Daily Routine and House Rules

All carers/residential staff should have a safe caring policy for their own household. This should be explained to children, with the reasons for the rules and they should also know that that there are rules for everyone. They should not feel that they are being treated with less regard than other members of the household. Ideally these expectations should be known to children before they are placed.

All Young People should have their own of House Rules and Boundaries. These should be tailored to each individual based around their development, needs and age. Each young person should have a copy of these rules in their bedrooms, as well as being on display or easily accessible within the home. 

The House Rules and Boundaries should be explained to each young person so that they are clearly understood; this may involve the use of interpreters, translators or in a different format or media. Once agreed then the House Rules and Boundaries are to be signed by the Young Person and the Key Worker or Manager of the Home. 

The House Rules and Boundaries are to be reviewed regularly and any request by the Young Person to make amendments must be taken into strong consideration. 

The following points are to be considered for inclusion when drawing up House Rules and Boundaries:

1. No smoking;
2. Keep own bedroom clean and tidy;
3. Do not cause damage to your home or other people's property;
4. Do not take things that do not belong to you;
5. Do not cause nuisance/antisocial behaviour to neighbours or in the community;
6. Do not go into any other bedroom without permission;
7. Be appropriately dressed all the time;
8. If you have gone out, return home at the time agreed;
9. Always be where you say you will;
10. If you want to change your plans whilst on free time then ask permission from your carer first;
11. Do not hurt any member of residential staff;
12. Do not hurt any pet of the home;
13. Homework must be done;
14. If you have been excluded from school, school work will be done at home;
15. When you use the bathroom or toilet always close the door;
16. If you have any problems try and talk to your carer/residential staff;
17. Try to consider other people's feelings.

Crystal Care Solutions has a generic House Rules and Boundaries template that can be used as a template:

• House Rules Template.

If Young People do not adhere to the House Rules and Boundaries agreed upon then the Staffing team will be responsible for implementing a fair and appropriate sanction.

By taking into account the individual needs of each young person the general day-to-day routines are adopted to ensure the continuity of care for all young people resident. These arrangements are included in the House Rules and Boundaries through;

1. Time of which the young person is expected to rise on days of education and at weekends;
2. Time of which the young person is expected to retire to bed on days of education and at weekends.

Each young person will also have an individual plan relating to their day-to-day arrangements.  Together with the homes diary each shift should be effectively planned.