Promoting and Providing Positive Outcomes : Every Child Matters
Management and staffing
We place a strong emphasis on effective staff recruitment, retention and development strategies. We aim to ensure staff groups are representative of the diversity of the young woman with regard to race/ethnicity as well as experience and knowledge base to meet individual needs. We also aim to recruit staff with experience or training from a range of disciplines relating to children in order to promote a broader outlook and skills base and more responsive approach to individual need across our teams.
The unit managers and Link workers are responsible for devising and implementing needs led care plans in conjunction with the young woman, families and involved professionals. Our Care plans set out clearly the young women’s identified needs and how we propose to meet these across the 5 ECM dimensions as well as specifying the required outcomes we are aiming to achieve. Plans are then tightly monitored and reviewed internally on a frequent basis (as well as through the statutory framework) with regard to the progress made toward the desired outcomes and adjustments made where appropriate.
Full details of the ways in which the girls/ young women’s needs are met across the 5 ECM areas are contained din the homes statement of purpose available on request. The following is a summary only;
Being Healthy
- A holistic approach is taken to the health and wellbeing of the young women, based on the belief that every aspect of an individual’s life contributes to this.
- The promotion of positive emotional and mental health is central to the work and care undertaken within the therapeutic care environments of the homes and school.
- LAC health plans and Therapeutic care plans are incorporated into placement plans. Assessments are undertaken of psychological or psychiatric need which then informs Therapeutic care plans and care practice.
- Psychological assessments are undertaken following admission of new young people by a Clinical Psychologists. The primary purpose being to interpret assessed need into a therapeutic care plan for the day to day care approach and individual therapy.
- Young women will be provided with individual therapy from a therapist suited to their identified needs if and when they are felt to be ready and able to benefit from this. Therapy will usually occur at weekly intervals.
- Two GP surgeries and dedicated female GPs are pro-actively involved in meeting the needs of the young women placed and supporting the aims of the service.
- A ‘Healthy Homes Ethos’ is operated with healthy lifestyles being promoted through day to day living and modelling by staff as well as through more direct work around issues such as sexual health, teenage pregnancy, substance misuse, diet and exercise.
Staying Safe
- Staffing ratios are provided which are able to respond to assessed needs and risk.
- Child protection and safeguarding are promoted and reflected within the comprehensive procedures that are in place and the training provided to all staff.
- Careful placement matching is undertaken through a thorough referral, assessment and admission process.
- Placement plans all include detailed risk assessments and risk management plans.
- There are clear procedures for the management of young women who go missing. We provide focused training to staff on understanding and managing this issue and have developed close working relationships and proactive joint working practise with local missing person police teams to help minimise and manage risks.
- Self harm- is responded to by staff who have all received training to enable them to understand and work effectively with young woman who self harm.
- The homes operate within comprehensive behaviour management procedures. Positive behaviour reinforcement systems are emphasised which promote safe and appropriate behaviour in line with clearly defined boundaries and expectations, whilst also providing clearly understood consequences for unacceptable behaviour. Safe Space training is provided to all staff in conflict management, personal defence and physical intervention strategies. We have very low levels of physical violence or intervention.
Enjoying and Achieving
- An emphasis by Care staff on promoting and supporting school or college attendance and achievement.
- An integrated home-school approach for those attending Cornfield school, with follow through positive behaviour reinforcement systems.
- Care staff provide support in school to young people attending Cornfield school when appropriate to meet individual need.
- Supported homework time with young women having access to a designated young women’s computer within the home.
- High attendance levels at school. See ‘Education and Cornfield School’ for fuller education information.
- Family contact is promoted and fully supported or supervised by care staff in accordance with agreed plans.
- Access to a wide range of Sports and leisure pursuits both internal and external and individual and group including out of school clubs are available and encouraged. The homes all have weekly activity plans that set out a mix of in house and external activities.
Achieve Economic Wellbeing
- Opportunity to acquire Life skills through daily living arrangements throughout the placement progressing to a more structured life skills and independence programme.
- Bank accounts/savings accounts opened for young women and saving and management of money encouraged and supported.
- Young women able to earn money via rewards system for positive behaviour.
- Young woman encouraged to acquire part time jobs where appropriate and are provided with work experience placements through Cornfield school.
Making a Positive contribution
- Independent Advocacy Services are provided for young people by VOICE
- Cornerways is committed to involving young women in decision making about their lives and the development of services provided to them, having a dedicated participation worker to achieve this aim.
- The homes are maintained to a very high standard and the young women encouraged to be involved and take pride in their home.
