Rotas and Handover Procedure

Staff teams will be allocated to houses as per residents assessed needs, in agreement with the placing authorities requests and in line with the targets outlined within the homes statement of purpose. Staff Members will be allocated to a specific child and to work in line with agreed care/placement/personal plans. Staff members may be required to work with all children with in the home and in some exceptional circumstances, relocate to other homes.

The staffing team includes staff of both genders whenever possible. Should the child’s needs require the use of staff of only one gender, the home’s Statement of Purpose makes this explicit and clear guidance is provided and implemented on how children are enabled to maintain relationships with members of the opposite gender to the staff group. Staffing arrangements also take into consideration children’s ethnic and cultural backgrounds and any disabilities they may have. Within this requirement no person is to work in a children’s home unless they are at least four years older than the oldest child accommodated.

In the event of a shortage in staffing we have a bank of trained sessional staff members. We also operate an on call system where each day a member of staff is available at short notice to provide cover and/or assistance as necessary.

On each staffing change off-going staff must ensure that all relevant information is handed over to oncoming staff. This is to included:

1. Significant upcoming dates;
2. Recent changes to Risk Assessments;
3. Recent changes to Guidance notes and General Risk Assessments;
4. Update on recent events;
5. Any changes to Young Persons Care/Placement/Personal Plan;
6. Ensure all important information is recorded in the message book.

On-coming Staff must ensure that they:

1. Check Petty Cash;
2. Check Medication;
3. Check Sharps;
4. Read and Sign Guidance Notes & General Risk Assessments;
5. Read and Sign All Risk Assessments;
6. Read Chronological Update Reports;
7. Familiarise yourself with Background information;
8. Read all messages in Message Book.