LOCATION ASSESSMENT

February 2018

CONTENTS PAGE Page No:

1. Pen Picture of the Immediate Locality 1-5

2. Pen Picture of the Premises 6-7

3. Relationships with the Local Community 8-9

4. Positive Factors of Location 9-10

5. Review of current crime, deprivation and local health issues 10-13

6. Safeguarding 13-15

7. Consultation with appropriate local services 15-17

8. Public Health 17

9. Risk Assessment and Risk Management Strategies 18-22

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1.Pen Picture of the Immediate Locality:

Bluebell House is located off Court Road within a Cul-de sac .There are 5 buildings these consist of:

Wensley 1. Office space for children’s services Wensley 2. Bluebell House Wensley 3. Office space for children’s services Wensley 4. Child Development Centre Wensley 5. Demelza Child Hospice

The Child Development Centre is busy during the weekdays between 8:30 and 5:30 .There is dedicated parking for families visiting the Child Development Centre and a turning bay for buses. There is a speed limit of 5mph within the Cul-de sac and a zebra crossing from Bluebell to Wensley 4 to support the children accessing the sensory garden, music room and sensory room. When leaving the Cul –de sac there is a safety mirror to identify oncoming pedestrians and traffic

Bluebell has an accessible garden with children having direct access. The garden is secure with specialist security bolts that ensure a child cannot leave which can be broken in the event of an emergency such as fire.

Bluebell is accessible for staff using an electronic system; this prevents children and young people being disturbed unnecessarily during their visits.

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Access to Hospital is via Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital which is approximately 3 miles.

When leaving Wensley Close to the right there is a church and local shops including:

• Tea Shop • Chemist • Post office • Charity shop • Public House

Court Road leads to High Street which has a high level of both pedestrian and vehicle traffic. When leaving the Cul-de sac to the left there is a busy junction which is not appropriate to cross with a child, all staff are aware of this and journeys generally take place towards Eltham High Street, and will cross at traffic lights, to ensure safety.

Opposite the Cul –de sac is residential accommodation and a GP’s practice is within walking distance.

Local travel amenities are available within 600 yards with bus routes allowing travel to (No.126,314 or 162), Bexleyheath (No.132, B15 or B16), (No.321) and Eltham Train Station (No.161).

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2. Pen Picture of the Premises

Environment and Facilities

Bluebell House was purpose built in the 1980’s to provide residential short breaks and day care services to children and young people with physical and/or learning disabilities with a nursing need. The unit has undergone extensive refurbishment over the past six years. It is situated in a cul- de- sac with three other similar properties owned by Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust. Demelza Children’s Hospice is also on the site.

Externally car parking has been extended and there is designated drop off zone with child and parent spaces. There is substantial outside recreational space with play equipment: Raised flower beds in the garden and patio and artificial grass all allow for wheel chair accessibility.

Bluebell House provides ground level accommodation comprised of four single occupancy bedrooms, lounge and dining area, conservatory/sensory suite, shower room, bathroom, kitchen, clinic room, utilities room, office and garden. All the bedrooms, plus lounge, shower and bathrooms have ceiling tracking hoists which can lower to the floor. The bathroom has a sensory bath with sound and light to provide a sensory experience for the child/young person the children chose the décor with the changing room to include a mural on the ceiling.

Bluebell House provides wheelchair access throughout. ‘H’ plan ceiling hoists (and slings) are available in the lounge, bedrooms, shower and bathrooms. A manual hoist is available for other areas and can be used in an emergency should the ceiling hoist fail. All the beds in the unit are specialist high sided profiling beds. Where children use specialist mattresses or sleep systems at home they are able to bring these with them to the unit for use during their stay. We have a range of moving and handling equipment to support emergency evacuation.

Bluebell has a door control system to maintain the child’s safety. CCTV is in place to monitor the front door and outside area. This can be viewed within the office area and within the lounge to alert staff to visitors or potential perpetrators. No CCTV is used within Bluebell House. Should a child require close observation and it is seen to be in the child’s best interest not to be disturbed with a carer constantly in the room, monitoring via a ‘visual monitor’ is permitted with parental/carers consent and when appropriate with the young person.

In February 2018 a defibrillator was installed on the external wall of Bluebell House. This is suitable for both paediatric and adult use. This is fitted in a ‘Defibsafe 2’ box. This box will not be locked and will therefore be accessible by all services at Wensley Close and the surrounding members of the public.

The kitchen is directly linked to the lounge supporting children and young people to be involved in the preparation of food. When the kitchen is not in use the door is closed with an access switch located at the top to prevent a child entering unsupervised.

The laundry room is locked when not being used. Washing and ironing is undertaken when the children/ young people are not in Bluebell or are asleep.

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There is a treatment room located off of the dining room. This contains a secure medication cabinet that can be moved around the unit and a controlled drugs cabinet for storage of controlled medication. The nurse in charge holds the keys to both of these at all times. The room also contains oxygen and other medical devices including an ‘ambubag’ for both adults and children. The door to the treatment is locked when not being accessed.

Bluebell Floor Plan

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3. Relationships with the Local Community

Friends of Wensley Close

We have good links with the charity that support children with profound learning and physical disabilities to provide specialist equipment, play and craft materials and entertainment. The charity has supported our children’s Christmas party, has supplied upgraded television equipment for the children and young people’s bedrooms as well as numerous outings.

The League of Friends of Wensley C

Places of interest

Eltham Leisure Centre

Eltham Leisure centre offers a range of activities for children with additional needs. We will undertake an individual assessment in collaboration with the therapy team before accessing any activity to ensure it meets the individual child’s/young person’s needs.

Woodlands Farm (Shooters Hill) Open from Tuesday – Sunday, 9.30am - 4.30pm

Woodlands Farm is an 89-acre working city farm, run predominantly by volunteers. As a charity Woodlands Farm is run as a conservation and education project. The project gives children and young people new experiences throughout the year for example lambing in April.

Woodlands Farm Trust.pdf

Well Hall Pleasance

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Well Hall Pleasance provides opportunities to explore butterflies when walking through beautiful gardens.

Local Offer

This is updated regularly in relation to local access and is accessible on the RBG website. The offer covers a range of activities for children with a range of abilities www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/localoffer

Demelza Hospice

Demelza Hospice and Bluebell House work closely together to support staff training to help meet the complex medical care needs of children and young people. Activities and experiences are often completed together.

4. Positive factors of location

Below are details of the Healthcare Services available to support children and young people directly on site when needed:

• Access to a range of therapies such as Music Therapy, Dietetics and Speech and Language Therapy and the sharing of resources such as the sensory room and music room in Bungalow 4

• A sensory garden with adapted play equipment that includes a wheelchair accessible roundabout a slide and a swing

• The ability for children and young people to walk to local shops and integrate with peers

• Close links with the ‘Friends of Wensley’

• Access to volunteers within Oxleas to support children and young people at Bluebell House or to support integration with local services. These volunteers have DBS clearance

• Strong links with our local hospital, the Children’s Community Nursing team are available to visit when required and would advise if any children are admitted to hospital so that we could offer support

• As we are part of Oxleas we can access a variety of premises and will be looking to utilize the hydrotherapy pool at Goldie Leigh with support of the physiotherapy team

• Local access to the cinema at Greenwich Peninsula that offers specific times for children and young people with autism

5. Review of current crime, deprivation and local health issues

Greenwich has a Safer Neighbourhood Team consisting of police officers and police community support offices (PCSOs) dedicated to making the neighbourhood a safer place to live, work and visit. The manager has made links with the local team.

The Safer Neighbourhood Team address local community issues to which police are capable of providing a

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response without the need for long-term activity or requiring little if any partnership working. For example dealing with minor disorder caused by youths congregating.

Some neighbourhood priorities involve more complex solutions requiring medium to long-term and/or partnership approach to problem solving. These will be set and reviewed quarterly in conjunction with Borough crime priorities. Local area panels and ‘Public meetings’ will be held once every three months. Police will provide an update on problem solving activity affecting the community.

Current priorities for the local Safer Neighbourhood team are:

• Preventing burglary, reducing anti-social behaviour and tackling illegal drug supply and use. Also specific focus on prevention of youth related knife crime.

• Review of data from the previous year. (January2017 – December 2017), the postcode area of SE9 (Greenwich area including Eltham, , , Falconwood, Chinbrook, , experienced 3,438 crimes.

Crime Breakdown Jan 17 – Dec 17

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Index of Multiple Deprivation (2015/2016) Ward (Total No. of LSOAs) No. of LSOAs within x% most deprived in Within Within 20% Within 30% 10% ABBEY WOOD (9) 1 5 6 BLACKHEATH WESTCOMBE (8) 0 0 0 CHARLTON (8) 0 3 4 COLDHARBOUR & NEW ELTHAM 0 1 2 ELT HAM NORTH (8) 0 0 0 ELTHAM SOUTH (7) 0 0 0 ELTHAM WEST (6) 0 4 4 GLYNDON (10) 1 3 6 GREENWICH WEST (9) 0 0 2 KIDBROOKE WITH HORNFAIR (8) 0 1 3 MIDDLE PARK AND SUTCLIFFE (9) 1 4 5 PENINSULA (9) 0 1 2 PLUMSTEAD (9) 0 0 3 SHOOTERS HILL (9) 0 0 0 THAMESMEAD MOORINGS (11) 0 3 6 WOOLWICH COMMON (10) 0 6 8 WOOLWICH RIVERSIDE (13) 0 7 8 GREENWICH BOROUGH (151) 3 38 59

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Greenwich continues to be an area of high deprivation. The spread across the borough is variable, the most deprived areas being within the North. Children and young people who come to Bluebell live across the borough we are aware not to place any additional burden on families to support any outings/activities and have access to charitable funds for these.

6. Safeguarding

The Director of Children’s Services from Oxleas attend the Greenwich Safeguarding Children Board meetings. Updates from this meeting are shared at the Directorate Quality Committee and the Trust Safeguarding Board.

The Greenwich Safeguarding Children’s Board Annual Report 2016/2017 identifies the following current needs and trends:

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Following the introduction of mandatory reporting, all regulated health professionals have been informed of their duty to report to the police any girl under 18 years who suffered FGM or if they see signs of FGM. An online training e learning has been published it is expected that all NHS staff undertake this and the manager will be ensuring that all staff complete this.

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Gangs Within Greenwich gangs remain a threat to vulnerable children, including Looked after children, through criminal activity, drug taking, missed education, going missing from home and child sexual exploitation. As a result children affiliated with gangs have a much higher risk of mental health issues. Within Bluebell we have not had any concerns raised in relation to gangs.

Children missing from home and care There is an increase in children going missing from home. This is likely linked to better reporting and recording of these incidents. There are gender differences to the issues of risk in that boys who go missing are often involved in offending behavior and when girls go missing the risks include sexual exploitation. Within Bluebell we have a system to report a missing child, all staff are familiar with the guidance. No children have gone missing this year.

Radicalisation Royal Greenwich has an established a CHANNEL panel to deal with radicalisation and in addition, a supplementary process has been put in place to develop plans or interventions for individuals who have been referred to the PREVENT Co-ordinator because of professional concerns regarding radicalisation, but where the CHANNEL criteria are not met. To ensure all staff are familiar with the signs of a young person/colleague being radicalised that all staff at Bluebell will attend mandatory training this year.

Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Staff at Bluebell House have completed training on CSE and cyber bullying. All staff also complete the online training on CSE as part of their mandatory induction training programme.

Looked After Children On 31 March 2017 there were 21 children under a private fostering arrangement in Greenwich. This is a decline of four children when compared to 2015/2016. There are links between trafficking and private fostering and the annual Safeguarding Children’s Board report details that continued vigilance is required to promote private fostering as a safeguarding concern. It is required that all admissions teams, GPs and housing providers ask the question ‘is this your child’.

Deliberate Self Harm The Safeguarding Board recognised that there is more that can be done to respond to deliberate self-harm amongst young people and also recognises the increase in suicides within this group of vulnerable young people and has therefore added this as a priority area for the next year. Bluebell to reduce the likelihood of

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self-harming has introduced a “safety kitchen” with all sharp implements being locked away. Additionally there is a body map that is completed on each child/young person’s arrival and staff are aware to look for any signs of physical self-harm. Throughout a young person’s stay, staff are vigilant to changes in mood and are able to seek support from other professionals.

7. Consultation with appropriate local services

Local Services Key Individual and contact details Feedback for assessment Safeguarding Jane Downing If any concerns are raised about a (including Head of Safeguarding Children, Lead Named Nurse young person or about a location Missing from 01322 652009 the Named Nurse ensures this is home, CSE) [email protected] passed on where appropriate through the correct channels. Karen Laffar Named Nurse, Safeguarding 07879635510 / 02089213538 [email protected]

Dr Renee Sharpe Consultant Pediatrician, Named Doctor 0208 294 3144 [email protected] Crime Local neighbourhood policing team Home visit by Officer is being https://secure.met.police.uk/boroughcontactform/index.php arranged. ?rid=2809 02087212636 Local Schools Head teacher – Mark Dale-Emberton Have met with Head and plans of Charlton Park Academy regular contact agreed . Charlton Park Road Good communication links with SE7 8HX health colleagues in the school 14

0208 249 6844 using the home school books.

Head teacher – Rachel Harrison Plans for new manager to meet. Willow Dene School Continue to use home school book Swingate Lane to ensure staff are kept updated Plumstead London SE18 2JD 0208 854 9841 Local Health Managers for services Services Services are based on Wensley site Therapies Speech [email protected] – 0208 836 8613 & Language [email protected] – 0208 836 8613 Manager meets monthly opportunities to discuss Occupational [email protected] – 0208 320 9582 management of child’s identified Therapy / needs Physiotherapy

Music Therapy [email protected] – 0208 294 3521 Community [email protected] – 0208 294 3141 – Consultant Paediatrics Community Paediatrician (Lead) Demelza Looked after [email protected] – 01795 845244 Children [email protected] – 0208 294 3168 – Designated nurse

8. Public Health

The current CHIMAT data (March 2017) indicates that children and young people under the age of 20 years make up 26.4% of the population of Greenwich. 66.9% of school children are from a minority ethnic group. The health and wellbeing of children in Greenwich is mixed compared with the England average. Infant and child mortality rates are similar to the England average. The level of child poverty is worse than the England average with 25.9% of children aged under 16 years living in poverty. The rate of family homelessness is worse than the England average. Nationally, asthma is the most common long-term condition in childhood. Locally there were 200 emergency admissions for children because of asthma in 2016/2017. This gives a rate which is higher than the average for England.

Childhood Obesity The percentage of children classified as obese or overweight in reception (aged 4-5 years) is approximately 27.4%. In year 6 (aged 10-11 years) this is 42.9%. Compared with the England average Greenwich has a higher percentage.

Bluebell encourages healthy eating and will look at increased activities with Charlton Athletic Football club this year to support an increase in exercise.

Dental Care Admission for dental carries is higher that the national average 15

10. Risk Assessment and Risk Management Strategies Risk Rating

1-3 Low

3-6 Medium

6-7 High

Risk Risk management strategies/ Probability Extent of Overall risk Risk factors Protective factors of harm current rating (1-9) Risk heightening factors occurring harm/hazard (1-3) (1-3)

Busy Road Crossing the road may be a risk to young Care is taken to ensure staff walk on the outer side close to oncoming traffic preventing 1 1 1 people if they do not cross safely. The road in a child from accessing the road. front of Bluebell can be busier at different If the risk assessment identifies that a child has tendencies to ‘run off’ they will ensure times of the day. two staff are allocated to support the visit . The service is developing additional training to ensure staff are alert to the possible risks that could be encountered. These include ensuring the child is enabled to develop independence in a safe managed way. Local Take-away shops Anti-social behavior around fast food The local McDonalds has times of high usage when local school finish. At this time 1 1 1 establishments have been identified as venues access is problematic and our children could experience a chaotic, noisy environment where grooming and exploitation can occur. we would avoid these times. Local Public House Anti-social behavior crime, public disorder. There have been no reported incidents as a result of being so close to the Public House. 1 1 1 The close proximity of the pub might mean If incidents do occur then this will be reported to the local neighbourhood officers and that the young people hear noise and behavior the licensing department. that might cause them some concern.

Risk Risk management strategies/ Probability Extent of Overall risk Risk factors Protective factors of harm current rating (1-9) Risk heightening factors occurring harm/hazard (1-3) (1-3)

Traffic within Cul-de-Sac Wensley has a high level of traffic to child All staff to be vigilant as children and families leave the premises. 2 1 2 development centre between 8am-6pm To prevent direct access into the road a wall is in place this also provides safety for Monday – Friday. wheelchair users leaving the building. Cars potentially going too fast There is a Zebra crossing to facilitate movement to Bungalow 4 to access the sensory Ambulances and school buses arriving garden/music room and sensory room Maximum speed limit is 5 mph Safety lock on the front door No incidents of any accidents occurring for children due to traffic at Wensley Eltham High Street High pedestrian and traffic volume When Children choose to go to Eltham they have a member of staff allocated to 1 2 2 The level of crime with Eltham High Street is support them .This could be physically pushing a wheelchair or facilitating a semi- higher than other local roads independent outing. No reports of any incident occurring when children have chosen to go to the High Street Sensory Garden The garden contains a variety of play Equipment regularly serviced 1 1 1 equipment specifically for children with Individual assessment carried out prior to child/young person accessing Disabilities No accidents reported this year Safeguarding -Within Greenwich 272 children were subject -All staff are trained to recognize a safeguarding concern and are able to seek advice 2 1 2 to a plan in 2015-2016 from their managers and Named Nurse. -Increased awareness of the potential of -Within the NHS the duty to report is now statutory all staff will undertake trust Radicalisation mandatory training this year -Identification of young girls who may be -Within Greenwich all staff are to complete on line training to help identify young subject to FGM people who may be at risk of FGM -Deliberate Self Harm is increasing as is suicide -Body maps completed on admission and during stay 17

Risk Risk management strategies/ Probability Extent of Overall risk Risk factors Protective factors of harm current rating (1-9) Risk heightening factors occurring harm/hazard (1-3) (1-3)

-Access to urgent advise available should a child’s mood be of concern -Supervision for staff in place to discuss concerns. -Improving communication support eg PECS will support a non-verbal child to disclose -Disabled children are vulnerable to abuse .Joint interagency training raises awareness of staff .Bluebell staff attended this training last year. Vulnerable children and Young People may be -Currently young people do not go out alone when staying at Bluebell this reduces the 1 1 1 coerced into gangs likelihood of contact -Manager will be having regular discussion with Designated looked after Nurse /Named Nurse in regard to any local changes

Caroline Chummun

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