Our Children's Guide

Welcome to your home

We want our home to be a safe, caring and supportive place for you. While you're with us, we will always:

• Protect your dignity and your rights.
• Respect your race, culture and religion in how we care for you.
• Work together with you and everyone involved in your care.
• Give you a warm, welcoming place to live, with adults trained to support you.
• Give you your own space and privacy.

You can stay with us up to the age of 17. How long you stay is something you and your social worker decide together.

Your bedroom

You'll have your own bedroom, and we'll help you make it yours — posters, photos, furnishings, whatever helps it feel like home. Bedding is provided. Keeping it tidy is your responsibility, but we'll always help.

You'll get a key to your room — please don't give it to anyone, and tell a staff member if it's lost or damaged. You'll also get a key to the home so you can come and go. Because the home is regulated by law, staff do regular health and safety checks in your room to make sure you're safe.

Living with others

You may share the home with other children. They might be a different age, background or culture to you, and they'll have their own rooms too. Every month there's a children's meeting where you can share your wishes and feelings about your care. We value your voice and want to hear from you.

Your day & allowances

Days follow a routine — mornings to get ready, school or learning during the day, then time for homework, meals, chores and an activity of your choice in the evening. Weekends are more relaxed, with activities you choose. Helping with chores is part of learning the skills you'll need for independence.

You'll get a weekly allowance, a clothing allowance agreed with your social worker, and a savings account with statements so you can see what you've saved.

Your key worker

You'll have a key worker — someone who gives you one-to-one time and helps look after your personal records. You'll meet regularly to go through your care plan and work on the goals that help you become independent. If you'd like to choose your key worker, or change them, you can.

Family & friends

Your family and friends matter to you, and you can invite them to visit. Visits are agreed with the Registered Manager, who keeps everyone in the home safe. Visits happen in shared spaces like the lounge, kitchen or garden, have agreed start and finish times, and visitors can't stay overnight. Staff may end a visit if they feel you're at risk.

Phones, computers & internet

There's a phone you can use, and a laptop for children to use. The home has a safe Wi-Fi filter to keep you away from content that isn't right for your age, and internet use is monitored to keep you safe. The internet is off overnight and during school hours, but can be extended during school holidays if you ask.

Food & meals

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are made every day, and you're encouraged to help plan and cook meals — we plan the week's food together. If you have a special diet for health, culture, religion or personal choice, we'll make sure your needs are met, and you'll always have plenty of choice.

Keeping you safe

Your safety is the most important thing. For security, the front and back doors are locked overnight and opened in the morning — this is to keep the home safe from the outside, not to keep you in. You can ask an adult to open the door at any time.

No weapons or illegal items are allowed in the home, so a room search may happen if there's a concern, to keep you and others safe. There are also weekly fire alarm checks and a monthly fire drill, and smoking and vaping aren't allowed anywhere in the home. Staff are trained in first aid, and any medicine is kept locked away and recorded carefully.

No bullying

Bullying is never okay here. That includes name-calling, staring, whispering, hitting — anything that makes someone feel uncomfortable or unsafe. If you ever feel you're being bullied, tell any adult in the home and they'll help sort it out. We all work together to make the home a positive place for everyone.

If you feel unwell

As soon as you start to feel ill, tell a member of staff. Explain how you feel, what's wrong and how long it's been going on, and let them know if you've taken any medicine. We'll make sure you get the care you need.

Making a complaint

If you're not happy about something, you can tell any adult in the home. We'll confirm we've received your complaint within 24 hours and let you know the outcome within 14 days. If you're not happy with the outcome, you can appeal to the Responsible Individual. Our Independent Visitor also comes to the home every month to hear your voice and make sure your concerns are shared.

Your voice & advocacy

An advocate is someone independent — they don't work for the home, your social worker or the local authority. They're on your side and help you share your views. If you'd like an advocate, we'll make a referral for you. You can also contact the Children's Commissioner for England, who has a legal duty to protect the rights of children, at any time.

Your records

You can ask any adult to see your personal care records at any time, and you'll get them within 24 hours of asking. If there's a note, photo or anything you'd like added to your record, we can do that. Even after you leave, you can still ask us for your records. Everything is kept secure and confidential.