HEALTH AND WELL BEING

POLICY & PROCEDURE

Children’s & Young People’s Residential Services

Policy Control/Monitoring

Version: / 1.0
Approved by:
(Name/Position in Organisation)
Date:
Accountability:
(Name/Position in Organisation) / Chief Executive, Percy Hedley Foundation
Author of policy:
(Name/Position in organisation) / Barbara Bolam
Head of Residential Services
Date issued: / August 2015
Revision Cycle: / Annual
Revised (Date): / August 2016
Target audience: / Barbara Bolam
Head of Residential Services
Amendments/additions
Replaces/supersedes: / All previous residential policies and procedures
Associated Policies:
(insert hyperlinks)
Associated National Guidance / ·  The Quality and Purpose of Care Standard
·  Children’s Wishes and Feelings Standard
·  Education Standard
·  The Enjoyment and Achievement Standard
·  The Positive Relationships Standard
·  The Protection of Children Standard
·  The Leadership and Management Standard
·  The Care Planning Standard
Document status / This document is controlled electronically and shall be deemed an uncontrolled documented if printed.
The document can only be classed as ‘Live’ on the date of print.
Please refer to the staff login section of the internet for the most up to date version.

Equality Impact Assessment

This document forms part of Percy Hedley’s commitment to create a positive culture of respect for all staff and service users. The intention is to identify, remove or minimise discriminatory practice in relation to the protected characteristics (race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, age, religious or other belief, marriage and civil partnership, gender reassignment and pregnancy and maternity), as well as to promote positive practice and value the diversity of all individuals and communities.

As part of its development this document and its impact on equality has been analysed and no detriment identified.

Version Control Tracker

Version Number / Date / Author/ Title / Status / Comment/Reason for Issue/Approving Body /

Roles & Responsibilities

Role / Responsibility
Chief Executive / Overall responsibility to ensure this policy conforms to current guidelines and best practice. Ensuring resources and infrastructure are available to allow its implementation. To achieve a safe working environment which includes Safe storage of medicines, correct documentation and safe administration.
Director of Human Resources Department / Ensure effective implementation of this policy. Ensure a current list of all policies is available to all staff. Review dates of policy reviews and notify accountable person of policy.
Head of Service/Head of department / Ensure effective implementation of this policy. Ensure a current list of all policies is available to all staff. Review dates of policy reviews and notify accountable person of policy.
Training Development Officer / Support line managers to develop training needs analysis and develop training plan for staff identified as requiring training. Procure and evaluate training and development to enable staff to provide safe care with medication.
Provide an overview to the exec team on current position of training and development across the organisation.
Quality Manager / Provide framework for audit of medication policy and compliance. Provide audit report to Board. Monitor effectiveness of this policy with senior management team. Raise awareness of non-compliance with Head of Service.
Health and Safety Manager / Monitor incidents and complaints and near misses in relation to this policy.
Report to audit committee.
Provide risk assessment training to staff to support this policy.


CONTENTS Pg

1.  Introduction

2.  Purpose

3.  Scope

4.  Principles

5.  Definitions / abbreviations

6.  Monitoring and Compliance

7.  Health Care and Well Being

8.  Consent to Medical Treatment

9.  Registering with Services

10.  Initial health Needs Assessment

10.1  Healthy Life style

10.2  Diet

10.3  Exercise

10.4  Emotional Health Needs

10.5  Depression

10.6  Self harm

10.7  Responding to suspect/visible signs of self harm

10.8  Severe single incidents/regular patterns of self-harm

10.9  Suicide

10.10 Attempted Suicide

10.11 Emergency Situations

11.  SEXUALITY & IDENTITY

12.  SAFER SEX

13.  SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS

13.1  DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENT

13.2  Prevention

13.3  GETTING TREATMENT

14.  BLOOD BORNE VIRUSES

14.1  Safe handling

15.  HIV HEPATITIS B/HEPATITIS C

15.1  HEPATITIS B

15.2  HEPATITIS C

15.3  OTHER BODILY FLUIDS

16.  Smoking

17.  Alcohol and Substance Use

18.1. Prevention

18,2 CONFISCATING SUBSTANCES

18.3 YOUNG PEOPLE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF SUBSTANCES

19. Administration of Medication

19.1 MEDICINES MANAGEMENT COMPETENCY FRAMEWORK

20. FIRST AID AND MINOR ILLNESS TREATMENT

1. Introduction

Residential Services recognises the importance of promoting positive physical, mental and emotional health for each child/young person accessing residential services. Furthermore there is a statutory requirement to assess the physical and emotional health of a child/young person coming into care, with a review to be carried out at 6 monthly intervals (Promoting the health and wellbeing of looked after children March 2015). Delays in identifying and meeting their emotional well-being and mental health needs can have far reaching effects on all aspects of their lives, including their chances of reaching their potential and leading happy and healthy lives as adults.

2. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that each child/young person in residential services has an up to date individual health plan in place, the development of which should be based on the written report of the health assessment. The health plan forms part of the child’s overall care plan.

3. Scope

This policy will apply to employees working within Children’s & Young People’s Residential Services and employed by the Foundation under a contract of employment.

This document will be made available to all employees who are engaged in Residential Services who will then be expected to familiarise themselves with the principles covered within this policy.

4. Principles

The guiding principles of the policy are:-

·  Children/young people should have the best start in life, to be healthy and happy and to reach their full potential in life. As corporate parents we have the same high aspirations as any prudent parent would have and that they will receive the care and support that they need in order to thrive.

·  Ensure that all children/young people in residence will have their physical, emotional and mental health needs assessed. A health plan describing how those identified needs will be addressed to improve health outcomes and the plan reviewed in line with care planning requirements, or at other times if the child’s health needs change.

·  Ensure that all staff who are working with children/young people will follow the systems and processes in place to track and focus on meeting the child/young person’s physical, emotional and mental health needs without making them feel different.

·  Ensure that all looked after children are able to access universal services as well as targeted and specialist services should the need arise.

.

5. Definitions / abbreviations

6. Monitoring & Review

Overall responsibility for the operation of the policy and procedure lies with the Registered Manager / Head of Residential Services. The effectiveness of the policy and procedure will be formally reviewed and monitored as a minimum on a 12 month basis to ensure that it continues to meet the requirements of The Foundation, the specific service area and that it reflects best practice and statutory legislation as appropriate.

7. HEALTH CARE & WELL BEING – PROCEDURE

All staff members are to provide positive experiences of health care, encourage children/young people to be health conscious and provide a healthy environment for children/young people to live in giving consideration to the following:

·  All facilities within the home should be clean and to a high standard, especially toilets, bathrooms and kitchens

·  Repairs and minor damage should be reported immediately and work completed in a timely manner.

·  Children/young people will be provided with the necessary toiletries

·  Appropriately hygienic and discrete facilities will be available for the disposal of sanitary products

·  Staff and children/young people should talk about health using their preferred method of communication.

·  Children/young people should be encouraged to talk about health with their keyworker, including making positive choices and sexual health where appropriate. Visual resources are available within the home which are based at the child/young person’s level of understanding

·  A high standard of quality care must be maintained throughout the home

·  Medical advice should be sought promptly where cause for concern is identified

·  Confidentiality should be respected within normal boundaries

·  Children/young people should be encouraged to have a healthy balanced diet, with the involvement in the planning and preparation of food using their preferred method of communication, also with visual supports available.

·  Children/young people should be active and encouraged to take part in activities that have a positive impact on health, and time spent in sedentary activities like TV watching monitored.

·  Routines in the home should be set out to encourage healthy lifestyle e.g. bed times, meals

·  Staff should use everyday opportunities to discuss health with children/young people, provide support and encouragement where needed, and be ready to listen to children/young people’s concerns and giving advice where appropriate.;

·  TV and computer times should be monitored and balanced with a healthy lifestyle

8. CONSENT TO MEDICAL OR DENTAL EXAMINATION OR TREATMENT

Consent is required for any medical or dental examination or treatment. A young person over the age of 16 can give or withhold consent to their own medical examination or treatment. However, young people who have a learning disability over the age of 16 who do not have capacity to make decisions it will be the responsibility of all professionals involved to follow the Code of practice that accompanies the Mental Capacity Act and the supplementary code of practice on deprivation of liberty safeguards.

9. REGISTERING WITH SERVICES - PROCEDURE

Following the pre placement agreement each child/young person will be registered with a local GP so that their health records will be nearby, in accordance with their long term plan which should be arranged by the 28 day review. If the GP is to be changed from their home area, agreement must be sought from the child/young person and the parents or carer. The child/young person should have a dental check within 6 months, with repeat check-ups encouraged every 6 months. Any difficulties experienced the home should contact NHS direct or the REHLAC Team for advice. An appointment must also be arranged for the child/young person to visit an optician and any recommendations followed through. The above appointments and registration are the responsibility of the keyworker or other staff to arrange within 7 days of admission; where the young person is not registered with these services, consent to register them with a service of choice or one recommended should be sought from the child/young person and the parent/carer. The child/young person has the right to refuse any medical or dental appointments or to request them at any time. Staff should encourage the child/young person to take responsibility for their health and to act in their own best interests wherever reasonably possible.

10. INITIAL HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT - PROCEDURE

An Initial Health Assessment must be arranged for a child/young person coming into the care system by the Social Worker within 7 days of admission, to be completed within 28 days of admission (in time for the 28 day review). Staff should encourage the child/young person to participate wherever reasonably possible in the IHA for their own best interests and accompany them to it. This would preferably be the keyworker, if not, a permanent member of staff should attend who knows the child/young person well and would, if necessary, be able to answer questions on their behalf. In extreme circumstances, as a very last resort, could attend the appointment on behalf of the child/young person.

Within the appointment letter, there will be a leaflet about the IHA, which staff can use to prepare the child/young person for the appointment, as well as the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), which should be completed by the child/young person if appropriate before the appointment.

Children/young people have the right to refuse to attend or to participate in the IHA. Staff attending the IHA should ensure that confidentiality is respected, implement any recommendations made and ensure records are kept appropriately. Staff members should ensure that the child/young person fully understands anything that has been said and discuss any outcomes with them and, where appropriate the parents/carers. As part of the minimum requirements for children/young people, the IHA should be reviewed with each Statutory Review.

Education /Residential Services have an identified paediatrician in place. They will offer an annual health check for all children/young people. Wherever appropriate this will be linked to the annual review process in school. However, they also respond to health issues as they arise and see the children/young people at regular clinics held within school as directed and organised by the nursing team. They act as the link between school and other medical services such as dieticians, mental health teams including CAHMS, feeding teams and monitor medication. They also have a key role in safeguarding where needed. Management / keyworker / parents/carers will also be in attendance at these clinics.

11. HEALTHY LIFESTYLE - PROCEDURE

All staff members should encourage children/young people to take responsibility wherever reasonably possible for self-care and to take pride in their appearance and hygiene. Staff should offer support and guidance based at the child/young person’s level of ability and understanding, remaining sensitive to gender or cultural boundaries and respecting privacy and confidentiality. Staff should remember their own norms and that expectations may differ from those of children/young people or their families and that children/young people may need help in familiarising themselves with even basic routines such as showering regularly.

Staff should encourage children/young people to select their own toiletires without spending excessive amounts of money on luxury items but bulk buying is kept to a minimum, although some emergency supplies should be kept. It is essential that girls have access to adequate supplies of sanitary products, respecting preferences and cultural requirements, as well as support and information about their use and about menstruation in general. Children/young people will be encouraged to undertake light household tasks and promoting independence wherever reasonably possible.