A New Place
What to Expect When you Arrive
Each move in is different as each person moves in under different circumstances. Some young people have plenty of knowledge on the process while others have no idea, others have had time to prepare while others have not, others are new to care while others have been in similar homes like ours so don’t worry if you are nervous about moving in. We have a lot of experience on how this process might feel so we have laid it all out so you understand how this process will be like.
A Warm Welcome
When you arrive, you will be greeted by a key worker, a manager and in some cases a director of the service. The directors often like to come and learn more about the new additions to the family.
The staff will then show you to your room and if there are multiple rooms available, typically we would let you choose your favourite (your new home). Your new room will be equipped with everything mentioned above including new bedding which you can take with you when you move to another home. Once you’ve made your choice staff will support you with moving your belongings into the room.
At this point depending on circumstances, you may be left to acclimatise yourself with your new room and surroundings. Alternatively, staff may proceed in showing you around the house and introduce you to the other young people who may be present. During this process you will also be allocated kitchen space such as cupboards, dishes, forks, cutlery etc. Staff will also show you the office where you would go if you needed help.
Quick Induction
Staff will go through fire safety questions and emergency procedures (what to do in the event of a fire or other emergencies). They will also show you where the fire assembly is and who the first aider is. We would also take the time to cover our most basic rules such as no smoking inside the house, you may use the back garden, no threatening behaviour towards staff and other young people. Staff will then share important contact numbers like the house number, emergency hotline as well as feedback number with you. They will ask for your number so they can keep in contact with you when you are away from the home.
This next process is different for every young person. If you’ve had a difficult or long journey or your social worker isn’t present, we would typically allow you at that point to go and do what you choose to do with the rest of the day as you settle in. However, in other circumstances your social worker may have been the one to move you into the home and they might like to have what’s called a “placement meeting” immediately after you move in. Please note that most basic regulations are enforceable from moment you move in and not just after the agreement is signed.
Your 1st Night
-
Staff will do an inventory of things you moved in with you.
-
Staff will offer you dinner-can choose from a choice of takeaways.
-
Staff will let you know they will give you some space to settle in, but they are just in the office if you need them or anything else.
-
After that you are free to do what you like such as go out and come home, see friends and family etc.
What happens
Once you're with us
After the moving in stage staff will begin helping you settle in your new home and will follow the following processes during the first few weeks.
Staff will sign you up to our sign in and out of our app.
Staff will give you an in-depth explanation of the type of service we are as well as what we offer our young people.
If you are interested staff will take you out into the local areas to show you around and maybe do an initial shop of food or clothes for you if required by the local authority.
Each move in is different as each person moves in under different circumstances. Some young people have plenty of knowledge on the process while others have no idea, others have had time to prepare while others have not, others are new to care while others have been in similar homes like ours so don’t worry if you are nervous about moving in. We have a lot of experience on how this process might feel so we have laid it all out so you understand how this process will be like.
Meetings
A placement planning meeting (PPM) will be had with you and your social worker. This is where we will discuss where we will discuss any rules regulations to follow, things like your curfew, weekly allowance, number of weekly key working hours, contact with family and friends will be discussed with you and your social worker. Key working hours This is usually done with the first 3-5 days of you moving in. After this meeting you will usually sign your placement agreement with the social worker.
Staff will then create a digital folder for you to save all your records while you are with us this is mostly for our use. Staff will issue you with a key working codex -This document outlines the work that will be done with you during your key working sessions. This way you are aware what each step entails and you are involved in your support. Staff will also issue you an independent skills assessment.
Your Support
Support plan- A support plan will be created for you when you come into our service and staff will work with you during your stay with us to ensure that this is catering to your needs. Staff will use tools like your independent skills assessment, your engagement with key working and mentoring sessions, risk assessments to update your support plan. You will be involved in your support plan and are free to state what areas you need help with and areas you do not need help with etc.
Staff will speak to you about what activities are available for you to do in key-working and any that we may not have that you would like to do. (Key working activities list) Staff will come up with a key working schedule with you incorporating all your obligations like school, the activities you enjoy as well as your key working hours. Staff will show you what a key working form may look like. Key working hours will begin.