Parents Area
MISSION STATEMENT
Fresh Start exists to provide young people with more positive opportunities in life, as young people will become the parents of the future.
Young people placed with us will receive the highest quality services we can achieve. We strive to achieve the best possible options for them to move on to, when they leave our care. The rights and welfare of the young person will be actively promoted. The young person's individual needs may require that we provide original and radical services, but these will be provided on an informed, planned and well considered basis.
The staff team will uphold and promote the rights of all young people regardless of their gender, religion, culture, age, race or religion. All young people will be valued, and treated with respect as individuals.
The Young Person has a Right:
- To personalised and fair care within a professional and child-centred environment and to be involved in shaping and implementing their care plan.
- To be valued and respected with individual needs regardless of their behaviour and to be protected from all forms of abuse.
- To a quality education/training according to their needs and abilities.
- To security, acceptance, confidentiality and privacy.
- To their own story and to be helped to integrate their personal history.
- To quality health care and specialised care when necessary.
- To freedom to practice religious beliefs.
- To access to their own information and complaints procedures.
- To be prepared for independent living and to receive on-going and aftercare support.
KEY WORKER
A Key Worker is appointed to the young person on arrival into Fresh Start. A Key Worker is the main advocate for the young person, ensuring that the young person's wishes are respected in the placement plan, and is responsible for the physical, emotional, spiritual & social well-being of the young person. The Key Worker reports to the House Manager. Structured key work sessions take place regularly on a formal and informal basis.
PURPOSE AND FUNCTION
Each centre aims to provide a high quality placement experience for every young person who lives there. We offer emergency, short and medium term placements to boys and girls aged 12 to 18 years. Young people may live in the centre on their own or with other young people depending on which arrangement is in their best interest.
We aim to provide the best appropriate care and protection for young people taking into account their individual needs and wishes. We work within a legal framework and the young person's care plan as set out by the HSE. We encourage each young person, their parents and staff to work with the plan to ensure the best overall care for the young person. Together we make a plan for the young person's arrival , stay and departure from our care. There are clearly defined expectations and boundaries for young people and staff within the centre. These contribute to providing a safe, stable caring environment in which the young person's physical, emotional, educational, health, social, spiritual and protection needs are met.
COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE
Without striving for constant improvement within ourselves, we can never achieve our goals. Human nature is such, that, there will always be new ideas and room for improvement.
Should you have any concerns or worries regarding the young person while in the care of Fresh Start, please do not hesitate to bring it to the attention of a staff member. You will be guided by the staff member in the right direction to deal with your concern.
If you believe there are areas that you would like to see improved or an additional service you would like to see implemented, for the benefit of the young person, Fresh Start staff are available to hear your ideas.
If you feel you are not been heard by the staff, please contact one of our Services Manager or the Director of Operations.
Fresh Start will aim to the highest standard to do their utmost to assist the parent or guardian in difficulties that may arise for them, regarding the young person who is in the care of Fresh Start. However if you, as parent or guardian, are still not satisfied with the service, you have the freedom to contact your Social Worker.
STANDARD
"The centre is effectively managed, and staff are organized to deliver the best possible care and protection for young people. There are appropriate external management and monitoring arrangements in place." (National Standards for Residential Centres)
PARENTAL / GUARDIAN CONTACT
The significant family in the young person's life is seen as a vital part of their development while in the care of Fresh Start. This is why we will actively support and promote contact between the young person and their family. This will be done through regular access, telephone contact and continuous work with the staff team and key worker.
Families will also get regular progress reports and will be kept informed of any significant event, by the Staff, during the young person's stay in Fresh Start.
Our staff are trained to care for and protect your child in the best possible way within our policies and legal framework. Staff are trained to adhere to specific rules and boundaries when they are dealing with the young people in their care. There is a management structure and an internal and external monitoring system in place. This is to ensure that staff are working within the policies and legal framework and that the young person is receiving the best possible care and support. Staff are trained to recognize symptoms of abuse and deal with disclosures of abuse. In the event of either of these occurring, staff will inform the HSE and/or the Gardai. Staff promote the welfare and protection of the young person and treat all information about the young person in their care with absolute confidentiality. Fresh Start are working in conjunction with the HSE to promote young person's rights, safe care and protection.
The HSE are aware of our policies, procedures and work practices. Fresh Start encourage the parents/guardians of the young people in our care to participate in their placement plan and review meetings. Regular meetings are held to ensure that an appropriate plan is in place which caters to the needs of the young person.
Fresh Start welcome any input that parents/guardians may have to offer in relation to their child. Fresh Start have a complaint procedure in place for the young people in our care through which they have a means of voicing their dissatisfaction at the care they receive should the need arise. All complaints made by the young people are taken seriously, investigated and given a response. This also applies in the event of a young person making a complaint of abuse against staff. All young people will continue to be treated fairly and without prejudice regardless of the amount or nature of complaints that they make. All staff are obliged to cooperate fully with the HSE, Gardai or other investigating body. All incidents of assault could be reported to the Gardai.
Contact Details:
Fresh Start
Kellar House
Staplestown Road
Carlow
Tel: 059 9139454
Fax: 059 9182264
Email: parents@freshstart.ie