Group Living describes a situation where a child/young person lives within a multi-occupancy property which either has shared communal facilities or a ‘bed-sit’ type living space as part of a larger communal building, which aims to:
Offer a group living environment with staff on site 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year and be appropriately staffed to accommodate this. A ratio of staffing on a 1:3 basis as a minimum to deliver this service and support hours will include:
Core support hours:
— Monday to Sunday — between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m.
Sleep/waking night support:
— Monday to Sunday — between 11 p.m. and 8 a.m.
Only up to 3 units within an accommodation service are anticipated for this service category. However, the DPS will enable bespoke accommodation units at the request of the authority to be commissioned and on block purchase.
Support ratios are not to be higher than 1:3 with at least 7 hours per week direct face-to-face contact on average per young person. This can reduce and increase as needed and as agreed in partnership with the purchaser.
Within these environments members of on-site staff provide both formal and informal guidance and practical assistance in gaining independent living skills to the child/young person, dependent on individual needs. Some young people may display higher intensities of any of the following behaviours which will require a higher staffing ratio from qualified and experienced staff and the contract will enable bespoke support packages to be considered on that basis (this list is not exhaustive):
(a) child/young person with multiple impairments and complex health needs;
(b) challenging and/or aggressive behaviour;
(c) risk to self/others;
(d) tendency to self-harm;
(e) high risk of absconding;
(f) risk of child sexual or criminal exploitation;
(g) sexualised behaviour; and
(h) attachment difficulties.
The service provider will meet all relevant statutory and legal requirements associated with a group living accommodation; dependent on the official classification of the living environment. The accommodation must be safe and secure and fully furnished to an appropriate standard and fully equipped to deliver this service category. The service provider must be responsible for the repair, upkeep and maintenance of both the property and accommodation contained therein.
Outcomes
Will be determined by the young person’s referral/ Pathway or other LA Plan.
Accommodation
See accommodation requirements within this specification
Individual support services
Individual support requirements throughout the specification are to be tailored to the individual. The mechanism for tailoring support will be local authority plan, support provider assessment, the young person and lead professionals. Agreed approaches to be agreed at regular reviews containing the above parties. Plans to be updated accordingly; support/risk assessment and review.
Initial and on-going assessment of need
Assessment of the young person, both at the beginning of and throughout the placement;
— end of placement final progress report, and
— preparation of reports for meetings and reviews.
To meet needs appropriately, services should:
— make a thorough and detailed assessment of a young person’s needs and whether they are ready to sustain their own tenancy,
— avoid directing the young person towards community living if they are not ready,
— have specialist support accessible e.g. mental health or benefits advice,
— ensure support worker provides a plan, which is shared and reviewed with the young person,
— encourage feedback on the service – both positive and negative,
— ensure support workers remain friendly, approachable, welcoming and non-judgmental.
Young People who are eligible for services within this contracting arrangement include 16 -17 year olds with complex needs and vulnerabilities, Children Looked After aged 16 and 17 years, and care leavers (16-25), open to a social worker or PA (Personal Advisor).