Rowden SOP May2026

There is on campus family accommodation which can be booked in advance. We work with young people and their families to agree individualised contact plans. We value the insight and knowledge parents have about the needs of their child, and the best way to support them. We work closely with parents throughout their child’s time with us. Parents who sign up to a WEDUC application receive regular photos of their children’s achievements and their participation in activities. Parents also receive monthly summary reports emailed electronically, which include photographs of their children’s lives at Rowden.

Our Leisure Barn has a ‘Stargaze Room’; a dark room equipped with sensory lighting, furnishings and ceiling light projection system. Our water room is an indoor wet room with water sensors and jets, coloured lighting and music, providing the ideal setting for indoor water play.

The homes are surrounded by large woodland areas where they can explore and learn about nature, as well as follow the Gruffalo trail, which makes the walk through the woods more enjoyable. There is also an allotment on site, which allows children to grow healthy foods and encourages them to participate in extra physical activity. This promotes healthier lifestyles.

We have numerous vehicles to allow trips far and wide, and we also make use of public transport to ensure young people have all the learning possibilities open to them.

There is also a specialist minivan with an electric wheelchair lift to suit those young people who have mobility issues. All our home and school vehicles are tracked by an electronic system which monitors staff driving styles, the speed vehicles travel at and locations. This monitoring is part of our safeguarding steps to ensure young people are safe when travelling. Young people travel in the rear of the vehicles which have the child locks switched on during use.

HOME ETHOS & THE OUTCOMES THAT THE HOME SEEKS TO ACHIEVE

It is essential that the young people we care for have a voice and have a say in how the home is run.

Advocacy services are available for all young people.

YOUNG PEOPLES RIGHTS / ADVOCACY

A representative will meet with the young person on a monthly basis or on a need basis and can provide the following support:

PARTICIPATION & CONSULTATION

ACCOMODATION

KEEPING YOUNG PEOPLE SAFE

There are fire emergency exits and smoke and heat detectors throughout all the buildings. Fire safety equipment is regularly tested and is subject to regular audits. Young people, staff and visitors are regularly involved in fire drills and fire procedures are displayed throughout the campus. Within the residential setting unannounced fire evacuations take place to allow the young people to learn how to evacuate safely. Personal evacuation plans are in place for those young people who have been reluctant to evacuate or who have mobility or

The SENAD Group employ a Health and Safety Manager and Building Service Manager. The Building Service Manager is responsible for building regulations, fire safety, as well as managing the building team. The School is subject to regular safety inspections. The water and electrical systems, playground, and lifting equipment are checked independently in line with Health and Safety legislation.

Smoking is not permitted in the buildings or on the campus. The homes and school are visited periodically by Herefordshire fire services and Environmental Health Officers. There are clear fire and emergency procedures and regular fire practices. There is an emergency plan if the home needs to be evacuated for any reason.

If a young person leaves the campus without permission we have a Missing from Care protocol for searching the campus and local area, informing the police, family and relevant authorities. This protocol may be individualised for young people who are at higher risk of going missing. We work closely with West Midlands police coordinators who regularly update us with information on procedures if a child goes missing from care.

When young people do not return from home breaks without a reason being given, contact is made with the parent or guardian to ascertain the reason. If pupils are persistently absent without authority, we will follow protocols agreed with the placing authority.

Fire safety procedures are in place for all our young people, employees and visitors. When you visit the campus we will ask you to sign in and take the time to read our fire safety information. CCTV cameras monitor the drive by the leisure barn, areas of car park, the main entrance to reception.

Young peoples living environment is risk assessed by staff teams on a daily basis. Any requirement for adaptation are implemented to keep the young people safe at all times.

We may need to use electronic devices (monitors) and magnetic door alarms in some circumstances to ensure the safety of young people during the night when staffing support reduces. Should the use of electrical devices be agreed, the use of these items will be written into the young person’s support and supervision assessment for staff to follow. Suitable approval of parents and social workers will be gained prior to the implementation of such devices. In exceptional circumstances we use key pad entry system to a home’s entrance / exit. The decision to use this door locking mechanism is assessed on individual need. The use of electronic monitoring devices will be regularly reviewed to ensure they continue to be necessary to meet the young persons needs.

Young people’s bedroom windows have restrictors fitted where agreed. This is due to the location of the home. The restrictors allow plenty of fresh air into the bedrooms, but protect children when they are asleep. During the night the main entrances to the home are locked for security reasons, the doors can be unlocked from within using the door thumb lock.

ADMISSIONS

ROWDEN REFERRAL PROCESS

SUPPORTING YOUNG PEOPLE’S BEHAVIOUR

The behaviour management strategies are developed and updated with staff representation from across the campus and support from all inter-disciplinary team departments. Natural or consequential incidents and interventions are formally recorded in the home and young person’s records. All incident and restraint forms are reviewed by operational managers and analysed to decide on developments in approach and actions for each young person as-and-when this is required.

We train all staff supporting young people in Positive Behaviour Support and Non-Aggressive Physical and Psychological Interventions (NAPPI). This training consists of three, eight-hour days of learning. Two days of refresher training then occurs every twelve months thereafter for each employee.

When identified as required for a young person, NAPPI training is developed around the young person’s specific needs. This is delivered up to level three NAPPI needs led training. All NAPPI training lesson plans are agreed in advance through the schools senior management team.

Rowden is working with NAPPI PODS UK which are being used as a means to provide environmental support for vulnerable individuals of all ages who present with behaviour concern. The safety PODS are situated in the homes and classrooms. The use of PODS for each individual is detailed in their risk assessment and support plans.

In line with the agreed health care plans our clinical consultants work alongside the staff teams in the use of PRN medication prescribed for behavioural reasons. Should a young person have behavioural PRN

prescribed, instructions for use will be clearly documented within the young person’s plans. Should a Behavioural PRN be used as an intervention then a report will be completed. This will form part of the young person’s individualised plans and will be part of the monitoring and analysis process.

YOUNG PEOPLE’S EDUCATION

YOUNG PEOPLE’S HEALTH

Young people are encouraged to:

HOW WE STAFF THE HOME

During night time hours, waking night staff are employed. We also use sleep in staff. Typically there will be 1 waking night per home and there may be additional waking night staff available if the young people are specifically identified as requiring additional waking night support during assessment and referral process. This may reduce during holiday periods when some houses may be closed due to young people going home or going on holiday. Specialised bed monitors or audio/visual monitors are also used to support certain young people with medical conditions such as epilepsy.

All care staff receive a comprehensive induction training package prior to working in the homes. This is to give staff the opportunity to develop their skills and understanding. There is also targeted training to specifically meet the complex and varied needs of our young people. Staff are encouraged to build positive relationships with the young people in order to provide trust around daily living opportunities and personal care.

All staff are required to complete a probationary period of 6 months and staff receive professional supervision monthly on commencement of employment from a senior staff member. The professional supervision includes feedback on performance, the development of professional practice, key working skills and professional progress made connected to the staff members performance reviews and appraisals. A written record is kept on the staff members support and supervision records.

Each day team have a dedicated learning and development day every month; this provides team meetings, learning and development and time to fulfil other dedicated duties such as audits, health and safety checks. All care staff who are not already qualified are enrolled on a Diploma in Residential Childcare. Those studying have the opportunity to meet with their college tutor on their learning and development days. All care staff undertake an annual performance review and agree a professional development plan for the following 12 months. Training and professional development continues through employment, this builds on the initial training completed through the employees induction and probation period.

Induction Face to Face Training—10 days

Virtual College Online Training—33 modules

Mandatory Qualification—Level 3 Diploma or Level 4 Apprenticeship in Residential Child Care

Management Training including Safeguarding, for House Managers only

Further training is made available for specific needs such as food allergens and mental health.

POLICIES & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

QUALITY & COMPLIANCE MANAGER

SENAD Group, 1 St George’s House, Vernon Gate, Derby, DE1 1UQ

CONTACT

To speak directly to Ofsted:

POLICIES

Accessibility

Admissions

Child Protection & Safeguarding

Please email referrals@senadgroup.com or call 01332 378840 Option 1 Ext 2

PARENTS / CARERS

Please email info@senadgroup.com or complete our online enquiry form or call 01332 378840 Option 1 Ext 1