Newsletter - FINAL

C4C Newsletter

February 2018
Issue Number 1

In this Issue

Page 1 C4C Newsletter Page 7 Christmas 2017 Page 13 Learning and Development
New Developments Page 14 February and March Training Courses
Page 2 A message from Kamran Page 8 Fostering Update Page 15 Events
Page 3 In the News Page 9 Clinical Update Page 16 Care 4 Children’s Birthday
Page 4 Celebrating Success Page 10 Education Update Page 17 Birthdays and Anniversaries
Social Responsibility Charter Page 18 Care 4 Children Values and Prize draw
Page 5 Residential Update – Sexual Trauma Page 11
Page 6 Residential Update – Forensic Services Page 12

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Welcome: A word from Kamran…

Dear Colleagues, Top Priorities 2018

I hope that you have all had a wonderful festive period and New Year, and I am pleased to All Services Good/Outstanding Rated
welcome you back to what I envisage will be an exciting year ahead for Care 4 Children.
Digitise Clinical Programme
I am delighted to introduce the first of our regular newsletters. The newsletter is something I
have been keen to develop for a long time, as I really want to ensure that we are Open 4 New Homes
communicating well with everybody across the organisation, as well as external to us. I
would like to encourage you to consider yourselves as one C4C team, and want everyone to Deliver Employee Engagement Strategy
feel up to date and part of the wider organisation. I truly hope that this newsletter, alongside
some other initiatives we are developing, will support this. IT Infrastructure Improvements

The newsletter will develop over time, and I hope that you will provide Nina Savage, our HR Maintain Our Investors in People Accreditation
Director, and her team with constructive feedback to help them to continue to develop it and
make it useful and relevant to you and your local team. We also really want to hear any good Continued Investment in Learning and
news stories you have to share. Sometimes we can lose sight of the incremental steps Development
forward that our young people make, and it is important to recognise and celebrate these
successes and the invaluable contributions of our workforce. We are seeing fantastic success Implement Social Responsibility Charter
stories everyday across the entire organisation, and I want us to share these and celebrate
them together. If you have a feedback on the Newsletter then please
contact Nina Savage at
I have set out our top priorities/aim for 2018 opposite and I hope you will support us in
achieving these throughout the year. [email protected]

I wish you, your families and your teams a wonderful and prosperous 2018, and look forward 2
to another year where we can make a real difference to the lives of the young people we are
privileged to care for. I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible during the course
of the year.

Best Wishes

Kamran Abassi

In THE NEWS…

A report published by Eleanor Schooling on 9th January 2018 into the Residential childcare sector highlighted the challenges we face.
Below are some important extracts.

“The importance of good leadership in children’s social care “I’ve also heard that for some homes, fear of a negative Ofsted
can’t be overstated. Children’s homes are no exception. In judgement can be a factor in their reluctance to take on these
the very best homes, we see inspirational leaders who set
high standards. In turn, their staff are dedicated children. I’m sure this is a minority, but this misplaced fear
professionals whose skill, enthusiasm and understanding should never determine whether or not a placement is
make them excellent role models for children. These staff:
offered. Homes can care effectively for children – however
• Provide consistent care and measured approaches complex their needs – and at the same time be rated good or
• Demonstrate tolerance and respect for everyone outstanding by Ofsted. Indeed, the proportion of children’s
• Importantly, stick with children when they try to push homes we have judged to be good or better is at a 5-year high.

them away” These homes do exceptional work with some of the most
vulnerable children”.

“For many children, testing adults or boundaries or doing “Too often, children’s homes do not get the
risky things can be as a result of low self-esteem or recognition they deserve for the significant role they
because the children don’t care what happens to them.
The best children’s homes: play in some children’s lives. For some children,
residential care is a positive option and it should be
• recognise why children are doing what they are doing
• respond with empathy seen as such”.
• support children to regulate their own behaviour, so
“For some children, sadly, the very issues that make them
physical interventions are rare” vulnerable and most in need of our help and support can
prove to be a barrier to finding a placement. All directors
of children’s services will have at times seen, as I have,

social workers wringing their hands as they struggle to
find a home that will take on a ‘hard-to-place’ child”.

I would encourage you to read the full article, please visit 3
https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/social-care-commentary-childrens-homes

Celebrating Success…

Austen House – Young Person’s Feedback The Retreat…Going for Gold!

I have been at Austen House now for just over 6 months now and The Retreat first opened in May 2017 with Hannah Colbran becoming the
I’m leaving earlier than I should due to me being pregnant and Registered Manager which was a new position for her, previously being a
have my baby girl in March. The support and encouragement all Deputy Manager. The Retreat recently had its first Ofsted inspection and has
Austen house team have gave me throughout my whole time being been rated “OUTSTANDING”. This was Hannah’s first sole Ofsted inspection and
here has been unreal. I could have never asked for a much more I am sure that you will agree with me when I say it was a high pressured and
caring team to work with me through my journey here. nervous few days but achieving this rating reflects the tireless effort and
support the team at The Retreat have provided to our young people.
Education here at Austen House has been a huge help to me. A few words from Hannah –
Before I joined this placement, my attendance was roughly 23% “Trying to prepare yourself for an Ofsted inspection can be a daunting process,
and I was not prepared for my GCSE’s and I had no intention of often wondering where to start. Team work is vital to reassure, motivate and
doing them. Since I have attended Austen House School my encourage everyone to operate as a team, be positive and set the tone for the
attendance has rose to a massive 98%. way we work. Thank you to the team at The Retreat for your support and hard
work.”
With all the help from the teachers at my school have helped me
learn so much more and now I’m going to get a chance to do my Austen House Baby Shower
GCSE’s.
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Everyone at Austen House have been so helpful to me and I am
very thankful for all the time and effort they have all spent helping
me through my time at Austen House.
Austen House – Young Person

…From everyone at Care 4 Children, thank you for your hard work
and dedication to the young people we look after at Austen
House.

If you have any success stories you would like to share then
please email

[email protected]

Residential Update…

Sexual Trauma

Martin Hadfield – Head of Service

About me

I would like say it has been a pleasure to join the Care 4 Children Sexual Trauma Team in 2017! It has been
a good experience to meet and work alongside a team of highly competent managers and residential
workers.

2018 will be another exciting year for the Sexual Trauma Division. We have two homes opening which will
specialise in managing child sexual exploitation (CSE). We are also considering some unique ideas for
transition placements for young people leaving our service moving into independent living settings.

I am looking forward to working on continued development of the services individually and as a whole!

Ali Sarwar – Assistant Head of Service

About me

I have worked in the residential childcare sector for 16 years, and prior to this I worked in youth justice
and adult offenders. I started my residential career as a deputy manager of a 15 bed residential school
and moved on to manage various children’s homes, before progressing to being a regional director. I
joined Care 4 Children as Head of Service for Forensics during 2016, and enjoyed my time in this division.

I am now the Assistant Head of Service for Sexual Trauma. I am excited about working with Martin to
continue to build the Sexual Trauma services, opening our new homes on time and supporting our existing
sites to continue delivering outstanding care.

Top priorities during 2018
 Open two new services successfully within the Sexual Trauma Division enabling Care 4 Children to support more young people.
 To develop staff groups within our existing homes and new homes.
 To support our current Sexual Trauma homes to increase the number of Outstanding homes.

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Residential Update…

Forensic Services

Dominic Tumelty – Head of Service

About me
I would like to thank every one in C4C for the very warm welcome that has been extended to me since I joined the
team in December. It is a really exciting time for me and I am really looking forward to working with everyone. I
am a second generation residential care manager as my parents were “ officer in charge “ and “matron “ of a 26
bedroomed children’s home at which we lived in the flat on top of the house! Those references possibly prove my
status as one of the oldest people in Head Office! I started professional work life as a residential social worker and
senior before heading off to qualification as a field social worker. Always working with children in care, I have
been a social worker, manager, reviewing officer and then back to senior management before deciding I wanted
to come and join a team in C4C who I felt had the right visions and values to deliver exceptional services for
children in our care.

Amy Moulton – Assistant Head of Service

About me
I started working in residential childcare in 2002 and became a home’s manager in 2014. I decided to take a break from
residential childcare in 2016, after 14 years, and moved to Care 4 Children in July 2016 as the new Office Manager. I was
then offered the opportunity to get involved supporting the Forensic Division on an interim basis during 2017, I thought it
was an opportunity to get back into the homes and more involved with the young people. I have really enjoyed working
with the managers and supporting them to support their staff teams and young people, and it is great to get back into
working directly with young people again. I was delighted to be offered the Forensic Assistant Head of Service role on a
permanent basis, and am really looking forward to working alongside Dominic, the Forensic Managers and their teams
during 2018.

Top priorities during 2018
 Open 3 new homes – Ribbleton House (3 bed) and 2 new GRIP services on time
 To develop staff groups within our existing homes and new homes
 Keep working alongside the managers to continually improve quality and the care we deliver, to allow all of our homes to achieve and

maintain at least Good ratings at Ofsted inspection

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Christmas 2017…

Fortitude – Christmas Competition

Throughout the festive period our Finance Director took on a new role of judging the Christmas decorating competition. Katie set out on
the road to visit the homes and judge the competition and it’s fair to say she was overwhelmed by the effort our young people and staff
had gone to. All the entries were judged fairly with Fortitude House in Blackpool taking the 2017 title.

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New Developments…

We are really excited to announce the opening of two new services, adding to our portfolio of properties providing quality care for
vulnerable children. Both homes are due to open in April 2018 and we are currently actively recruiting to the staff teams. We welcome
internal applications and please remember that if you are to introduce someone external to C4C and they are lucky enough to be
appointed to one of our roles and then successfully complete their probation, you will receive a bonus payment of £100!!

Rosa House Ribbleton House

Rosa House is a 4 bed CSE home which is located in Ribbleton House is a 3 bed forensic service which is
Burnley. Carla Savery previously of Nightingale House located in Preston. Shelly Daly previously of Fortitude
has been successfully appointed and will be managing House has been successfully appointed and will be
the opening of this home. managing the opening of this home.

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FOSTERING UPDATE…

The fostering Christmas party in December 2017 was a magical day with Santa taking time out of his busy schedule to visit
fostering families with their Christmas Hampers. Over 80 carers, staff and children attended the event and enjoyed the
games, dancing and food. Thank you to all involved. It was such a fun day… from everyone in The Fostering Team.

Fostering have set out Saturday Slots throughout 2018 and social occasions for us all as a team; with the first one taking place
on Saturday 3rd February 2018. It was the opportunity for everyone to get together and we held our annual Carer
Consultation.

We had an excellent turn out from carers and children with our children enjoying the gym and creative crafts. Everyone
enjoyed spending time together and were able to discuss plans for the forthcoming carers meal on 10th March.

Meet the team…

Joyce Masson Louisa Iqbal Christine Hadfield
Head of Service Assist. Head of Service Fostering Office Manager

Katie Fletcher Ruby Bamber-Fisher Helen Dwyer
Supervising Social Worker Supervising Social Worker Senior Supervising Social

Worker

Top priorities during 2018

 Focus on further development of our therapeutic service and build input from our clinician, Ram

 Louisa and Joyce will be delivering training for foster carers and look forward to meeting them in a learning forum again

 Build our carer base and increase placement numbers

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Clinical Update…

Meet the team…

Gerrilyn Smith Rebecca Dunn Ioan Ohlsson Ramón Karamat Ali
Clinical Director Lead Clinician – Sexual
Principal Clinical Psychologist Forensic Psychologist – Trauma and Fostering

Forensic Service

Zain Abassi Kirsten Taylor Krista Ball Jenine Chidley Dorota Blaszcyk
Assistant Psychologist Assistant Psychologist – Assistant Psychologist Assistant Psychologist Assistant Psychologist

Hope House – The Retreat – Teresa House

Top priorities during 2018
 Digitise Wellbeing for Life programme – develop and implement a bespoke software solution for our clinical tracker, producing an e-book

of our Wellbeing for Life and Exceptional Experiences manuals and adapt our workbooks onto a digital platform
 We are also exploring a University affiliated course in therapeutic childcare to be offered to care staff

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Education UPDATE…

I am happy we have now started our C4C Newsletter and I am sure all of us will thoroughly enjoy contributing to it. I believe 2018 will be
an exciting year for C4C and the wider Education Department. We have recently completed the extension of Trax Academy Preston,
which will allow us to offer our young people an enhanced curriculum which will include practical building skills and painting and
decorating. We will also be opening a new school at the new CSE home, Rosa House, and a further 3 schools at new homes opening
during the year.

For those who might not be aware of it yet, we have a new role within our department - Head of Education.
Shaun Redgrave, formerly the Austen House School Lead Teacher, is now supporting me in matters operationally in this new position and
I am sure you will all be looking forward to working with him.

During my time at Austen House School I have delivered a high-quality curriculum and taught students with differing emotional, social and
educational needs. I have implemented systems and procedures that are operational in all C4C provisions.

In my new role as Head of Education I will have an opportunity to take stock, build on well-proven mechanisms, and, at the same time,
approach things differently, introduce new procedures and follow new paths

With this in mind and looking at the OFSTED feedback we have received, it is hence a good time to recap, acknowledge the wonderful
work that has been done, address our weaknesses, and build a strategy looking ahead to define clear measurable goals, set milestones,
align our learning and organisational objectives, and ultimately achieve sustainability and growth.

Top priorities during 2018
 All young people to achieve measurable improvement in attendance and achievement
 Enhanced curriculum at Trax Academy to make use of new facilities
 Opening 4x new co-located school sites
 Introduce School-to-school support to help to build staff confidence and their sense of themselves as professionals.

 To introduce pupil and staff newsletter each term.

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SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY CHARTER…

Being You. Being Me. Being Us.

It goes without saying that we all Care 4 Children, and no matter what role we hold within the organisation, our aim is to have a positive
impact on their lives. But we also Care about the impact we have on wider society. In business language, this is termed Social
Responsibility. However, we go further than mere compliance with this term as we incorporate the true meaning of SR into our everyday
practices, although currently this is done in a fairly discrete way. Now it’s time to shout about it!
To kick start this initiative we will be setting up a working group, made up of employees and children within our care. Initially we will
work together on designing a logo and then look at ways in which we can expand our current activities to really make a difference to the
communities where we work.
Each employee will be expected to demonstrate how they have given something back during monthly line management supervision. This
could include things like volunteering, working on ways to reduce our carbon footprint, fundraising and/or engagement with local
charities. Protected time will be given to allow this work to take place and key activities will be reported through this newsletter (with
photos).
Please look out for meeting dates and encourage others to get involved. For more information, please contact Nina Savage, HR Director
who is leading on this project.

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LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT CALENDAR…

At Care 4 Children we recognise the link between having a competent, experienced and qualified workforce and the delivery of good
outcomes for children. As such, we pay high regard to continuous development and reflective practice for all.

The learning activities included in the new learning and development calendar have been identified through a comprehensive training
needs analysis, to meet legislative and service specific requirements through an integrated care, education, fostering and clinical learning
pathway for all staff and foster carers so that you have both the underpinning knowledge and the practical skills to support children with
complex trauma.

We expect all of our employees to play an active role in their own development and strive for continuous improvement in practice, whilst
maintaining a strong commitment to our vision and values. As such, we encourage you to take advantage of the opportunities on offer
throughout your employment with Care 4 Children.

All places must be booked via line managers and not directly by staff members. Requests should be sent to
[email protected], which will be monitored daily.

Happy Learning.

Management Development Programme

In November 2017 we commenced our second Management Development
Programme, which provides experienced senior staff with the opportunity to
gain valuable skills and knowledge to support seamless career progression. It
is our aim to recruit at least 50% of attendees on the course to internal
Registered Home Manager positions that come available in the next 12
months. We wish all delegates every success and also an enjoyable learning
experience.

If you are interested in learning more about our MDP and how you can join
our next cohort of learners, please contact Nina Savage, HR Director.

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FEBRUARY AND MARCH TRAINING COURSES…

February Training Courses March Training Courses

Course Location Date Course Location Date
06/02/2018
MDP Bredbury 07/02/2018 (AM) Health and safety Lytham 01/03/2018 (3 of 3)
07/02/2018 (PM) MDP Bredbury 06/03/2018
Life Story Work Bredbury 09/02/2018
12/02/2018
Complaints Bredbury 20/02/2018 Life Story Work Lytham 07/03/2018 (AM)
Equality and Diversity Lytham 07/03/2018 (PM)
Emergency First Aid Bredbury 21/02/2018
22/02/2018
Induction Bredbury Health, Nutrition & Sexual Bredbury 08/03/2018
23/02/2018 Health Bredbury 12/03/2018
Care Planning and Risk Bredbury
Management 27/02/2018 (AM, 2 of 6) Induction
27/02/2018 (PM, 2 of 6)
Missing from Care Bredbury
27/02/2018 (1 of 3)
Reporting and Bredbury 28/02/2018 Safeguarding Advance Lytham 12/03/2018
Recording Bredbury 28/02/2018 (2 of 3) Lytham 14/03/2018
Child Development
Recruitment & Attachment Bredbury 20/03/2018 (AM, 3 of
Selection 6)
Self-soothing

Self-soothing Bredbury

Parenting a child who Bredbury Parenting a child who has Bredbury 20/03/2018 (PM, 3 of
has been sexually Lytham been sexual abused 6)
abused Lytham
MAPA Refresher Bredbury 21/03/2018
Health and Safety
Managing Challenging 22/03/2018
MAPA Refresher Bredbury Behaviour

Health and Safety Lytham Absence Management Bredbury 23/03/2018
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Events…

Rough Runner 2018 “Digni-Tea” Party

17 members of C4C will be putting their endurance and agility In light of the National Dignity Action Day we held a “Digni-Tea”
skills to the test and will be taking part in Rough Runner 2018. party at head office.
The event will be on Saturday 16th June 2018 at Arley Hall in We had cups of tea and plenty of cake on display.
Cheshire. Thank you for everyone who attended and we hope you all felt like
In the words of Rough Runner – champions.
“Inspired by TV game shows like Total Wipeout, Gladiators, For more information please visit the below link:
Takeshi’s Castle and Ninja Warrior, this is the only event that will https://www.dignityincare.org.uk/About/
give you the chance to take on a load of epic obstacles that
you’ve only ever seen on screen and always wanted to try.” 15
We will be raising money for two selected Charities which will
be confirmed at a later date.
Further details will be circulated closer to the time but we hope
to see many of you there supporting C4C.

Care 4 Children’s 3rd Birthday…

January 2018 marks the 3rd birthday for Care 4 Children. Since opening our first home back in July 2015, we have developed and grown in
every service area that we provide for our young people and we are looking to achieve bigger and better milestones in our 4th year.

Jan 2015 July/Aug 2015 Feb 2016 Summer 2016 May 2017 Aug 2017

C4C Registrations Stalmine Significant investment in Meadowbank
commences received for first Lodge Opening of Nightingale House and Crisis 2
trading 3 homes Opens clinical infrastructure and House and Lincoln House (Endeavour

development of Well Being House) opening

For Life model™

June Nov 2015 Apr 2016 July 2016 Aug 2016 June 2017
2015
Acquisition of Integration of all £150k move Opening of Columbus Opening of The
Acquisition of Trax Care and to new Head House, Hope House, Retreat
The Fostering Trax Academy businesses into Office Crisis Service (Drake)
Team
completed C4C/rebranding

into one brand

230 17 HOMES

JOBS 3 OPERATING
CREATED DIVISIONS

110 YOUNG PEOPLE 9 WORKING WITH LOCAL
CURRENTLY AUTHORITIES
CARED FOR SCHOOL 55
SITES

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CONTINUED…

Birthdays Anniversaries

January February March January March
1 year 1 Year
Sophie Mitchell – 01st January Adam Malloy – 1st February Rob Baker – 03rd March Joshua Armstrong Linda Ashcroft
Khadine Rogers – 02nd January Ursula Bell Richard Beech
Usman Ahmed – 04th January Phoebe Gibson – 02nd February Tayub Ahmed – 08th March Berni Perry Victoria Bufton
Jodie Banks – 04th January Nina Savage Hannah Colbran
Carla Savery – 05th January Katie Sammonds – 03rd February Scott Stanley – 10th March Carla Savery Victoria Gutteridge
Alf Hurley – 09th January Jane Wright Gemma Hale
Daniel Forbes – 13th January Danielle McLean – 04th February Sammy-Jo Wood – 11th March Vivien Hamilton
Shelly Daly – 16th January 2 Years Kasim Jamal
Chloe Walsh – 18th January Sophina Malik – 04th February Ioan Ohlsson – 11th March Roger Charles Lucy Kingscott
Kashif Mahmood – 20th January Christine Hadfield Lee McDermott
Robert Greaves – 20th January Shaun Redgrave – 09th February Kara Bruce – 14th March Luqman Shah Clare Morton
Sarah Allwood – 20th January Roseanne Ray
Liam Carney – 22nd January Andy Vint – 11th February Tigerlily Crawford – 15th March 4 Years Leigh Shorters
Leighonie Caulfield – 24th January Andy Collinge Donna Statham
Mick McCallum – 24th January Mercedes Grundy – 12th February Donna Deacon – 15th March Elliot Jamieson Katy Talbot
James Shaw – 25th January Pamela Walmsley – 16th March Anthony Taggert David Tonks
Dominic Tumelty – 26th January Lyn Wright – 16th February Jo Taylor
Clare Morton – 27th January Karen Hargreaves – 18th February Lewis Rattan – 19th March 2 Years
Peter Nuttall – 27th January Jane Wright – 20th March 10 Years Robert Greaves
Kasim Jamal – 19th February Rob Baker 8 Years
Liliana Modoi – 20th March Jaimie Bell
Amy Brooks – 20th February
Maureen Gallagher – 25th February Robert Peacock – 24th March
Christopher Johnson – 25th February Dominic Taylor – 24th March
Keisha Brophy – 24th March

James Davis – 25th March

Shazaad Abid – 25th March

Geraldine Anderson – 27th March

Ben Boughey – 30th March

Matt Shepherd – 31st March

Vivien Hamilton – 31st March

February 2 Years
1 Year Andy Vint
Shazaad Abid
Daniel Forbes 17
Sophie Mitchell
Hilary Smith

Care 4 Children Values…

To celebrate the launch of our first C4C Newsletter we have selected at random, using unique payroll numbers an employee to receive £50

voucher…the lucky person is 39. You will find your payroll number in the top left hand corner of your payslip. Please contact Mark Barratt

at [email protected] to claim your prize.

1 234 5
We are We
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quality (for the
We are children) We pride We
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the highest partner, using We put our our expertise constant drive
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everything we our and to find and
do, everything experience to heart of knowledge, deliver flexible
we create, the create a safer everything we and for leading solutions that
do, constantly the way in
way we place for striving to find exceed the
behave, and in every child in creating needs of our
the outcomes our care to ways to set clinically-led, customers and
them on the therapeutic
we deliver grow. pathway to solutions that children.
become the best deliver results.
they can be.

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