1. Introduction

Beaconcare Homes is a specialist children's residential care provider delivering high-support, trauma-informed care for children and young people aged 10–17 years. The home operates as a solo placement service, offering intensive, highly individualised care for children who require consistent adult support, structured intervention, and enhanced safeguarding due to complexity of need and risk profile. The service is designed to provide stability, safety, and therapeutic care for children who may have experienced placement breakdowns, trauma, exploitation risks, or complex emotional and behavioural needs.

2. Aims and Objectives

The aims of Beaconcare Homes are:

• To provide a safe, secure and nurturing home environment for one child at a time
• To deliver consistent, high-quality care through enhanced staffing ratios (up to 3:1 support when required)
• To support children with complex emotional, behavioural, and/or additional needs
• To reduce risk behaviours and increase emotional regulation and stability
• To promote education engagement and personal development
• To prepare young people for independence and successful transition into adulthood
• To work collaboratively with placing authorities, families, and professionals

3. Care Philosophy

Beaconcare Homes adopts a trauma-informed, child-centred approach. We recognise that behaviour is often a communication of unmet emotional need and prior adverse experiences. Our approach prioritises:

• Safety before intervention
• Relationship-based care
• Predictable structure and routines
• Consistent boundaries
• Therapeutic reflection and de-escalation strategies

A sessional in-house therapist will be available depending on individual placement needs to support emotional wellbeing and formulation-led care planning.

4. Accommodation

The home is located at: 64 Mayhew Crescent, High Wycombe, HP13 6DF

The property comprises:

• 4-bedroom residential home
• 2 bathrooms
• Staff accommodation rooms (including sleep-in/waking night capacity)
• Dedicated office/administrative space
• Garden area with secure seating and recreational use

The environment is designed to be safe, calm, and structured, supporting both regulation and positive engagement.

5. Service Model

Beaconcare Homes operates as a solo placement children's home.

Key features:

• One child placed at any one time
• Enhanced staffing ratios up to 3:1 supervision based on assessed risk
• 24/7 staffing provision
• Combination of waking night and sleep-in staff depending on assessed needs
• Dedicated vehicle available for staff use for transport, education, and activities

This model is designed for children requiring intensive safeguarding oversight and consistent relational support.

6. Staffing Structure

Beaconcare Homes will employ a structured and experienced team:

• 1 Registered Manager (to be appointed)
• 1 Responsible Individual (to be appointed)
• 3 Senior Residential Support Workers
• 15 Residential Support Workers

Staff will receive induction, ongoing supervision, and training in:

• Safeguarding and child protection
• Trauma-informed care
• De-escalation strategies
• Missing from care procedures
• Behaviour support
• Medication administration
• Physical intervention (where appropriate and trained)

Staffing levels will be flexed in line with risk assessments and placement planning.

7. Referral and Admissions Criteria

Beaconcare Homes accepts referrals for children aged 10–17 years with:

• Emotional and behavioural difficulties
• Complex trauma histories
• Risk of exploitation (CSE/CCE/County Lines)
• Autism spectrum conditions (where compatible with solo placement model)
• ADHD and neurodevelopmental needs
• Placement breakdown history requiring stabilisation

All referrals are subject to a comprehensive matching and impact risk assessment to ensure the home can safely meet the child's needs.

8. Education and Development

Beaconcare Homes is committed to supporting each child's right to education. We will:

• Promote full-time education engagement wherever possible
• Support attendance at school or alternative provision
• Provide in-house educational support where required
• Work closely with virtual schools and education providers

9. Health and Therapeutic Support

Children's physical and emotional health will be actively supported through:

• Access to GP, dental, optician services
• Medication management systems compliant with regulations
• Access to a sessional in-house therapist (dependent on need)
• Support for emotional wellbeing and mental health

10. Safeguarding

Safeguarding is central to Beaconcare Homes' practice. The service will ensure:

• Robust safeguarding and child protection procedures
• Safe recruitment practices
• Clear whistleblowing arrangements
• Immediate reporting of concerns to relevant authorities
• Strong partnership working with police and local authority safeguarding teams

11. Behaviour Support

We operate a positive behaviour support framework, focused on:

• De-escalation and relational intervention
• Understanding underlying trauma triggers
• Restorative approaches
• Clear boundaries and consistent responses

Restrictive physical intervention will only be used as a last resort and in line with training and legislation.

12. Complaints and Representation

Children will be supported to:

• Make complaints freely and safely
• Access independent advocacy services
• Understand their rights
• Participate in decision-making about their care

All complaints will be recorded, investigated, and responded to in line with regulatory requirements.

13. Monitoring and Quality Assurance

The service will be monitored through:

• Regulation 44 independent visits
• Internal quality audits
• Regulation 45 care review
• Supervision and performance management systems

Continuous improvement is embedded into practice.

14. Vision

Beaconcare Homes aims to become a specialist provider of high-quality solo-placement care in High Wycombe, delivering safe, stable, and therapeutic environments for children with complex needs. Our vision is to ensure that every child placed with us experiences safety, consistency, and meaningful progress in emotional wellbeing, education, and life skills.

End of Statement of Purpose

Part 1 – Core Safeguarding & Care Policies

1. Safeguarding & Child Protection

Beaconcare Homes is committed to safeguarding all children.

Staff must:

• Identify abuse, neglect, exploitation, or risk
• Report immediately to Manager or safeguarding authority
• Record concerns factually and promptly
• Escalate externally if internal response is inadequate

Includes:

• CSE, CCE, County Lines
• Online grooming
• Radicalisation
• Peer-on-peer abuse

2. Missing From Care

All missing episodes are treated as HIGH RISK.

Procedure: 1. Immediate search 2. Notify Manager 3. Contact Police (999 if risk is immediate) 4. Inform Local Authority 5. Record incident 6. Conduct Return Home Interview

Post-incident:

• Risk assessment review
• Strategy meeting if repeated incidents occur

3. Behaviour Support

Behaviour is viewed as communication of unmet need.

Approach:

• Trauma-informed care
• De-escalation first
• Clear boundaries
• Predictable routines

Prohibited:

• Punitive discipline
• Humiliation
• Excessive control

4. Physical Intervention

Last resort only.

Conditions:

• Risk of harm to child/others
• Serious property damage
• All de-escalation failed

Requirements:

• Trained staff only
• Minimum force
• Recorded within 24 hours
• Manager review mandatory

5. Safeguarding Incident Management

All incidents must be:

• Recorded immediately
• Reviewed by Manager
• Escalated if necessary to LA/Police

6. Admissions & Matching

All placements require:

• Referral from Local Authority
• Risk assessment
• Impact assessment (critical for solo placement)

Accepted:

• High-risk adolescents 10–17
• Trauma, exploitation risk, behavioural needs

Not accepted:

• Needs exceeding safe staffing capability

7. Medication Management

• Secure storage
• MAR charts mandatory
• Double-check for high-risk medication
• Incident reporting for errors

8. Complaints

Children may:

• Speak to staff or manager
• Contact advocate
• Contact Ofsted

All complaints:

• Recorded
• Investigated
• Responded to

9. Whistleblowing

Staff must report:

• Unsafe practice
• Abuse concerns
• Policy breaches

External escalation permitted if necessary.

10. Health & Safety

Includes:

• Fire safety
• Risk assessments
• Accident reporting
• Vehicle safety
• Environmental checks

Part 2 – Solo Placement & High Risk Framework

11. Solo Placement Framework

• One child only in placement
• Enhanced staffing up to 3:1
• 24/7 supervision based on risk
• Constant review of placement stability

12. Dynamic Risk Management

Risk is reviewed daily and updated immediately after incidents.

Triggers:

• Missing episodes
• Aggression
• Exploitation concerns
• Self-harm risk

13. Crisis Management Procedure

In crisis:

• Staff remain calm and non-confrontational
• Immediate safety secured
• Manager informed
• Emergency services contacted if needed
• Post-crisis debrief held

14. Exploitation Safeguarding (CSE/CCE)

• Identification of grooming patterns
• Disruption strategies
• Police partnership working
• Digital monitoring where appropriate

15. Internet & Mobile Device Safety

• Risk-assessed access
• Monitoring where required
• Removal during high-risk periods
• Education on online safety

16. Contact With Family & Others

• Contact agreed in care plan
• Supervised if required
• Risk assessed prior to visits or calls

17. Education Policy

• Education is mandatory expectation
• School or alternative provision supported
• Daily learning routines embedded

18. Health & Emotional Wellbeing

• GP, dental, optician access
• Mental health support
• Sessional therapy (as required)

Part 3 – Staffing, Management & Practice

19. Safer Recruitment

• DBS enhanced checks
• References required
• Employment history verification
• No unsupervised work before clearance

20. Staff Supervision & Training

• Regular supervision sessions
• Mandatory safeguarding training
• Behaviour management training
• Physical intervention training (if applicable)

21. Professional Boundaries

Staff must:

• Maintain professional relationships
• Avoid inappropriate contact
• Follow code of conduct

22. Recording & Documentation

All records must be:

• Accurate
• Timely
• Factual
• Securely stored

Includes:

• Daily logs
• Incident reports
• Risk assessments
• Care plans

23. Quality Assurance

• Regulation 44 inspections
• Internal audits
• Regulation 45 review
• Continuous improvement system

Part 4 – Key Working & Care Planning

24. Key Worker System

Each child is assigned a key worker responsible for:

• Weekly sessions
• Goal setting
• Emotional tracking
• Liaison with professionals

25. Placement Planning

Each placement includes:

• Initial placement plan
• Risk assessment
• Behaviour support plan
• Education plan
• Health plan

Reviewed monthly or after incidents.

26. Transition & End of Placement

Includes:

• Planned move-on
• Emergency breakdown procedures
• Handover reports
• Support during transition

Part 5 – Children's Guide (Simplified Version)

Welcome to Beaconcare Homes

We are a children's home where you will be cared for safely.

What you can expect:

• A safe place to live
• Staff who listen to you
• Help with school and learning
• Support with your feelings

Your rights:

• To be safe
• To be heard
• To complain
• To have an advocate

If you are unhappy:

You can talk to staff, your key worker, or someone independent.

Part 6 – Location Risk Assessment (High Wycombe)

Overview

High Wycombe is an urban area with mixed residential and commercial zones.

Potential Risks:

• Urban safeguarding risks
• Youth exploitation risks
• Missing episodes risk due to transport links
• Community exposure risks

Protective Factors:

• Good access to services
• Strong transport links for education and health
• Local authority safeguarding support

Mitigation:

• Close supervision
• Risk-based community access
• Staff escort for high-risk periods
• Structured routines

Part 7 – Incident & Emergency Procedures

Incident Reporting

All incidents must be:

• Recorded immediately
• Reviewed by manager
• Escalated if safeguarding concern exists

Emergency Procedures

Includes:

• Fire evacuation
• Missing child response
• Medical emergencies
• Police involvement protocols

Part 8 – Monitoring & Continuous Improvement

Beaconcare Homes commits to:

• Weekly management oversight
• Monthly audits
• Learning from incidents
• Staff development plans

End of Full Policy & Procedure Manual