Young Persons Guide
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The whole Cherry Lane team would like to welcome you to the home.
This guide has been made with you in mind, to ensure you have all the information you might need and want during your time with us, to get the most out of your experiences, relationships, and opportunities.
tip : Move back and forward with the buttons below. Make sure you explore so you don't miss anything!
Routines
You will always be involved in the planning of the week – and we will do this on a Sunday, so we all know what to expect for the week ahead! Routine keeps everything running smoothly.
Around 6 pm every evening, it's dinner time. We'll be having a home-cooked meal – that you have helped pick for the week! After dinner, it's time to relax and get ready for bed. Depending on how old you are and what you've got going on the next day, bedtime will be between 9 pm and 11:30 pm.
In the morning, it's important to wake up on time. Whether it's for school or employment - being on time helps things go smoothly.
So, let's stick to our routine:
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dinner at 6 pm
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bedtime between 9 pm and 11:30 pm
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Waking up on time.
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It'll help us stay organised and ready for the day.
“Routines help us feel safe and happy because we know what to expect each day”
Your Voice Matters
At Chalky house, your voice is important, and we always want to hear what you have got to say in the best way foryou. For that reason, we will:
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Promote weekly key life coach sessions to check in with you. Have weekly house meetings over dinner, where you can tell us the things that are going well and where we can improve.
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Support and promote positive relationships with your social worker and ensure you are getting to see them every 6 weeks.
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Encourage you to attend and support you at reviews and meetings with your social worker
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Make sure we are getting regular feedback from you.
Ebba's House
Pearl House
Chalky House
Hugo's House
Safeguarding
CCTV for Your Safety We have cameras (called CCTV) outside our home. These cameras help us keep an eye on who is coming and going. They make sure that only people who are supposed to be here are around the home, keeping you safe from strangers. Don ’t worry, the cameras are just outside and not inside where you live.
Listening to you about YOUR feelings and concerns are very important to us. If something is bothering you or you feel unsafe, you can talk to any of the adults here. We promise to listen carefully and take what you say very seriously. We will work hard to help you and make sure you feel safe again.
Building Connections We encourage you to build positive connections with the people around you. Whether it's making new friends or getting to know the adults who care for you, these relationships can help you feel more secure and happy.
Remember, our main goal is to make sure you feel safe, cared for, and supported.
If you ever have any questions or worries, a member of the team will always be on hand to support you.
Letters and Testimonials
Dear future child
I used to live here at Ebbas house, and I know how difficult things can be being in care. Sometimes life is really difficult, and at points you might feel like you hate the home, but it’s more likely that you hate the situation you’re in.
The team helped me a lot, but it didn’t always feel like that. I can promise you they really try.
When times are hard, I’d encourage you to always talk about you feel with the team, and don’t ignore your feelings because they matter. In my experience, you get further and become happier by playing by the rules. I’d encourage you do the same.
If you’re not happy about something, you should always do something about it - but in the right ways, so not like making the situations worse so that things escalate.
At my house I got a lot of 1:1 support, which some care homes don’t do, and it helped a lot knowing that all the focus is on me, and I hope it helps you knowing that all the focus is on you. I have been to other homes, and experienced a lot of things, and in comparison this home is much better!
I know everyone’s situation is different, but I urge you to not push the support away. Also, connecting with other peers in similar situations really helps because you have people that understand you. You should make sure you surround yourself with the right people
Being in care isn’t the best, but you can make it better!
I wish you all the best
Charlie (not my real name for privacy)
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