Hello and Welcome!
Contents
Welcome ........................ 2
Mission Statement ......... 2
Activities ......................... 3
The Home Inside ............ 3
Living Together .............. 4
Your Time ....................... 4
Money ............................ 4
Medical Information ...... 4
Phones ........................... 5
Your Keyworker .............. 5
Travel ............................. 5
Independent Advocate .. 6
Religious Beliefs ............. 6
Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation ..................... 6
Bullying .......................... 6
Acceptance of Others ..... 6
Complaints ..................... 6
Additional Information and Helplines ........................ 7
Notes and Questions ...... 8
Your guide to Devonshire House, Hedgerows and Greenacres
Welcome to Devonshire
It’s great to hear that you will be joining us shortly. We really hope that you enjoy being at the Upper Site of the School and living here. We want to make sure that you are happy while you are here. This booklet will give you information about daily routines, your bedroom and the staff who will be working with you. It has been designed in consultation with young people who
are residential students.
If there are things that you want to find out that aren’t covered in the guide or you do not understand any of the information, we have a page at the end of this booklet for you to make notes or write any other questions you have.
Lesley Mawbey Registered Manager
“We all work together to provide a happy and caring environment, which enables our students to learn and communicate with confidence and grow as valued members of society.”
Mission Statement
“We all work together to provide a happy and caring environment, which enables our students to learn and communicate with confidence and grow as valued members of society.”
Where is Devonshire House, Hedgerows and Greenacres?
Devonshire House, Hedgerows and Greenacres are situated on the outskirts of Wirksworth. Wirksworth is a small market town and was once the most important lead mining centre in the country. Wirksworth is surrounded by beautiful scenery and is a small friendly village with plenty to do including Black Rocks, the High Peak Trail and the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway. Wirksworth also holds arts festivals and carnivals every year.
We hope to achieve this by: Being active and proud
corporate parents, consulting with and listening to you. Promoting and developing your confidence and self-esteem. Providing a family environment where you can feel safe. Building good relationships and working closely with the important people in your lives. Celebrating difference and diversity to meet your needs. Speaking on your behalf if you want us to Working closely with your teachers, therapists and local authority to ensure your needs and wishes are met. Preparing you for adulthood and for your future life journey
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What’s it like inside?
There are three comfortable and homely lounges. All with large flat screen HD TV. These areas have a relaxing environment to watch TV, DVD’S, socialise with friends and enjoy multi-player gaming. During the week most of your meals are cooked on Devonshire House. Lunches during the education day are provided in the refectory. The kitchens are well-equipped and modern. With the support of staff, you will have the opportunity to develop your cooking skills. With your key worker you will plan, shop and cook an evening meal as an alternative to the set meal. This option is particularly popular with young people who wish to develop their independence or have special diets. During the weekends all meals are cooked in the house kitchen and you will get the opportunity to learn how to use all the kitchen equipment with the support of the staff. You will have your own room. There is plenty of storage for your clothes and belongings and if you wish to bring other items of furniture or accessories to personalise your room then please do so. The bedrooms are on two floors, some are overlooking the swimming pool and others with views of the surrounding countryside. Domestic staff will clean your room during the week but you will be responsible for keeping it tidy. Bedding is provided but you can bring your own if you want. All of the bedrooms are ensuite and modernwith a bath and s h o w er so you do not have to share. As with your bedroom, bathrooms are cleaned daily during the week. Towels and toiletries are not provided so you will need to bring these with you. There are laundry facilities within the home, which are available for your personal use. Staff will support you to do your own laundry until you are able and confident to do this independently.
Activities
You will be able to get involved in a wide variety of activities. The upper site has a swimming pool, a gym, squash and badminton court and climbing wall. There is also a pool table. Within the grounds there is a grassed field for playing football, rounders, cricket etc. There is also a large tennis court, which also serves as a basketball/netball court. This is floodlit so it can be used in the evening, weather permitting. There are also lots of other clubs that you can go to including a leisure centre, fitness clubs and if you have a hobby or pursuit which you would like to continue whilst you are at school, just let staff know and they will help you do this. At weekends if you are not going home or going out with your family, you will have the opportunity to go on an organised trip out which is decided by all the young people during house meetings. There are also opportunities to do individual activities with the support of the care staff. Offsite activities that you can enjoy over the year include: walks, cinema, cycling, laser quest and many more. We also go on trips to museums, zoos, theme parks, the seaside and the theatre, as well as visiting local towns and enjoying local countryside.
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Your time here
Each day will vary, here is an example to give you an idea of what to expect.
Living Together
AM We ask that you set your alarm and get up in plenty of time to have breakfast and be ready for the education day. If you struggle to get up in the morning and feel you may need some support please speak to your key worker and we can support you with this. Please plan your time to be ready for the education day at 8.45am Break time is 11.00am until 11.30am. You may choose to sit in the refectory where there is a tuck shop to purchase snacks or sit outside if it is a nice day, there is also a common room in the sixth form building. Your lessons will begin again at 11.30 until lunch time. PM Lunch time is between 12.30 and 13.30. Meals are provided by the kitchen staff in the refectory. The kitchen staff are happy to cook you a separate meal should you not like what is available that day. Please talk to them in advance regarding this. If you are not comfortable in doing this you could ask your key worker who can inform the kitchen staff.
Whilst we hope you view Devonshire, Hedgerows and Greenacres as your home away from home. We have some expectations to ensure all young people are safe and happy here. We do not allow alcohol, alcohol free substitutes (beers/ ciders/wines) or energy drinks in the home. Young people are not to enter the office due to confidential information being stored here. You can have drinks and snacks in your room but we encourage young people to eat main meals around the table in the living room. Please be mindful of music volumes. Our young people hold house meetings and regularly update and review their own house rules. You will be given these in your induction and can also be found on the wall in the blue room. During the week we have domestic staff who will go in and clean your bedroom while you are in education. If they are unable to get into your bedroom staff will go in at weekends or during the holidays to ensure a good level of cleanliness within the home. Maintenance work may also be completed in your bedroom during the holidays, we will let you know in advance where possible
After lunch, lessons begin again until 15.30, which is the end of the education day.
When you arrive back to house this is your free time. You may want to relax in your bedroom or in the lounge, spend time with your friends or go out for the evening. Dinner is normally ready for around 17.00 however, you may choose to cook your own.
Money All young people are supported and encouraged to manage their own money. If you would like to keep your money somewhere safe, we can deposit your money into our safe to help you look after it.
Medical
If you wish to transfer from your family GP to one in the local area we will help you to do this. If you need to visit the GP, staff will accompany you if you wish them to do so but you do have the option to attend independently. If you take medication, initially your medication will be stored in our medical room and administered to you by staff. We can support you to progress to self-administering your medication if this is something you’d like to do.
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Phones A cordless phone is available for you to use located the main lounge and is accessible 24 hours a day. When using please ensure you press 9 before dialing. All young people are able to use their own personal mobile phones but please be respectful and use safely. We also have a house mobile which you can text and ring if you need any support from staff.
Travel
We have a reliable bus service that can take you into Derby City Centre, Matlock and Belper. Young people who wish to use public transport independently must successfully complete an independent travel plan with their key worker first.
“Your key worker will have regular chats with you to ensure that everything is going well for you.”
Your Key Worker When you arrive here you will be allocated a key worker. The key worker is a member of the care staff team. Their role is to ensure that you are happy, healthy and safe. They will work with you, your parents, tutors and therapists to support you to achieve targets that you have identified as wanting to achieve. Your key worker will have regular chats with you to ensure that everything is going well for you. You can discuss or raise any problems or concerns you may have and they will try to help you resolve them. They will help you maintain contact with your family and friends and help you
plan special events such as birthday celebrations.
They will help you develop your independence and social skills and help you to keep on top of your studies. If you have particular interests that you wish to pursue, your key worker will help you to access them.
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Religious beliefs If you have religious beliefs and want to attend a place of worship we will support you to do this. You may have special days that you wish to observe, have a special diet or times to pray. Talk to your key worker about these and they will support you. Sexual orientation and gender identity Not everyone is the same, this is a fact of life and something that should be celebrated. Here at Devonshire House, Hedgerows and Greenacres we want you to feel comfortable to express yourself freely, without prejudice or discrimination. It is your choice to be who you want to be and as long as this is done safely, we will support and respect your wishes.
Independent Advocate
What is an independent advocate?
•
Someone you can talk to in complete confidence*
•
They can support you in meetings
•
Help you raise a complaint
•
Empower you to ensure your views are heard
* An advocate will not share information without your permission unless a safeguarding situation occurs.
Your independent advocate is Tim Roberts. You can contact him anytime you need him. Tel: 07895582535 Email: timothyroberts529@gmail.com.
Acceptance of Others
It can be hard moving into a new home and sharing a space with people you have never met before. Please be respectful of your peers needs and wishes. Communal areas are to be shared and respected by all.
Bullying We will not tolerate bullying of any kind. Bullying is not acceptable and you should not have to put up with it. If you feel you are being bullied you can speak to any member of staff who will support you with this. You may feel more comfortable speaking to your key worker or parent/guardian. If you need any more support with this please see page 7 and 8 for additional support and information.
They will write a full report within 28 working days, but will aim to resolve the complaint within 2 weeks. All complaints will be dealt with in confidence. If you would like an advocate please ask for one. An independent person called a mediator can be requested to resolve the situation if necessary. If you are still not happy you have the right to ask Kelly Watson, she SENAD Group Quality Assurance Manager to look into your complaint for you. You can call her on Tel: 07872502965. If Kelly Watson is unable to resolve the complaint you can contact Ofsted directly. OFSTED, Piccadilly Gate, store street, Manchester, M1 2WD Tel: 03001231231 Email: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk
Complaints If you are not happy with something, we want to know. You can talk to your key worker or any familiar member of staff you feel confident to talk to. You may want to complete a complaints form or you can email your concerns to one of the following managers, who will be happy to resolve any problems you have. alderwasleystudentvoice@senadgroup.com
ahs. studentvoice@senadgroup.com Sfc.studentvoice@senadgroup.com
Karen Tatham (Head of Care) Lesley Mawbey (Registered Manager, Upper Site) Sara Forsyth (Head Teacher)
You can call a member of the Senior Management Team on: 07894568346
You can also conta ct the Children’s Commissioner, Rachel de Souza Email: info.request@childrenscommissioner.gsi.gov.uk Tel: 02077838330
If your problem is more serious there is a procedure which we need to follow. All complaints will be fully investigated by the Registered Manager who will talk to you about what they have done to resolve your complaint within 5 working days. 6
Additional information
Young Minds The UK’s leading charity for children and young people's mental health. www.youngminds.org.uk Tel: 0808 8025544 Mind Mental health charity. To support people with mental health problems. www.mind.org.uk Tel: 0300 123339
Childline Help and advice about a wide range of issues. www.childline.org.uk Tel: 0800 1111
Papyrus Are you, or a young person you know not coping with life? For confidential suicide prevention advice www.papyrus – uk.org Tel: 0800 0684141
Calm Campaign against living miserably is a leading movement against male suicide. www.thecalmzone.net Tel:0800585858 Sane Leading UK mental health charity improving the quality of life for anyone affected by mental illness, including family friends and carers. www.sane.org.uk Tel: 0300 3047000 Stonewall Stonewall campaigns for the equality of lesbian, gay, bi and trans people across Britain. www.stonewall.org.uk Samaritans Whatever you're going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. We're here 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Tel:116 123
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Your Notes
If you require this document in another language or format please ask member of staff.
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Created April 2019
Updated September 2020
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