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This information pack has been written for the Young People who are staying at Church Street
It contains lots of things you need to know about Church Street and what the staff expects from you.
This is your copy to keep, and for you to read as quickly or as slowly as you like.
If you have any questions about anything you read here, you should ask a member of the staff team.
A copy of this pack will also be available for your parents or relatives so they can also learn more about the place where you are staying.
Section 6
FILES
What happens to Information about you?
At Church Street we keep a record of the things you do everyday. This is called your daily recordings. You can ask to see this and read it.
We also have another file (main file), which has information from your social worker and all your meetings. The same information is kept by your social worker at the office where they work.
They may also have information from your past. You are allowed to see these files but you have to arrange this with your social worker and usually let them know in advance.
You can see any information that we or your social worker writes about you. Some people may write to your social worker or us about you (like your doctor or your school). They may ask that we don't let you see this information and although we would ask why, we would have to respect their wishes.
Section 7
SCHOOL
All young people under 16 are expected to go to school everyday. This is very important. We will help and encourage you with your homework and check and sign your homework diary.
If young people have no school to attend, they will take part in the education support programme at Church Street.
Church Street believes that all young people deserve equal opportunity for their future. Residential care should not go against your goals and ambitions. By doing this, many people leave Church Street and become a success and not just another statistic.
Section 8
WORK
We encourage and respect young people to go to their jobs or youth training placements. If you are over 16 and have left education but you are not working, we will help you to try and find a job or youth training.
You may be helped with fares or lunch if you receive a very low wage or allowance.
Section 9
RULES
Getting Up Times:
Weekdays: You have to get up as early as necessary to get to school, college or work. If you are attending Church Street’s Education Support Programme then you need to be bathed, dressed and have had breakfast by 9.30am ready for education.
Weekends: You are expected to be up by 11.00 am.
Bedtimes: All Young People should be in their rooms settled by their bedtime. Weekends can be flexible depending on behaviour and activities going on.
Mealtimes:
Breakfast: By 9.30am weekdays
By 10.00am holidays
By 11.00am weekends
Lunch: 12.30pm - 1.30pm
Dinner: At 6.00 pm and you are expected to return for it unless you make arrangements to stay out beforehand.
Supper: Between 9.30pm and 10.00pm.
You are expected to help with chores at mealtimes.
Food
A shopping list and menu are prepared every week and all young people are expected to take part in this. You should make sure we know what you like to eat.
Washing
You are responsible for washing your own clothes but you will be offered help with this at first. On Saturday, your bed linen should be changed - by you!
Going Out
It is important that you make arrangements with staff when you are going out. We need to know where you are going and what time you will be back. We won't allow you to go out all the time and we expect that you finish your homework and usually have dinner before you go.
Staying Out
You need permission from your parents or social worker before you can stay at friends or relatives houses. You should plan this in advance as it can take some time to organise. Staff at Church Street cannot give you permission to stay out
Pets
No pets are allowed to visit or stay at Church Street.
Noise
Stereos/music systems are allowed at Church Street, but you must keep them in your bedroom and keep the volume at an acceptable level. You need to consider the other people at Church Street and the neighbours.
If you can't keep noise down you will be spoken to and if it continues your stereo will have to go.
Church Street takes no responsibility for loss or damage of your property.
Section 10
SAFETY
Fire Procedure
When you first come to Church Street, staff will explain the fire procedure to you, showing you the fire exits and explaining what to do when you hear the fire alarm.
If you hear the alarm, always treat it seriously and leave the building.
We have regular practices so every one knows what to do.
Accidents
If you have an accident, let us know so we can make sure you are OK. We have a first aid box for minor cuts, etc or we would seek medical advice if needed. Always let us know if you see things around the building that need repairing or could be dangerous, so we can get them fixed.
Section 11
POCKET MONEY
Pocket money is given out on a Friday afternoon. You are expected to have tidied your room and complete a simple house chore. You have to sign a form and petty cash voucher to say you have received it.
Age of Young Person Amount Per Week
12 - 18 £10.50
Church Street operates a chips system whereby each young person can earn a maximum of 19 chips per week. Each chip represents £1
This is a positive way for young people to gain self esteem and self confidence as this is based on their achievements on a weekly basis.
Staff will explain this on arrival.
Section 12
CLOTHES MONEY
All young people who aren't in permanent full time work receive a monthly allowance for clothing. You need to arrange to go out shopping with your keyworker. They may also help you decide what clothes you need.
Your first monthly allowance will be due the next month on the date of your arrival. So, for example, if your first day in residence at Church Street was 21st April your clothing allowance will be due 21st May.
Clothing allowance is £60.00 per month.
Section 13
TOILETRIES
We can supply a basic emergency pack when a young person arrives. After that, £10.00 toiletries money is available every fortnight. Young people should spend this with a member of staff who will check with you what you need.
However staff are willing to allow a young person to show that they are able to be responsible and spend this money appropriately by allowing them to go by themselves.
We believe it is important to allow young people to enhance in their development and maturity by giving them the opportunities that will allow them to progress.
Section 14
ROOMS
Bedrooms
Everyone has a right to privacy. At Church Street all young people have their own rooms. We do expect young people and staff to respect each other's space and knock on doors and wait to be invited in.
If there are any concerns about what may be happening in your bedroom or there is no response, a member of staff may have to enter - they must clearly state that they are coming in.
You will be given a key to your room and are allowed in it at anytime.
Young people are not encouraged to congregate in each other's bedrooms. If any other resident is found in your room without permission and with the door closed, it will be taken very seriously and raised with your social worker.
It is your responsibility to keep your bedroom tidy and staff will check that you do this. We also encourage you to make your room more personal by having pictures, plants, etc.
Offices
There is an office at Church Street.
As staff would do if they wanted to speak to you in your room, you must knock and wait for a response. Young people are not allowed in the office unless invited in by a member of staff who
may wish to speak to you in confidence.
Night Times
We have two night waking members of staff, so there is always someone available should you need them.
Section 15
WEEKLY MEETINGS
Handover Every day at 2.00pm the staff meet so those going off duty can pass information over to those who are coming on. This meeting usually lasts about 30 minutes.
Staff Meetings Staff meetings take place on a monthly basis on set days between 2.00 and 4.00pm. All the staff attends and anything that young people have raised can be discussed here.
Section 16
CONTACT
Unless there are specific reasons, all young people will be encouraged and helped to see their families as often as possible.
We do not ever stop you from seeing family as punishment. Your family can also visit you at Church Street.
Visitors
It is necessary that visitors phone or make prior arrangements with a member of staff. This will prevent several young people having visits at the same time or a friend/relative finding you are out when they arrive.
Visitors will be asked to stay in a designated area to protect the privacy of other residents. Friends will not be allowed in your bedroom and should not visit during school hours or meal times, unless you have previously arranged this with staff.
Your friends will be your responsibility when they visit. If they are disruptive they will be asked to leave and would not be welcome again.
Anyone who comes to Church Street must sign the visitors' book.
Section 17
TRAVEL
You will usually get a weekly travel card, fares or Oyster card to enable you to attend school or work and go out in the evenings. Occasionally (depending on availability) staff may use their cars to transport you to meetings, family contact, etc. Please remember to treat staff's property with respect or you may be unable to travel with them by car in the future.
If you use a taxi without our permission you will have to pay for it yourself. Do not rely on staff/petty cash to pay for you; there is limited money available. If you cannot pay, the taxi driver may choose to call the police.
Section 18WHAT WE DON’T ALLOW
Violence or Aggression Church Street is a place where all young people (and staff) need to feel comfortable and safe.
Racism People of different races, cultures and religions live and work at Church Street.
Sexism Young women and men are entitled to the same treatment and opportunities.
Bullying Obviously!
Ageism We treat everyone (staff and residents) the same no matter what their age.
Sexual Relationships What you don't need is to get involved with someone else who is going through a difficult time themselves. The consequences of this will be SERIOUS. If you are in someone else's room the door should be left open and staff should be aware that you are there.
Homophobia Everyone has a right to choose who they want to be with. We expect gay young people to be treated with respect.
Play Fighting This always gets serious, so DON’T.
Swearing and Abuse This makes the environment unpleasant and unsafe.
Weapons These will be taken and removed from the premises. Illegal weapons will result in the police being involved and possible termination of placement.
Drugs or Solvent Abuse If we suspect anyone is using illegal drugs we will call in the police.
Section 19
SMOKING
Smoking is very bad for you. Until you give up, you must smoke outside. We will try to discourage you from ruining your health and wasting your money.
It is illegal to sell cigarettes to under 16's and we work closely with our local shopkeepers to make sure this doesn’t happen. If they refuse to sell them to you they are only acting within the law and you may find yourself unable to shop there in the future.
Staff are not allowed to buy cigarettes for young people even if you are over 16. Neither are staff allowed to give young people cigarettes, so please do not ask.
Section 20
ALCOHOL
We do not allow any young person who is staying at Church Street to drink alcohol. Drinking is bad for your health and often your state of mind. If you think you have a problem with alcohol and drink regularly, you should be telling your parent, your social worker or us as soon as possible.
Section 21
HEALTH AND ADVICE
When young people come to Church Street, we arrange for them to have check ups at the Doctors, Dentist and Opticians. We think it is very important that you go to these appointments. We will also talk to you about things that can affect your health like smoking, drugs, alcohol and sex.
If you receive prescribed medicines from the doctors we have to keep them in the office and give them to you to take as prescribed. This is to make sure you are taking them properly.
Section 22
SANCTIONS
There are consequences when you don't stay within the rules at Church Street. It is impossible for us to explain to you exactly what will happen if you break a certain rule, but there are basically two types of sanctions that we use.
Grounding/Gating
This means you may not be able to take part in any activities for the evening. It may be that you have not attended School/Education or your behaviour has been unacceptable that day. You can still see your family. We never stop you from seeing your family as a sanction.
Reparation
This means that you have to repay us for any damage or mistreatment of anything at Church Street. Where possible you are expected to clear up any mess you have made. You will also have to pay back the cost of anything that you deliberately or carelessly break or misuse. The money will be deducted from your pocket money. We will still leave you half of your pocket money every week until the reparation is paid back.
As well as these sanctions there are other ways that we deal with behaviour, which causes problems or worries us.
Criminal Proceedings
If you cause damage to Church Street or injury to anyone living or working here then we will call the Police and ask for you to be prosecuted.
Section 23
DISRUPTION/EMERGENCY MEETINGS
Following any serious incident or a series of problems, a meeting will be called to examine the problem. You, your social worker, your keyworker and the Church Street Manager will usually be there and possibly a parent or relative. In more serious situations this meeting may also examine if it is possible for you to continue to stay at Church Street.
Although at times adults may get very anxious about your behaviour, we will never use physical force to control you.
Staff would only intervene, on some occasions, to defend other young people or themselves until the Police arrive.
By having a non-restraint policy it does help to deter fights and give a clear message that physical violence does not solve anything.
Section 24
COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE
Some of your rights
1. To feel safe.
2. To have a reasonable choice of clothing.
3. To keep contacts with your friends and family.
4. To say what you think should happen in your future.
5. To be listened to and be heard.
6. You have a right to education.
7. To have pocket money.
8. To have a clothing allowance.
9. To see what is directly written about you.
10. To see a Social Worker.
11. To see family, friends or professionals in private.
12. To make telephone calls in private.
13. To give and receive letters/post privately.
If you have a problem with your life at Church Street, you should talk to:
your key-worker
or
any other member of staff you feel able to talk to
or
your family
or
your social worker
or
the Independent Person,
You can contact the organisations listed on page 35 of this information pack for further advice and help.
If you cannot sort it out - ask to make a complaint.
STAGE ONE - WHAT HAPPENS
Either you or a member of staff will write down your complaint.
You will sign to say that it is correct.
We will arrange for the people who are involved to discuss the problem with you and see if it can be sorted out.
Following this discussion you will be given feedback as to what is to happen as a result of your complaint.
STAGE TWO - IF YOU ARE NOT SATISFIED
Make it clear you are not satisfied and your complaint will be passed to the Manager.
They will appoint a senior person to look at your complaint.
An independent person not connected to Church Street will be asked to take part in the investigation.
They will speak to you and to anyone else involved.
You should get a letter in 28 days to tell you what has been decided.
You will be asked if you are satisfied.
STAGE THREE - IF YOU STILL DISAGREE
A review panel will be set up to look at the problem. The people on the panel will not be people involved before.
We will make sure you have someone to help you understand things and to go with you to talk to the panel. You can choose the person.
You will be informed within 28 days of the panel meeting what the company’s decision is.
USEFUL CONTACTS
A representative of Voice of the Child in Care can be contacted, they are independent of Church Street and you can talk to them in confidence.
If you have a complaint about Church Street, you can also complain to the local authority that covers the home you live in:
Ofsted Social Care
National Business Unit
3rd flr, Royal Exchange Building
St Ann’s Square
Manchester
M2 7LA
Tel.No: 08456 404040
Every month, a Church Street representative who checks a lot of things independently, visits where you live. This is called a Regulation 33 visit. You can also discuss issues with him or her.
If you have a complaint about something your local authority is doing then your complaint should go through their complaints procedure. If this is the case ask for help and we will assist you.
USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS:
Voice of the Child in Care 0171-833-5792
Childline 0800-1111
Section 25
IF YOU GO MISSING
We will report you as a missing person to the Police. We will inform your parents or a relative that you have not returned at an agreed time. We will also inform the Emergency Duty Team who will let your social worker know the following day.
We will hand over to the Police any addresses or phone numbers of your friends or relatives and the Police may check these out.
Section 26
WHEN YOU LEAVE CHURCH STREET
We realise that moving on can be difficult sometimes. We plan your move with you and help you prepare as best we can.
Section 27
INDEPENDENT VISITORS
An independent visitor/mentor is someone who works outside of Social Services and Church Street.
An independent visitor would be appointed to a young person if they have not had contact with family or a relative in recent months.
The role of the visitor would be to visit, befriend the young person and sometimes give advice.
Section 28ADVICE AND INFORMATION
Subject Tel Number Type of Servicing
Centrepoint
(Emergency Shelter) 0845 466 3400
www.centerpoint.org Accommodation
Housing Aid Centre 0207 527 6311
www.Islington.gov.uk Accommodation
Alone in London 0207 278 4224
www.als.org.uk Advice
Helpline (Bengali, Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu) 0800 800 5000
www.mgh.org.uk Aids
Blackliners
(Aids help for black people) 0207 738 5274
www.barking-dagenham.gov.uk Aids
Youth Alateen
(Youth drinkers) 0207 403 0888
www.al-ananuk.org.uk Alcohol
Alcohol Advice Centre 01923 221037 Alcohol
New horizon
(Benefit Advisory) 0171 242 2238/0010 Benefits
Call up 01922 63500 Counselling
Child Line 0800 1111 Counselling
Samaritans 24 hr 0171 724 8000 Counselling
Release (drugs) 0845 4500 215
ask@release.org.uk Drugs
Drugs Concern 0845 120 3745 Drugs
Drug Link
Talk to Frank 0800 77 66 00
Drugscope.org.uk Drugs
NSPCC Child Protection Line 0800 800 500 Information
Brooke Clinic 0207 284 6040
admin@brookecentres.org.uk Health
British Pregnancy Advisory Service 08457 30 40 30 Health
Eating Disorders Association 0845 634 1414 Health
Section 29
CHILDREN ACT 1989
The information required under schedule 1 is contained throughout this book. For ease of reference please see:
Schedule 1
1 see under Section 1
2 see under Section 1
3 see under Section1
4 see under Section 2
5 see under Section 2
6 see under Section 4,5,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,21
7 see under Section 19, 20, 21
8 see under Section 10
9 see under Section 3
10 see under Section 16
11 see under Section 22
12 see under Section 24
13 see under Section 23
14 see under Section 7
15 see under Section 5
Young People come to Church Street as part of their care plan. Sometimes it may be because of an emergency or crisis where they are living. The purpose of Church Street is to give young people a safe place to stay while it is decided where the best place for the young person to live is.
Some young people will only stay for a short time while something is sorted out for them, and sometimes it can be for a longer period of time. Whatever happens you will be asked what your opinion is and what you want. This does not mean you will get what you want, but people will listen to you and take you seriously. The law says the child's interests are paramount. This means that when people make decisions about where you live, the most important thing that they must think about is what is in your best interests.
Church Street can accommodate up to 6 people, either young men or young women between the ages of 12-18 years on admission.
Although Church Street can accommodate up to 6 young people this is largely dependant on dynamics within the home. We have found it not necessarily a good thing having a large home, and not in the best interest of the young people accommodated.
The home is run by Woodgrove Care Ltd., whose address is:
Trinominus House, Tel: 020 8881 0784
1st Floor, Fax: 020 8889 9000
125 – 129, High Road,
Edgware,
Middlesex. HA8 7DB
There are quite a few people who work at Church Street and you probably will not remember all their names at first
Leslie Douglas - Manager
Tom Peecock - Deputy Manager
Winston Bryden - RSW
Gosha Klyz - RSW
Russell Brimming - RSW
Serena Walker - RSW
Jason Brady - Waking Night RSW
Desrine Marconi - P/T RSW
Sonia Miller-Simpson - P/T RSW
Neil Smith - P/T RSW
Other people involved with Church Street.
Havva Karabeyaz - Independent Regulations 33
Havva visits Church Street monthly and is available if you wish to speak to her about any concerns, fears you may have in relation to your stay at Church Street
Young people who live here and staff who work here come from a variety of backgrounds, cultures and are of different ages and sexes. Everyone has the right to be treated with equal respect.
It is important that when you come to Church Street you are able to carry on with your religious beliefs if you have any, and we will encourage this in whatever way you and your family would like. You will as far as possible, be able to celebrate any festivals that you would at home. We also respect people's food requirements and will discuss these with you.
On arrival at Church Street you will be told who your keyworker is going to be. So that there will always be someone available for you if you need them and when your keyworker is on holiday, you will be allocated a back-up/support worker.
A keyworker is the member of staff who takes a lot of responsibility for your care while you are at Church Street. Your social worker, family, school or work will contact your keyworker to discuss any issues that affect you. Your keyworker is the person who will attend your meetings with you and help you to tell people what you want to happen. Although people may not necessarily agree with your choices it is important that they hear what you want.
Your keyworker does not have to be the staff member that you like the best or can talk to the easiest. You can talk to any member of staff about your worries or problems.
Your keyworker should make sure that all your health issues are dealt with, including visits to Dentist and Optician. You should speak to your keyworker about the clothes you need to buy with your Clothing Allowance.
While you live at Church Street you will be invited to all the meetings where decisions are made about where you live. You will get help from adults at Church Street to prepare you for these meetings if you want. There are also forms for you to fill in for the meetings.
The first meeting is called the Planning Meeting and this happens within 5 working days (Monday to Friday are usually the working days) and this meeting decides what work needs to be done before decisions can be made.
There will be a meeting four weeks after you come to Church Street. This is called a Review Meeting. This should look back to the Planning Meeting and review what work has been done and then make plans for you.
If you are still being looked after at Church Street, then the next Review Meeting will be held 3 months after this first Review, and again 6 months after that.
Between the first Planning Meeting and the Review Meeting we sometimes need to hold an extra Planning Meeting. This may be because things suddenly change or new information becomes available or because of particular difficulties. Sometimes we just meet to see how things are going.
Who will be at the Meetings?
At your Planning Meeting apart from you there will be at least one adult from Church Street and sometimes two. Your Social Worker will come and their boss who will run the meeting. If you haven't got a Social Worker, a Duty Social Worker will attend and their boss to make sure the meeting happens.
Parents may be invited to the Planning Meeting or other members of your family if they are particularly important to you. Someone from Education may attend if it is possible. If it is likely that you will be fostered or go to another children’s home then someone from these homes may attend the meeting.
The other kind of meetings we have at Church Street are Young Persons Meetings. You will be involved in the day to day planning and all young people living at Church Street are expected to attend the meeting, as it is your chance to raise anything you feel is important. However, if you choose to opt out of the meetings it will be assumed that you are also opting out of what is being planned so you may find yourself missing out.
All these meetings will normally be held where you live so, as long as you are staying at Church Street meetings will normally be held there unless there is a good reason to hold them somewhere else.
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