Control, Restraint and Discipline

We believe our methods of discipline are fair but firm, it is our aim to gain the children’s or young people’s confidence and respect, reliant on a quality relationship with their carers encouraging the children or young people to be caring towards each other and to have positive self esteem, routines and good order.

We establish boundaries which we expect the young people to observe, although knowing that at times they will be tested.  At such times, discipline will be administered in the form of talking the children or young people through their problems, counselling them in an effort to unravel the cause of their problem, and occasionally using reparation or curtailment of privileges when needed.  Should sanctions become necessary we will follow the Department of Health guidelines.

We always try to overcome problems by talking them through, however, if sanctions become necessary, we pursue the following codes of practice:

a) Any sanction must have a positive outcome.
b) Any disapproval should be of the behaviour and not the children or young people.
c) No use of corporal punishment will be tolerated.
d) Pocket money deductions can only be used in reparations, usually for items damaged or stolen.
e) Extra household duties and the non-giving of special outings is acceptable.
f) A full list of sanctions is available from the Manager of Howestead Lodge.

THE FOLLOWING MUST NOT BE USED AS A SANCTION UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES

1) No child or young person to be held or locked in any room.
2) No form of corporal punishment to be used under any circumstances.
3) Cancellation of planned contact with family and friends.
4) The child or young person must never be asked to wear special clothing.
5) The child or young person must not be made to eat any special foods or miss any planned meal times.
6) The child’s or young person’s medication or dental treatment must not be withheld.
7) The child or young person must not be deprived of sleep.
8) The child or young person must not be subject to intimate physical searches.
9) A maximum of two thirds of the child’s or young person’s pocket money can be used as reparation for damage or restitution, for misappropriation of monies or goods, which may be by instalments.

We always allow a “cooling off period” before placing a sanction, never acting on impulse and are constantly aiming for positive outcomes.

Should a situation develop where a child or young person has become dangerous and “out of control” Howestead Lodge Ltd has a “duty of care” not only to that particular child or young person but also to other residents, staff and property.  The D.O.H. documents “permissible Forms of Control in Children’s Residential Care” (4/93) and the Restraints module in “Taking Care, Taking Control”      (1 1/96) explain these requirements.

Within these guidelines Howestead Lodge Ltd has adopted the “Team Teach Approach” method of behavioural management and has a qualified instructor on the staff team and all the care staff (including part time staff) have completed training in the implementation of the “Team Teach Approach”.  This training included a written paper and practical assessment and staff were required to reach a high standard before being authorised to use the method “in the work place”.

More information regarding the “Team Teach Approach” is available from the Registered Manager in the form of the “Team Teach Approach” policy document and the “Policy and Guidance on Care and Good Order within Howestead Lodge Ltd”.

In the event of a child or young person needing to be controlled or restrained, Staff will record the incident on the appropriate Howestead Lodge Ltd documentation with copies sent to the child’s or young person’s Social Worker, Parent or Person with Parental Responsibility.  Copies will also remain on the child’s or young person’s files.