OJD Glob Limited

01/04/2024

Rates from 1 April 2024
From 1 April 2024, if you're aged 21 and over you will be entitled to the National Living Wage.

Wage band Rate from 1 April 2024
Age 21 or over (National Living Wage)

£11.44
Age 18 to 20 £8.60
Under 18 £6.40
Apprentice £6.40

23/03/2024

Policy documents you will need to submit for the registration of supported accommodation
Statement of purpose
Equalities policy
A copy of a certificate of insurance
Young person’s guide
Contingency plan
Safeguarding policy
Complaints policy
Missing child policy
Behaviour management policy

23/03/2024

The Role of the Nominated Individual in Supported Accommodation: Qualities and Responsibilities

Introduction
Supported accommodation is crucial in providing a safe and nurturing environment for young people who require additional support to live independently. To ensure the well-being of residents and compliance with regulations, the role of the Nominated Individual (NI) is of utmost importance. The Guide to the Supported Accommodation Regulations, including Quality Standards, outlines specific requirements for the NI.

In this blog post, we will explore the significance of the NI’s role and delve into the essential qualities they need to fulfil their responsibilities effectively.

Understanding the Nominated Individual’s Role
The organisation appoints the Nominated Individual to oversee the running of the supported accommodation service. They act as the linchpin, responsible for ensuring the provision of high-quality care, support, and accommodation to young people. The NI’s role includes supporting the service manager to safeguard residents’ welfare, promote their independence and maintain compliance with regulations.

Qualities of an Effective Nominated Individual
Compassion and Empathy: A genuine concern for the well-being and happiness of young people is paramount. The NI should possess deep empathy and compassion, understanding each individual’s unique challenges and needs.
Strong Leadership Skills: A competent NI should be able to lead and inspire a team of staff members. Leadership skills such as effective communication, decision-making, and problem-solving are essential for creating a positive and supportive environment.
Extensive Knowledge of Regulations: The NI must comprehensively understand the Guide to the Supported Accommodation Regulations, including Quality Standards. Staying up-to-date with the latest regulations is crucial to ensure compliance and provide the highest support standard.
Excellent Organisational Skills: Managing a supported accommodation service requires meticulous organisation and attention to detail. The NI must help coordinate staff schedules, maintain records, and manage resources efficiently.
Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Effective communication is vital for maintaining positive relationships with residents, their families, and external stakeholders. The NI should be able to listen attentively, express themselves clearly, and foster open lines of communication.
Problem-Solving Abilities: Challenges may arise in supported accommodation settings, and the NI should be capable of identifying and resolving issues promptly. They should be adept at finding creative solutions and mediating conflicts to ensure a harmonious living environment for residents.
Commitment to Continuous Improvement: A dedicated NI consistently seeks ways to improve residents’ quality of care and support. They should be open to feedback, willing to learn, and proactive in implementing best practices and innovations.

23/03/2024

Facts about supported accommodation ofsted registration
Supported accommodation providers must register with Ofsted before 28th October 2023.
The SC1 form is part of the registration process and requires a lot of information and documents.
The person who needs to complete the form depends on the type of provider you are.
The registration form consists of different sections, such as about your business, financial interests, previous applications and registrations, and policy documents.
You will need to provide documents such as annual reports and accounts, cash-flow forecasts, and certificates of insurance.
You must include policy documents such as a statement of purpose, equalities policy, young person’s guide, contingency plan, safeguarding policy, complaints policy, missing child policy and behaviour management policy.
You will need to log in to your Government Gateway account to fill in the SC1 form.

19/03/2024

Categories of supported accommodation
There are 4 categories of supported accommodation. When you register your service, you need to tell us which categories you want to offer.

Once you are registered, you cannot offer a different category to those listed on your certificate of registration. If you want to offer new categories, you must either:

apply to change the conditions of your registration, or
run the new categories as a separate service
If you choose to run them as a separate service, you must register the new service.

Single occupancy
This accommodation is designed for the sole use of the child placed there. Others may live there with the child, for example their partner, sibling or children, if that is in the child’s individual care plan.

Under legislation, and on your registration certificate, this will be referred to as:

‘Supported accommodation in a self-contained unit, where the accommodation is for the sole use of the child or for the child and other individuals living with the child as agreed by the accommodating authority or the supported accommodation undertaking’.

Ring-fenced shared accommodation
This accommodation is for looked after children and care leavers only. There may be care leavers over the age of 18 living at the accommodation. Each child will have their own bedroom, but will share communal areas (for example, a kitchen or a living area).

Under legislation, and on your registration certificate, this will be referred to as:

‘Supported accommodation in a shared or group living situation in premises used to accommodate only looked after children and care leavers’.

Shared accommodation (non-ring-fenced)
Looked after children and care leavers aged 16 to 17 may be living in this accommodation with other people who are not care-experienced and aged over 18. Each child will have their own bedroom, but will share communal areas (for example, a kitchen or a living area).

Under legislation, and on your registration certificate, this will be referred to as:

‘Supported accommodation in a shared or group living situation in premises which are not limited to accommodating looked after children and care leavers’.

Accommodation in a private residence, such as supported lodgings
Children are accommodated in a private residence. This is accommodation hosted by an individual (or individuals), such as supported lodgings.

Under legislation, and on your registration certificate, this will be referred to as:

‘Supported accommodation provided by an individual or individuals in a private residence which is the main residence of that individual or those individuals’.

06/01/2024

Recruitment in supported accommodation is crucial as it directly impacts the quality of care and services provided. Effective recruitment ensures that staff members possess the right skills, empathy, and understanding to support individuals with diverse needs in a supportive environment. It contributes to a positive and safe living environment for residents.

08/12/2023

08/12/2023

Support young people through de-escalation

Creating a safe space for a young person in crisis to express themselves lets them know they are being heard. You are skilled at being empathetic and non-judgmental. Let’s look at how you can use your de-escalation skills to support a young person in crisis.
When others are around, you or teammates ask them to move out of that space to respect the young person’s privacy.
Invite the young person whose behavior has escalated to another room or space to talk about what’s happened.
Keep your body language open by keeping your arms and hands open and visible.
Use active listening, “Tell me more. What happened next?”
Validate their experience, “I see you are going through a tough time right now.”
Validate their feelings, “I would be angry too if that happened to me.”
Clarify what they said so you understand what happened and they feel heard.
Ask them if they would like water to drink or something to eat.
Be sincere, “I am here to help you. What can I do?”
When you calmly engage that young person in conversation, you build rapport and trust. You show them they are heard and valued even when they are in crisis. When a young person is in crisis, a little support and encouragement can go a long way. Now let’s think about how to support yourself through de-escalation.

04/12/2023

Safeguarding Children
Safeguarding means protecting a child’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. It is about working together to support children and young people to make decisions about the risks they face in their own lives, and protecting those who lack the capacity to make these decisions. We all share responsibility for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, whether as a parent or family member; a friend or neighbour; a teacher or carer; or as a paid or volunteer worker.