Rostering and Handover

The on-coming staff/residential care officers/ team must receive a thorough handover from the off-going shift leader. Both shift leaders share the responsibility for ensuring that this happens.

Only when the on-coming shift leader is satisfied that all matters have been satisfactorily dealt with or handed over, should they assume responsibility for the shift.

This includes checking the petty cash to ensure that it balances, and that all necessary recording has been completed. In particular, details of all medications issued, appointments, details of any significant events must be notified from one shift leader to another and the contents of the safe are accurate.

In order to provide care at any time of the day to the young people accommodated within the home, there needs to be clear arrangements in place to identify the member of staff/residential care officers in charge of the home at any given time.

The Shift Leader will normally be the member of staff/residential care officers who in on the sleepover.

The Shift Leader must be identified in advance and be clear as to the tasks and expectations associated with the role.

The Shift Leader is responsible, for the period they are on duty, for ensuring that all persons within the home are kept safe and afforded the highest possible level of care. This will include planning the shift ahead with their colleagues, distributing tasks and ensuring that all planned appointments/activities take place.

To assume overall responsibility for the running of the home, young people, staff/residential care officers and buildings for the duration of their shift in the absence of the Registered Manager or their Assistant Managers.

To be responsible for the maintenance of a safe working environment. To identify hazards and implement appropriate action. To ensure that staff/residential care officers are allocated tasks that ensure that all young person's needs are met.

To ensure that all recording is completed to an acceptable standard. To ensure that the homes procedures are followed and implemented. To refer any situation or significant event to the Registered Manager or their Line Manager for advice and support.

To ensure that all relevant information is given to the on-coming staff/residential care officers team/night care staff/residential care officers.

Once the on-coming shift leader is satisfied, the responsibility then passes to the oncoming shift leader. The 'On – coming Shift Leader should then plan the shift ahead with their colleagues. This will include:

• All arrangements for ensuring that the young peoples planned appointments/activities take place, (with reference to the diary, residential care plans/intervention plans risk assessments);
• Allocating staff/residential care officers to undertake specific tasks to ensure the smooth running of the home;
• Consulting with the Registered Manager or designated senior to cover staffing shortages. This will include notifying them of staff/residential care officers absences or any issue of concern;
• Reporting any Health & Safety, Child Protection, or Violence at work issues;
• Reporting Missing from Home as per the 'Joint Protocol for Children Missing';
• Ensuring that all records are maintained;
• Ensuring that staff/residential care officers have an opportunity to debrief at the end of a shift. This is especially important if staff/residential care officers have been involved in a violent or particularly stressful incident. Shift Leader must ensure that appropriate Records are kept these will include:
  • Daily diary sheets for each young person;
  • Medication records for prescribed, including controlled drugs and non-prescribed medication including checks to ensure that any medication recorded is in both the child's file and the homes record;
  • Details of any complaint / compliment, including arrangements for notifying their line manager;
  • Details of any restraints, checking that the information is recorded on the child's file and in the homes own record;
  • Details of any sanctions, checking that the information is recorded on the child's file and in the homes own record;
  • Missing from Home records;
  • Notification of staff/residential care officers absence;
  • Details of any Child Protection concerns;
  • Details of any other significant event and any action taken;
  • Details of any Health & Safety issue;
  • Completion of Handover for the next shift.