years’ experience of working in the care sector with adults and children. Kim has been working with Back on Track Children’s Services since 2013.

All mandatory training has been completed, please see enclosed list included in SOP. Kim has also completed Recruitment training, designated safeguarding lead training

Nicola Kent

Female

Deputy Manager

14.07.67 07.12.17 08.01.18 Diploma Level 5 in NVQ Leadership for Health and Social Care and Children and Young People’s Services – Children and Young People’s Residential Management.

NVQ 4 in Health and Social Care – Children and Young People.

NVQ Level 3 in caring for Children and Young People.

Nicola has worked in residential childcare since 2002, 8 of those year in a deputy manager position. Nicola was employed by Back on Track Services in 2018 with a view to becoming Deputy Manager which is the role she is currently carrying out.Nicola also has experience working in a care setting with adults.

All mandatory training has been completed, please see enclosed list included in SOP.

Kingsley Hird Senior Residential

01.04.77 16.10.18 24.04.13 Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce.

Prior to employment with Back on Track Services, Kingsley spent

All mandatory training has been completed, please see enclosed list


Male Support Worker

a year working with young people in a residential setting. Kingsley has worked for Back on Track Services since 2013 and in that time has been promoted to Senior Residential Support Worker.

included in SOP.

Chloe Fowler

Female

Senior Residential Support Worker

22.11.88 10.12.18 23.04.12 Enrolled on Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce. .

Chloe spent 4 years working in the care sector with adults. Chloe has worked for Back on Track Services since 2012 and in that time has been promoted to Senior Residential Support Worker.


Vacancy Senior Residential Support Worker

Wendy Grice

Female

Residential Support Worker


Prior to working for Back on Track Services Wendy had 10 years’ experience of working in the care sector in a senior role, with both adults and Children. Wendy has been employed by Back on Track Services since 2015 as an RSW.



Thomas Atkins

Male



Thomas has been working with children and young people in a residential setting since 2015


Lisa Sinclair

Female



Previous to working at Back on Track Children’s Services Lisa had 10 years’ experience in the care sector at management level, working with both children and adults. Lisa has been with Back on Track Children’s services since 2011, which she does on a part time basis alongside community work with the elderly.


Hanna Bowley

Female


14.08.96 31.10.18 26.11.18 Will be enrolled on Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England) following probation period.BA First Class Honours in Health and Social Care.

Hanna is new to the care sector, but has carried out some work experience in a school setting and has spent time in New Zealand as an Au Pair.


Vacancy Residential Support Worker

Vacancy Residential Support Worker


Terms and ConditionsWritten 01.11.2010 Last Reviewed 29.01.2019 Review Due 29.01.2020

1) Placing authorities and/or their appointed representatives will be deemed to have accepted the following terms and conditions upon reserving or effecting a placement.

2) Fees are reviewed annually and will normally be in line with inflation. Any increase will be notified in advance.

3) Payment is required monthly in advance.

4) In the event of emergency placements, placing authorities will be invoiced weekly in arrears. Placements will only be deemed "Emergency" until 28 days from the client child's arrival date, and will thereafter be invoiced in accordance with 3 above.

5) A reservation payment of 50% of the basic fees is required from the date that a placement is officially reserved, until the client child's arrival.

6) If following one week a child who is placed either as a planned admission or as an emergency admission is not in mainstream education for whatever reason, Back on Track Childrens Services SE Ltd. reserve the right to provide education and invoice the placement at the rate indicated in our fees.

7) Back on Track Childrens Services SE Ltd. reserve the right to fix a date for the 28 day after placement statutory planning meeting to include the client child's Social Worker who will attend, if the Social Worker has not already arranged within the first three weeks of placement the date for the said statutory meeting.

8) Back on Track Childrens Services SE Ltd. are committed to working through problems with children and young persons, but in the unlikely event that a child has to move, Back on Track Children’s Services Ltd will attempt to give 28 days’ notice to ensure that such a move can be carried out in a planned manner.

9) Four weeks’ notice or fees in lieu are required to terminate a placement, except in the case of emergency placements up the first 28 days.

10) Our fees include refreshments for visitors to the child or young person, but do not include accommodation. Accommodation for visitors, where requested by the placing authority can be arranged by us with the use of local guest houses. In such cases the actual cost will be invoiced to the placing authority.

11) CLOTHING - PLANNED PLACEMENTS - It is expected that children or young persons placed as part of a plan will be adequately clothed. The basic fees include an element to maintain the child's clothing at this level. In the event that the child or young person’s clothing is below an acceptable level on placement, we reserve the right to negotiate an initial, clothing grant.

12) CLOTHING - EMERGENCY PLACEMENTS - Often a child or young person placed in an emergency will be inadequately clothed. In such cases Back on Track Childrens Services SE Ltd. will negotiate with the placing authority for an emergency clothing grant.

13) Responsibility for expensive possessions such as bikes and games consoles are at the individuals own risk, we advise the local authority/parents to take additional insurance for such items.


14) Additional staffing such as one to one/two to one that is being provided, 28 days’ notice in writing must be given for the withdrawal of such additional services due to staff rostering.

Reviews, amendments and updates to the Statement of Purpose

Date Information Updated Date Ofsted notified15.01.201

9Complete Review of the Statement of Purpose, change of Responsible Individual, staffing list added in Appendix 1

Emailed - 15.01.2019

30.01.2019

Added Back on Track’s updated and revised Terms and Conditions. Emailed – 31.01.2019

10.03.2019

Added further information about Bullying Emailed – 10.03.2019


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