Dos and Don'ts

Update the logs. Every hour on the hour. As the logs Autosave, please “save as” a new form in the morning BEFORE adding details to the log. Ensure logs are saved in the correct areas.

Do check the unit calendar every night before bed.

Do check the unit emails every two hours and reply to each email. If you do not have the info required please enquire in group chat.

Check the house periodically especially the bathroom, kitchen, and living room. Please ensure that they are tidy at all times. If a young person does leave a mess, please politely ask them to clear it. If you see an area that needs clearing and it isn't necessarily one person who directly made the mess it is our job as staff to clear it as we are the ones who live with the consequences. An untidy house means our living is affected.

Do send updates to the group chats. We like to know what's going on in the units, you are our eyes and ears and we like our minds to be at peace.

Do a handover form. A staff member cannot take over from you if a handover isn't going through signed and ticked. Once it's signed by both of you it needs to be filed.

Do your time sheet. To get paid you must appropriately sign in and out of the units using the staff sign in sheet and submit appropriate time sheets for the month (submitted on the 25th of each month) so we are able to verify your shift.

Do ensure all young people, visitors, and staff sign in when they come to the unit.

Do speak to the young people. When they come in maybe ask how their day was, how they were feeling and whether they have eaten this is good, important information for the log. It's also so if anything happens you have a basic background as to what's transpired. It also helps in building relationships with them. To remain professional whilst building a relationship with the young person

Give Y/P realistic consequences

Always set realistic goals with a Y/P

Give clear and precise instructions / requests to a Y/P

Always think about your approach when dealing with challenging behaviou

Make the young people feel safe and appreciated within the home so as they don’t feel like it is a prison.

To complete key working sessions with the young people and document them properly.  

To be able to communicate with young people and recognise “opportunities” to expand on a conversation and collect information e.g. you’re having a conversation with a young person and they state that they never had a good relationship with there father so you can relate to the topic in order to build the relationship alongside gaining key information that can help us provide the correct service for the young person as well as any issues that may need to be visited.

Ever in doubt always speak to your line manager

Communication is key

Always copy your line manager into emails sent when discussing a Y/P

To help young people gain the life skills that will help them navigate adult life. Such as washing their clothes, cooking and changing a lightbulb for example.

To be able to fill out a daily report on any key points and incidents with the young person you were working with on that day.

Be able to recognise and identify any negative behaviours or traits that can be perceived as potentially harmful or lead to dangerous situations. E.g., you overhear them on the phone talking to their friend possibly looking to buy illegal substances or items such as a weapon.

To be able to take the young people shopping and help them budget their weekly allowance and manage their money properly.

To be able to write a professional email to social workers and use key wording for desired effect.

Be adaptable to all situations regarding safety of the young people and colleagues.

To know when to read a situation and apply yourself accordingly. E.g. you can see the young person is getting frustrated with the conversation or situation so you can de-escalate or manoeuvre the situation before it gets out of hand.