Welcome to our houses 

Kate Cares Supported Accommodation

 

Statement of Purpose

Regulation 9 The Supported Accommodation Regulations 2023

 

Statement of purpose

(1)—(1) The registered person must compile a statement (“the statement of purpose”)

which covers the following matters in respect of the supported accommodation

undertaking—

(a) its purpose, including its ethos, core aims and function;

(b) the category or categories of supported accommodation it offers;

(c) the services it provides for children it accommodates and supports;

(d) the characteristics of the children for whom it is intended the supported

accommodation undertaking will provide accommodation and support, including

the age range, number and sex of the children;

(e) the facilities it provides to the children it accommodates;

(f) a description of the accommodation it provides, including how the accommodation

meets the accommodation standard (see regulation 6), how the accommodation

might be adapted to meet the individual needs of children it accommodates and

the security arrangements in place;

(g) the address of the registered provider’s principal office, except where this is the

same address as where the children are accommodated;

(h) the organisational structure, including management structure and staffing

arrangements;

(i) how it ensures that the child’s rights and views are at the centre of the support,

service delivery and planning;

(j) the arrangements in place to ensure a child is fully aware of their entitlements

throughout the duration of their placement in supported accommodation;

(k) the positive outcomes the service seeks to achieve for children and its approach

to achieving those outcomes;

(l) the arrangements in place to support the development of children’s independence

About Us

1. Introduction

The supported accommodation at our houses   specialises in providing  accommodation and support  to care experienced children aged 16-23 of either sex.

We plan to accommodate children under the following category:

1. Supported accommodation in a shared or group living situation in premises used to accommodate only looked after children and care leavers. (Regulation 2(1), para (b)) • Shared accommodation. • children have their own bedroom, and may have their own bathroom, and share communal areas (e.g. living room/s, kitchen). • Provision may include foyer-type accommodation that combines support with opportunities for education, training and employment. • This provision may accommodate care leavers aged 18+.

Our primary focus is on enhancing the quality of life for our children, equipping them with positive life skills, and empowering them on their journey to adulthood.

 We believe in children and young adults having a really lovely home. 

Of equal importance is child safety both in the accommodation such as fire safety and food hygiene and in the community. 

Children may have been exploited in the past or been involved in crime in the community and we seek to provide a fresh start and disrupt historical patterns to promote safety. 

We are in generally safe areas that provide lots of work and education opportunities, from language schools to apprenticeships.

 We will work closely with community partners to promote the safety of the children living at our houses , with PCSO visits and fostering strong links with Young Minds Matter and other local services that will help enable children to move towards safe outcomes. 

In our commitment to providing high-quality care, we will also work with unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC), ensuring that their unique needs are met with sensitivity and understanding. Our staff are trained to offer tailored support that considers the cultural, emotional, and developmental challenges these   children  face. We strive to create a safe, nurturing environment where they can feel secure and valued, while also promoting their integration and independence. By working closely with external agencies, we ensure that each child receives comprehensive care, safeguarding their well-being and helping them navigate their new circumstances with confidence

Lennon, marilyn, Chanel and Murphy House offer support and a strong staffing presence in the day and  sleep in staff or waking staff available for security/ support purposes every night. We recognise that we are a support service not a care service although we naturally care about our children. We therefore consider children with a history of recent violence towards professionals beyond our remit.  We consider children whose emotional dysregulation results in significant property damage as beyond our remit. We consider children who have displayed sexually harmful behaviours as able to be supported only if this is suitable in line with their Pathway Plan and other relevant psychology reports, police interventions and matching with other children.  We consider children who have been exploited by gangs or adults as suitable only if this is compatible with any current multi- agency risk assessment and they can be suitably matched with other children living at the home they are placed in, we will also need to be satisfied that the local area is suitable and will not increase their chances of exploitation. We believe children with high emotional needs but strong independence skills are potentially suitable for our service, as we can provide skilled emotional support. 

We consider children seeking refuge from family or partner abuse as potentially suitable for our service. We consider children who self harm as suitable but not to the extent that their liberty needs to be deprived or that they need 24/7 1.1 staffing past settling period.  Due consideration is given to each child as an individual, children who need 24 hour and 1:1 support for a prolonged period of time will need to be reassessed for suitability.

 

We do want to offer the best level of support and will only employ professional support staff, who are genuine in their desire to help and protect our children and equip them for a bright future. Stringent safer recruitment and ongoing staff training will be in place. All current staff are qualified or experienced in supporting children in residential and support  settings such as, supported living, community support or children’s homes.

Together with each child and our partner agencies we will seek to ensure positive outcomes. Positive outcomes are so important and generally a real area of concern for care leavers.  We will employ effective support planning, multi-agency communication and direct  support so that children can reach for their goals and fulfil their ambitions.  We will measure outcomes using  evidence based tools and the life skills curriculum.

We recognise our children have experienced trauma which can hinder their self confidence and self esteem, this may also impact on their ability to keep themselves safe and demonstrate prosocial behaviour, we will utilise a trauma- informed approach in our interactions, seeking to collaborate with each child so we can be an ally and cheerleader for our children and break down barriers to their personal success while upholding their rights.

There is a strong focus on safeguarding and the mentors supporting our children will have regular training, testing and guidance regarding safeguarding matters such as dynamic risk assessment, reporting concerns, recognising abuse. The registered manager is  a  Level 5 Designated Safeguarding Lead. Mentors will collaborate with each child on their safety plans, listen to each child’s views and record their comments and opinions within their plans to accurately reflect their input and wishes.

We will work closely with community partners to ensure an effective contextual approach to safeguarding and helping children make safe decisions for themselves. We will work with local mental health projects and community hubs. We will advocate for children’s entitlements, rights and access to support services for their health, education and future needs, including for transition into adulthood. 

We take a positive psychology approach to our support, seeing the potential in our children and moving away from the labels and stereotypes of care experienced people. We want to break down barriers to success for children who leave care and foster their self-confidence and meaningful connections. We seek to empower children and help them feel genuine ownership of their home and community.

Our  support sessions are designed to empower children to take control of their quality of life and facilitate opportunities to thrive. Trauma informed trained Mentors  collaborate with each child and to measure their progress.  Our mentors and leaders have a duty to incorporate each child’s views and wishes into their  planning and to make it a joint project between the guiding supporting team and the child themselves.

 

 

Our Accommodation

 

 

Our supported accommodation is currently based in Gloucester and Cheltenham our homes are named after famous people who are care experienced:

 

Lennon House - Lennon House is a charming three-bedroom home located on a quiet, historic street in the heart of Cheltenham. It is situated near parks and schools, within a family-friendly community.

 

The ground floor features a lovely kitchen diner and a convenient downstairs toilet. On the first floor, a spacious lounge offers large, comfortable sofas, a TV, a feature fireplace, and wood floors, with a bright outlook onto the beautiful street.

 

The second floor comprises three bedrooms and a family bathroom with a shower over the bath. Each bedroom is furnished with a bed, wardrobe, and bedside table, with space for a desk and chair to be chosen by the residents. Upon arrival, children will receive a welcome pack including bedding, towels, personal items, and other requested items, along with soft furnishings and pictures to personalize their rooms. 

 

 

Chanel House is a four-bedroom residence with two bathrooms, a kitchen, a lounge diner, and a spacious garden. Each bedroom is furnished with a double bed, a desk, and ample storage.

 

Conveniently located near Gloucester city centre, the property offers easy access to local amenities, educational settings, and employment opportunities within a culturally diverse area.

 

 

Murphy House is a modern four-bedroom home conveniently located within walking distance of Gloucester town centre and Gloucester Quays. Situated in the culturally diverse Oxford Road area, it offers easy access to all amenities.

 

The property features a modern fitted kitchen, an open-plan lounge diner, and well-furnished double bedrooms. Each bedroom includes an en-suite bathroom, a double bed, a desk, a wardrobe, and a chest of drawers.

 

 

 

 

Marilyn House:

 

A stunning home with 8 spacious  bedroom ensuites and kitchenettes in the centre of Gloucester.

 

We provide children with a written agreement, in an individualised accessible format, which outlines their rights, the terms and conditions of the supported accommodation, and how they can raise concerns about the provision. Staffing levels will be designed to meet the individual needs of the children living at our houses. Children will have a key to the front door and a lock on their bedroom door making this accessible only to them and staff for room safety checks.

 

The location of each home has been carefully considered. Local amenities and job/ education opportunities, leisure places and activities, local risks are all evaluated before a choice of home is made. The registered person reviews the local area risk assessment every six months so we are able to respond to any changes including contextual safeguarding. Local partners are consulted as part of the local area risk assessment including community police, and the local safeguarding partnership. Local  authority commissioners are also consulted about the local need and to ascertain best provision match for these needs. Community projects have also been consulted on local opportunities our children can choose to join. The local area for our houses is within walking distance of both urban shopping and leisure centres and local parks. There is a wonderful leisure centre and pool within walking distance. Educational provisions, medical centre’s, dentists, opticians, shops and supermarkets, job opportunities are also all within ten minute walks. There are good transport links to Gloucester, Oxford, Cotswolds, Swindon and further if needed. 

There is an environment risk assessment in place  for each home and fire safety risk assessment to ensure children are safe at home. Health and safety checks and monitoring are part of the home’s routines. The Mentors will be trained in Food Hygiene and support best practices for the storage and preparation of food. Team Mentors will help children develop their own understanding of safety and how to keep a home hazard free and safely maintained as part of the life skills program. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Mission Statement and Vision

Mission Statement:

Our  mission is to provide safe, quality accommodation and support to children and young adult  care leavers so that children can take control of their quality of life, we will foster opportunities to enable each child to make good progress and work towards their plans and goals. 

Vision:

We envision a future where our children experience positive outcomes, achieve their goals, and fulfil their ambitions from within a safe and nurturing environment. We are committed to providing lovely accommodation that fosters a sense of belonging and well-being.

Values:

• Advocacy

• Belonging

• Community

• Achievement 

•  

Purpose:

To provide a welcoming, safe, home for children to call their own. To facilitate well-being and positive outcomes for our children through effective mentoring. Be a positive player in our community and foster positive connections for children. Provide the right guidance so children can achieve their goals in education and life.

 

Strategic Goals

• Ensure the well-being and positive outcomes of children on their journey to adulthood

• Use evidence based tools to measure children’s quality of life and progress such as the PERMA model based on Positive Psychology which looks at ways to help foster a good quality of life and is used where a child is happy for this  within Mentoring sessions. Alternative tools can be used based on the preferences and capabilities of a child such as the Outcomes Star or the simple use of scales or trauma-informed diagrams or drawings.

• Safe and well maintained homes where children have  ownership

• Utilise a bespoke life skills model tailored to each child taking into account their starting point and plans and goals

• Empower children to achieve their educational and employment goals

• Give children new experiences and role model positive relationships

• Be an ally and advocate for our children with other professionals, organisations and government bodies

• Ensure excellent training and development for staff

• Be a positive player in our local community 

 

A safe home for a care leaver is a living environment that provides physical, emotional, and psychological security, enabling them to thrive and transition successfully into adulthood. We are committed to offering a stable home built on love:

Physical Safety: The home should be free from physical hazards and risks, ensuring that care leavers are protected from harm or injury. This includes having secure locks on doors and windows, smoke detectors, and meeting building safety codes.

Emotional Support: A safe home provides a nurturing and supportive atmosphere where care leavers feel emotionally secure. This involves support staff who are empathetic, understanding, and available to provide guidance and emotional support when needed.

Stability and Consistency: Consistency in routines, rules, and expectations helps care leavers feel secure and stable in their living environment. Knowing what to expect and having a sense of predictability can reduce anxiety and promote a sense of safety.

Respect and Dignity: Care leavers should be treated with respect and dignity, with their rights and autonomy respected. This includes having privacy when needed, being listened to, and having their opinions and preferences taken into consideration.

Access to Support Services: A safe home should provide access to necessary support services, such as mental health counselling, educational support, healthcare, and vocational training. Having access to these resources ensures that children can address any challenges they may face and receive the assistance they need to succeed.

Positive Relationships: Positive relationships with family, friends, other children, and Mentors are essential for creating a safe and supportive home environment. These relationships provide children with a sense of belonging, attachment, and social support, which are crucial for their well-being and development.

Overall, a safe home for a child goes beyond just physical shelter—it encompasses emotional, psychological, and social aspects that contribute to their overall sense of security, well-being, and ability to thrive as they transition to independent living.

 

Safeguarding our children is at the heart of what we do. We are dedicated to promoting each child’s welfare. We will act promptly to address any arising safety concerns from contextual safeguarding to online concerns. The registered manager will  promote a transparent and effective safeguarding culture. All staff will receive regular safeguarding training. Training for staff will be of a high standard and meet their specific needs to ensure staff are well equipped and confident to support our children keeping them from harm. 

 

We will offer  group activities, chosen by the children, from sports to crafts, Bingo or a weekly Carvery. Our children won’t have to be isolated or feel lonely. Children will have opportunities to develop social confidence in an inclusive, accepting environment. We will sign post children to support services and facilitate access to social and community participation. 

We will offer transportation to education during transition periods for children and help them attend and achieve within their education provision including meeting and communicating regularly with education providers. Access to education and employment is crucial to help the  children we accommodate move towards a positive future and we will evidence our plans to support each child’s educational attendance and success. 

Advocacy for children to promote their quality of life and supporting children to raise concerns about their accommodation and or support is a key part of our service. The registered manager will take the lead on supporting complaints in a timely manner and follow our complaints policy effectively.

The manager will measure progress and quality of life for our children each month using our measuring tools and life skills modules. We will create action plans with children and seek to focus on achievement and progress to help children grow in confidence and self -esteem. We will assess how well we are doing to help each child and act accordingly to develop any areas of weakness.

 

Our  Referrals and Admissions

We offer transparent, person-centred support for 16-18 year-olds who are trauma survivors under local authority care or care leavers. Referrals are accepted via portals, email, or phone, adhering to eligibility criteria based on age, vulnerabilities, chronology, past experiences, protected characteristics, risk history, and specific needs, aligning with legislation.

 

Our assessment team conducts initial assessments within 24 hours, considering individual needs, likes, and preferences, and the child's compatibility with current residents. We encourage visits and involve the child in evaluating our ability to meet their needs. A detailed matching analysis form is completed.

 

We collaborate with referrers and external agencies, evaluating staff skills against individual needs. Upon admission, individualised support and development plans are created within 48 hours.

 

A quarterly review, incorporating feedback from children, staff, and referrers, ensures tailored and effective support, upholding legal standards, and promoting a supportive environment.

 

 

 

 

Our Children’s Support Plans

We support children in creating and understanding their Pathway Plans, applying a trauma-informed and holistic approach. Our mission is to help every child thrive, using tailored 'Support and Development Plans' that integrate their Pathway Plan. Our relationship-based approach utilizes trauma research and positive psychology, with the PERMA model guiding our support: Positive Emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishments. We also offer an independence program with a 'Life skills curriculum' to foster overall well-being. Children actively participate in pathway planning, with their views on health, education, and personal development recorded monthly. We collaborate with external agencies for holistic support and community integration. Monthly monitoring and reviews ensure plans align with evolving needs. Our commitment to empowering children is reflected in accessible documentation and a nurturing environment where every child's voice is valued.

 

 

 

 Health and Nutrition

We prioritise the health and nutrition of children in our care. Our individualised Health Plan considers both mental and physical well-being, offering cooking workshops and nutritional education. We assist with medical appointments and support cultural dietary needs.

 

Children are empowered to manage their own medication after an initial assessment and discussion. We provide mentoring, secure storage, and weekly stock checks by managers or mentors. Staff receive comprehensive training.

 

We continuously assess and adapt our Health and Nutrition Plan to meet evolving needs. We ensure children are registered with local doctors, dentists, and opticians, checking this monthly. We also facilitate access to other professionals like CAMHS and address EHCP identified needs, attending meetings and communicating with families and professionals.

 

 

 Equality, identity, culture, rights of children

We provide a nurturing, inclusive environment that supports children's cultural, linguistic, and religious needs. 

We foster positive relationships and adhere to legislation including The Supported Accommodation Regulations 2023, The Children Act 1989, The Care Act 2014, United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Human Rights Act, Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023, and the Prevent Duty. 

We cultivate cultural sensitivity and awareness among staff, providing linguistic support and encouraging language development. 

We support children in practising their faith by providing spaces for prayer, accommodating dietary restrictions, and organising cultural events, celebrating diversity and strengthening community bonds.