Codes of Practise
Complaints By Young People
Staff ensure that young people feel comfortable with voicing any worries or complaints they have. The procedure for voicing complaints is clear and concise and is explained to young people at the time of their admission and periodically reinforced by their key worker.
Young people can speak to whoever they feel comfortable with about their complaint: their key worker, the Manager, the Deputy Manager the Director of Care, The Director of Therapy, their social worker, or Child Line.
Staff on duty will initially deal with any complaints raised by young people. Should they not be able to deal with any complaint to the satisfaction of the young person it will be passed on to the Manager who will respond to the young person within three working days.
The Young Person's Handbook provides further details for young people about how to voice their worries and complaints.Child Protection/ Safeguarding
The Director of Therapy, Geraldine Taylor, is registered by the Law Society as an Expert Witness in the areas of Sexual Abuse, Child Protection and Trauma. Geraldine delivers training to all staff on Child Protection as part of their induction to Future In Mind and throughout their employment.
Staff have an awareness of the previous abusive situations which many of our young people have experienced and the impact this has had on their personal development and attachments.
All staff are familiar with, and practice the guidelines laid out in the company's Policies and Procedures and in the Local Safeguarding Children's Board Guidelines.
Staff are clear about their responsibilities in relation to Child Protection matters and the need for immediate reporting of concerns. Any member of staff subject to an allegation regarding a Child Protection issue would be subject to immediate suspension, pending a full investigation by external Child Protection Agencies. On conclusion of an external investigation Future In Mind may undertake a Disciplinary Investigation in relation to the member of staff concerned.
Anti Discriminatory Practice
Future In Mind is committed to the provision of equality of care for young people placed in their care. This is seen as a fundamental right of young people, regardless of their sex, sexual orientation, disability, ethnic, cultural, linguistic or religious background. Staff are proactive in ensuring that the individuality of the young person is valued and respected and, where appropriate will ensure that religious observances, dietary considerations, festivals etc are recognised and catered for in the young person’s Individual Placement Plan.
Staff actively demonstrates tolerance, understanding and empathy with every young person in their care and are particularly sensitive to promoting the rights of young people in all areas.
It is recognised that prejudice usually stems from fear and ignorance and every attempt is made to combat any instances within the care environment. This takes the form of educating and familiarising young people with the issues rather than lectures or sanctions. Staff actively challenge any demonstration of racist, sexist, disablist or homophobic language by young people or staff at Future In Mind.
Any discriminatory comments, practical "jokes" etc render staff liable to
disciplinary action and possible dismissal.
