2.13 On Call

Purpose

This procedure describes the roles and responsibilities of the Senior on Call (SOC).

Standard 2 of the National Minimum Standards requires that “Children are looked after by Staff who are themselves supported and guided in safeguarding and promoting the children’s welfare”.

The purpose of the Company’s on-call arrangements is to ensure that Staff have access to support, advice and guidance from management outside named office hours and at weekends.

1. There is a rota system in place which offers senior management (Regional Manager) availability for information, advice, guidance and physical assistance to support On-Call/support Staff if required.
2. We currently operate a system whereby a Manager from a specific region is “back-up on-call” the SOC. This offers a tiered system prior to the need of informing the Operations Manager.
3. As well as a senior Manager there is also a senior residential support worker on call to each site. They can be accessed via mobile phone. The number is available to all the units.
4. Senior Residential Support Workers liaise with the Duty Manager. This cover is offered on a rota basis and the Duty Manager is a Registered Manager from the same site.
5. Duty Managers or regional Manager on call must be made aware by the senior RSW on call, of any notifiable event (See Notifiable Events Procedure).
6. The duty Manager or regional Manager on call in turn will notify the senior management (Regional Manager) of any such incidents, if necessary. This includes complaints by young people, Staff, members of the public etc., any child protection concerns, health and safety issues, injuries to young people / Staff, absconding or any situation which poses a serious threat to young person / Staff.
7. The on-call system operates outside of 9:00am – 5:00pm working hours and at all times over the weekend / public holiday times.
8. The role of the senior Residential Support Worker is to offer advice on the management of situations, offer assistance in person at such situations, if required, act as appropriate adult if necessary.
9. Senior Residential Support Workers on-call will also meet any ‘same day / emergency’ admissions and ensure all relevant LAC documentation is obtained.
10. It is the responsibility of the senior on-call to notify the Health & Safety Manager, by text, of any issues with regard to Health & Safety. This includes such issues as – broken windows, fire, injury to young person / Staff, issues which may have resulted in an accident had they not been managed correctly (near misses). This ensures that a full accident investigation is carried out at the earliest opportunity to minimise the likelihood of a similar situation reoccurring.
11. If,  for any reason, the Senior On Call (SOC) is unable to meet their on-call responsibilities, the Regional Manager will assume responsibility.

End