Child Protection

Vision Living offer a home for to up to 4 young people and each one is supported to feel that Vision Living is “their home”.

The accommodation offers a safe and nurturing environment to young people through care planning and key work sessions; with an ultimate aim protect children and young people from harm and promote positive outcomes in all areas of their life.

We work with young people to give them the knowledge and support to make positive choices.

If problems arise in their life we work with them, and other partners, to address the underlying issues and support them to make changes.

Safeguarding officer

Vision Living have an identified Safeguarding Officer who is available to offer advice and support in addition to decisions made on-site, by the team leader and/or Registered Manager.

Safeguarding Officer:

Monitoring and Surveillance

The home is staffed 24/7; ensuring the home is always staffed to meet the needs of the home and young people living here.

Staffing ratio’s can be increased dependent on occupancy levels and individual needs. Throughout the day, staff maintain a presence in communal areas at all times.

In the evening sleep-in staff are present until 11 p.m. then available as required throughout the evening.

Individual room’s checks will take place during the night in line with risk assessments

and any presenting behaviours.

The homes front and back door is alarmed, during the night staff will turn on the alarms so that they are alerted in the event of the doors being opened by young people as a safeguarding measure

CCTV cameras are installed throughout the property to ensure that the young people are safeguarded at all times.

Fire precautions and associated emergency procedures

Fire drills are practised and recorded regularly and all new residents are made aware of the Fire Precautions as soon as is practicable after admission.

The Home is inspected by the local Fire Prevention Officer in line with their requirements and any recommendations made are fully implemented.

We ensure that all precautions are taken in order to avoid a fire and that there are

adequate facilities for the warning of a fire and evacuation of the building.

All furniture, textiles, bedding, carpets and curtains in the home comply with the British Standard of Flammability requirements. When any items are due for renewal or replacement, it will be the responsibility of the Manager and owner to ensure that this safety level is maintained.

Part of the staff induction process includes fire prevention, procedures and evacuation processes and is repeated every six months.

Staff also receive training in resuscitation techniques during their emergency first aid training.

Anti-discriminatory practice

At Vision Living we:

• Believe that all young people are of equal value and should be given equality of opportunity and access to resources, regardless of their sex, race, religion, ability or background
• Endeavour to ensure that our residents gain maximum life chance benefits from educational opportunities by helping them to achieve more at school
• Ensure that this home provides an environment and culture that value education and learning and that adult support and model this
• Endeavour to develop the emotional, physical, spiritual, social and intellectual growth of its pupils and to encourage and assist them in overcoming their difficulties for their individual benefit and for the benefit of society.

Children Rights

Ensuring their voice is listened to

Our Residents Guide includes a detailed section about ‘your rights and responsibilities’ which is discussed as part of their induction.

Vision Living are committed to upholding these rights and will support young people with any challenges or concerns they discuss which are outside of the home; equally if they are experiencing problems with other young people in placement.

Vision Living adopts a young person centred approach to care planning to enable young people to be feel involved in their quality of care and the running of the home.

We have varies ways in which we consult with young people, as detailed above.

Advocacy support

An advocate is a person who will help the young person have their say or speak on their behalf.

Staff at Vision Living can act as an advocate and are always available to support young people. However, we recognise on occasions they may want to another person to support them.

Depending on the situation this may be their Social Worker, or alternative they can contact an advocacy organisation.

Children’s Commissioner

The Children’s Commissioner can also provide one-to-one advice to young people leaving away from home, in or leaving care, or receiving social care services.

They have a legal duty to promote and protect the rights of all children in England with a particular focus on children and young people with difficulties or challenges in their lives. They focus on ensuring the adults in charge, or making decisions, listen to what children and young people say about things that affect them.

This detail is shared with young people as part of their Induction, as they are included in the Residents Guide.