Your world in the palm of a hand...

Transcription

1 Your world in the palm of a hand... Homescope Handbook Appropriate housing and needs-led support whilst you achieve independent life skills.

2 Contents in this leaflet you will find... Page 3. What is Homescope? 4. Some Young People 5. Basic Household Tips 7. Skills Checklist 8. Things I need Help With 9. Safety Tips 10. Useful Numbers/Contact Details 11. License Agreement 12. Complaints Procedure 13. Menus 2

3 What is Homescope? We are a service designed to help young people to gain the skills they will need to live alone. This is an exciting but worrying time and often-young people need some help and support before they go it completely alone. Homescope will provide accommodation and support for you to do this. How will you do this? We will identify a house preferably in an area of your choice. The house will always be of a very good standard and will be furnished to a high standard. You will have a named key worker to plan your support package with you. Support can be both practical and emotional. You will have access to a 24hr emergency number so that you will never need to feel frightened or isolated. You will receive regular support at times to suit your needs. You will always be treated with respect and your views and opinions will be valued. Your commitment: A successful placement with Homescope will also require a big commitment from you!!! You will be asked to enter into a license agreement, which outlines some of the requirements of the placement. 3

4 Some young people Just like me A bit like me Not like me Have lots of friends who offend Think offending is O.K. Blame other people for offences Know why they offend Will end up in prison Have family or friends in prison Have lots of friends who offend Know lots of adults who offend Think offending is exciting Need help to stop offending Want to stop offending 4

5 Basic household tips that you may find useful... Shopping When you first get your own place one of the most exciting things is being able to do your own shopping so that you can eat what you like. A word of warning though, this can be expensive and leave you with little money to spend if you don t shop wisely!! Homescope will provide you with a welcome pack to get you started, this will include basic foods, cleaning products and some basic toiletries such as toothpaste, soap and shampoo. It is useful to make a list before you go to the shops as this stops the temptation to buy everything that looks good. Your key worker can support you with this and offer help to plan meals and shop wisely. They can also offer practical help to take you shopping if you think this would be helpful. Try to buy food that is versatile and cheap like mince beef. This can be used for all kinds of dishes such as spaghetti bolognaise, chilli con carnie and cottage pie. Try also to buy some fresh food as you will need to eat a balanced diet to keep yourself in good health, so fruit and vegetables are a good idea. Learn to shop for the bargains often brand names are much more expensive than stores own brands and not that different. Last but not least shop around. Cleaning Everyone finds cleaning a chore but unfortunately it has to be done. Try to keep your home tidy and organised. That way cleaning is much less of a big job. Clean your kitchen and bathroom on a daily basis if you can as this helps to stop germs that can cause bugs and viruses. Your key worker is there to support you with practical tasks so ask for help if you feel you are not able to manage. You will be provided with cleaning equipment such as a vacuum cleaner so don t be afraid to use it any time you like! 5

6 Basic household tips that you may find useful... Laundry Homescope will provide a washing machine, iron and ironing board and a clothes maiden. Clothes are expensive and you need to make sure you don t ruin them in the wash so, here are some handy hints: Never wash dark colours with white clothes as they may run and you could end up wearing pink underwear! Wash dark colours on a cool wash as this helps them not to fade out. Wash woollens on a delicate wash to prevent them from shrinking. Don t have the iron too hot as it can burn thing like trackies. Again your key worker can support you with your laundry until you feel confident to do it yourself. Personal Hygiene This is very important to most young people. Shower on a regular basis as it is more economical than taking baths. Pick up your toiletries as and when you run out of each item. They can be very expensive when you need to buy them all at one time. If you have any health or hygiene issues your key worker will be able to guide you to appropriate services. 6

7 Skills checklist Can you... Wash your own clothes Iron your own clothes Keep your home tidy Cook a meal for yourself Plan your meals Create a shopping list Shop without assistance Budget for a week Manage your bills Stick to arrangements Secure your home Manage living alone Ask for help Don t worry if you do not feel confident about all of this, a keyworker will be assigned to you and will support you to gain all of the skills needed to live independently. Use this checklist to remind yourself of the work required in your new home. As you become competent you can tick off the things you have achieved. Date... Young person... Keyworker... 7

8 Things I need help with No help Some help Lots of help 8

9 Satey tips Your safety is important. Use this useful checklist to keep yourself and your home safe: Check doors and windows before leaving the house or going to bed. Make sure they are locked, but that you have a window you can get emergency access through. Use the safety equipment provided such as burglar alarms, bolts and smoke alarms. Make sure the cooker and iron are switched off after use. Cigarettes need to be put out carefully, especially at bedtime. Don t smoke in bed as you could fall asleep. Check the identification of any visitor and ask them for proof of who they are. If you are still unsure do not let them in. Avoid having large groups of friends in the house as situations can get out of control. In the event of an emergency call 999. Homescope operates a 24 hour helpline. If you are worried and feel you need advice or assistance do not hestitate to contact us on

10 Emergency numbers Doctor:... Dentist:... Social worker:... Homescope:... Keyworker:... YOT worker: hour helpline: Training scheme/college:... Police:... Emergency services: 999 (Ambulance, Fire Brigade, Emergency Police) NHS Direct:... 10

11 License agreement I will not cause criminal or wilful damage to the property or its content. I will not cause undue disturbance to my neighbours. I will not behave in an aggressive or intimidating manner to staff from Independent living services or members of my community. I will not allow another person to live in my house. I will not sell/store illegal substances in or from my home. I understand that any information regarding such an issue may lead to the police being contacted and my social worker informed. I will not allow others to bring illegal substances into my home. I will not have people in the house who are under 16 unless accompanied by a responsible adult. I will not permit my home to be used for the storage of stolen goods. I will follow the safety guidelines to the best of my ability. I am responsible for my keys and will not give them to anyone else. I agree to meet with my key worker on a regular basis. I will not keep any pets. I will not use my address for mail order goods or allow anyone to use this address for any reason. I will not allow anyone to be in my property while I am not present. I understand the services that are being offered to me and the commitment needed by myself. I also understand that a breach of my license agreement could endanger my placement with Independent Living Services. By signing this agreement I accept full responsibility for this placement. This is a license agreement between: Young Person Independent Living Services 11

12 Complaints procedure Complaint 2 3 Step 1 The first step is, where practical, to talk about your concern to the member of staff with whom you have direct contact at the place where the service is provided. If you do not wish to do this, or are not satisfied that the matter has been resolved in this way, ask to see that person's manager. We hope that most complaints can be resolved to your satisfaction in this way. At this stage we will treat this as an informal complaint. Step 2 If the matter is still not resolved, to your satisfaction, you can make sure it is treated as a formal complaint. Ask for it to be registered, and send a letter or a complaints form to the complaints officer whose address is shown on the contact list. Once your formal complaint has been received, the complaints officer will record your complaint and then ask a senior member of staff, or an appropriately qualified professional to investigate. You will receive an acknowledgement of your complaint in the post within 7 working days of it being received. Within 28 working days you will receive another letter explaining the results of the investigation or, if the investigation is not completed, the likely timescale for completion. Step 3 If, after this process has been completed, you still feel unhappy about any aspect of the service or treatment you receive from Homescope we would be happy to discuss any issues. Your Social Worker can also be present in the hope that we could resolve the matter. The views of young people are important to our service and in the event of your needing to make a complaint the matter would be viewed very seriously and treated as such. We expect that any young person accessing our service will be treated fairly, without discrimination, and with respect at all times. 12

13 Menu ideas Cheesey beans on toast Ingredients Beans, bread, cheese, salt, pepper, butter. Method Put grated cheese, salt, pepper, butter and beans into a saucepan then heat gently. Whilst heating, toast bread and butter. Pour beans onto toast and enjoy! French bread pizza Ingredients 1 small French loaf, 110g cream cheese, 1 onion, 100g cheese, tomato puree tube (ketchup works also). Method Set the oven at Gas Mark 6/200 O C. Line the baking tray with greaseproof paper (saves washing up) or just use grill pan. Wash and chop the veg and shove on a side plate. Cut the french loaf into 4 pieces. Put them on the baking tray. Spread some soft cheese on the bread (if you want tomato ketchup or puree put some on too). Put the veg on top. Chop the ham and put on top. Put cheese on top (and herbs if you like). Cook in oven, or grill, for 8-10 mins until brown and crispy. 13

14 Menu ideas Veg Soup Ingredients 2 carrots, 1/2 turnip/swede, 1 leek, (any other veg you want/have - try parsnip, sweet potato, celeriac, mushrooms), 1 small onion, 1 clove garlic, veg stock, butter, salt and pepper. Method Peel and dice up veg, as chunky as you want the soup, but finer works better. Heat about 1 tbsp butter in a large pan. Add all veg and soften for about 5 minutes, stirring. Add veg stock/water to cover the veg by a good inch. Season well. Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30-45mins/until veg is cooked. (blend and return to heat if desired - or just leave chunky). Sweet Chilli Chicken Ingredients Chicken pieces, sweet chilli sauce, rice. Method Cut the chicken pieces into smaller pieces. Wash them quickly under water. Place them in a frying pan with a medium bottle of SWEET Chilli Sauce. Cook them to well done, drain off some of the sauce and put them in the oven (this is optional, it just makes them nicer and crispier). Serve with cooked rice. Quick spaghetti bolognaise Ingredients Mince, mushrooms, onions, can tomatoes, herbs, tomato puree, beef stock (1/2 pint), pasta. Method Fry mince then take out and leave to one side. Cut up and fry onions and mushrooms then add mince back in. Add beef stock and allow to simmer. Finally add tomato puree and can tomatoes. Leave to cook for 20 minutes. Serve with pasta. 14

15 Menu ideas Easy jacket potatoes Ingredients Brie (or any other cheese), bacon (chopped into small pieces), mushrooms (sliced), potatoes (suitable for baking). Method Basically bake your potatoes,two minutes before they are cooked, fry the mushrooms and bacon, when cooked remove from heat. Cut your potatoes down the centre, put one slice of brie in the middle then put your bacon and mushrooms on top and then add another couple or slices of brie.then eat and enjoy! Deep fried jam sandwiches Ingredients 4 slices of bread, jam filling or other choice, butter, batter mix. Method Butter bread, put jam or other choice on, cut into sandwiches. Make up batter mix and heat deep fryer, dip each sandwich into batter and deep fry them until golden brown. Malteaser ice-cream Ingredients A good vanilla ice-cream, Malteasers (huge bag!), chocolate or toffee sauce. Method Take ice-cream out of freezer and allow time to soften, whilst this happening put malteasers in a sealable bag and crush. Place scoops of ice-cream into bowl! Cover with desired sauce! Then sprinkle with loads of crushed malteasers and enjoy! Mmmmmmmm... 15

16 17 George Street St Helens Merseyside WA10 1DB t: f: e: w: