At northerncare a high priority is put on achieving positive outcomes for children. We have evidence to prove that the young people in our care achieve these with excellent results. Did you know that 100% of children living in northerncare homes in 2006-2007 participated in activities and sports on more than three occasions every week? And did you know that 100% of children of school age living within northerncare homes are in receipt of education within our own schools or schools in the community?
Our annual performance indicators provide us with information regarding our service delivery. This allows us to monitor our contribution to achieving the Government's five outcomes for children. The collection of reliable information is viewed as a priority as it provides us with the opportunity to assess the life chances of the children for whom we care.
Be Healthy
In line with the Children Act 1989, Children Act 2004 and Care Standards Act 2000, we aim to provide services that ensure children are delivered a standard of care that supports a healthy lifestyle. Children will be encouraged to take responsibility for their own health and well-being, supported and guided by staff. In achieving a positive outcome for children, our policy and direct practice will uphold the principles of ensuring children are:
- Physically healthy
- Mentally & emotionally healthy
- Sexually healthy
- Safe and know how to keep themselves safe
- Through education and information, lead healthy lifestyles and are aware of risks from smoking, drugs, substance and alcohol misuse, underage sexual activity and infections
- Understand the need for personal hygiene
Staying Safe
In response to the Children Act 2004 and Working Together to Safeguard Children 2006, we remain committed to practices which protect
children from harm, are clear about how to recognise the signs of abuse
or neglect, have a full understanding about the thresholds that apply
to child protection and know to whom they should refer concerns or child
protection issues.
Enjoy and Achieve
Our aim is to make everyone aware of the things children and young people
need to help them to be happy, successful, healthy and safe, actively
encouraging learning and development.
Make a Positive Contribution
We ensure the involvement of young people and their families in the
development and running of the homes. Not only do we accept the principle
of children’s involvement, it can be seen in practice through a variety
of participation and consultation activities within and outside of the
home and school environment.
Our aim is to assist young people to successfully deal with significant
changes and challenges, develop enterprising behaviour, develop positive
relationships and display positive behaviour.
With staff as role models young people learn to behave towards each
other and within the local community in a non-discriminative way. Young
people are encouraged to understand the range of cultures and beliefs
that exist within the home, local and wider communities.
Achieve Economic Well-Being
Jointly, our social care and educational staff deliver a programme of
independence training that is monitored and, therefore, measurable.
Young people aged 14 years and over have a documented Independence Training
Programme in place.
Young people are fully supported and encouraged to look to their future
positively through day-to-day conversations, key worker sessions and
young people's meetings.
Through pathway planning young people are supported in undertaking a
variety of life skills training courses and to look at choices in employment
and career prospects in line with Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000,
Children Act 2004 in working to ‘Achieve Economic Well-Being.’
Did you know that 100% of children aged sixteen years or over in placements on 31st March 2007 had a Pathway Plan in place?
