Welcome to

WOODEND HOUSE

Part of

Achieving Goals Together

YOUNG PERSON’S HANDBOOKThis book belongs to:

_________________________________

Contents P g 1 . What is Woodend House?

P g 2 . Meet the staff

P g 3 . How does it all work? How can I progress in the placement?

P g 4 . House Rules

P g 5 . What about School

P g 6 . Consequences

P g 7 . Earning Money

P g 8 . Your files & Information

P g 9 . Routines

Pg 10. Smoking, Drinking & Drugs

Pg 11. My medical Information

Pg 12. What to do in case of a fire

Pg 13. What if I feel like running away?

Pg 14. What is bullying & How do I deal with it?

Pg 15. What is abuse?

Pg 16. Got an idea?

Pg 17. Want to make a complaint?

Pg 18. Useful Contacts

Welcome to

WOODEND HOUSE

Part of

Achieving Goals Together

YOUNG PERSON’S HANDBOOKThis book belongs to:

_________________________________

Woodend House has been set up to work with and support young people aged 12-18. We work with young people who haven’t had a fair deal and want to support them to try and make things that bit better.

As everyone wants something different, Woodend House work with young people on the things that are most important to them. It might be getting out more, making new friends, completing their education, getting a place to live when they leave care, sorting out family problems or money worries, dealing with stresses or the things that fry your head etc.

We do this by providing a ‘family’ environment that is safe and positive and gives young people the opportunity to express themselves and develop. Everyone makes mistakes but we are here to help you learn from them and move on.

At Woodend House, your future is in your hands. The house can be whatever you want it to be. We want you to enjoy your time with us at Woodend House as this is the next step in your life as you progress towards independence. To begin with, we will focus on getting to know you so we can help you with emotional support, keeping safer, training and education and being a good housemate/family member.

We won’t just give you a room and a key and leave you to it! Through living at Woodend House, you can get experience of all the responsibilities that come with living in your own place but with direct support from staff as you would get in a family home. You will learn new skills which will prepare you for the future. You will be encouraged to make new friends, try new things, achieve everything you can, and most importantly have fun doing it.

WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO?Get used to my new home and the people that

live and work there ensuring that I speak to people respectfully;

Manage Routines (Cleaning/Washing/Bed time/Phone times);

Cook myself and staff a meal at least twice a week.

REWARD / ACHIEVEMENTLater TV times before bed;

Later use of my phone;Build up trust with staff to up my free time;

Have friends from school round to the house on an evening and weekend.

WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO?Read and sign media devices contract

(Staff can help explain this);Complete training course with staff on e-safety

and risk of CSE;Keep myself safe online and tell staff if I'm in

trouble or something has happened.

REWARD / ACHIEVEMENTAllowed longer out on free time to meet my

friends; Summer Holiday for 2 weeks to St. Lucia with

my family;Attend parties with my friends from school and

cricket.

WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO?Study hard and achieve the best grades I can in

my mock exams;Manage my TV time sensibly and realise that if

Im tired I sometimes get in a bad mood;Continue to take care at parties and gatherings

with my friends with alcohol etc.

REWARD / ACHIEVEMENTAll night TV to manage myself on a weekend or

during school holidays;Later use of my mobile phone everyday;

Flexibility with going out with friends, can ring and ask to go out after school for example.

WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO?Get myself a part-time job and prove that I can

stick at it;Keep using my free-time well, meet up with my

friends and organise these trips;Speak to staff regularly about how Im feeling

and if I am struggling with family, work or school.

REWARD / ACHIEVEMENTManage own TV all the time;

Manage own Phone all the time;Access to free time when required;

Stop overs at my friends houses.

WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO?Study hard and achieve the best grades I can in

my exams;Work with staff and my teachers to pick the A-

level's I want to do;Build up contact with my family, staying for

longer periods of time and managing difficult situations I come across in a mature way;

Stay out of trouble!!!!

REWARD / ACHIEVEMENT

Use of house WIFI for personal devices;

Greater amount of trust with staff when using my phone and devices;

Having full use of my camera phone.

WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO?

Be back at the time I have told staff or inform them if I won’t be;

Show a willingness to earn my own spending money or to contribute towards

things that I want Speak to Staff if I am struggling with

anything, either in the home or at school.

HOW WILL I PROGRESS AT WOODEND HOUSE?What is Woodend House, and What Can it Do for Me?

Woodend House has been set up to work with and support young people aged 12-18. We work with young people who haven’t had a fair deal and want to support them to try and make things that bit better.

As everyone wants something different, Woodend House work with young people on the things that are most important to them. It might be getting out more, making new friends, completing their education, getting a place to live when they leave care, sorting out family problems or money worries, dealing with stresses or the things that fry your head etc.

We do this by providing a ‘family’ environment that is safe and positive and gives young people the opportunity to express themselves and develop. Everyone makes mistakes but we are here to help you learn from them and move on.

At Woodend House, your future is in your hands. The house can be whatever you want it to be. We want you to enjoy your time with us at Woodend House as this is the next step in your life as you progress towards independence. To begin with, we will focus on getting to know you so we can help you with emotional support, keeping safer, training and education and being a good housemate/family member.

We won’t just give you a room and a key and leave you to it! Through living at Woodend House, you can get experience of all the responsibilities that come with living in your own place but with direct support from staff as you would get in a family home. You will learn new skills which will prepare you for the future. You will be encouraged to make new friends, try new things, achieve everything you can, and most importantly have fun doing it.

WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO?Get used to my new home and the people that

live and work there ensuring that I speak to people respectfully;

Manage Routines (Cleaning/Washing/Bed time/Phone times);

Cook myself and staff a meal at least twice a week.

REWARD / ACHIEVEMENTLater TV times before bed;

Later use of my phone;Build up trust with staff to up my free time;

Have friends from school round to the house on an evening and weekend.

WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO?Read and sign media devices contract

(Staff can help explain this);Complete training course with staff on e-safety

and risk of CSE;Keep myself safe online and tell staff if I'm in

trouble or something has happened.

REWARD / ACHIEVEMENTAllowed longer out on free time to meet my

friends; Summer Holiday for 2 weeks to St. Lucia with

my family;Attend parties with my friends from school and

cricket.

WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO?Study hard and achieve the best grades I can in

my mock exams;Manage my TV time sensibly and realise that if

Im tired I sometimes get in a bad mood;Continue to take care at parties and gatherings

with my friends with alcohol etc.

REWARD / ACHIEVEMENTAll night TV to manage myself on a weekend or

during school holidays;Later use of my mobile phone everyday;

Flexibility with going out with friends, can ring and ask to go out after school for example.

WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO?Get myself a part-time job and prove that I can

stick at it;Keep using my free-time well, meet up with my

friends and organise these trips;Speak to staff regularly about how Im feeling

and if I am struggling with family, work or school.

REWARD / ACHIEVEMENTManage own TV all the time;

Manage own Phone all the time;Access to free time when required;

Stop overs at my friends houses.

WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO?Study hard and achieve the best grades I can in

my exams;Work with staff and my teachers to pick the A-

level's I want to do;Build up contact with my family, staying for

longer periods of time and managing difficult situations I come across in a mature way;

Stay out of trouble!!!!

REWARD / ACHIEVEMENT

Use of house WIFI for personal devices;

Greater amount of trust with staff when using my phone and devices;

Having full use of my camera phone.

WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO?

Be back at the time I have told staff or inform them if I won’t be;

Show a willingness to earn my own spending money or to contribute towards

things that I want Speak to Staff if I am struggling with

anything, either in the home or at school.

SCHOOL:If you are going to be attending Kirby Moor School then you will be expected to do lessons in the morning and afternoons – just like any other school! Unlike other schools, class group sizes in KMS are much smaller and this will make sure that you have more time together with your teacher, and they can help you with anything that you may be struggling with so you don’t need to get frustrated. The level and content of the subjects will be based around your needs. You will work for qualifications which will support you in doing whatever you want to do when you leave school, so aim high and we will help you to get there!

You will have careers advice and be offered work experience towards the end of year 10 and we can help you to find college courses, apprenticeships or work places in your local area should you be looking to move home.

At School, you will have a Personal Education Plan (PEP). This will mean a plan tailored to suit you where we link education to what you do in the home or your targets of what you want to achieve. This enables your local authority and us as carers to know what your wishes are for school and jobs in future and do everything we can to make sure that you get there!

LOOK AFTER MY ROOM AND MY BELONGINGS

RESPECT THE HOME AND EVERYTHING IN IT. THIS IS

YOUR HOME AND YOUR STUFF, SO LOOK AFTER IT!

BE POLITE AND RESPECTFUL TO OTHER PEOPLE, WHETHER THEY

ARE MY FRIENDS, PEERS OR STAFF

While there will be rewards for your achievements (which are normally agreed with your key-worker) it is important that you are also aware that there will be consequences for behaviour that is negative, unreasonable and or unacceptable. We will review each incident independently as there may be reason’s you are struggling and you may be just looking for a little more help and support.

Each consequence will depend on what action you have taken and will vary in severity. This will be the same at home as well as in school. If you deliberately damage property for example, you will be expected to pay reparations to meet a proportion of the cost of repairing or replacing it. You may also be grounded. At school, you may receive a detention if you fail to do your homework or misbehave or are disruptive. If you commit an unprovoked assault, the Police will be contacted immediately. All actions have a re-action.

We don’t expect anyone to be an angel all the time, everyone makes mistakes and we are here to help you to learn from them and find a different way of facing up to problems. We do expect you to be respectful to others, to try your best to stick to the basic rules of the home and to keep yourself safe even if others are trying to lead you astray.

YOUR Pathways or Placement Plan FILE:When you first join North Lakes Children’s Services, a Placement Plan or Pathways file will be created for you which will contain, a placement plan, risk assessments, behaviour management plan and all the other little bits of information which as carers we need, to enable us to look after you properly. This also helps us to see and show other people how well you are progressing and shows up any areas of your life where you might be struggling and where we may just be able to help. Here are a few important things you should know about your files and just remember if you have any questions, just ask:

o You can add your own comments and feedback to your file. It represents you, your needs, your wants, your progress with NLCS and is designed to support you and to guide staff to support you during your stay.

o Your key-worker should show you your file to you and give you time to read it. They can then explain and help you to understand anything that you’re not sure about. You can ask to see your file at any time.

o You will be expected to sign off certain sections of your file to acknowledge that you have seen your file, read it or at least been given the option of reading it.

o There is no restricted section in your Placement Plan or Pathways file. There is an archive file and you can request to look at this, however you will have to ask the House manager who will need permission from your social worker or other professionals before you go through this one.

o Information about you and much of the information currently in your file will be kept for

POCKET MONEY & TOILETRIES

Pocket money is issued on a weekly basis, every Friday. This is signed into your monies box and you can sign this out whenever you are ready. You are then responsible for this, but staff can support you if you wish. If you’re under 15 it’s £4.50 a week and for over 15’s it’s £5.00. If for whatever reason you have reparations (If you have damaged or broken something and are paying this money back) part of this may be taken out of your pocket money. You will also receive £20 per month to buy toiletries with. Again this is signed into you monies box and is yours to spend on shower gels, shampoo, and whichever other hygiene products take your fancy.

CLOTHING

You will get a clothing allowance every 3months for you to buy new clothes. This is £150. Out of this money you need to firstly get all your essentials like boxers, socks, T-Shirts etc. before you go splashing the cash on expensive track suits and trainers. Primani is often the best bet for these items. Staff can support you with this shopping even if it’s just to carry your bags, or if you are feeling a bit more independent, once you have built up some free-time you can go and ‘shop til you drop’ on your own or with friends.

Your Uniforms for school including basic black pumps are provided by us but are then your responsibility to look after and clean and iron. Staff will be happy to help with this though as long as you show you are making an effort. We will help you gain the skills to wash and iron all your clothes. You should not borrow, lend, buy or sell clothes to other young people.

EARNING EXTRA MONEY

There are a variety of jobs you can do around the house to earn extra money, such as cleaning the car, hoovering, dusting, cleaning the kitchen etc. The amount you can earn is listed on the young person’s notice board in the kitchen where you can also sign up for each job.

If you want to earn extra money beyond this or want a part time job outside of the home (eg. paper-round, shop assistant), then staff can help you to arrange this either by helping you produce a CV and visiting the job centre etc. or by helping you to contact local businesses and seek work opportunities.

YOUR Pathways or Placement Plan FILE:When you first join North Lakes Children’s Services, a Placement Plan or Pathways file will be created for you which will contain, a placement plan, risk assessments, behaviour management plan and all the other little bits of information which as carers we need, to enable us to look after you properly. This also helps us to see and show other people how well you are progressing and shows up any areas of your life where you might be struggling and where we may just be able to help. Here are a few important things you should know about your files and just remember if you have any questions, just ask:

o You can add your own comments and feedback to your file. It represents you, your needs, your wants, your progress with NLCS and is designed to support you and to guide staff to support you during your stay.

o Your key-worker should show you your file to you and give you time to read it. They can then explain and help you to understand anything that you’re not sure about. You can ask to see your file at any time.

o You will be expected to sign off certain sections of your file to acknowledge that you have seen your file, read it or at least been given the option of reading it.

o There is no restricted section in your Placement Plan or Pathways file. There is an archive file and you can request to look at this, however you will have to ask the House manager who will need permission from your social worker or other professionals before you go through this one.

o Information about you and much of the information currently in your file will be kept for

All North Lakes Children’s Services buildings are smoke free. This includes the staff! Smoking is not allowed in communal parts of the building (in the offices, stores or at the front or back door). If you see any staff member breaking these rules, please inform your house manager. NLCS has a zero tolerance on young people smoking when in our care. If you are a smoker when you arrive, once you are enrolled at the local doctor’s surgery, an appointment will be made to get you the help and support required to give up smoking.

Taking drugs, including medication that is not prescribed for you, and underage drinking are all against the law. We work with each young person on an individual basis if this is an area which you have struggled with in the past. We will help to identify the support you need accessing local drug and alcohol support services and guide you through this every step of the way.

This is what your routines will look like in your placement plan, so when you want to have a look at them or any of the other information in there, just ask a member of staff.

Upon arrival at Woodend House, your keyworker (_________) will go through with you the routines you will be expected to undertake during the course of a day. This isn’t as bad as it sounds! It is simply getting yourself up, showered and dressed by a certain time. Letting you know what time you will have meals, plan activities for the week etc.

This just means that you will know what is expected of you within the home and the school. Once you have had this chat your keyworker will put the routines together into a plan and put them into your placement plan in your main file.

We know that you won’t always be able to stick to this and when you need to change the plans sometimes, that’s ok as long as you check with staff first. Once you have completed tasks for certain times of the day, you are free to get on with whatever else you are wanting to do.

The quicker you are able to adapt to the routines and boundaries of the home, the sooner you can move on to much more important things like building up free-time and the chance to be more independent.

‘Free time’ is basically time away from the staff to manage by yourself. This could be meeting mates to go to the cinema or around the shops for example and demonstrates to staff and yourself how responsible and trustworthy you can be.

Routines & Planning

THE BASICS:

When you move into Woodend House you will be registered with the local doctor, dentist & optician. We also have our own nurse, Ydell, who will support you in attending appointments and see to your medical wellbeing. She will also do a routine check when you arrive to make sure you are fit and healthy.

You can make an appointment to speak with Ydell if you have any questions that she can help you with. If you are feeling unwell at anytime, then inform a member of staff straight away, they will make sure you see the doctor if needed. All staff here at Woodend House are trained in basic first aid and are trained to administer homely remedies such as paracetamolor ibuprofen etc. So if you’re unwell, don’t worry, you are in safe hands.

EXERCISE & DIETStaff will encourage you to maintain a good, nutritional diet. You will contribute to the weekly menu for the house and help with the shopping each week to help you learn about healthy foods and calorie contents etc which can be found on the packets when shopping.

You will be encouraged to cook for yourself and others in the house and will also be encouraged to get out and enjoy sports clubs. There are a variety of clubs and general activities right on our doorstep at Woodend House, be it rugby, cricket, the gym, cycling or football.

Smoking, Drugs and

Alcohol

Upon arrival at Woodend House, your keyworker (_________) will go through with you the routines you will be expected to undertake during the course of a day. This isn’t as bad as it sounds! It is simply getting yourself up, showered and dressed by a certain time. Letting you know what time you will have meals, plan activities for the week etc.

This just means that you will know what is expected of you within the home and the school. Once you have had this chat your keyworker will put the routines together into a plan and put them into your placement plan in your main file.

We know that you won’t always be able to stick to this and when you need to change the plans sometimes, that’s ok as long as you check with staff first. Once you have completed tasks for certain times of the day, you are free to get on with whatever else you are wanting to do.

The quicker you are able to adapt to the routines and boundaries of the home, the sooner you can move on to much more important things like building up free-time and the chance to be more independent.

‘Free time’ is basically time away from the staff to manage by yourself. This could be meeting mates to go to the cinema or around the shops for example and demonstrates to staff and yourself how responsible and trustworthy you can be.

If you discover a fire, break the fire alarm panel nearest to you and shout for help!

DO NOT TRY TO TACKLE THE FIRE YOURSELF!

Evacuate the building immediately, quickly and quietly without shouting or running.

If the alarm sounds at night, wrap up warm and follow the other children and young people outside the building.

Listen to the instructions from the staff with you and quietly follow their instructions

Close all doors behind you

Do not stop to collect your things or go back inside for them.

Wait at the fire assembly point in the front garden by the trees

STAY CALM!IF YOU HEAR THE FIRE ALARM GO

OFF, STAY CALM AND FOLLOW THESE SIMPLE INSTRUCTIONS

WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF A FIRE……

There will be a fire evacuation practice each month. This is to ensure that everybody knows how to leave the premises quickly and safely. This also tests that all the fire alarms and equipment is working properly should there ever be an emergency.

MEDICAL

INFORMATIO

RUNNING AWAY….. WHAT HAPPENS IF I RUNAWAY (Go Missing)?

The staff will look for you by searching the grounds and buildings, and asking the other lads if they have seen you and or why you might be upset, scared, anxious etc…..

One of the staff will travel by car around the local area to try and find you, to help and to ensure that you are safe;

Other staff will try and call you on your mobile so you have someone to talk with whilst we come to get you;

Staff will talk to you to try and find out why you ran away and try to help you if they can;

Everyone is different and will have different agreements about when police would get involved, so it’s better to talk with staff and at least let them know you are safe and well;

If you do not return and staff can’t get in touch with you and or speak to you and you can’t be located then the staff will start the missing person procedure.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON’T COME BACK?

If after the agreed time specifically set out for you, you have not been found, the police will be called;

Your description and what you are wearing will be given to them over the telephone; Your parents and social worker will be informed that you are missing or absent; The police will come to the Home to ask your friends if they know why you have run

away and where they think you might be or might be going; Your photograph will be given to the police.

HOW WILL I BE TREATED WHEN I RETURN?

Firstly we will make sure you are safe and well, and ask if you need and or want anything, like, a shower, food, medical help, to speak with someone who will help you settle again;

If the police bring you back, they will probably want to talk to you about what happened and offer their help, if staff bring you back the police will still want to come and check that you are back safe and will and see if they can help you;

They will speak to a senior member of staff and again offer their help to try and stop it happening again, and or get you the help you might need;

Your parents, family, special people in your life and social worker will be informed that you have returned;

Staff will work with you to complete a return home de-brief, this allows us to try and help you, so that you don’t go missing again, and keep you safe;

We may need to have a meeting with the people who care for you to make sure we are doing everything we can for you.

If you discover a fire, break the fire alarm panel nearest to you and shout for help!

DO NOT TRY TO TACKLE THE FIRE YOURSELF!

Evacuate the building immediately, quickly and quietly without shouting or running.

If the alarm sounds at night, wrap up warm and follow the other children and young people outside the building.

Listen to the instructions from the staff with you and quietly follow their instructions

Close all doors behind you

Do not stop to collect your things or go back inside for them.

Wait at the fire assembly point in the front garden by the trees

You might be being bullied when a person or persons do any of the following to you:

o Physical:

Pushing, Hitting, Pinching, Spitting, Biting, Punching, and any other forms of

violent behaviour;

o Verbal:

Name calling, Constant Teasing, Abusive Texting or Mobile phone calls;

o Emotional:

Teasing, Making embarrassing comments, Picking on features of appearance;

o Cyber Bullying:

Online abuse, Trolling, Harassment.

What is bullying?

o Deliberate hostility and aggression towards a person;

o Feeling upset and distressed when involved in general interactions with others;

o Repeated abusive or aggressive behaviour towards another person.

What should you do if you are being bullied?

o If you feel that you can, tell a member of staff or someone that you trust, speaking to someone can often stop a problem feeling so big. If you are happy for them to do so, the staff member can then take action on your behalf.

What happens next after you’ve told someone?

o The staff will try to deal with the situation straight away to make sure it stops and will not tell other pupils,

o Staff will speak to the person who has been bullying you in a way that ensures you are not seen as a ‘tattle tale’ or ‘grass’ *

o The bullying log will be completed and given to the registered manager and the child protection officer**

o The child protection officer will talk to you, give you support and make sure you are alright, and your parents / guardians will be informed.***

What will happen to the person who has been bullying me?

The person will be seen by the staff you told about the bullying and by the registered manager. The person, if a

pupil, will be given a bullying sanction. If it is anyone else, it will be dealt with by the registered manager.

*, **, ***If it is a staff member who you feel was bullying you the registered manager will inform your Social worker and

investigate, this may lead to disciplinary proceedings if found to be upheld.

Got a bright idea? Then tell us, if you don’t tell us we can’t make changes and improve your home and the service we provide. If you are unhappy with the support we are

providing we need and want to know. If a worker is not meeting your needs as agreed, is not completing the tasks they have agreed to do with/for you, is rude or disrespectful toward you, or if you feel they are behaving inappropriately then you need to let us know. Remember you have the right to make a complaint. The complaints procedure is in this booklet and is also displayed on the pin board. You can use the Complaints or Ideas forms that are in the laundry or speak to any member of the care team.

COMPLAINTSIn Woodend House, the complaints box is located in a discreet place in the laundry above the sink. It is there so children and young people who do not want to tell someone face to face what the problem is but want staff to help them can use the box. You can also give a friend permission to write out the complaint for you. All you have to do is write on a slip of paper or a complaints slip what the problem or concern is and put it in the box, it’s as simple as that.

Reasons why people complain:

If you feel you have been unfairly treated;

If something bad had happened when you were younger but it is still worrying you;

If you are being bullied;

If you feel you are being badly treated at home;

If you feel you are not receiving enough support;

If you’ve had someone steal something from you;

If you feel you are not being looked after properly;

If you feel you have been put in danger.

What happens after you have made my complaint?

The complaint will be passed on to the complaints officer who is the registered manager;

If you feel your complaint is a very serious one then you can go straight to the complaints officer who will give you all the help you need;

Any complaint will be dealt with straight away and will take no longer than 7 days to resolve;

Your parents / guardians and social worker will need to be informed;

You will have verbal feedback from the complaints officer;

Depending on the seriousness of the complaint the child protection officer will inform the child protection team, your social worker, local education authority, Ofsted and the police.

What happens next?

Who can I talk to?

Everyone experiences problems or difficulties in their lives at times and it is important that you feel you have someone to talk to. All of these people are here to support you:

Your Key-worker;

The Manager;

The Care staff;

Parents or Guardians;

Social Worker;

A teacher, LSA or Head-teacher;

Talking to people outside of the house or company;

Should you need or want to contact anybody from outside of the company some of the numbers you might want are listed to the right.

We have a named advocate Service for you to speak to. An advocate is a person who does not work for the home but are there to listen and support in any concerns you may have.

The Independent Reviewing Officer is the person who ensures that children looked after by the Local Authority have regular reviews to consider the care plan and placement. It is the role of the Independent Reviewing Officer to ensure that your views are taken into consideration and that the Local Authority is providing appropriate care for you.

The children’s rights officer is an independent officer who you can speak to if you don’t feel you are being treated properly by your social worker or here at Woodend House.

Who to call: Tel/Text Number:

NYAS – Independent Advocate: Call 0800616161 orText 07773334555

Social Worker: Find number in your placement plan.

Reviewing Officer: Find number in your placement plan.

Children’s Rights Officer: Call 0800528073

Childline: Call 08001111

Samaritans: Call 0152461666

OFSTED: Call 03001231231

Bullying UK Helpline: Call 0808 800 2222