SH (665828) Opportunity for a provider to work with Durham for a bespoke residential children's home

SH can present as a quiet young person when you first meet her but once she gets to know you, she can present as bubbly, funny and sarcastic. SH tends to speak more to professionals who are women but is slowly getting more comfortable with male professionals.

SH has an EHCP and is currently being assessed for autism. SH does show a lot of traits of autism, but it is also useful to understand some of the traumas, SH has experienced within her lifetime. SH needs those she is with to have knowledge of working with trauma response behaviours and autism.

We know that when SH becomes dysregulated, she can get upset and become frustrated. SH can push staff and throw stuff when she feels heightened or uncomfortable. SH can calm down with the right response and this often requires patience and understanding. SH is able to reflect afterwards as to why she responds to things how she did. SH likes to feel heard by staff and needs nurturing.

If SH is struggling, she will reach out to those around her for support. For example, SH will use her phone to message staff and tell them if she is struggling. SH will text staff or professionals to inform them of her location and often will want them to come and see her to calm her down.

SH benefits from routine and having a plan in place. SH likes to plan out her week and know exactly what is happening. This will likely help SH to feel calm and regulated. SH is currently receiving 2:1 support from her care team.

SH requires a home where she can work alongside people who have patience, compassion and caring side. SH needs staff to work with her and be reasonable with her when she is having a bad time. Staff would need to understand SH mental health and her behaviours. We know when SH becomes heightened, she often requires her own space and staff to support her when she is ready. SH will often like a cuddle with a staff members once she is regulating her emotions.

SH has created her own safety plan with professionals to allow us to understand what SH feels she needs in them difficult moments.

Durham County Council would like to:

• Open up discussion with providers about the development of a 'new' registered Children's Home provision in County Durham or in the surrounding area within the North East of England to meet the specific needs of an identified young person.
• A provider may already have a registered children's home with a highly experienced Registered Manager and be able to develop a smaller satellite home.
• Providers that have knowledge and experience of working with children with complex needs and within Ofsted and CQC's Regulatory Frameworks.
• Providers that have a track record of achieving positive outcomes for children / young people and who provide consistent good quality care and who demonstrate stickability.