Statement of Purpose

Quality and Purpose of Care Steps is a therapeutic Children's Home, registered for nine boys and girls, aged between 6 - 13 years (Steps is usually home to eight children, we currently have a temporary variation to our capacity in place but plan to amend the figure back to eight during the early summer). We offer a 52 week placement with inclusive education and a holistic approach to care. Steps care for children who have specific emotional, behavioural and attachment difficulties due to early childhood trauma. It is our belief that all children are entitled to a high standard of care and a plethora of positive childhood memories. We facilitate this by providing a physically and emotionally safe environment, which is child-friendly and homely. Our environment also contains consistency and stability, structure and clear boundaries, allowing children to form a sense of who they are, confidence and self-worth, all from a safe and secure base. It is our aim to support and encourage children to achieve their full potential in all areas, and if appropriate return to live in a family setting to continue their childhood. We work closely with our Clinical Team and use a range of assessment tools for baseline and ongoing monitoring. We offer a 16 week initial assessment on arrival and the development of an Individualised Clinical Plan, which will be regularly reviewed and presented at each LAC review. Steps is a member of The Consortium of Therapeutic Communities in order to develop our therapeutic input into all aspects of the care that we currently provide. As well as staff being trained to QCF level 3 in Children and Young People they will also be undertaking a Therapeutic Diploma which underpins the practice already in place at Steps. Steps is set in a semi-rural location 1 mile from the historic market town of Chipping Norton. We have a comprehensive Location Review that considers the risks present in the wider community, which may affect our young people and the service we provide. The home is close to both Oxford and Banbury. Chipping Norton offers a range of local services and recreational facilities, doctors, dentists, a leisure centre, theatre and a park. The town also has two primary schools and a secondary school. We consider ourselves a therapeutic community at Steps and as such we meet twice a day to discuss the day’s events and reflect on our thoughts and feelings regarding our own behaviour and the impact it can have on others .We endeavour to consider the child’s behaviour as a communication, looking beyond, to consider what is the underlying issue or concern for the youngster. We keep the children “In mind” ensuring the children are aware that they are cared for and considered at all times. We endeavour to integrate all young people into the wider community through activities and clubs, as well as using the local library. This aids the sense of belonging required to give a child the opportunity to heal. The location also allows us to enjoy country walks, fishing, bike rides and other age appropriate outdoor pursuits. Activities need to be carefully planned to balance realistic activities and leisure pursuits in line with those a young person would be able to access in a family or foster care environment. Steps is a dormer bungalow, with 8 children's bedrooms on the ground floor and a further 1 on the first floor. There are 3 bathrooms on the ground floor and a separate WC. There is staff accommodation on the ground and first floor together with a staff bathroom and some ensuite facilities. The communal areas of the house include a lounge area with a home cinema system, a games room, which includes an Xbox, drum kit and guitars and pool table. There is a large dining room, book corner and a therapy room which is home to a range of imaginative and role play toys. The kitchen and pantry are next to the dining room and staff office. Steps is set within 3 acres of gardens. We have two paddocks where our other residents live- our sheep, goats, pigs, chickens and ducks. The children are encouraged to care for the animals, with lots of staff support, helping them develop empathy and a sense of responsibility. We also have a trampoline and swing and climbing frame in the garden, together with a sand pit and a large patio area. We share the hard court area with school, so children are able to access this area for bike riding, skateboarding, tennis and football. Weekly staff meetings and handovers provide regular opportunities for staff to discuss each child's progress and health needs, together with wider issues of care. Monthly reflective group supervision sessions help the staff team discuss issues and help develop a united approach to the care we provide, they are facilitated by an experienced therapeutic practitioner. Alongside this on a monthly basis staff and clinical team conduct a child focus session where a young person is the focus of the session and staff look at the past, present and future aspects of a particular child each month to promote thoughts on working progressively with each individual, ensuring all young people are always thought about and considered thoroughly. Our care package aims to provide a safe and nurturing home for the child including:- Full board and lodging Detailed observations of a child's needs during the assessment period collated into a report for the case review Participation in all activities organised by the home Holidays will be arranged throughout the year Everyday clothing up to a maximum of £40 per month All personal needs, including pocket money, toiletries etc Education in our school Psychological assessment, both Clinical and Educational (if required) Full in-house assessment Art therapy Music therapy Weekly reports to SW The admission of a new resident, whether planned or unplanned is a difficult time and we aim to make any transition as smooth as possible. During the referral process consideration will be given to how the young person would adapt to the new environment, placing emphasis on how the service can meet the needs of the child, we use a pre placement impact assessment to ensure this. We also ask placing authorities to complete a pre placement risk assessment, highlighting the presenting issues. Placements cannot be considered for current hard drug users, fire raisers, children who require continuous psychiatric supervision, children who pose a serious physical threat to themselves or others, and those who have a physical or profound learning disability. All placements are subject to receipt of the relevant paperwork and the arrangement of a planning meeting, either on admission or within 7 days of the placement commencing. (72 hours for emergency admissions) We acknowledge that arriving and departing any care setting can be difficult for our young person, whether they are the subject of the move or they are resident whilst it occurs. We work with an arrival and departure checklist, ensuring we provide uniformity and tradition around these events. On arrival children receive a comic, soft toy and “welcome to your new home” card. When a placement is planned specific décor can be in place prior to the move date. On arrival a key worker will be allocated to the young person and a young person’s induction completed, along with a copy of the young person’s guide. When a placement ends it’s vital that this is done in a planned and positive way. Full support is given to any transition planning and ongoing outreach work can be done if required. We have a party to mark the end of a placement and the child or staff member is a vital part of the planning so it reflects them and their time at Steps. Keyworkers support the transition plan with regular sessions to discuss and support the most pertinent issues. We also maintain relationships after a child has moved on, returning for our annual BBQ, phone calls and visits throughout the year, this can continue for as long as the child and the team around the child feel it is appropriate, we manage this to reflect the individual needs of the child. As part of moving on from Steps, a leaflet is now given to all new carers to reinforce the awareness that Steps is always there to support both child and carers, the leaflet containing contact details and reassuring words to help continue the relationships formed. It is important for staff to be aware that young people in care can easily become isolated from the local community. Key-workers actively encourage community involvement for young people if they are emotionally able to cope with the activities offered within the locality. Key- workers investigate and develop links with all potential activity providers within the community setting, i.e. scout’s, brownies and swimming club. All children will join the local library on arrival and reading for pleasure will be promoted. A range of cultural activities are on offer, developing an understanding and awareness of differing cultures and religions. These are reflected and recorded on the Equal and Diversity board. Children are able to voice their complaints either individually or together through a community meeting. Children are also able to call emergency community meetings if they had an issue or news to discuss. Any matter that cannot be resolved by either of these means must be taken to the Team Manager or Home Manager. If the matter cannot be resolved at this stage then, providing the issue can wait, the Manager or Area Manager will give the child a private interview and make a written statement about the core issues of the complaint.

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