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Behaviour Management (Secure Accommodation)
Definition
This policy recognises the right of every young person to have his or her physical, emotional, social and intellectual needs met within a safe environment. The aim of any placement in secure is to promote the development of each young person's potential and to enable him/her to function effectively in society. Therefore in caring for young people within secure accommodation attempts to promote positive behaviours and thought processes enabling young people to make choices and take risks as part of the developmental process will underpin each placement.
Thus the emphasis of appropriate behaviours is set within the context of the professional relationship with the young people and clear expectations in terms of consideration for others and safety both for the individual and others. It is hoped that by these means to enable the young person to establish internal controls and promote their responsibility for their actions. This policy takes account of good practice as promoted by the Department of Health, notably Guidance on Permissible Forms of Control in Young People's Residential Care (1993) and The Young People Act (1989) Vol. 4
Overview
It is recognised and promoted within staff the team that positive messages to young people, about their achievements of acceptable behaviour, is the starting point for behaviour management. However, sanctions as a response will play a part in the process of changing inappropriate behaviours. Staff will only apply accepted sanctions and will be fair and reasonable in their decision-making, consulting on the appropriateness of the sanction with a senior where possible or a colleague. The skills of negotiation must be built into the application of sanctions as this results in young people learning the skill for their future development.
Any measure taken to respond to unacceptable behaviour will be appropriate to the age, understanding and individual needs of the young person. In addition any measure will be time limited and will be appropriate to the behaviour being managed. All use of sanctions will be recorded in both the sanctions log and in the young person's file.
Procedure
PROHIBITED forms of control/sanction, and/or restraint
- Corporal punishment or the threat of it
Any act or threat of the act such as hitting, kicking slapping, punching, poking, prodding, biting, throwing an object, rough handling etc. which causes or threatens harm or the expectation of harm to a young person is strictly forbidden and constitutes gross misconduct. Staff indulging in such behaviours renders them liable to summary dismissal and the possibility of prosecution.
- Deprivation of
- Food or drink - young people should not be deprived of food or drink except under medical advice. No young person should be forced to eat or drink food or liquids he/she dislikes. This does not preclude staff from encouraging young people to try a wide variety of foods etc.
- Sleep - No young person shall be intentionally deprived of sleep
- Medication/healthcare - The withholding of or misuse of medication, healthcare or treatment as a means of control or punishment is forbidden
- Restriction on or refusal of visits/communication
The restriction on or refusal of contacts with family or friends must not be used as punishment. However this does not prevent the planned, agreed prevention or regulation of such visits and /or communication for the purposes of protection.
- Requiring the wearing of distinctive or inappropriate clothing
No young person is to be required to wear any clothing, footwear, badge, hairstyle or other mark intended to indicate or act as a punishment. Nor shall any clothing or footwear inappropriate to the time of day or year and the type of activity being undertaken be enforced. The withdrawal of clothing or footwear as a means of punishment or restraint is also prohibited.
- Fines
The imposition or collection of fines for misbehaviour is not permitted
- Intimate physical searches
Intimate physical searches by staff are prohibited PERMISSIBLE forms of control and restraint
- Distraction/deflection
By the use of voice control, talking, use of humour
- Restitution
Repayment in part or full for items broken/damage/misappropriation of monies up to a maximum of one third of his/her pocket money (if given)
- Curtailment of leisure activities
For example, no board/computer games/ no use of electrical equipment
- Additional chores around the unit
- Increased supervision by staff
- Early bedtimes
- Loss of individual points/merits earned on individual programmes
- Restraint for harmful behaviours
Training
All staff will be trained in and be given access to the relevant documents used to support this policy.
Records
All incidents of control and restraint will be recorded in the log and a fuller description given on the restraint form. Copies of such restraints will be passed onto the social worker and a copy kept on the unit and in the young person's file.