Tudor House statement of purpose and function

The range of needs of the children for whom accommodation is provided

Residential services at Tudor House are available to young people aged 8 to 18 who have a learning disability and who may also have a physical disability.

Tudor House can accommodate up to 5 young people, subject to compatibility assessments and needs-assessed staffing levels.

We're registered to take full-time placements as well as offering short breaks.

Tudor House generally operates as a short break service but may provide care to young people on a shared care basis. We only accept temporary full-time placements on an emergency basis.

Young people who use the service at Tudor House all have ‘severe’ or ‘moderate’ levels of learning disabilities, as defined in Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).

Young people have a range of support needs on physical, emotional and educational levels. We strive to meet the needs of all young people, focusing on them as individuals.

Young people who stay at Tudor House very often have physical disabilities in addition to their learning disabilities, which means that they require considerable levels of physical and personal care support.

Often, they are young people who have been looked after in family settings until manual handling needs become such that safety considerations require us to look to residential care in a fully equipped setting.

Tudor House does not accept referrals for young people with known behaviours of concern that could potentially pose a risk to more vulnerable young people who access the service.

When planning short stays for young people, the practice manager takes account of individual needs, considering issues such as:

• compatibility with other young people
• required staffing levels

This may mean that we do not have full occupancy all of the time, but it ensures that young people:

• are looked after as safely as possible
• receive full support and individual attention during their stays

The service operates for 359 days of the year and closes for 3 nights at Christmas. The service also closes for 3 staff training days each year.

The home’s ethos and philosophy

The guiding principles for the way the service operates are established in:

• the Children Act 1989
• the Care Standards Act 2000
• the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015
• Every Child Matters 2004
• associated guidance

The welfare of the child is paramount, and work will be child-centred. The Families, Children and Learning Directorate is committed to achieving the ‘Every Child Matters’ 5 outcomes for children:

1. Be healthy.
2. Stay safe.
3. Enjoy and achieve.
4. Make a positive contribution.
5. Achieve economic well-being.

Brighton and Hove City Council Children’s Services Directorate Plan sets out how we will achieve these outcomes and positively impact the lives of all children and young people.

‘We want all of our children and young people to have the best possible start in life so that they grow up happy, healthy and safe with the opportunity to fulfil their own potential’

Children receiving residential short breaks should be valued, nurtured, and kept safe from harm.

At Tudor House, we have high expectations for our children and strive to provide a stimulating environment where children can thrive and achieve excellent outcomes.

It's integral to the Tudor House ethos that young people’s views are sought on all aspects of their day-to-day care. This includes choices about:

• what to wear
• leisure activities in the house
• snacks and meals
• outings in the community
• staff assistance at mealtimes
• personal care

Whenever possible, young people’s views are also sought over:

• changes to décor in the home
• new equipment
• summer party themes

Our success is measured by monitoring the levels of achievement of young people towards greater independence and an increase in their confidence and self-esteem.

No specific theoretical or therapeutic model is used. However, we work to support the implementation of any therapeutic techniques as required by Individual Support Plans and in consultation with:

• families
• Social Workers
• health colleagues, such as Speech and Language Therapists, Community Nurses and Psychiatrists

Accommodation and facilities offered

Tudor House is a large detached house with 5 bedrooms on the outskirts of Brighton. It's designed and adapted specifically for the needs of young people with physical disabilities.

All areas are wheelchair accessible and there's specialist equipment installed, such as:

• ceiling tracking hoists
• height-adjustable beds and baths

Of the 5 large single bedrooms available for young people, 3 are on the ground floor and 2 are upstairs.    

Tudor House has a:

• large lounge
• kitchen/dining room
• sensory room
• separate activity room with an interactive projected floor and a large plasma touchscreen TV
• large secure garden with level access and specialised equipment and toys
• soft playroom within a heated log cabin

Young people have plenty of opportunities for socialising together in the communal areas of Tudor House, whilst always having the choice of spending time in their own bedroom for privacy and individual space.

Young people have their personal belongings and some choice about the décor in their bedrooms. The rooms are personalised before each visit. With a planned short break, more than one young person may use the room over a week.

Tudor House always provides a healthy, nutritious diet, catering for all individual cultural or health needs. Suitable feeding and drinking aids are provided as necessary.

All of the above are checked and monitored via our formal inspections and monitoring visits, carried out by an independent person under regulation 44 of the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015 and our regulatory body, Ofsted.

Visits by the independent person take place every month to:

• monitor service quality and outcomes
• build relationships with staff and young people

This provides regular feedback to the registered manager and Ofsted about how well the service meets the Children’s Homes Quality Standards.

All visits are discussed with the Registered Manager to scrutinise service delivery and any concerns. Records of the visits are sent to the Responsible Individual within Brighton & Hove City Council and made available to Ofsted.

Ofsted is a National Independent body that inspects all children’s homes against the National Minimum Standards 2000 and The Children’s Home Regulations 2015, to ensure that minimum standards of care are achieved.

Formal Ofsted Inspections take place annually, and the visits are always unannounced. The Ofsted Inspection Reports are made available to the public and can be seen at Tudor House or a copy can be posted to parents/carers on request.

Location of the home

Tudor House is a large, detached house with 5 bedrooms on the outskirts of Brighton. It's designed and adapted specifically for the needs of young people with physical disabilities.

All areas are wheelchair accessible. There are several pieces of specialised equipment installed, such as:

• ceiling-tracked hoists
• height-adjustable beds and baths

The property is situated on the main road leading into Brighton. The benefits of this are:

• easy access to the centre of Brighton and the seafront
• it's quick and easy to leave Brighton when outings further afield are planned

There's a main bus route outside the house with the nearest bus stop approximately a minute's walk away. This enables: 

• young people to access local community facilities in Brighton, even if there are no drivers on duty
• us to give young people the choice of several outings when we have access to both public transport and the Tudor House minibus

Support for cultural, linguistic and religious needs

Tudor House accounts for each child’s family background, including cultural, ethnic, religious and other factors.

All young people have the right to practice their religion and cultural norms. Every effort is made to ensure that a young person can practice his/her religion appropriate to their age and understanding.

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

If a young person or their family requests it, we support young people to attend their place of worship while staying at Tudor House.

We observe young people’s dietary restrictions and any other religious or cultural norms requested by parents at admission.

We actively promote diversity and celebrate a wide range of festivals. We introduce young people to these festivals and involve them by:

• decorating the home
• preparing and eating special foods
• having themes for clothing and activities
• planning visits to explore local attractions

If a family’s first language is not English, we can arrange for our key policies and statement of purpose, and function to be translated into their native language if required.

Complaints

Brighton & Hove City Council values and respects service users’ opinions, comments and feedback on the quality of services.

We continually aim to improve the quality of our service. We have procedures which ensure that we deal with any comments or complaints that you may wish to make, including:

• a comments and complaints form specifically designed for young people
• an annual questionnaire for young people and their parents/carers to enable us to seek direct feedback on our services

If you have complaints or comments, you can contact:

• the Registered Manager at Tudor House or their line manager
• our Customer Feedback Team by:
  • phoning 0500 291 229
  • writing to Brighton & Hove City Council, Customer Feedback Team, FREEPOST SEA2560, Brighton, BN1 1ZW
  • sending an email to complaints@brighton-hove.gov.uk
• Ofsted by:
  • writing to Royal Exchange Buildings, St Ann’s Square, Manchester, M2 7LA
  • phoning 08456 404 040

Young people are:

• encouraged to give their views via an annual questionnaire and a child-friendly comments and complaints form
• supported to contact their Independent Reviewing Officer or the Children’s Rights Director, where appropriate

Advocacy referrals can be made at a child's or parent’s request.

Our success as a service is measured by monitoring:

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

We also monitor the service using formal and informal quality controls.

Views of families and carers are essential and are facilitated through a range of activities such as:

• parent coffee mornings
• home visits
• social events such as summer barbeques and Christmas parties
• feedback questionnaires
• regular informal contact
• formal reviews
• using the complaints/compliments procedure

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

Key policies are provided with a statement of purpose and function at the point when a young person begins introductions to Tudor House.

These include:

• the residential services Safeguarding Children
• Behaviour Management policies and procedures

Consultation with children

Each young person who stays at Tudor House will be given:

• a copy of our Children’s Guide
• a DVD tour of the house and garden when appropriate

The guide is a child-friendly version of this document. It gives mainly pictorial information about: 

• how the service is run
• the facilities
• the activities on offer

The DVD takes young people on a tour around the building and explains the facilities at Tudor House.

Each young person is allocated a lead support worker, who coordinates information from home, school, and healthcare professionals to:

• ensure a consistent approach
• ensure a comprehensive individual support plan is in place

The lead support worker is available during introductory visits to the service and is also on duty at times during the young person’s stay. This person will consult with and check the child's wellbeing, reporting as appropriate to carers and staff.

The lead support worker is also most likely to plan with the young person for their Me and My World or Child In Need review, a discussion forum about the care received.

It's enshrined in the Tudor House ethos that young people’s views are sought over all aspects of their day-to-day care, leisure activities, and personal care support preferences.

During daily routines, all views and opinions of the young people are recorded in their personal files and discussed within team meetings. Any new ideas or appropriate changes are then developed as part of our ongoing commitment to providing support and giving children a real voice within our service.

Young people have been consulted about the children’s guide, and their views sought on how to improve the comments and complaints form for young people.

Young people are encouraged to be involved in recruiting new contracted staff, relative to their cognitive ability. For young people with a severe learning disability and limited communication skills,  this may mean involvement in an activity facilitated by a shortlisted candidate and their responses and interactions observed by staff.

When young people have the cognition, they're supported to take part in the formal interview process and devise their own questions to ask of prospective new staff during the formal interview.

Communication with non-verbal and verbal children is enhanced and facilitated by a range of pictorial, symbolic, and vocalisation systems. This enables young people to:

• make choices about activities and outings
• make choices about which staff they would like to assist them at mealtimes and with their personal care routines
• raise issues
• ask questions of staff in a variety of ways

We also use social stories to assist children with transitions and explain events that will happen.

We have computer programmes that produce communication symbols, which staff can use to:

• facilitate communication
• produce written documents in a more accessible format for young people, including a more child-friendly complaints and comments form

We seek young people’s views annually in a formal consultation and feedback exercise which uses child-friendly questionnaires. 

Anti-discriminatory practice is a core theme of our work and is a legislative requirement.

Disabled children have the right to express their views and have them taken into account in the same way as their non-disabled peers. They also have the right to equal access to cultural, artistic and leisure activities.

Children have rights, including:

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

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

Children with disabilities are children first. They have the needs of all children and may also have special needs.

Children with disabilities are entitled to a life which is as normal as possible. They will usually be best cared for within their own families. To achieve this, they and their families may need help from family support services.

Children with disabilities are at high risk of social exclusion. Family support or residential services should be local and promote inclusion.

We seek to support young people within our service to experience high-quality care, which:

• actively supports young people’s decision-making
• gives them control over their personal support needs
• promotes community participation

We facilitate access to a wide range of experiences and opportunities, including:

• 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 actively review and may use material published by other organisations which support and promote children’s rights, such as:

• the British Institute of Learning Disabilities
• the Council for Disabled Children
• UNICEF

Education and promoting educational attainment

Close links are maintained with schools and parents to:

• encourage young people to achieve their full potential
• ensure special educational needs are met

A copy of each young person’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) or EHC plan is held. Tudor House staff and schools offer a consistent approach to managing needs and achieving educational targets.

Young people are supported to maximise their potential through:

• gaining new skills
• developing individual communication systems

All young people have ‘developmental goals’ drawn up by lead support workers in consultation with parents and teachers.

These goals focus on assisting young people to develop new skills or to improve their competency with existing skills. They're reviewed every 6 months to monitor progress. We try to link these with young people’s school termly targets to promote and support young people’s educational attainment.

Young people’s achievements are routinely celebrated, however small, through an achievement tree and record of achievement forms.    

Study facilities and support are provided to young people to enable and promote continuing education outside of the school environment.

Tudor House has a touchscreen computer in the lounge with internet access, which young people may use for homework and leisure. Young people are encouraged to bring their own iPads into Tudor House.

Staff attend annual reviews of young people with an Education, Health and Care plan and have regular liaison with teaching staff to discuss the progress of individual young people.

Lead support workers visit their key child at school every term to maintain good communication and a consistent approach to each young person’s learning.

When appropriate, staff may also attend:

• parents’ evenings to discuss the progress of individuals
• social events such as sports days and concerts

Promoting interests and activities

Young people’s views are respected. They're given choices and responsibilities to enhance their general well-being and quality of life.

We aim to balance free play, personal space and privacy with a varied and active social life.

This includes:

• promoting daily living skills
• undertaking household tasks
• undertaking social, recreational, cultural and educational activities

These are planned individually and identified by personal choice or from young people’s Individual Support Plans. There may be group activities or individual sessions to ensure the needs of all young people are met.

Leisure activities within Tudor House include:

• sensory room sessions
• music and musical instruments
• food and cookery
• water play
• puppet shows
• art sessions
• reading stories
• tabletop games
• puzzles
• iPad with various apps
• DVDs

We have a touch screen computer and plasma TV with relevant activities for young people of varying abilities to access. We also have a movement-activated projected floor in our activity room.

Outside, we have:

• 2 different types of swings
• a trampoline
• a wheelchair-accessible water table
• a paddling pool
• outdoor musical instruments
• sports equipment for games such as football and swingball
• the chance to practice gardening skills
• a log cabin which has been equipped as a soft playroom

We spend much time out and about in the local community and further afield. We use public transport and our own adapted mini-bus and encourage lots of walking.

Activities within the community include:

• visiting cafes, parks and gardens
• meals out
• seafront and countryside walks
• visiting the Pier
• visiting annual fairs
• shopping for both weekly necessities and personal items

We go bowling, to the cinema, circus and theatre, swimming, cycling, and to many local festivals and events.

We encourage family and friends to be involved in the home and aim to maintain significant relationships by encouraging regular visits.

Children are encouraged to sustain friendships outside the home and may invite friends to visit by prior arrangement. We also have links with arts and culture groups such as Cherish Youth Club and Carousel Arts Group. 

Health

Young people are encouraged to live a healthy lifestyle. We support this by:

• promoting physical exercise and activities
• promoting a healthy diet
• monitoring healthcare needs

If a young person lives at Tudor House on a temporary full-time basis and requires health or medical input during their brief admission, we expect staff to act as a ‘responsible parent’ would. This would be in consultation with relevant healthcare professionals.

After consultation with parents and health care professionals, including Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists, each young person’s Individual Support Plan will include:

• which equipment they use
• the level of staff support required

Young people are also encouraged to bring in any individual specialist equipment. Guidelines are set up for use, in consultation with others as above. Training for equipment use is set up for staff where necessary.

We follow physiotherapy programmes, including following the guidelines set up by the physiotherapist, with training or demonstration beforehand when appropriate.

Any other therapies needed by young people, such as occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, and aromatherapy, given in consultation with a multidisciplinary team, will be maintained where possible. This may include appointments or home visits, according to the young person’s general health and well-being needs.

We work closely with parents and schools to ensure Individual Support Plans meet all aspects of young people’s support needs. Like all educational programmes, these are regularly reviewed.

Individual equipment may include:

• walking frames
• specialist wheelchairs or buggies
• adapted seating
• standing frames
• night lying supports
• personal mobility aids
• orthotics
• physiotherapy aids

We identify Information about young people’s health needs through the healthcare plan and hospital passport. This is done at the outset of placement. This explores and clarifies:

• details of mobility
• adaptations used
• feeding methods
• medication
• any specialist procedures relating to particular conditions or symptoms

If a child/young person is unwell when a planned short break is due to begin, they should not attend Tudor House but remain at home. We request that staff be informed of any illness suffered within the week before a stay.

If a child becomes unwell during their stay at Tudor House, parents would be contacted first to take their child home and seek the advice of the family GP. However, if parents cannot be contacted, a GP from the local surgery or a school nurse would be phoned for advice. 

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

Parents are responsible for routine check-ups, appointments, and access to wider medical input, such as psychological and psychiatric expertise for young people in the short break service. When young people are temporarily placed at Tudor House full-time, we work with families to discuss the most appropriate support and arrangements.

Staff work to strict medication guidelines and procedures, and their role is that of a competent parent/carer. Staff are assessed to administer medication by a health care professional. The Practice Manager undertakes annual reassessments.

To apply the medication and healthcare policy successfully, the responsibility rests on parents to:

• supply all medication in the original container
• provide accurate and up-to-date information about the health care needs of their child

Whenever possible, parents are consulted about medical interventions. Parents must sign a form permitting staff to take emergency action if parents cannot be contacted.

Staff work closely with local healthcare professionals such as:

• school nurses
• occupational therapists
• dieticians
• physiotherapists

They provide advice and training when required.

Parents and friends are always welcome, and privacy and/or support will be available.

A telephone call is appreciated to arrange a suitable visiting time, as planned visits are less disruptive for young people. However, this should not make parents feel that impulse visits are unacceptable.

Contact can also be made by telephone, text message, email, or post.

There's a computer in the lounge where young people can access e-mail if they have their own e-mail account.

See Tudor House Arrangements for Contact between Young People and their Family and Friends for more information.

The following surveillance systems may be used for individuals after consultation with a multi-disciplinary team and as described in their Individual Support Plans:

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

Given the range of disabilities that children who access the service may present, it's understood and predicted that at times they may present a level of inappropriate, aggressive or challenging behaviour to their carers and/or other children.

Where required, young people will have a Behaviour Support Plan in place with measures agreed upon by staff, their families and the social workers. This is reviewed at behaviour support meetings every 3 months or more often, as required. The Plan:

• clarifies the intentions behind the behaviours
• identifies triggers or warning signs
• gives information about calming techniques and early intervention strategies to ensure a consistent staff response
• assists young people to become more independent and able to regulate their own behaviour

Strategies designed to diffuse and divert are employed first to reduce the likelihood of escalation. The physical intervention will be the last resort. It will be used for the least possible time, following PROACT-SCIP (Strategies for Crisis Intervention and Prevention) guidelines and principles.

Positive methods of managing unacceptable behaviour are always used. We emphasise reward systems and praise for positive behaviour rather than a negative reaction to undesirable behaviours.

If sanctions are necessary, they are:

• issued with sensitivity
• only issued if they're meaningful to the young person

Sanctions that may be used include:

• verbal reprimands
• withdrawing attention
• restriction of extra leisure activities

Sanctions are all given with clear explanations.

All sanctions and control measures are formally checked every week by:

• the Practice Manager
• the independent person during monthly inspections

Agreed sanctions or physical interventions are included in a young person’s Individual Support Plan, with signed consent from the young person’s parent(s) and social worker.

Young people who require more specialist behaviour support are referred to CAMHS. Multi-disciplinary behaviour support meetings are convened regularly to:

• review behaviour support plans
• look at ways of improving support for individual young people and their families

Tudor House does not accept referrals for young people with known behaviours of concern that could pose a risk to more vulnerable young people who access the service.

The registered service provider for Tudor House is Brighton & Hove City Council Families, Children and Learning Directorate.

Lorraine Hughes, Interim Head of Service for the Specialist Community Disability Team, is the Responsible Individual for the Council.

Lorraine has worked for Brighton & Hove City Council in children’s services since 2015, in a managerial capacity since 2017. She has previous experience working in children’s services for other local authorities since 2003.  

The Registered Manager for Tudor House is Clare Brunt, Practice Manager.

Clare Brunt joined the Tudor House team on 1 July 2003. She has 33 years of experience working with people with learning disabilities in a residential setting. 28 of these years have been working in a managerial capacity.

Recruitment and selection are carried out in line with the required standards of the Care Standards Act 2000, Brighton & Hove Council’s procedures, and recommendations of the Warner Report.  

Documents are kept on individual files to evidence the recruitment, induction and probationary process. Further staff details are kept in a main electronic file within the Brighton & Hove City Council Human Resources Department. 

All staff have an enhanced DBS check and 2 references obtained before commencing in post. They undertake a comprehensive induction and must attend mandatory training within the first few months of their contract. This includes training on:

• safeguarding children
• first aid
• food safety
• safer handling of children

All staff must also undertake:

• fire safety training
• administering emergency medication
• gastrostomy care
• PROACT-SCIPr-UK
• autism awareness
• 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.

Staff within Children’s Services are required to complete a 12-month Probationary Period. During this time, a staff member’s learning and performance is assessed against the standards expected of them and the unit's ethos. 

All care staff are required to have a Level 3 diploma or equivalent. Of the current staff group, 93% have completed their qualification. One person is in the process of completing the award. 

The senior care staff are required to have registered qualifications of Level 5 or equivalent. All 4 Senior Care Officers have completed the award or an equivalent qualification. The Registered Manager has completed the NVQ4 in Caring for Children and Young People, the Registered Managers Award, and a Master's in Social Work training.

There are staff within the team with additional experience or qualifications in:

• nursery nursing (NNEB)
• youth work
• teaching
• social work
• catering

5 staff hold degrees in other areas, including psychology and expressive arts.

Staff share their ideas on best practices in child-care provision through personal and group discussions. We seek to evaluate standards regularly, through fortnightly team meetings and by identifying progress and improvements via the annual team plan.

Emphasis is placed on personal development and teamwork to:

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

There are full staff meetings every 2 weeks. In these meetings, individual young people’s needs and progress are discussed, and Individual Support Plans and risk assessments are reviewed and updated as necessary.

The Manager arranges 3 ‘team days’ per year and, as well as a core induction programme, staff receive training in a wide range of subjects/areas such as:

• epilepsy
• autism
• Strategies for Crisis Intervention and Prevention (PROACT-SCIPr-UK)
• child protection and safeguarding

Georgina Clarke-Green is the Assistant Director of Families, Children and Learning.

Lorraine Hughes is the Interim Head of Service 0-25  – Health, SEN and Disability.

Clare Brunt is the Practice Manager.

We have:

• 3.4 FTE Senior Care Officers
• 8.3 FTE Home Care Support Workers
• 1.9 FTE Night Home Care Support Workers
• .5 FTE Handy Person
• .5 FTE Domestic Assistant
• .5 FTE Team Administrator

All staff have regular formal supervision in line with Brighton and Hove Council Operational policy and Care Standards Act 2000. Formal supervision is completed monthly unless otherwise stated for part-time employees and relief staff. Informal supervision is provided regularly when required.

In addition to supervision, staff complete an annual Performance Development  Plan (PDP) reviewed every 6 months. The PDP scheme highlights the importance of forward planning and improvement.  Dedicated bi-annual review meetings are linked with supervision to create ongoing development, achievement and training.

The PDPs are brought together to create the Team Development Plan which is used to plan for the following year’s training courses.

Staff are responsible for:

• providing direct support and emotional and physical care
• ensuring a safe level of supervision for each young person
• maintenance of the house and garden
• daily household tasks and daily administration of the unit

Staff must:

• complete daily records
• ensure that Individual Support Plans and developmental goals are implemented
• address any problems

Staff also have key working responsibilities, including:

• developing communication systems
• liaising with other professionals and parents
• writing individual support plans
• undertaking clothing and shopping trips for young people in full-time care
• completing risk assessments
• attending planning meetings and reviews

Tudor House is staffed for 24-hour care, with a minimum ratio of one-to-one staffing on each shift, to ensure the physical and emotional needs of the young people are met.

On most shifts, a floating staff member is also part of the staffing quota, wherever possible.

Staffing levels are increased according to the numbers and needs of young people living at Tudor House. At times staffing levels are high and the bedrooms may not be used to capacity.

There's a part-time ancillary worker who works weekday mornings. In her absence, care staff undertake household duties, involving young people as appropriate.

A part-time handyperson works one and a half days a week, undertaking household maintenance tasks and general gardening.

In addition to the contracted care staff, Tudor House has a pool of Care Crew relief workers who cover staff sickness or annual leave.

At night, there's one Waking Night worker and one sleeping-in person who is on call throughout the night.

At times, staff may work alone with young people, for example, when:

• they're supporting a young person on a 1:1 basis out in the community
• other colleagues are out of the building with other young people

When alone, staff carry a mobile phone for emergency contact.

The appropriateness for a young person to be supported within the house or for outside activities is decided on a 1:1 basis, subject to risk assessments.

The house may be unoccupied while young people are at school, or when everybody has gone on an outing.

For emergencies, the on-call arrangements are that staff may contact colleagues for support. Line Managers phone 999 or contact the out-of-hours Emergency Duty Service (EDS).

Young people needing a support service are initially referred to the Children’s Disability social work team.

A specialist Social Worker will carry out a Strengthening Families Assessment. This is presented to the Disability Services Resource Panel. The Panel includes representatives from a range of support services in Brighton and Hove who consider which service best meets the needs of the young person and their family.

If Tudor House is identified as the most appropriate service, we assess the young person's eligibility using:

• the Strengthening Families Assessment
• any other assessments/information provided by professionals

To ensure that Tudor House can fully meet a young person’s needs alongside the existing cohort of young people, the Practice Manager will:

• complete a compatibility assessment
• arrange a school or home visit to observe the young person and gather further information before making a final decision

In particular, more detailed information regarding challenging behaviour may be required to ensure the levels of this can be safely managed without any physical or emotional risk to the lives of other young people.

Experience has shown that challenging behaviour can be managed safely at Tudor House, and young people benefit from the calm and consistent environment. A compatible mix of young people brings variety, diversity and energy to the home.

Tudor House does not have nursing staff and therefore cannot provide a service for children who need specialised nursing care. Staff are, however, trained in the management of:

• epilepsy
• gastrostomies
• nasogastric feeding
• suction
• intermittent catheterisation

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

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 Individual Support Plan

The needs of the young person and the ability of Tudor House to meet those needs are continually assessed. The introductory plan is adapted individually, 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
• the Manager of Tudor House

At this meeting, we will:

• confirm the agreed care package
• discuss the day-to-day arrangements
• ensure all consent forms are signed
• agree to the initial Individual Support Plan

Parents/carers are given a copy of the Parent Pack with information about:

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

The suitability and progress within the placement are discussed at each ‘Me and My World’ or Child in Need review. These usually take place at 6-monthly intervals but may occur more frequently.

Each young person has a Lead Support Worker who:

• acts as the primary support for young people and their families
• takes the lead role in implementing communication systems, completing risk assessments and individual support plans, and participating in meetings and reviews

The lead support worker is involved with a young person’s introduction and transitions to the home. They will continue to see the young person during planned stays.

All young people have reviews to discuss their care packages. Some young people have an Independent Reviewing Officer, dependent on their LAC status.

Lead Support Workers support young people to put their points of view across in the most appropriate way for them.

All young people have a social worker who regularly visits them at Tudor House. These meetings can take place in a confidential environment if requested.

We only consider emergency referrals if:

• the young person meets the criteria for our service
• the young person is compatible with other young people
• we're adequately resourced to do so

An emergency referral checklist and compatibility assessment would be completed with information gathered from the Social Worker to check the:

• suitability of the placement
• young person’s needs are compatible with others receiving short breaks or shared care at Tudor House

An initial review would be held within 7 days, and a suitable alternative placement would be found as soon as possible, with the expectation of this occurring within 28 days. It's acknowledged that this would be an exception and therefore, a planned introduction would not be possible.

‘We're very confident N receives excellent care. Everyone is clearly thinking about how to understand and get on with him and how best to support him’

‘I feel confident that my son’s needs are met at Tudor. He's safe and well cared for and has opportunities to do things I could not provide for him as in outings and experiences. His independence is encouraged as much as can be.’

‘L is very well looked after at Tudor House. It's a happy and nurturing environment. The team copes with her complex health needs well.’

‘E is really benefiting from her regular stays at Tudor House. She's treated with kindness, and respect and her strengths are celebrated. We couldn’t be happier that she has a place at Tudor.’