Consultation
We encourage Young People to take an active part in making decisions that affect their lives. Consultation with Young People is viewed as an essential part of their care and development and takes numerous forms: Key Worker sessions, Young People’s meetings, involvement in Care Planning and Statutory Case Reviews, visits to the Home from the advocates or independent visitors, Regulation 44 visits and inspections carried out by Ofsted.
Key Worker Sessions
Key Worker sessions offer the Young Person the opportunity to seek guidance, advice and support on any matter. These sessions are both pre-planned and unplanned and take place regularly. The sessions will be recorded and held on the Young Person’s file. The wishes of the Young Person are sought and taken into account in the selection of a Key Worker, or any change in the Key Worker. The Key Worker ensures that a Young Person understands any decisions and why or how they were made. We will promote Young Peoples’ rights to access and they will contribute to certain parts of their own records.
Youth Meetings
Young Persons Meetings take place weekly to fortnightly, depending on the home. Their purpose is to encourage and support young people to speak out and listen. Importantly, the meetings also allow young people to express their views and be involved in decisions about living at Mayfield House. Young people are encouraged to express their views about the day-to-day running of the home. They are offered opportunities to make decisions concerning their physical environment, as well as the choice of food and leisure activities. Behavioral boundaries are set through discussion within staff and young people’s meetings. All young people’s meetings are attended and supported by staff on duty.
Care Planning
Young People are involved in the discussion and formulation of their own Plans and are helped to understand their content and outcomes. Young People are encouraged to attend all internal Care Planning Meetings, Statutory Case Reviews and visits by their Social Worker. Families are consulted and involved in key decisions as appropriate.