Tell me more about Alexanders House Children's Home
The home is privately owned by Marie Carver - Social Worker/Manager and David Palmer - Responsible Individual who have over 40 years of experience between them in Social Care, Education, and Business. Marie and David have always had a dream to open a home that was very different from many others offering more than just accommodation, offering a family for a child. Marie has a particular passion and belief that empowering children and young people will equip then with skills for life.
Our home is staffed with a very experienced team of Residential Child Care Officers who will be able to the challenging demand the children may have.
Alexanders House offers a safe and nurturing environment in times breakdown and crisis.
The home takes referrals on a national basis and will carefully consider the make-up of children and young people in the home to ensure that all children are safe, cared for and given every opportunity to thrive. We always carefully consider our staffing ratios in line with the children's needs.
We offer a very bespoke service with a massive focus on the emotional development and nurturing of the children and young people in our care.
The home itself is a detached property situated in Sunderland, close to transport links, schools and community organisations. The home can cater for three children aged 8-15 on admission with emotional and behavioural disorders and has three child friendly bedrooms so children can feel comfortable, safe cared for and loved.
Alexanders House strictly follows the National Standards of Children’s Homes but also believes in a very personal and therapeutic approach to residential care.
All of the home staff are highly experienced and have been selected from dozens of applicants not because of their qualifications but because we believe they are genuine in their approach in wanting to make a real positive difference to a child’s life.
The home prides itself on offering a homely environment for the children with a structured daily approach where appropriate.
Our experienced staff all understand the importance to safeguard children in their care. All the staff are trained on a regular basis to ensure they are familiar with recent changes in legislation and are also aware of any topics of significant concern and importance in the current climate.
We work closely with multi professional organisations to ensure that the welfare of the children and young people is looked after closely and appropriately.
Keeping children safe, and educating the children on how to keep themselves safe is paramount.
The home operates under strict risk assessments that are reviewed on a regular basis which form a very solid infrastructure.
We follow strict Safer Recruitment checks on all staff employed through the organisation.
Alexanders House is a very secure building with close circuit camera door entry systems that ensures the safety of staff and children.
What is our Ethos?
Children are placed in residential care for a whole number of reasons, and our staff are very sensitive to these reasons and will work their best to build a safe and structured environment around each individual child to suit their needs.
We believe every child is entitled to grow up in a loving and caring environment no matter what their backgrounds may be.
Positivity is a huge strength at Alexanders House. We believe in promoting positive behaviour and equipping children with the tools they need to build relationship throughout their lives.
We also know that this is never an easy task, and we don’t pay lip service to the importance of the child taking responsibility for their own actions and behaviour. We believe in consistency, persistence and continuity for every child. There is no text book formula that always works but our staff will work hard to formulate approaches that will work positively and appropriately for the children and young people in our care.
The home works on the concept of ‘constant review and reaction to change’. Its always very easy to go off in the wrong direction with children, having wrong perceptions, wrong interpretations. With staff working closely together, meeting regularly about the children, keeping detailed records and receiving regular training our staff are always equipped where necessary to change direction with a child for a more positive outcome.
Childs wishes and feelings are one of the most important aspects of our organisation. Our belief in empowering children and young people for the future is based around understanding the child, listening to the child, and letting the child make their own choices. Children and young people will be actively encouraged to become more independent and given as much support as they may require.
Placement Outcomes
Proposed outcomes of our placement:
• Reduced or no incidents of violence, self-harming or running away
• Improved emotional stability, developing a positive self-view
• Leaving happy, understood, respected and empowered
• Health needs met and healthy lifestyle promoted with them
• Encouragement/support with education
• Positive linking in to new placements or return to family
• A report detailing behaviours, potential causes and healthy responses with recommendations for future care provisions and highlighting areas of concern
