Drove Road statement of purpose and function

Quality and purpose of care

Drove Road provides care and accommodation for young people aged 8 to 18 with a range of needs.

Young people who use the service at Drove Road all have a diagnosis of moderate to severe learning difficulties and/or autism and complex needs. All have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). 

Some young people may have other medical conditions or additional needs, such as ADHD and or epilepsy. Some young people may exhibit challenging behaviours. Many young people are non-verbal, pre-verbal or have limited functional language.

Young people attending Drove Road have learning difficulties associated with their autism and complex needs.

Drove Road offers placements to young people from the Brighton & Hove local authority. 

The service operates:

• 362 days of the year for young people receiving short breaks
• 365 days per year for the 3 young people receiving full-time support

If we receive a referral for a young person with a diagnosed mental health need in addition to a learning disability, we'll assess:

• whether we can meet these needs within the Drove Road environment
• what specialist clinical input would be required to safely meet the young person’s needs

We're currently supporting one young person, Jas, who is 18 years old.

Jas lives fulltime in 55B and turned 18 in September 2023. A placement is being sought for him. 

We continue to support the young person living full-time in 55C JB who turned 18 in August 2022, whilst an adult placement is secured, and a transition is planned to meet his needs.

Location of Drove Road

Drove Road is located on Drove Road in Portslade Old Village which is around 4 miles to the West of the centre of Brighton.

The location benefits from easy access to the A27 and A23, the seafront, the city centre and neighbouring towns. The location gives easy access to leisure facilities, country walks and activities such as swimming, the cinema, bowling, theme parks and sports.

We have good access to public transport with a bus stop less than 2 minutes away and train stations within 1 mile.

We also have 3 vehicles to support off-site trips and transport to education settings.

Arrangements at Drove Road for supporting cultural, linguistic and religious needs

Enquiries are made about the religious and cultural background of all young people as part of the admissions procedure and are recorded in young people’s personal files.

With the support of the families, Drove Road strives to take full account of the family background and respect all cultural, ethnic, and religious beliefs, including:

• supporting and promoting the use of different languages
• following dietary requirements and restrictions
• respecting religious and cultural observances and traditions

Young people’s dietary restrictions are observed, as well as any other religious or cultural norms requested by parents at the point of admission. 

We believe that all young people have the right to practice their religion and culture and we'll support and encourage them to do so in a manner appropriate to their age and level of understanding. If a young person or family requests, we'll support the young person to attend their place of worship whilst staying at Drove Road.

Making a complaint

There's information in our young people’s guide for the young people regarding how to make a complaint.

Brighton & Hove City Council values and respects the views and opinions of service users and families on the quality of the services provided.

We continually aim to improve the quality of our services and have procedures in place that ensure we deal with any comments or complaints. 

There is a range of people who can be contacted regarding any comments, complaints or compliments.

To make a complaint, you can contact:

The Practice Managers at Drove Road, Karen Rusbridge and Vikki Witham

• phone 01273 295 530 

The Council's Customer Feedback Team:

• phone 02173 291 229
• write to Brighton & Hove City Council, Customer Feedback Team, Hove Town Hall, Norton Rd, Hove, BN3 3BQ 
• send an email to customerfeedback@brighton-hove.gov.uk
• complete our online complaints form

Ofsted:

• write to Royal Exchange Buildings, St Ann’s Square, Manchester, M2 7LA
• phone 08456 40 40 40 

Young people are encouraged to give their views, compliments and complaints in annual questionnaires. They're supported to contact their advocate or Independent Reviewing Officer. 

Our success as a service is measured by monitoring:

• the levels of progress of the young people
• the experiences they gain from their time at Drove Road
• any increases in their confidence and sense of identity

The service is also monitored via formal and informal quality controls.

Access to key policies

Parents and children can access all of our policies at their request.

Key policies, including the residential services Safeguarding Children and Behaviour Management policies and procedures, are provided with the Statement of Purpose and Function when a young person begins introductions to Drove Road.

Drove Road has a range of strategies to support young people in learning to self-manage behaviour.

All young people have their own individually tailored behaviour support plan which is reviewed regularly and agreed upon with the parent/carer and the team around the young person.

Safeguarding and child protection is a high priority and Drove Road expects all staff to share this commitment. As it's unlikely that a young person will be able to verbally communicate allegations of abuse, staff are aware that they must be especially vigilant and aware of the indicators of abuse. 

We aim to safeguard and promote young people's welfare, safety and health by fostering an honest, caring and supportive environment.

We have robust policies and procedures to ensure all staff are trained and can respond appropriately and promptly to safeguarding and child protection concerns.

All staff attend mandatory safeguarding training during their induction period and subsequent refresher training.

We adhere to safer recruitment guidance, and staff are carefully screened before commencing employment, including:

• positive written and verbal references
• health assessments
• a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to ensure that practice is following the regulatory bodies and the Government's Safeguarding Children's Strategies

Drove Road’s values and ethos

Vision

At Drove Road, young people are our main focus. We strive to create a person-centred approach where we help all of our young people develop:

• their self-esteem
• social and communication skills
• life skills and independence

Values

Our values include:

• we value the individuality of our young people and treat them with respect and dignity
• we strive to enable the highest level of independence for our young people
• we value, encourage and celebrate their achievements
• we encourage young people to learn about themselves, explore their emotions and self-regulate
• we have high expectations of our young people and all who work with them
• we believe in the importance of a holistic and collaborative approach with parents/carers, families and professionals to achieve the best outcomes

Outcomes 

The staff team endeavours to create a safe, homely and relaxed atmosphere and to provide a range of leisure, social, sporting and educational activities to ensure each young person’s stay is an enjoyable experience.

Our aim for each young person is to:

• self-manage their behaviour
• communicate
• manage their transition
• develop life skills
• make choices 

In addition, young people are encouraged to make and maintain relationships. Our full-time young people have the opportunity to have friends to visit and are supported to visit friends in their homes if the opportunity arises.

Accommodation offered at Drove Road 

Drove Road is an 8-bed service for young people aged 8 to 18 years. It's made up of 3 flats including an enclosed large garden with facilities and a separate car park.

55A has provision for 5 beds for short breaks/respite. 55B has 2 full-time beds. 55C is a self-contained flat that offers 1 full-time bed.

While young people stay with us, we aim to provide a positive, safe, stimulating and supportive environment where each individual’s needs are met. Emphasis is placed on social interaction, communication and personal development to:

• maximise opportunities for self-confidence and self-advocacy
• enhance life skills

The number of young people resident at any one time is calculated according to individual needs and behaviours, so at times there may be fewer than 8 people.

While some young people live at 55 Drove Road full-time, others will stay for planned short breaks.   

The home is divided to enable the young people to have separate areas which are self-sufficient and can operate discreetly from each other.

Each young person has their own bedroom and shares facilities such as bathrooms and toilets. Young people share areas within the home when appropriate to develop positive peer relationships as well as enjoy shared activities and learning opportunities. 

Although the bedrooms for short breaks may be used by different young people over a week, young people are encouraged to bring in personal belongings such as photos and pictures, so that their rooms can be personalised for each stay.  Personal items can be kept at Drove Road between stays.   

55A holds 5 bedrooms, a large lounge, a kitchen, a sensory room, 2 shower rooms, one bathroom, a staff office, a laundry room, and a large foyer.

55B hold 2 bedrooms, an art/activity room, a small kitchen, a dining room, a lounge, a bathroom, laundry and a staff office. 

55C holds a kitchen lounge, a bedroom with an en-suite, a staff office, a storeroom and a staff toilet. 

We have a large enclosed garden. This area is shared by all young people and includes:

• an activity cabin and shed with outside toys
• a trampoline area
• a ball pool

Consulting with children and young people about the quality of their care

Staff at Drove Road strive to ensure that all young people have the opportunity to express their needs and wishes.

Due to the level of understanding our young people have, it can be difficult to directly question young people about how happy they are with their care.

Consultation for young people at Drove Road is therefore provided in a variety of ways.

An Independent Visitor visits every month. Due to the level of understanding our young people have, it can be difficult for the Independent Visitor to question young people directly.

The visitor:

• observes different aspects of the young people’s lives to ensure their choices are supported within Drove Road
• conducts Regulation 44 statutory visits

Children and young people are given regular and frequent opportunities to make choices about their preferences in as many areas as possible and are supported to understand and communicate their choices.

Young people are encouraged to make choices in everyday situations such as:

• what to wear
• what food they would like at snack times and some mealtimes
• which member of staff they would like to help them in the bathroom
• selecting preferred leisure activities or through the ‘choice’ option within their daily sequences 

Young people do this by using:

• PECS
• Makaton
• Proloquo2go on an iPad

Communication strategies are used to help young people communicate their likes and dislikes and comment on their lives. This includes:

• choice boards
• social stories with questions
• photographs

Some young people can attend their Looked After Child or Annual Review for a short time. If they're unable or unwilling to do so their presence is represented via photos and/or videos of their work and achievements.

An online or hard copy annual parent/carer questionnaire is undertaken annually to gather views about Drove Road’s provision of care.

Before a young person starts at Drove Road, a Lead Support Worker is allocated to them. 

A Lead Support Worker (LSW) coordinates information from home, social workers, school, and other professionals.

Wherever possible, Lead Support Workers will:

• visit the young person and their parents or carers in the home
• support the young person’s introductory visits and first overnight stay at the service

The lead support worker will take the lead in consulting with the young person about their needs and wishes and checking on their health and well-being whilst at Drove Road.

The Lead Support Worker will help the young person to prepare for and attend meetings with the Social Work Team, school, and health professionals.

Independent advocates may also help to represent the views of young people. 

Anti-discriminatory practice and the rights of children and young people 

We place a high value on diversity at Drove Road. We treat everyone at Drove Road as an individual. 

Anti-discriminatory practice is a core theme and principle of our work with young people as well as a legislative requirement.

In this respect, we aim to meet the needs of all by taking into account differences in gender, ethnicity, culture, social and religious backgrounds, as well as ability.

Drove Road promotes positive approaches to difference and fosters respect for all people.

Language or behaviour which is racist, sexist, or potentially discriminatory or damaging to any young person or minority group will not be tolerated.

All young people at Drove Road are entitled to learning experiences which will:

• enable them to achieve their potential
• enrich their lives

The ethos of Drove Road supports the development of self-respect and self-esteem in all young people and staff. 

Children have rights

The rights of children include:

• to be safe and cared for
• to have their wishes and feelings taken into account
• to be offered choices
• to be given information on important issues in their lives 

The service is provided in partnership with children, parents, carers and other agencies. 

We facilitate access to a wide range of experiences and opportunities. This includes:

• having a visible presence in the community
• supporting young people to access the same leisure facilities and cultural activities as their non-disabled peers

We seek to enable young people to experience the highest possible quality of care, including:

• actively supporting young people’s decision-making
• enabling them to have control over their personal support needs
• promoting community participation

This includes having a visible presence in the community and supporting young people to access local leisure and cultural activities. 

Education and promoting educational attainment 

Drove Road maintains close links with schools to:

• help young people achieve their full potential
• ensure their educational needs are met

A copy of the young person’s Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP) is held in the young person’s file. Behaviour and support plans are shared between Drove Road and the schools/colleges.

Full-time young people also have a Personal Educational Plan (PEP). This enables Drove Road and education staff to offer a consistent approach to managing young people’s needs and behaviours whilst achieving their educational targets.

All young people have goals and aims drawn up by the lead support worker in consultation with parents, carers and the school. These targets are linked to school/college targets wherever possible to support and promote each young person’s educational progress. 

To help maintain good communication and consistency of approach toward learning and behaviour, lead support workers arrange termly visits to observe the young people in the classroom. They also attend:

• parent’s evenings
• annual education reviews
• network, behaviour and core group meetings to discuss the progress of the young person

The frequency of these meetings depends on the needs of the young person. 

Within the home, the individual young person’s achievements are celebrated daily in the form of our ‘Star of Drove Road’ display wall.

Promoting creative, intellectual, and physical activities, social interests and skills 

At Drove Road, we aim to offer a stimulating and creative environment that encourages and provides opportunities to:

• learn, play and create
• socially interact with peers, staff and the wider community

Activities are planned on an individual basis and are identified:

• through young people’s choices
• from young people’s support plans and risk assessments

They may be group activities or individual sessions depending on individual choice and also to ensure that all young people’s needs are met.

Leisure activities within Drove Road include:

• a soft playroom with a ball pool
• a sensory room
• music and entertainment facilities
• books
• games, puzzles and toys

We have computers and a large touchscreen interactive board with a range of activities for young people with varying abilities to access.

We have a large main garden with:

• swings and other playground equipment
• water play tables
• a paddling pool
• sporting equipment, including go-karts and bikes
• equipment for football and bowling

There's a large creative cabin which houses numerous art and music activities and instruments. 

We have a second, smaller garden which has a large trampoline. 

We spend a lot of time accessing activities in the local community and further afield. We have our own vehicles, but we try to use public transport as much as possible. We encourage lots of walking.

Activities in the community include:

• visiting cafes and restaurants
• swimming
• walks in the country and on the seafront
• cinema
• bowling
• visiting the Pier and local fairs and events

Health 

Young people are encouraged to live a healthy lifestyle. To support them with this, we:

• promote physical exercise and activities
• promote a healthy diet
• monitor healthcare needs

Young people are expected to be registered with a local GP and dentist. Assistance can be given to help in their choice of GP/dentist.   

Staff are expected to act as a ‘responsible parent’ would. This is in consultation with relevant healthcare professionals when young people are living at Drove Road full-time.

If a child/young person is unwell when a planned short break is due to begin, he/she should not attend Drove Road but remain at home. It's also requested that staff be informed of any illness suffered within the week before a stay.

In the event of a child becoming unwell during their stay at Drove Road, the parents would be contacted first as a matter of course to take their child home and seek the advice of their GP.   However, if for some reason it were not possible to contact the parents, 111 would be contacted to gain advice, or a phone call to the young person’s GP would be made.

For young people living full-time at the home, families will be contacted to inform them of their child’s illness, but staff will support the young person at 55 Drove Road.

Any contagious or infectious conditions will be treated following the advice of a GP. Young people/staff would be sent home accordingly 

Information about healthcare needs is identified via the Health Care Plan or Hospital Passport at the outset of the placement. This explores and clarifies details relating to:

• mobility
• adaptations used
• feeding methods
• medication
• any procedures for conditions or symptoms

In some cases, electronic devices such as baby monitors will be used to monitor the young person's health throughout the night. There's a written policy that outlines the consent required and the reasons for use. 

Routine check-ups, appointments, and access to wider medical input, such as psychological and psychiatric expertise, are the responsibility of the parents of young people in the short break service, but staff at Drove Road are willing to support appointments. We understand that these can be challenging for the young person and their parent/carer.

We support young people who live at Drove Road full-time to attend appointments and liaise with parents/carers for their input and attendance.

We also write social stories for the young person to help prepare them for the appointment and what will happen when they're there.  We undertake ‘back chaining’ for blood tests, EEGs and ECG. We have blood pressure monitors that we can use to help young people get used to them. 

When staff administer medication, their role is that of a competent parent/carer. Staff are assessed to administer medication and must have an annual reassessment. To apply the medication and healthcare policy successfully, the onus rests on parents to:

• supply any medication in the original container with the current and correct pharmacy label
• provide accurate and up-to-date information about the health needs of their child 

Whenever possible, parents are consulted about medical interventions. They also sign a form giving their permission for staff to take emergency action as required if they can't be contacted.   

Staff work closely with healthcare professionals such as:

• school nurses
• occupational therapists
• dieticians
• CAMHS

They provide advice and training when required.

Arranging and promoting time with children and their families, and friends 

With the assistance of the parents, carers and Social Work Team, we strive to support and encourage young people to maintain positive relationships with parents, carers and friends whilst at Drove Road. 

Young people who live here full-time have regular video and/or face-to-face family time.

We do life story work for the young people who live here full-time. They're given lots of opportunities to talk about or ask to talk to their families.

We aim to provide all young people with the time they need to prepare for visits at Drove Road or to the family home and to process and get used to changes in their routine and that of others. We ensure that young people are given information in a way that is meaningful to them including sequences and calendars.

With the assistance of parents, carers, the Social Work Team, observations or feedback from the young people and other professionals, we monitor the impact of visits, and arrange future visits from this feedback. 

All contact must be pre-arranged by parents and carers with the Social Work Team and the management team at Drove Road (Senior Care Officers, Practice Manager).

If parents wish to visit young people at Drove Road outside of arranged family times, we ask that they give at least 48 hours’ notice so that we can communicate this to the young people in advance. This must be agreed upon by a manager (Senior Care Officer or Practice Manager). 

Communication about contact should always include the:

• Lead Support Worker
• Social Worker
• Senior Care Officer
• Practice Manager

The staff team at Drove Road works closely with families to maintain contact and involvement in the children’s lives and their future plans.

Regular informal conversations, as well as formal meetings and reviews, facilitate positive relationships. 

Monitoring and surveillance of children

Monitoring 

The following surveillance systems may be used for individuals after consultation with a multidisciplinary team, and consent is gained:

• audio monitors for night-time monitoring of health conditions such as epilepsy
• door alarms for night time monitoring to alert staff that young people are out of their bedrooms and may require assistance

These are then added to the individual risk assessments, ELP (Essential Life Plan) and RIRA (Restrictive Intervention Risk Assessment).

Security

At Drove Road, we strive to ensure the health and safety of young people whilst respecting their right to privacy.

Following consultations with a multi-disciplinary team, comprehensive risk assessments and as described and agreed upon in care and placement plans, the following surveillance systems may be used for individual young people:

• audio monitors for nighttime monitoring of health conditions such as epilepsy, see the consent form in the young person’s file
• bedroom door sensors for nighttime monitoring are to alert staff that young people are out of their bedrooms and may require assistance
• all external doors lock automatically when shut, therefore, staff carry keys on them at all times, external doors will open after 1 minute if the fire alarm goes off

All external doors have sensors that are used in the same way as the bedroom door sensors overnight when the home has minimal staffing.

Positive interventions and behavioural support, including interventions 

At Drove Road, we aim to enable all of our young people to:

• develop self-esteem
• develop social and communication skills
• learn life skills and independence
• access the community to the best of their ability

All behaviour is seen as a form of communication and is managed positively. Our ethos believes in teaching young people to substitute challenging behaviour with more appropriate behaviour and communication. We reward good behaviour with praise and the use of positive motivators. 

We provide clear and fair boundaries, routines, and opportunities. We teach functional skills like life skills and teaching techniques so young people feel safe, supported, motivated and encouraged.

Positive methods of influencing behaviour are always used. We advocate the Positive Behaviour Support approach. 

However, where behaviour is a cause for concern, plans are in place and will be implemented to manage the situation.

The welfare and safety of all young people at Drove Road is always important. We do not use punitive methods or sanctions to maintain behaviour.

Restrictive practices or interventions are last resort strategies and are not aimed at changing the behaviour itself but at managing the risk.

Physical interventions are only considered after all other approaches have been exhausted and to terminate a dangerous situation. The least restrictive approach must always be adopted.

Each young person has a behaviour support plan in place, which:

• includes proactive and reactive strategies to support them in learning to self-manage their behaviour
• ensures a consistent approach is employed throughout the staff team

This is regularly reviewed at behaviour support meetings.   

Strategies designed to diffuse and divert are employed first to reduce the likelihood of any escalation. 

Physical intervention will be the last resort and used for the least possible time following PROACT-SCIPr-UK guidelines and principles. 

PROACT-SCIPr-UK

Drove Road follows the PROACT-SCIPr-UK® philosophy. It's based on evidence and values. It takes a ‘whole-person approach’ to supporting individuals whose behaviour can be of concern and in turn, can restrict their own lives and independence.

Research shows that behaviours of concern result from people not being able to communicate their wants and needs. Proact-Scipr-UK approach identifies distress early and enables us to respond positively, in a non-restrictive way. Supportive physical interventions are only taught when it's essential to safety.

This positive and proactive approach gives the young people we're supporting independence and self-control. This helps them to live a fulfilling life. 

Person Centred Planning plus Positive Behaviour Support = PROACT-SCIPr-UK.

Its objectives are to:

• promote the ‘whole approach’ to the support provided for our young people with challenging behaviour
• promote good and safe practice, comply with legal guidance, and organisational policy
• provide an understanding of the issues around behaviour and challenging behaviour
• develop an understanding of the functions of challenging behaviour and how it serves a purpose for a young person
• develop a process of Behaviour Support Planning which meets young people’s needs in a more positive way
• ensure awareness of the duty of care
• ensure competence in the use of the core principles relating to physical Interventions

Following Positive Behaviour Support guidelines, strategies designed to diffuse and divert are employed first to reduce the likelihood of any escalation in behaviour.

These would be person-centred but may include the following:

• offering choice
• giving space and time
• adaptations to the environment, such as low lighting and quiet areas
• therapeutic and sensory alternatives such as music, massage and deep-pressure
• re-direction/distraction/reassurance
• communication aids such as iPads and feeling choice boards
• social stories, now and next, sequences
• calming techniques such as modelling, praise and active listening 

Registered provider and registered manager 

The registered provider

Families, Children and Learning Directorate of Brighton & Hove City Council

Hove Town Hall

Norton Rd

Hove

BN3 3BQ

Responsible individual

Lorraine Hughes

Interim Head of Service

Specialist Community Disability Service

To contact Lorraine, send an email to lorraine.hughes@brighton-hove.gov.uk.

Registered Practice Managers

Karen Rusbridge

To contact Karen, send an email to karen.rusbridge@brighton-hove.gov.uk.

Vikki Witham

To contact Vikki, send an email to vikki.witham@brighton-hove-gov.uk.

Experience and qualifications of staff 

There is a high staff-to-young-person ratio at Drove Road with a large staffing team. 

Staffing levels and ratios are provided following risk assessments. They're based on the individual needs of young people and their requirements for supervision and support.

All staff undertake a comprehensive induction. This takes place during a 12-month probationary period and consists of training on:

• safeguarding children
• first aid
• food safety
• safer handling of children
• fire safety training
• administering emergency medication
• PROACTSCIPr-UK
• autism
• internet safety training

E-learning is provided on child sexual exploitation and radicalisation/the Prevent duty, both of which are also mandatory training for all residential staff. A staff member’s learning and performance are assessed against the standards expected of them and the ethos of the service. 

All Home Care Support Workers must have a Level 3 diploma for Residential Childcare (England) or equivalent. 

Senior Care Officers are required to have a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare or equivalent.

Registered Manager qualifications

Karen Rusbridge is qualified with:

• a level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare
• an NVQ4 in Caring for Children and Young People
• a Registered Managers Award

Karen has over 20 years of experience in residential care and 15 years in a Registered Manager role. 

Vikki Witham is qualified with:

• a level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare
• an NNEB

Vikki has 20 years of experience in residential care and 7 years in a Registered Manager role. 

Staff within the team also hold additional experience and qualifications. These include:

• nursery nursing (NNEB)
• therapeutic care
• youth work
• teaching and teaching assistants
• social work
• media
• catering
• psychology
• counselling and therapy
• degrees in fine art, performing and expressive arts

Staff share their ideas on best practices in child-care provision through supervision and team meetings.

Staff evaluate standards regularly by identifying progress and improvements via the annual team plan. We also have a defusing and debriefing procedure which enables staff to reflect and manage their own feelings and responses to the behaviours presented by young people. 

Emphasis is placed on personal development and teamwork to:

• secure care objectives
• continually monitor and improve the quality of service delivery

Recruitment and Selection are carried out in line with the required standards of the Care Standards Act, and Brighton & Hove Council procedures. Documents are kept on individual files to evidence the recruitment, induction and probationary process.   

We adhere to safer recruitment guidance. Staff are carefully screened before commencing employment. We gather:

• positive written and verbal references
• health assessments
• a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

In addition to contracted care staff, Drove Road has an experienced pool of Care Crew workers who provide cover for staff sickness or leave. Care Crew staff undergo the same recruitment checks as contracted staff. They undertake and shadow shifts with an induction programme including the above training.

When Care Crew staff are not available, shifts are covered by agency staff.

Drove Road also has:

• 2 part-time ancillary workers who work weekday mornings
• a part-time gardener/handyperson

Organisational structure and supervision of staff

Supervision

All staff have regular formal supervision in line with Brighton and Hove Children’s Services Social Work Supervision Policy July 2016 (last reviewed and updated July 2021) and Care Standards Act 2000.

Formal supervision is completed monthly unless otherwise stated for part-time employees and relief staff. Informal supervision is provided as and when required. 

In addition to supervision, staff have an annual appraisal (PDP) which is reviewed every 6 months.   

The annual team plan for Drove Road informs the PDP objectives for individual staff members and the team as a whole once new areas for service improvements have been identified during the annual team planning day.

Promoting appropriate role models of both sexes

The community within Drove Road is one of wide cultural and ethnic diversity, with a good balance of male and female staff. 

Acting as a positive role model is a key element within our approach to support young people in learning skills such as social skills.

Criteria for the admission of children to the home 

Admissions criteria 

Drove Road provides accommodation for young people aged 8 to 18 years old.   

Young people who use the service at Drove Road all have a diagnosis of moderate to severe learning difficulties and/or autism and complex needs. All have an Education, Health and Care plan. 

Some young people may have other medical conditions or additional need,s such as ADHD and or epilepsy. Some young people may exhibit challenging behaviours. Many young people are non-verbal, pre-verbal or have limited functional language.

Young people attending Drove Road have learning difficulties associated with their autism and complex needs.

Drove Road is unable to accommodate young people with a physical disability who require manual handling equipment and mobility aids. 

The full capacity of the service is 8 beds, however, the needs and compatibility of the young people require high staff ratios, resulting in it not being possible to fill all 5 respite beds at the same time. 

55A is a 5-bed respite/short breaks service.

55B is a 2-bed fulltime service.

55C is a single-person fulltime service.

Admissions process 

Following our registration certificate, admissions are made using the following criteria:

• may only provide care and accommodation for up to 8 children, as detailed below
• may provide care and accommodation for 3 permanent children at one time with learning or physical disabilities
• may provide a maximum of 5 short break placements for children at any one time with learning or physical disabilities
• must reduce the number of children by the number of people aged 18 and over for whom it provides care and accommodation

Young people needing a support service are initially referred to the Specialist Community Disability Service team. A specialist Social Worker will carry out a Strengthening Families Assessment. 

This is then presented to the Specialist Community Disability Services Resource Panel. This Panel includes representatives from a range of support services in Brighton and Hove who consider which service can best meet the needs of the young person and their family. 

Should Drove Road be identified as the most appropriate service, we would use the Strengthening Families Assessment, other assessments or information and visit the young person in their education provision or home to determine whether Drove Road would be able to:

• meet the young person’s needs
• provide an appropriate peer group
• enable progress

A compatible mix of young people brings variety, diversity and energy into the home. 

If there are any concerns about Drove Road’s ability to fully meet a young person’s needs, we'll complete a compatibility assessment. 

Experience has shown that some level of associated mental health disorders can be managed safely at Drove Road, and young people can benefit from a consistent environment; however, we're not equipped to look after young people with severe mental health disorders. 

Following the assessment, if it's deemed that the young person would be appropriately placed at Drove Road, the young person’s families/carers would be invited to visit, look around the house and meet staff and other young people.

Parents/carers are given a copy of the Parent Pack which gives:

• details about all of the records we hold on young people
• general information for parents about medication procedures
• information about cancelling stays if young people are unwell
• information about how to make a complaint

We would make an introductory plan with the carers involving several informal visits where:

• the young person can familiarise themselves with the home
• information can be gathered to produce a detailed Essential Life Plan

The needs of the young person and the ability of Drove Road to meet those needs are continually assessed. The introductory plan is adapted on an individual basis, building up to overnight stays. 

A placement planning meeting is held before the first overnight stay, attended by the Social Worker, parent/carer(s), lead support worker, and manager at Drove Road. This will:

• confirm the final care package
• discuss the day-to-day arrangements
• ensure that all consent forms, Section 20 agreement, delegated authority and placement plan are signed

Emergency admissions 

Due to our young people needing to have a planned transition, we do not take emergency admissions.