Children's Guide

The Home must produce a Children's Guide. The Children's Guide must be made available to all Children when their Admission in the Home is agreed (or on arrival at the Home if the Admission is made in an emergency) and must be age-appropriate, provided in an accessible format and explained to each Child to make sure they understand it.

The Children's Guide should help Children to understand:

• What the day-to-day routines of the Home are ('what happens in the Home');
• The Statement of Purpose of the Home (the care they can expect to receive while living there);
• How to make a complaint in line with the Home's Complaints Procedure;
• How they can access advocacy support or independent advocacy if eligible;
• How to contact the Office of the Children's Commissioner.

As part of reviewing and revising where appropriate the Statement of Purpose, the Registered Person should review and update the Children's Guide as necessary, and make sure Children are explained of any changes made within Children’s Guide, as well as taking advice from the Children in respect of contents.

The Children’s Guide should contain the following information, in relation to the respective Home / Service:

• A friendly and Child focussed and personal (where applicable) welcome statement in relation to respective Home / Service;
• Information specifically about the Home / Service setting and premises relevant to the Child / Young Person;
• Information about the Staff Team;
• What monetary entitlements will be provided to the Child / Young Person?
• What activities and leisure interests will be available and supported for the Child / Young Person?
• How Staff will support Children and promote Family Time, and social development with family and friends?
• Applicable rules and responsibilities that are in place for everyone, including expectations;
• How the respective Home / Service will be inspected and who by and the purpose of inspections?
• How will Staff consult with Children?
• How will Staff support Children to work towards independence?
• How will Staff support Children with education and training?
• How will Staff support Children’s health and wellbeing?
• How will Staff keep Children safe?
• How Children can make complaints, suggestions, compliments and ask questions?
• A list of useful support network telephone, email and website numbers and addresses.