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The Brambles

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Reviewed By: Linzi Sim & Kerry Morley

Ofsted Unique Reference Number:

Date Completed: 22nd Feb 2018

EAT

SLEEP

LEARN

ACHIEVE

NURTURE

DREAM

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CARING FOR CHILDREN

1. A statement of the range of needs of the children for whom it is intended that the children’s

home is to provide care.

2. Details of the children’s home are ethos, and the outcomes that the children’s home seeks to

achieve and its approach to achieving them

3. The arrangements for enabling children to enjoy and achieve, including how the children’s

home promotes their participation in cultural, recreational and sporting activities

4. The arrangements for supporting the cultural, linguistic and religious needs of children

accommodated in the children’s home.

5. The arrangements for promoting contact between children and their family and friends.

6. A description of the children’s home’s approach to consulting children about the quality of their

care.

7. A description of the children’s home’s policy and approach in relation to—

(a) Anti-discriminatory practice in respect of children and their families; and

(b) Children’s rights.

8. A description of the accommodation offered by the children’s home, including—

(a) How accommodation has been adapted to the needs of children cared for by the children’s

home;

(b) The age range, number and sex of children for whom it is intended that accommodation is to

be provided;

(c) The type of accommodation, including sleeping accommodation

9. A description of the location of the children’s home.

10. Details of the children’s home’s policies for safeguarding children, preventing bullying and the

missing child policy.

11. Any criteria used for the admission of children to the children’s home, including any policies

and procedures for emergency admission.

12. The arrangements for dealing with complaints

CHILDRENS BEHAVIOUR

13. A description of the children’s home’s approach to the surveillance and monitoring of children

accommodated there.

14. Details of the children’s home’s approach to behavioural support, including information

about—

(a) The children’s home’s approach to the use of restraint with respect to children

accommodated there;

(b) How persons working in the children’s home are trained in the use of restraint and how their

competence is assessed.

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CONTACT DETAILS

15. The name and work address of—

(a) The registered provider (including details of the company owning the children’s

home);

(b) If nominated, the responsible individual;

(c) If applicable, the registered manager.

EDUCATION

16. Details of provision to support children with special educational needs.

17. Where the children’s home is dually registered as a school, details of the curriculum provided

by the children’s home and the management and structure of the arrangements for education.

N/A

18. Where the children’s home is not dually registered as a school, the arrangements for children

to attend local schools and the provision made by the children’s home to promote the

educational attainment of children.

HEALTH

19. Details of any health care or therapy provided, including—

(a) Details of the qualifications and clinical supervision of the staff involved;

(b) Information about—

(I) How the children’s home measures the effectiveness of its approach; and

(ii) The evidence referred to by the children’s home to demonstrate the effectiveness of its

approach, and how this information can be accessed.

STAFFING MATTERS

20. Details of the experience and qualifications of staff working at the children’s home, including

any staff commissioned to provide education and health care.

21. Details of the management and staffing structure of the children’s home, including

arrangements for the professional supervision of staff employed at the children’s home, including

staff that provide education or health care.

22. If the staff working at the children’s home are all of one sex, or mainly of one sex, a description

of how the children’s home promotes appropriate role models of both sexes.

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Welcome to The Brambles this statement of purpose is written in accordance within

the regulatory requirements of the Quality Standards for Children’s Homes 2015 and

the Children’s Home Regulations 2015

There are a number of references made to the home’s policies and procedures within

this document and these can be read in conjunction with this statement of purpose. The policies

and procedures are available in full at The Brambles or upon request.

A copy of this statement is provided to Ofsted and is also available to:

Each person who works at The Brambles.

Each young person provided with accommodation at The Brambles.

All Parents or person(s) with parental responsibility of any young person provided with

accommodation at The Brambles.

The Local Authority or placing Authority of the young person who is provided with

accommodation

Regulation 4.2A - where a children’s home has a website, the registered person shall ensure that a

copy of the statement of purpose is published on that website unless the registered person

considers that such publication would prejudice the welfare of children cared for in the children’s

home.

A copy of the Statement of Purpose can be found at www.eslandcare.co.uk/our-homes however

this can be reviewed at the discretion of the Home’s Manager and where this may conflict with

the placement of a young person within the home this document may be removed from the

website. Any web version of the document may have restricted content and alternative contact

details to ensure that confidentiality is maintained in respects to any young person placed in the

home.

CARING FOR CHILDREN

1. A statement of the range of needs of the children for whom it is intended that the children’s

home is to provide care.

The Brambles provides care and accommodation for a maximum of 3 young people with Emotional

and Behavioural Difficulties, including but not exclusively mild to moderate learning disabilities, Child

Sexual Exploitation risk factors, sexualised behaviours, non-compliance with education, self-harm,

aggression and young people engaging in pro-criminal behaviours. The Brambles will aim to look

after young people aged between 10 and 17 years on arrival however young people under 10

years old will be considered subject to a robust impact assessment being completed on them. Any

young person turning 18 and requiring a short term extension will also be considered in partnership

with Ofsted.

At The Brambles we focus on the young person’s experience in the home. We offer a happy,

homely, safe, nurturing and stimulating environment for all the young people to help them aspire to

and achieve their full potential. We aim to support young people to develop and maximise their

Independence and social skills whilst having the opportunity to reflect on their past, learn to develop

self-coping and regulation strategies and remain safe.

We provide highly personalised care to help young people feel safe and positive. We have a staff

team who are motivated, passionate and committed to working with young people and pursuing

the best outcome for each child

We want young people to have a place which offers them a unique experience where issues and

concerns which have affected them can be addressed positively and where they can progress to

new heights. The young people placed at The Brambles are assessed on their individual needs and

the support given is tailored to their need as no two young people are alike. This may be in their

educational learning, socialising, or emotional needs.

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Working together with each young person, those significant to them and other

professionals we endeavour to enhance each young person’s level of self-esteem by

creating and maximising safe opportunities, in which they learn, develop and

achieve.

We believe that to make life long changes we have to give young people the tools and support

which enable them to move forward into adulthood

Our principle of working from a child centred perspective is focused around placement plans which

will inform future planning. Where it is possible, we aim to achieve the best and desired outcome for

any young person such as family reunification or working towards independence.

The Brambles will also accept referrals, which once matched to the home, may need a short

break where the young people go out on an Esland Adventure. This is a maximum of a four week

outward bound activity based camping program based in various locations of the High Peak,

Derbyshire, Staffordshire and Nottinghamshire dependent on the opportunities and how these

best can be matched to the skillset of the young person. When a referral is received for the

Esland Adventure, the manager looks at the matching process and completes an impact risk

assessment. If the referral is considered to be a match to The Brambles, they will be admitted to

the home and the bed that they are assigned to will become theirs. The young person will then be

taken out on activity break with staff to give them the opportunity to break the cycle of behaviour

or as part of integration in or out of the home. Whilst the young person is on the camp, the

manager carries out weekly visits and provides an on call process for the staff.

Esland Adventure can be used as introduction and planned admission to the home, the young

people are supported by 2:1 staffing and go out to give them the opportunity to prepare for their

placement, break the cycle of behaviour that they are experiencing and environmental Therapy

that can help to break down and stabilise negative cycles of behaviour including Challenging

Behaviour and Aggression, Drug Abuse, Gang Culture and Child Sexual Exploitation. As a

minimum we would provide an assessment as to what the young person needs to assist with

placement searches. The young person would be staffed 2:1 and have a full timetable of different

activities each day throughout the program.

An example of the activities which form the activity based program include Rock Climbing,

Mountain Biking, Caving, mountaineering, bush-craft canoeing and Kayaking amongst many

others. The young people will also be taught survival and self-care skills such as finding shelter,

cooking and building a fire (where appropriate) helping them to achieve personal development

and improve their self-esteem.

2. Details of the children’s home’s ethos, and the outcomes that the children’s home seeks to

achieve and its approach to achieving them.

Our ethos rests on an overall purpose of the Esland Group, which is to ensure that all Looked after

Children have a continuing and enduring sense of permanence through which their social,

emotional, health, and educational needs are being met. In other words that they benefit and

achieve in the underpinning values of ESLAND. These are to

Eat, Sleep and feel healthy;

Learn and benefit from support in their education and to achieve educationally. We support

all young people to attend the best possible educational provision for them.

Achieve success in their lives; that they make a positive contribution within their group or the

community; and they achieve the financial resources to sustain this throughout their adult

lives.

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Nurtured and supported to develop an understanding of their risks, their

behaviours, where they are in their care pathway and how they will progress

through the road to Resilience which is Esland’s Care Pathway for all young

people placed with us.

Dream and aspire, to achieve their dreams, goals and wishes. To give them a sense of identity

and self-worth in all that they do.

Our ethos at The Brambles is an ethos which promotes the development of meaningful

relationships between staff and young people based on the core values of mutual respect and

good parenting. We pride ourselves on respecting the values of privacy, dignity, independence,

choice, rights and fulfilment for all young people.

All staff at The Brambles seek to improve the life opportunities of young people. We are

committed to providing young people with a positive and nurturing environment where they are

able to achieve outcomes in all aspects of their lives.

Staff seek to provide a positive and unique group living experience, allowing young people to

develop relationships, build and develop social skills and enable young people to feel

empowered and feel included within the wider community. However the size of the home does

mean that there is ample opportunity for young people to have time alone should they wish. By

limiting the number of young people at any one time to 3 this allows staff to create a family

atmosphere and to devote individual time to young people.

At The Brambles young people are actively encouraged and supported to influence their care

and the way the home is run. Regular consultation with young people takes place and every view

point is considered. Staff endeavour to meet the requests and suggestions of young people in a

positive manner and where this is not possible we ensure that the young people are clear about

the reasons why and how compromise can be reached.

All staff will be encouraged to have an active awareness of each young person’s identity, having

great consideration for their racial, cultural, religious and dietary needs. Young people placed at

The Brambles have the same rights as all in society and we will endeavour to create an

environment where the young people feel they are valued, respected and have a place in

society. Staff will actively act as advocates for young people where they feel they may have

been discriminated against or treated unfairly outside the home. Young people are also

encouraged to seek the support of an advocate external to the home and this would usually be

sourced from the local authority placing the young person.

We endeavour to show sensitivity in practice, especially when dealing with personal issues of

young people. We aim to provide young people with a platform where they are able to talk

through their problems and where we are able to support them in gaining viable options to deal

with their concerns.

We are strong believers in care planning and will ensure that young people have up to date

placement plans and reviews which will track the young person’s progress throughout their time

with us. We will ensure that the provision young people receive is the most appropriate and it

meets health, education and social needs of each young person.

All Young People at The Brambles will be actively encouraged to share and influence the day-to-

day routines and practices within the home through a variety of means, including their own

Young person’s meetings and individual keyworker sessions. The home strives to look at both the

individual and collective needs of young people. Young People will also be given the opportunity

to actively engage in, and influence the planning and delivery of a wide variety of leisure

activities which may include holidays both abroad and in the UK.

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Staff at The Brambles will use a range of techniques for managing young people’s

behaviour based on the avoidance of punitive measures in reaction to negative

behaviour(s), so that young people have opportunities to understand and learn from

their actions. Positive feedback, reward and praise are considered the cornerstone of all the work

we do with young people and staff ensure that any positive achievement is noted and

celebrated with the young person and any other key people in their life.

Overall aims of the home and objectives to be attained are:

To offer care of the highest quality to young people based on their individual care needs.

To provide security and stability for young people in the care system.

To provide good role models based on robust surrogate parenting.

To provide age-appropriate routines and activities to encourage young people to develop

their social skills, and to maintain existing practical skills, whilst learning new ones.

To devise a comprehensive and individualised placement plan to meet the young person’s

physical, personal, social, psychological/emotional, behavioural, cultural, spiritual,

communication and health care needs.

To promote the active and positive presence of young people within their local community.

To empower young people to exercise choice.

In order to achieve these aims, the home will provide:

A safe and ‘homely’ environment.

A child-centred approach with their wishes, views and feelings taken into account regarding

all aspects of their care.

The development of a multi-skilled and highly trained staff team, following rigorous and

stringent recruitment procedures.

The effective management and supervision of the staff team.

The provision of an effective key worker system.

The use of effective placement planning and risk assessment.

Consistent approach to rules and boundaries, through appropriate and reflective rewards

and consequences.

The encouragement of positive relationships and investment in the placement, from all

people involved in the welfare of the young person.

3. The arrangements for enabling children to enjoy and achieve, including how the children’s

home promotes their participation in cultural, recreational and sporting activities.

Participation in recreational and sporting activities is promoted here at The Brambles. Participation

in activities is seen as a way to channel negative energies, learn new skills, develop a level of

fitness, develop social skills, teamwork and confidence and achieve positively.

We would like young people to be able to participate in activities which are beneficial to their

development but also enhance life opportunities and develop their abilities and talents. In the

early stages of the young person’s stay activities will be based around what they like to do and in

what they have been successful.

Any special interests will be catered for, especially if these have been a feature in their lives prior

to admission. We want young people to continue to flourish in their strengths and build on their

areas of improvement. Young people will always be encouraged to try new, different and

challenging experiences, as we believe this will not only support them in the present but also the

future.

We will support young people to not only take part in local based activities but also support the

young people to partake in their own cultural activities whilst supporting those they live with to

also share in the experience. We believe that our young people can help other young people to

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develop understanding about diversity and the home will actively promote a variety

of special occasions.

We also want young people to have experience in different cultures and will plan trips

and holidays which will enrich the young people’s understanding of the world we live in. On a

weekly basis the young people will be encouraged to participate in both individual and group

activities. Young people are encouraged to pursue their own interests such as horse riding, singing

or whatever their interests may be. We want young people to build on their talents but learn that

they may have hidden skills. We will encourage young people to partake in groups such as youth

clubs and will actively work alongside a number of organisations who promote young people’s

rights.

As the young person begins to move towards leaving The Brambles, activities start to become

tailored to their future placement or future income. It is seen as important that the young person

might begin to enjoy activities that are realistic for them to develop and continue into their future.

The home will also work its own in-house programmes with young people to offer them better

options to move forward in life. The young people are encouraged to learn and develop

independent skills which involve house chores, food preparation and cooking, learning budgeting

skills along with in-house activities of art and crafts board games and quizzes.

Religious and cultural activities will be identified normally through the care planning process. All

religious and cultural activities important to the young person and their family and will be

vigorously researched and thoroughly supported by the staff team and all young people will have

their own Equality and Diversity plan.

4. The arrangements for supporting the cultural, linguistic and religious needs of children

accommodated in the children’s home.

We believe in promoting identity and we will always take into account the racial, religious and

cultural and linguistic needs of young people when determining how we will meet their needs

throughout their time with us. We don’t only do this because it is a requirement of law we do it

because it is our own personal belief that all young people are cared for in a child focused

manner. We are committed in establishing a group living community within the home which is free

of prejudice and which has an understanding and tolerance for difference. We believe in sharing

experiences because we have all learnt from others at some point in life.

A young person’s cultural background is fundamental to their identity and as such needs to be

maintained and encouraged. Staff at The Brambles will support all young people with learning

about diversity and the importance of understanding others who have different backgrounds and

different language.

Some of the ways staff will support young people to appreciate difference is by:

To promoting young people’s cultural and linguistic identity and giving them a

platform to share their experiences with others.

To give young people positive images of their identity

To prepare young people for the society in which they are growing up in

To learn about and share ideas of not only the young people’s cultures but staff and

other wider cultures.

When any young person is placed in the home, the staff team will identify ways in which it can

actively maintain and develop a young person’s cultural preferences. We will do this by:

Finding out about foods that the young person may like to eat (special dietary

requirements)

Finding out about essential cultural customs, like hair and skin care

Finding out about the rules of specific religious observance

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Staff will research and Involve themselves and the young people in areas

which reflect the young person’s heritage

Encourage young people to keep contact with members of their original

community and to introduce you to them – where this is appropriate.

Learn about the historical foundations of the young person’s culture and share these with

the young people

Run numerous special occasions and events involving the young people in the planning.

Staff will support the young person in their linguistic needs.

Staff will assist the young person to obtain language support where and when required

Staff are trained in equality and diversity. Staff will act in a professional and courteous manner

being aware of their own mannerisms whilst also examining their attitudes to ensure that they role

model positive behaviours to young people on acceptance of diversity and promoting equality

within the home.

5. The arrangements for promoting contact between children and their family and friends.

All children will have individualised contact agreements as per their care plan, legal status and risk

assessments, and these will be facilitated by the home. All young people are provided with

practical support and encouragement to have contact with family members, friends or other

important significant people in their lives, provided that these arrangements have been discussed

with the placing authority, detailed in the care plan and are safe for the young person to have

contact with. The home promotes and facilitates all contacts whether this be via telephone, visits,

letters or electronically. Staff will ensure that contact is arranged and facilitated in the manner

most appropriate and responsive to the needs of the young person. Regular communication with

placing authorities regarding restrictions (old or new) will be evidenced and recorded. Staff at The

Brambles will work and encourage building good relationships with the parents and carers of

young people in the home. We believe that this allows for a greater level of support for young

people where relationships with their family can be or have been problematic.

Staff will always support contact where this has been the view of a young person and shall support

the contact by ensuring it is well planned and works for all concerned parties. In order to build on

positive relationships the home encourages young people to invite family and friends for meals

and on special occasions providing this does not intrude on other young people residing in the

home.

6. A description of the children’s home’s approach to consulting children about the quality of their

care.

At the home, children and young people are encouraged to take an active part in running the

home and are asked for their views and opinions regularly. Young people have access to

keyworkers, advocates and independent visitors. The Brambles provide a homely, family

environment and offer our young people the chance for their voice to be heard.

Consultation will be taken on the following issues

Decisions affecting a child’s or young person’s future

Any decision affecting a child’s or young person’s rights.

Choices about daily living that the child or young person can participate in such as their

choice of diet, fashion, entertainment etc.

Their choice of key worker

Changes in the way the home is run and managed.

The decoration and furnishing of their personal space

Leisure activities they would wish to participate in.

Young people participate in the recruitment process of staff and this can be in the means

of them developing questions for the interview, meeting potential candidates and setting

them practical tasks. The home values the opinions of young people when selecting staff.

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Consultation with young people can be formal and informal some of the ways

consultation will be carried out are:

Children’s and young person’s meetings, which will be held regularly and

the minutes given to the Home Manager for their attention.

The children and young people will be made aware that they can discuss any issues

with any staff member throughout the week, if the need arises.

They will have access to complaints forms at all times and a complaints box will

feature in the home, so that they can share their views in private.

LAC reviews -young people will be consulted for thoughts and ideas and asked to

attend

Placement plans - young people will be consulted in creating placement plans.

Placing authorities, children and young people along with their families will be

consulted by the home when any changes to the operation of the home are made.

Regular contact will be maintained with placing authorities.

Young people’s questionnaires as to gain their views on the day to day living at the

home

Esland will employ an advocate or translator should the need arise

The home encourages young people to make use of the advocacy service provided

to them through their placing authority

All young people will be made aware of the contact details for and the role of the

Children’s Rights officer

At Esland, we recognise the importance in effective consultation in sourcing the views and wishes

of children and young people in relation to their care and the offer of such to them.

Opportunities within the monthly manager’s audit

The Regulation 44 report that is completed monthly by an independent person

The Regulation 45 completed twice a year. There are some direct questions in these around

the quality of care offered in order to enable the author of the report to gain a realistic

perception of the care offered at the home.

House meetings

Young People’s consultations

Feedback forms

They will have access to complaints forms at all times

LAC reviews -young people will be consulted for thoughts and ideas and asked to attend

Placement plans - young people will be consulted in creating placement planning booklets

Appraisals and Probation Reviews of staff

Observation Shift reports for new staff

7. A description of the children’s home’s policy and approach in relation to—

(a) Anti-discriminatory practice in respect of children and their families; and

(b) Children’s rights.

Staff at the home recognise and acknowledge that all young people have both general needs as

a teenager and specific needs as an individual with a unique personal history and culture. The

home is opposed to discrimination in any form. To this end, the staff team is instructed to work

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vigorously to prevent discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, nationality, ethnic

or social origin, language, culture, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability,

political or other opinion, birth or status. There is a varied and diverse team employed

at the home which is reflective of the local area and which is representative of the local

demographics. There are also a balance of both males and females employed at the home.

Staff are committed to maximising the young person’s potential. Any discrimination by young

people or adults, no matter how subtle, will be challenged. Should staff witness any discrimination

towards any young person by another member of staff, they will be expected and encouraged to

challenge this and raise this with the Manager. Should this involve the Manager, the employee

should raise this with Kellee Jones, The East Regional Director, Donna Francis the East Deputy

Regional Manager, Linzi Sim, the Responsible Individual and Chief Operating Officer, Pete Buller the

Managing Director or Christie O’Connor, Quality & Compliance Manager East, the staff can also

contact Kate Morris Head of Human Resources for advice or support. Staff are made aware of the

whistle-blowing policy during induction and are advised that they can contact Ofsted as a route

for complaints if they have had concerns raised within the organisation and they have not been

taken seriously. Staff are encouraged to promote the rights of young people who may wish to make

complaints by assisting them in whichever way the young person wishes, including assisting the

young person to frame the complaint and pass on that complaint to the appropriate body. Young

people do not have to write a complaint on a complaints form for it to be taken seriously, there

needs to be a culture of recognising grumbles/complaints/concerns and staff advocating on

young people’s behalf’s to have these addressed.

All young people placed at The Brambles have the right to:

To be heard and to exercise choice.

To be treated with dignity and respect.

To have appropriate education and leisure time.

To be protected from harm.

To access appropriate health support

To receive individual and appropriate care that is suitably risk-assessed.

Staff at The Brambles will actively promote and advocate for care plans to be drawn up and carried

through to meet each young person’s educational, religious, cultural, linguistic and dietary needs.

In all cases decisions will be made that promote the best interests of each individual young person

over and above any interests of the company.

The Brambles operates a strict policy on anti-discrimination and endorses a range of external

organisations, which are against forms of bullying, harassment and inequality. All staff are required

to adhere to this policy whilst promote the values of the home and of the organisation in ensuring

young people are free from prejudice and are able to exercise their ability to be themselves. Our

staff team will not judge or treat young people and those significant unfairly or discriminate against

them.

All young people accommodated at The Brambles will be made aware of their rights and how to

access independent advocacy services, their Independent Reviewing Officer, Children’s Rights

services and Ofsted.

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8. A description of the accommodation offered by the children’s home, including—

(a) How accommodation has been adapted to the needs of children cared for by the

children’s home;

(b) The age range, number and sex of children for whom it is intended that accommodation is to

be provided;

(c) The type of accommodation, including sleeping accommodation.

9. A description of the location of the children’s home.

10. Details of the children’s home’s policies for safeguarding children, preventing bullying and the

missing child policy.

The home is registered to accommodate three young people with emotional and behavioural

difficulties aged between 10 years old to 18 years old on admission. The home can accommodate

both males and females and will consider mixed sex occupancy with appropriate risk assessment.

The Brambles will consider placements for young people experiencing issues with self-harm,

aggressive behaviour, CSE, attachment difficulties, school refusal and non-attendance, offending

behaviour, gang related behaviours and those with a history of missing from care. This is not an

exhaustive list and the home will consider referrals for any young person with an emotional and

behavioural difficulty.

Careful matching takes place for all referrals and the needs of any young person already in

placement will be considered as the priority when considering a new placement for the home. The

manager will complete an impact risk assessment in order to ensure the placement is right for the

home.

The Brambles has been consciously developed as a small three bedroom children’s home in order

to offer the young people who come to live here the maximum opportunity to live within a family

environment as close to family life as is feasible. There are a further bedrooms that accommodate

staff sleeping on the premises, with addition space for a staff office also.

The Brambles is set in a small rural village of Stathern. The home is detached and is located on a

private plot with adequate break out space and car parking facilities. There are also spacious

gardens to accommodate sports, ball games and the like.

Stathern is a small village in Melton, England. Stathern is a village and civil parish in the Melton district of

Leicestershire, England. It is in the Vale of Belvoir about 10 miles north of Melton Mowbray.

There are a wide range of leisure activities and clubs close to the village. A local youth club runs

twice weekly in the neighbouring towns catering for different age groups. There are also gyms within

and local sports clubs include Football, Rugby, martial arts and Tennis clubs in Melton to keep young

people furnished with the access they will benefit from.

There is a primary school within Stathern which the homes falls within the catchment of and the

home falls within the catchment area for Ratcliffe College in Leicester, Hollygrit School and a

number of independent schools which specialise in working with young people with Emotional and

Behavioural issues. The Priary and Place both have independent schools within a reasonable

commute to the Brambles. The home benefits from the beautiful rural location and is within easy

access to Parks and Nature reserves.

Despite its rural location Stathern has good links with local public transport with a regular bus route

and a train station with direct links to Leicester, Derby, Nottingham and Sheffield. The home provides

a safe environment in terms of criminal activity and crime rate in the area to which is minimal and

is evidenced by the location risk assessment.

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The Road to Resilience

At Esland, we believe that there are two pathways that looked after children may find

themselves on: the Road to Ruin, (where they struggle to manage themselves or their

risks) and the Road to Resilience, (where young people are supported by staff to improve their life

chances and choices). We recognize that the way young people deal with difficult situations is

often underpinned by their life experiences, which ultimately affect their level of resilience.

Providing Stability

Many young people come to reside at Esland during very challenging points in their lives and due

to these experiences; they are often unable to cope. This can mean that they react to situations

like placement moves or changes to their care package with strong, unpredictable emotions and

a sense of uncertainty. Often these emotions can cause them to lash out and present with complex

and challenging behaviors. We believe that by providing an unconditional care package that

promises to ‘never give up’ on a young person, that individual will learn to trust in their primary

carers, in the wider organization and society as a whole. Through offering this unconditional support,

we believe that this will naturally enable the young person to feel more stable and safe in their

placements. This is the first stage in our Road to Resilience - Providing Stability. When young people

feel safe, they are generally more able to adapt to life-changing situations and stressful conditions

in a safe way.

Developing Resilience

This phase is an on-going process of time and effort to engage young people in taking a number

of steps to improve their outcomes, life chances and achievements. We believe that a combination

of factors contributes to Developing Resilience. The first step is encouraging the young people to

have caring and supportive relationships within and outside their allocated placement. All Esland

homes are designed and furnished to be warm, family homes; from country farmhouses with log

burners (risk assessed!) to modern homes - our young people take pride in their environment and

enjoy having their families and friends over to visit. Alongside this, we recognize that the carer/

young person relationship should be built on love, trust, encouragement and reassurance; enabling

the young person to improve their resilience and capacity to make plans for the future. We believe

that this, in turn, encourages the young people to have a positive view of them, have confidence

in their strengths and abilities whilst also increasing their capacity to manage their behaviors and

needs.

Facilitating Transition

At Esland, we aim to provide a one-stop solution for the sector’s most complex and challenging

children and young people. We recognize that we may facilitate transition for one young person

multiple times whilst they are on the road to resilience, ultimately moving towards being a resilient

member of society. This may entail transitioning them from Esland Adventures into a Solo, then a

Dual before a final transition into a Group Home or it may be facilitating transition from a Dual Home

into Independence. Regardless of where on our Road to Resilience young people begin their

journey, we adopt a three-staged process that underpins every placement that we accommodate

within the Esland Group. This is to provide stability, develop resilience and facilitate transition. With

our range of services, we are able to provide local authorities with a long term plan which may

include step ups or step downs in relation to our services and which always have the individualized

placement needs at the center of every placement.

Regardless of the destination, we believe that any transition must be worthwhile and always in the

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best interests of the young person. Throughout our Road to Resilience we offer a high

warmth, high control behavior management model which is underpinned by an

Authoritative Parenting model to ensure the young people have the best support and

best outcomes possible to them. We do not work alone; we have excellent links with our community

partners, our clinical partners Future Minds, the Local Police and Safeguarding Boards and other

agencies to always promote a team around the child ethos.

Staff at The Brambles are proactive in assisting young people to find other solutions to difficulties

they are experiencing, and young people are offered planned keyworker sessions in which they

can discuss difficulties and alternative strategies in an attempt to channel their anxieties into

behaviours that are potentially less dangerous than going absent without authority or missing from

care. The young people are also given support to complete keyworker packs, which can assist

young people with individual behaviours such as self-harm, healthy sleeping patterns, managing

aggression and sexual health.

Notwithstanding this approach, for some young people going missing from care is one way that

they are able to manage their problems. For these young people, staff will attempt to minimise the

risks associated with this behaviour by ensuring the young person knows the risks and the potential

consequences associated with going missing from home. Staff are also very aware of the need to

closely supervise vulnerable young people. Young people will only be permitted to go out

unsupervised following agreement with the social worker and following a risk assessment. The

Brambles work very closely with the local PCSO officer and he visits the home regularly to build and

maintain positive relationships with the young people.

In terms of staff managing Runaway and Missing from Home and Care (RMFHC) the following

procedure is in place:

A recent photograph of the young person will be on file.

A placement plan will have identified the risk and management strategy for known

behaviour such as going absent without permission. Within this plan the time scale

within which the young person must be reported missing will be identified. Known

addresses where the young person runs to will also be identified along with contact

numbers for all parties with a legitimate interest in the welfare of the young person.

The attitude and mood of the young person along with their dress for the day will

have been recorded on the young person’s daily record sheet.

When it is known the young person is absent without permission, an immediate search

of the premises and surrounding area will be undertaken. Other young people in the

home will be questioned as to the missing young person’s whereabouts and possible

‘contacts’ will be telephoned.

Staff will consult the prepared documents and follow the RMFHC protocol as to who

to contact and when. This will include the police and those with parental

responsibility (social services and parent(s)) and the Manager on call.

On the young person’s return, they will not be sanctioned for going absent without

permission. Staff will ensure the young person is safe and comfortable and they will

be offered hot food and drinks, a bath and will be encouraged to discuss any

concerns that may be responsible for them going absent.

A debrief with staff will be offered and a planned keyworker session will be set up.

All parties identified will be contacted regarding the young person’s return.

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All information will be recorded on an incident form and emailed to the

local authority with responsibility for the young person. Within 24 hours a

regulation 40 notifications will be completed where there is police

involvement or a concern for the young person’s welfare.

All young people have a Missing from Care Risk Management Plan regardless of

whether this is an issue for them or not. This is completed at the point the placement

is agreed and then is reviewed following each incident or a minimum of once a

month.

The home believes that the welfare and protection of young people from abuse is of paramount

importance. The management and staff at The Brambles and across Esland work very closely with

the (LADO) in terms of prevention and resolution of safeguarding issues and the investigation of

allegations against persons employed in the home. All staff at The Brambles is recruited in line with

safer recruitment protocols and are subject to a rigorous vetting process as per the DBS

requirements.

Staff are trained in Safeguarding Children including identification of possible or

suspected abuse or the risk of harm and action to be taken in all cases of safeguarding

Staff operate in a contained environment and are able to monitor the actions of others

at all times, whilst being aware of what constitutes as both good and bad practice.

All staff at The Brambles are aware of the growing dangers involved with young people

accessing the internet and the continual improvements in commutative technologies.

Consideration is always given to the individual circumstances of particular young people

in watching or accessing social networking sites and using the internet and age

restriction software will placed on the home’s computers. Staff at The Brambles shall also

ensure that any visual content on TV or other media materials are of the suitable age to

the young person viewing them.

There is an on call system for the home which provides staff with the opportunity to

contact a Registered Manager, Regional Manager or Responsible individual at any

point throughout the evening or night.

Only the highest possible standards are acceptable from members of staff in working in line with the

organisations policies and procedures. Any allegation of sexual, physical or emotional abuse will

lead to a full investigation and, if substantiated, would lead to instant dismissal. Such dismissal will

be reported to social services, Ofsted and, if a criminal offence has been committed, to the police.

The Registered Provider / Manager will refer all allegations to the Local Safeguarding Children Board

or LADO and to the Local Authority placing the child. The LADO will take the lead of any

Safeguarding Investigation.

Bullying

The home has a zero tolerance of bullying in all its aspects, whether physical or mental. All young

people are made aware of this and will be regularly reminded of the need to treat others as they

wish to be treated. It is the duty of all staff to protect children from bullying.

All staff are trained to identify bullying and in techniques to counter bullying and

its effects.

We will not allow initiation ceremonies of any kind.

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We will actively encourage an environment in which bullying is seen

to be totally unacceptable.

We will encourage young people to report any incident of bullying to

a member of staff and will make young people aware that prompt action will be

taken where appropriate.

Staff supervision will always be at a level where young people can be monitored

and any instances of bullying will be quickly detected.

Measures to be taken to support the victim of bullying:

Meeting to be arranged.

Specific key work will be undertaken to support the young person and to explore

why they are bullied.

Confidence building measures will be developed with the young person e.g.

strategies to reduce contact with the perpetrator; practising eye contact and

other assertiveness techniques etc.

Encourage the young person to keep a note of what is happening, when and by

whom.

A named member of staff on shift will oversee and support the young person.

Initiate support from trusted adults e.g. teacher, independent visitor, or from

specialist agencies e.g. Childline (0800 1111) Kidscape 08451205204

Keyworker sessions will be undertaken with young people using the Self Esteem

Keyworker Pack.

Measures to be taken to support the perpetrator:

Meeting to be arranged with the alleged perpetrator.

Undertake educative key work to explore the nature of their aggression and the

feelings they generate in others, as well as exploring any underlying reasons for the

bullying.

Shadow the perpetrator to offer support, prevent re-occurrence and encourage

change.

Encourage an apology that is meant.

Restorative justice work to be used and mediation where appropriate to ensure that

young people have the best possible support to change their behaviour and to

encourage them not to bully in the future.

Where appropriate, a strategy meeting will be called with the social workers of both

the perpetrator and the victim to ensure that an effective strategy is implemented.

Measures to be taken to reduce the risk of bullying occurring:

Bullying will feature on the agenda of every young person’s meeting, thereby allowing a

chance for young people to address issues before they turn into bullying in a safe and

controlled environment and to ensure all young people are aware that Bullying is a “hot

topic”.

All staff to will attend anti bullying training.

Bullying risk assessments are in place both generic and individual highlighting where the risks

are and what control measures will be put into place.

All young people on admission will be expected to sign an anti-bullying contract which is

also signed by staff and other young people.

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The home will hold regular bullying awareness themed events.

The home has an anti-bullying policy.

Bullying from staff members, towards staff members, occurring outside the home

at school leisure or contact time will be treated with equal importance to bullying

occurring within the home between young people.

11. Any criteria used for the admission of children to the children’s home, including any policies

and procedures for emergency admission.

The Brambles is able to offer placements to young people with Behavioural and Emotional

Difficulties and associated complex needs. This may include such behaviours as self-Harm,

aggressive behaviour, drug or alcohol misuse, criminal behaviour, CSE history or sexualised

behaviours. This list is not exhaustive and consideration will be given to placement for any young

person emotional and behavioural difficulties whom the home consider could be supported

within the home whilst not placing other young people, staff or the general community at

unacceptable level of risk.

The home can offer planned, emergency and medium to long term placements which will be

considered dependent upon the needs of the young person being referred and the compatibility

and needs of the resident group currently in placement.

All placements will, wherever possible be fully assessed and involve a visit by the home manager

or senior member of staff to meet the child or young person before being placed. During this visit

the home manager will assess the child’s or young person’s suitability for the placement and

whether they would be a good match for the residents within the home already.

Through meeting the manager or senior member of staff this gives the child or young person an

opportunity to get to know a face within the placement and ask any questions- aiming to reduce

worries. The child will be given a young person’s guide to the home which will give them

information they will require whilst living at the home and in a format to their level of

understanding.

The young person then will be invited to the home to meet the resident group; join in the homes

meal and an activity. A further visit will be offered for an overnight stay

Where agreed between the home and placing authority on placing a young person in an

emergency a review is initiated no more than 72 hours after any emergency admission to consider

whether the child should remain at the home, or it is in that child’s interests to move to a different

placement.

Emergency Placement:

We understand that it is not always possible for a young person to move in a planned manner and

whilst this is our preferred option for any new placement we feel that the need for an emergency

move should not exclude any young person from placement at The Brambles.

In the event that a same day or next day referral is received the Manager will assess the available

information to determine if the placement is suitable for the home and could be placed safely

with existing young people. Where the information provided has not been adequate enough for

this assessment to be carried out the Home Manager or senior staff member will contact the

placing social worker for further information and with any questions which may have arisen.

A placement will not be offered unless the manager has been able to access enough information

about the young person to carry out a full assessment of suitability for the home.

Pre-admission risk assessment:

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From the information given and through consultation with the child/young person’s

social worker (preferably at a planning meeting prior to their admission), an impact

risk assessment shall be completed identifying any potential risks and the impact of

these risk on the home and on the other young people. The risk assessment will also

identify the actions needed to manage this risk.

12. The arrangements for dealing with complaints

At The Brambles we endeavour to ensure good practice in dealing with concerns and complaints

to improve our service to young people, their families, and local authority’s that have commissioned

our service.

Young people will know how and feel able to complain without fear, if they are unhappy with any

aspect of the home. Any complaint is addressed seriously and without delay, a complaint will be

fully responded to within a maximum of 28 days, and children and young people are kept informed

of the progress. The homes manager will always endeavour to address the complaints within a

week as best practice.

Young people are made fully aware of the complaints produced on entry to the home.

Complaints procedures and forms are displayed on the young person’s notice board and each

child will be given a young person’s guide explaining how they can complain.

All complaints, whether made verbally of in writing are recorded on Complaints Forms and kept on

the young person’s case file as a formal record, available to the young person, their social worker

and Ofsted.

The home will support young people to have access to an independent advocate, to enable them

to have someone autonomous to engage with and inform them off their rights.

Within the home, there are posters and leaflets with information of services available to support

young people (e.g. Children’s rights, NSPCC etc.), should they need or want to seek advice away

from the team within the home.

All homes including The Brambles have complaints boards on display in communal areas in the

home, these boards include the complaints forms in a range of formats based on the current

residents, stamped addressed envelopes for the Responsible Individual, Ofsted, Social Workers and

IRO’s, a complaints box is also available should young people want to make a complaint to the

manager anonymously.

If a child or young person wishes to raise a concern with an outside professional the following

contact details are made available to them-

Linzi Sim the Responsible Individual for the Esland Group can be contacted on 01773823989 or at

linzisim@eslandcare.co.uk

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OFSTED contact details- OFSTED, Piccadilly Gate, Store Street, Manchester M1 2WD

03001231231

Their social worker or IRO – details of which are kept on file and accessible to them

First Response – 08001313126

CHILDRENS BEHAVIOUR

13. A description of the children’s home’s approach to the surveillance and monitoring of children

accommodated there.

Young people placed at The Brambles are vulnerable and require a high

level of support and supervision. The home will ensure that the young people

are safe and secure at all times.

All bedrooms have sensors fitted to the doors to detect opening and closing.

This is an additional method of supervision and is not used as a replacement

for staff supervision.

The sensors will only be activated where there is an identified need and will only be used at night.

This may be due to a young person’s behaviour, where they are unsettled or if there are to be mixed

sex placements that cause concern.

The use of door sensors will require consent from the placing authority and will be documented and

placed in the young person’s file. Explanation of the use of door alarms will be given to the young

people.

The Brambles will ensure an appropriate staff / young person ratio and adequate assessment of risk.

All young people coming to live at The Brambles and all placing authorities are made aware of this

additional facility both at the time of referral and at the Placement Meeting stage of admission

14. Details of the children’s home’s approach to behavioural support, including information

about—

(a) The children’s home’s approach to the use of restraint with respect to children accommodated

there;

(b) How persons working in the children’s home are trained in the use of restraint and how their

competence is assessed.

Staff at The Brambles believes that control is best exercised through the development and

maintenance of strong inter-personal relationships with the young people living in the Home. These

relationships are built upon sensitivity towards the young person based on knowledge of them, the

developing of trust and sharing experiences together.

Rules are much easier for young people to manage when they have had the opportunity to

contribute to them and are able to review them on a regular basis. I.e. if the young person has been

able to invest in staff and the home. The home also believes that boundaries are much easier for

them to maintain if they are applied in a fair, understandable and consistent manner across the

team and there is opportunity to discuss the implementation of rules. These practices form the basis

of mutual respect. The home encourages positive behaviours and there are reward systems in

place.

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Our High Warmth High Control behaviour management model works on the basis that

young people are respected regarded and cared for unconditionally. We believe that

when staff is warm in their approach to young people, when they care for them with a

positive approach and when they are rational and consistent that young people feel safe and

respond well to the carers. This model derives from an authoritative parenting model which is noted

to support the development of healthy and meaningful attachments as the children feel secure

and this teaches empathy and respect. We expect that our staff implement this model which

promotes the use of firm but flexible role models which promotes the use of clear expectations,

negotiation and verbal give and take where staff respond to this. This model also uses more

suggestions, positive incentives and rewards as fewer commands, physical intervention and

prohibitions. We note that this model has worked well across our homes and has developed

situations where children and young people cope better and are judged to be individual. Our

homes are achievement oriented and this contributes to the feelings of warmth that young people

need to excel.

It is widely recognised that when young people have attachments, they are more able to negotiate

and regulate their own behaviour. We believe that behaviour is best managed when staff use

strong inter personal relationships with the young people living at The Brambles. These relationships

are built through time, knowledge of the young person, developing trust, sharing experiences,

consistency and understanding of boundaries.

Our admission and key work programme are developed to enhance this process and in particular

contribute to the development of meaningful and long term relationships.

The home believe that rules and boundaries are much easier for young people to manage when

they have had the opportunity to contribute to them and are able to see them and refer to them

at all times. We therefore use the young people’s meetings as a forum for consulting on

consequences and their effectiveness and also provide young people with the opportunity to

contribute to consequences. The home also believes that boundaries are much easier for young

people to maintain if they are applied in a fair, understandable and consistent manner across the

team and there is opportunity to discuss this in a weekly forum. These principles derive from ‘Mutual

Respect’ and ‘Understanding’ and are something the staff at The Brambles work hard to get with

our young people.

If an incident was to occur within the home the staff are trained in behavior management

techniques, these are PCC techniques which is Esland Care’s accredited physical intervention holds

and work on the premise of 95% de-escalation and 5% physical intervention. The staff team will use

any or all of the following to de-escalate an incident, humor, distraction, limited choice, clear firm

direction, swap of carer, support, reminder of consequences and reassurance. Positive and

Negative consequences and rewards in place to manage behaviour in line with the authoritative

parenting model of high warmth and high control. When they do need to be implemented,

consequences will be thought through by the staff and be creative, realistic and fitting to the

actions of the young person. These will be outlined in either the house rules; the behavior

management plan for each young person or their risk assessment.

At The Brambles we like to promote positive behavior and ensure the children recognize that we

notice then acknowledge the smallest of changes, we do this through a positive comments book,

which staff document in regularly.

Staff are aware of non-permissible sanctions outlined in The Children’s Homes Regulations 2015,

Section 17(5) and have signed statements to pledge compliance with this instruction. Staff at the

21

home are trained in PCC restrain techniques which complies with children’s home

regulations with regards to the reasons for restraint.

This strategy will only be used as a last resort, once all diversionary and diffusion techniques

have failed. In the face of maintaining agitation, moving towards anger and aggression, it is

important that the carer remains calm, allows the child/young person more personal space and

alerts other staff members / carers that there is a potential risk arising and that assistance may be

needed in order to return the young person to safety.

All staff are trained in PCC holds and the staff are trained to use the following holds see Appendix

1;

We work with our staff to ensure that they know although to use de-escalation techniques, they

should not:

Lose self-control or lash out

Shout

Attempt to enforce compliance over trivial or unnecessary matters like young people being

in the staff office.

Take positions or issue warnings that cannot be maintained or will not be followed through

Attempt to continue to use reasoning in the face of mounting anger and aggression

(when children and young people may have lost the ability to rationalise and negotiate)

Threaten or intimidate children/young people

Make fun of, ridicule or humiliate children/young people

Confront challenging behaviour in front of an audience

Corner or closely confront a child/young person

Inflict any form of corporal punishment; i.e. any intentional application of force as

punishment, including slapping, punching, rough handling and throwing missiles.

Make any restrictions relating to the consumption or deprivation of food or drink;

Make any restriction on a child’s contact with his or her Parents, relatives or friends; visits to

the child by his or her Parents, relatives or friends or limit their access to counselling or

advocacy services like Children’s Rights or placing social workers.

Once a restraint has taken place, a review of the incident is always suitably timed for when the

young person has had a chance to recover, whilst ensuring the incident is still fresh in their minds.

This is designed to support the young person in exploring their behaviour and considering other ways

of dealing feelings in the future.

CONTACT DETAILS

15. The name and work address of—

(a) The registered provider (including details of the company owning the children’s home);

(b) If nominated, the responsible individual;

(c) If applicable, the registered manager.

Esland was formed following a successful merger between Turnaround Care and The Boulters. The

Esland Group has a range of services in Buxton, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Yorkshire,

Northamptonshire, Wiltshire, Kent and London.

22

The Brambles is within the East region, which is managed by Kellee Jones, Regional

Director East, Donna Francis Deputy Regional Manager and allocated Quality &

Compliance Manager Christie O’Connor. Christie completes the Regulation 44

independent visits for the East region.

The Registered Provider is: Esland North (part of the Esland Group)

The Founding Director is:

Mr John Stamp

Esland Group

Riverside Business Centre

Suite 1 & 5

Foundry Lane

Milford

Belper

DE56 0RN

T: 01773 823 989

Email: johnstamp@eslandcare.co.uk

Contact: 07915 157 618

The Responsible Individual and Chief Operating Officer is:

Mrs Linzi Sim

Esland Head Office

Riverside Business Centre

Suite 1 & 5

Foundry Lane

Milford

Belper

DE56 0RN

T: 01773 823 989

Email: linzisim@eslandcare.co.uk

Contact: 07713284591

The Managing Director is:

Mr Pete Buller

Esland Head Office

Riverside Business Centre

Suite 1 & 5

Foundry Lane

Milford

Belper

DE56 0RN

Email: Petebuller@eslandcare.co.uk

The Strategic Director is:

Mr Josh Stamp

Esland Head Office

Riverside Business Centre

Suite 1 & 5

Foundry Lane

Milford

Belper

DE56 0RN

Email: joshstamp@eslandcare.co.uk

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Regional Director East

Ms Kellee Jones

Esland Head Office

Riverside Business Centre

Suite 1 & 5

Foundry Lane

Milford

Belper

DE56 0RN

T: 01773 823 989

Email: kelleejones@eslandcare.co.uk

Registered Manager

Mrs Kerry Morley

The Brambles

5 Blacksmith End

Stathern

Melton Mowbray

LE14 4EZ

Email: Kerrymorley@eslandcare.co.uk

EDUCATION

16. Details of provision to support children with special educational needs.

It is expected that some of the referrals to The Brambles will be excluded pupils or pupils who have

difficulty being integrated into mainstream schooling.

Where possible however we do aim to re-integrate young people into mainstream schooling. The

home falls within the Catchment area of a number of primary and secondary schools with

excellent further education options. Local schools are currently rated good and have a good

track record of working with young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home

has formed close links with the school and aim to support gradual re-integration through part time

timetables, home tuition led by the school and staff from the home supporting as appropriate. It is

our belief that the sooner we can get young people back into mainstream school the more

opportunity they will have to access a full curriculum and achieve academically.

For those young people for whom mainstream school is not the best option there are a number of

specialist provisions within the local area both in Stathern, Melton and Leicestershire and the

home will work with those schools and the LEA to find the best match for the young person.

The staff team work closely with young people to ensure that they are always accessing a full

timetable whether this is within a school or whether this is supported at home with tuition and

alternative timetables supported by staff. We place great emphasis on the importance of an

education for a young person’s future and will help young people to identify their skills and talents

and wishes for the future. This will then be used to help the young people find an education

programme which suits their interests, ability and helps them to achieve their full potential.

Staff at The Brambles will work closely with educational service departments to ensure that

statements are maintained, updated and reviewed as required. Young people with special

educational needs will be given the same schooling opportunities as any other young person and

the staff will support them to find the best viable option where they can gain educational

attainment.

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Non-engagement in education is not an option at The Brambles and where there are

issues with poor levels of engagement staff will be proactive with the young person

and school provision to identify and address the reasons behind this.

18. Where the children’s home is not dually registered as a school, the arrangements for children

to attend local schools and the provision made by the children’s home to promote the

educational attainment of children.

Wherever possible the young person will be maintained within their current school. In order to

provide informal support, staff at The Brambles will support young people in the completion of

projects and home work. We will ensure that young people have an appropriate space to

complete homework and the required equipment. Staff approach this in the spirit of good

parenting and will show interest in the young person’s schooling, ensuring attendance at parent’s

evenings and regular communication with the school.

The Brambles will endeavour to source further education, colleges and work experience as

appropriate.

HEALTH

19. Details of any health care or therapy provided, including—

(a) Details of the qualifications and clinical supervision of the staff involved;

(b) Information about—

(I) How the children’s home measures the effectiveness of its approach; and

(ii) The evidence referred to by the children’s home to demonstrate the effectiveness of its

approach, and how this information can be accessed.

Staff at The Brambles are committed in providing high quality primary health care in the areas of:

Emotional health the implementation of detailed risk assessments and placement plans. Ensuring

all young people have access to relevant medical services. Supporting young people with any

issues they might have by offering support and guidance. Esland have commissioned the services

of Future Minds to provide therapy for our young people.

Although Future Minds work with a broad range of clients, they specialise in child and adolescent

mental health and many of the team have previously worked within CAMHS teams.

It is envisaged that where appropriate, all new young people who move in to The Brambles will be

assessed to see if they would benefit from therapeutic intervention. If required, Future Minds will be

able to offer a therapeutic package tailor made to suit the young person’s individual needs.

Future minds takes a clinical lead for psychological assessment and intervention for young people

placed at all Esland Group Children’s Homes. As part of the matching process, the registered

manager and referral team assess whether the placement is a sound option for the referred child

and liaise with the local authority to outline the resources required to manage and progress the

young person. All Esland Group Homes have access to Wendy Jealous, a renowned consultant

child psychologist specialising in developmental trauma. Wendy has worked within CAMHs

services, young offender’s projects and a learning difficulties team. A copy of Wendy’s CV is

available upon request.

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Future minds offers a wraparound therapeutic intervention that is versatile in how it is

delivered. This model is designed in a way that staff can deliver the

bespoke interventions to young people through meaningful keyworker sessions. The

staff meet with the allocated psychologist or therapist and they are supported

through regular review of risk assessments to ensure that control measures are effective in

managing behaviour. Future minds also work with the senior management team at Esland to

develop meaningful keyworker packs and to provide staff training or clinical supervision where

needed. At the point young people are ready to engage in psychological therapy, this is offered

by counsellors / psychologists who will work to the Future minds model remaining in the present,

slowly moving into the future and only looking at the past when the young person is emotionally

ready.

If the young person is not ready for this type of work but still requires some practical support, e.g.

learning skills for emotional regulation (essential before any counselling is started), evidence

based psychological therapy such as trauma focused CBT will be arranged. It is expected that

each child placed within Esland Group will have the same model of service wherever they are

placed. However, every young person will have different needs and wherever possible

psychological therapy will be tailored to meet these needs. All the work will be time limited and

reviewed regularly. All placements and young people who have been identified as being

appropriate or an Esland Children’s Home will have a full psychological assessment completed if

they have not had one within the last 12 months. This will identify the issues and be used to

develop a treatment plan.

Our relationship with Future minds has ensured that our staff teams are attuned to our young

people’s subjective experiences. This means that staff try to make sense of those experiences, and

then communicate them back to the young person. This is done with Playfulness, Acceptance,

Curiosity, and Empathy (making up the PACE model which is consistent with our behaviour

management model and with the interventions provided through Future minds). This model allows

our staff to constantly fine-tune their practice, to best fit the needs of the young person.

Physical wellbeing. On arrival the young person will be registered with the local General Practitioner

as well as at one of the local Dentistry practices and a local Optician. Current health needs will be

identified and maintained, for example diets and medication. Health care plans will be in place to

support, record and monitor all current and ongoing health issues with a young person. LAC

medicals will be arranged and supported and the home has good communication with the local

LAC nurse as well as working closely with the LAC nurse from the young person’s home area.

Identifying/maintaining specialist health needs (e.g. mental health/physical needs) Ensuring

prescribed medication is maintained, liaising with relevant professionals and attending specialist

health and other significant outside agency services.

Staff take an active role in promoting all aspects of healthy living. Staff are proactive in ensuring the

young people are offered a healthy and a well-balanced diet, develop and maintain a good level

of personal hygiene, develop appropriate sleep routines and takes regular exercise.

Staff routinely address the issues of smoking, substance/alcohol abuse, self-harm and other issues

which may affect the health of a young person through key work sessions and posters or leaflets

around the home. An outreach sexual health nurse regularly visits the home should a young person

require advice or services in this area.

The young people have an in depth individualised health plan detailing all health needs and

relevant information.

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The home will actively support the promotion of a healthy lifestyle and this is one of

our main focuses when caring for young people within the home. All staff share a

common responsibility to promote the health and welfare of all accommodated

young people at The Brambles.

The home will work alongside a range of services that may provide alternative therapies such as

drug and alcohol services, CAHMS or other counselling services for young people.

The home will actively discourage young people from smoking and will ensure that smoking is not

permitted on the premises. Positive support will be offered to young people who wish to stop

smoking.

At the home all medications (including non-prescribed) are stored in a locked cabinet, in

accordance with regulation, and are recorded on individual medical records held at the home.

All staff are medication trained.

STAFFING MATTERS

20. Details of the experience and qualifications of staff working at the children’s home, including

any staff commissioned to provide education and health care.

Eslanders, Our Most Prized Asset

Without our incredible team of ‘Eslanders’, the young people we care for wouldn’t receive the

support and guidance they so desperately need. All staff are recruited in line with Safer

Recruitment guidelines and following successful completion of our 3-stage interview process,

which includes two face-to-face interviews and a voluntary shift in one of our homes, our

Eslander’s undergo a rigorous training programme prior to entering the home. Esland has a

comprehensive training plan of both core and advanced training with all residential care staff

being enrolled on their Level 3 Children and Young Peoples’ Workforce diploma during their

induction unless they have a Social Work degree or equivalent.

We have recently developed ‘PCC’, our own bespoke positive handling training which focuses on

preventative, proactive methods of de-escalation. All staff are enrolled on the course upon

starting their employment with Esland and the programme is accredited by BILD.

Through our designated training suite in Derbyshire we utilize a range of training techniques such

as full and half day courses, PCC, e-learning, supervision and appraisals. We encourage our team

to reflect on their own performance and identify their training needs; thus taking an active role in

their own professional development.

Eland’s aim is to meet and exceed the targets outlined within Ofsted legislation and consistently

provide a high standard of care. It is our belief that improving the outcomes for looked after children

is reliant on a more professional workforce. We welcome the government’s commitment to

continuous staff development and increased professional recognition for all those who work within

the sector of health and social care.

Kerry Morley – Registered Homes Manager

Kerry has opened Mulberry Lodge in August 2016 and Heather Lodge in June 2017 following its

transition from CQC to Ofsted. Kerry has been key is delivering good outcomes for almost 2 years

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there, she has successfully opened and retained the Good rating at both Mulberry

Lodge and Heather Lodge. Kerry will be taking The Brambles as a standalone service

following an excellent tenure as a multisite manager. Kerry is qualified and brings a

wealth of skills and knowledge to the home and team and is currently completing her level

5 Diploma through Derby College.

Team Leaders/seniors

All 3 seniors will hold the level 3 qualification.

Residential Care workers

PCWs

All staff will undertake all mandatory training within their first 12 months and will have yearly refresher

courses to include

Safeguarding Children and Safer Caring

Medication Administration, Data Protection and Health

First Aid, Food safety, Health and Safety & Fire Awareness

Behavior management & PCC (Physical Intervention and De-escalation

Attachment disorders

Therapeutic Practices

ADHD

Autism Spectrum Disorders

Self-Harm & Eating Disorders

Missing from Care and Child Sexual Exploitation

Equality and Diversity & Bullying behaviors

There are also opportunities for the staff to benefit from specific training which will enhance their

personal development and will contribute to the overall effectiveness of the team.

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21. Details of the management and staffing structure of the children’s home, including

arrangements for the professional supervision of staff employed at the children’s

home, including staff that provide education or health care.

The Home is managed by the Registered Manager supported by 3 Team Leaders who are

responsible for the daily running of the Home. The Registered Manager works 40 hours per week and

the senior care workers work on shift so that they can manage the home at all times.

In order to work with Esland, there is a vigorous recruitment process ensuring good quality teams

within the homes. Following the interviewing process, candidates are invited to visit the home to

complete an observation visit. Within this visit, the young people are able to interview them and

they then provide feedback to the manager as to whether or not they feel the candidate is suitable.

When the new team member begins working they undergo an extensive induction programme,

which has been developed to ensure when the worker is ready to work. They are able to do so

safely and with good knowledge of working practices.

New starters who have not attained their Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care-Children and

Young People, will then commence the Care Certificate. To support with their induction standards

and their development the new team members will be supervised every two weeks. In order to pass

their probationary period new staff will be given an interview and a task to complete to

demonstrate learning. After the probationary period of six months the member of staff will be

supervised on a monthly basis or before if required. Further support for the team will be provided

through team meetings taking place on a fortnightly to monthly basis where good practice can be

shared and plans put into place for the young people.

LINZI SIM

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER & RESPONSIBLE INDIVIDUAL

KERRY MORLEY

REGISTERED HOME MANAGER

Team Leaders

Residential Care Workers & PCWS

DONNA FRANCIS

Deputy Regional Mgr

KELLEE JONES

REGIONAL DIRECTOR EAST

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All staff at The Brambles have undertaken an induction prior to them working with young

people. The induction is broken into two parts, one part is an induction to the home

and the organization and the other is a number of training courses and workshops to

prepare them with the skills and knowledge in order to uphold our high expectations.

All staff attends 7 actual courses during their first 6 months, these are Safeguarding Children, Missing

from Care, Child Sexual Exploitation, PCC, First Aid, Self-Harm and How we Work. This will provide

them with the training that they need in order to look after the young people that we have identified

as being suitable for The Brambles. Staff is also provided with a license for 12 online training courses

provided through Educare, Educare is an online Social Care provider. Our staff undertakes courses

in Health and Safety, Fire Safety, Food Safety, Medication, Confidentiality, Data Protection, Anti

Bullying, Appropriate Adult and Equality and Diversity. This compliments the Care Certificate for staff

who requires it and this is undertaken after the staff have completed the home induction. All staff

will meet with the manager prior to any young people being admitted to the home and they work

through the induction checklist, which includes an introduction to the paperwork, children’s files,

supervision, team meetings, local area and policies and procedures.

When staff have undertaken this induction and the relevant courses they will then be put forward

for additional courses. These are internal courses and staff attend them within 6 and 18 months after

joining Esland. These courses include Drugs Awareness, Understanding Attachment, Autism

Awareness, Preparation for Leaving Care, Safer Caring, Complaints Management and Sexualized

behavior to name a few. If there was a young person admitted to the home with one of these

behaviors the course can be delivered at short notice as there are staff at The Brambles and other

homes across Esland have completed a CIEH course in Training to enable them to train their staff

and to do this well. This means that there will never be an occasion where staff are looking after

young people without having attended the training course.

22. If the staff working at the children’s home are all of one sex, or mainly of one sex, a description

of how the children’s home promotes appropriate role models of both sexes.

The staff. Where possible the staff team at The Brambles will be mixed in terms of sex. We do place

priority on recruiting the right staff however and on occasion this may lead to the home having a

larger balance of one sex over the other. On these occasions, the young people have

appropriate role models of the opposite sex outside of the home. This is through their education in

the form of teaching staff, social clubs where they have youth workers as well as professionals that

visit the home. Where it is deemed necessary the home will provide staff members of specific sex

through other homes within the organisation and will recruit staff members of a specific gender if

required. The home has access to bank staff of both genders which allows some flexibility in terms

of gender matching.

In the event that the home has a favourable slant towards one gender of staff consideration will

always be given to the impact this may have on any new resident being considered.