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Cressingham Short Break Service

Cressingham Short Break Service is a Brighter Futures for Children resource registered as a children’s home with OFSTED. It provides support (respite) to families of children/young people who have complex health needs, learning and associated physical and/or sensory disabilities, complex communication disabilities (Autism) and/or challenging behaviour associated with a disability. Cressingham will provide care to young people who meet the continuing care criteria other than those that require end of life care.

The aim of the service is to contribute to the spectrum of services for Reading’s disabled children and their families and to provide care and interventions that will enable those children or young people to remain successfully in their own community and family network.

Cressingham can provide overnight accommodation for six children (male and female) between the ages of 8 to 18 that primarily live in the Reading area, however does accept applications from neighbouring local authorities. Referrals are placed through Brighter Futures for Children, Children and Young People’s Disability Team.

For further details: Contact the Cressingham management Team, Tel: 0118 937 4201 to find out if your child is eligible for this service.

 Personal Care - toileting assistance - changing facilities

The Family Information Service provides information on the SEND Local Offer on behalf of Brighter Futures for Children, which is contracted to deliver the SEND/Local Offer service. Brighter Futures For Children - Website

Who to contact

Contact Name
Helena Baptista
Contact Position
Registered Unit Manager
Telephone
0118 937 4201
E-mail
Cressingham@brighterfuturesforchildren.org
Website
Brighter Futures for Children

Where to go

Name
Cressingham Short Break Service
Address
27
Cressingham Road
Reading
Reading
Berkshire
Postcode
RG2 7RU
Notes

Cressingham is a detached house. It has been redesigned and extensively upgraded to provide an accessible modern, bright, home.

Adaptations to assist children with physical and learning disabilities are:

  • Integrated fire and emergency lighting systems - with a 60 minute safe zone.
  • Widened doors for ease of access.
  • A variety of display boards located around the home to increase young people’s understanding of the environment and their routines.
  • A large garden which surrounds the home and is divided by a locked gate to create 2 play areas when required.
  • Car parking at the front of the building enables school buses to pick up and drop off children safely. We also have car parking for up to 6 vehicles and additional parking is available along Monksbarn.

Time / Date Details

When is it on
The service is open throughout the year except for bank Holidays
Time of day
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Session Information
Tea visits (after school until 19.00) we help transition the child/young person into the service.
Weekday/Term Time, Children & Young people will arrive at Cressingham after school for an overnight stay. This can be for one or more nights. Transport arrangements will be discussed with parents at the point of assessment and referral. During weekends and holidays parents will always be responsible for transporting their children to and from the service. Drop off time is at 10:30AM and pick up is 9:30AM.

Other Details

Costs

Is there a charge for
using this service?
No
Details
The child/young person’s care package will be agreed based on the individual needs of the child and their family.
BFfC Funded?
Yes
Wheelchair accessible?
Yes

Availability

Age Ranges
8-18
Referral required
Yes
Referral Details

 

 

Local Offer

Description

Ages covered - 8 - 18 years. Primary, Secondary and Transition to Adulthood 16+

Contact Name
Registered Unit Manager
Contact Telephone
0118 937 3641
Contact Email
Cressingham@brighterfuturesforchildren.org
SEN Provision Type
Specialist
Local Offer Updated
18/12/2019

General Provider Response

Is your service accessible?
The service is accessible, however please feel free to contact us in advance to discuss your / your child€'™s specific needs and we will do our best to work with you to resolve any issues.
What are the eligibility criteria for your service?
Eligibility Criteria: Your child must be diagnosed with one or more of the following conditions and meet the threshold outlined in the LSCB threshold webpage. •A severe or profound learning disability •A severe or profound physical disability •Significant or profound sensory disability •Progressive conditions and complex medical needs •Epilepsy which is having a significant impact on the child’s health and development •Severe developmental delay arising from a disability •Autism with a significant learning disability •A combination of disabilities, which individually are not severe but together cause as much impact as a very severe disability. This does not include children & young people with: •Mental health disorders unless in conjunction with a primary learning, physical or communication disability •Social, emotional & behavioural problems not associated to a disability
How are referrals/applications made to your service?
If your child already has an allocated social worker, you will need to contact them directly and request an updated assessment. If your child does not have an allocated social worker, you will need to contact Reading's Single Point of Access, this is a single point of contact for all early help and children’s social care service, including disabled children. The line is open to all practitioners and members of the public. There are 3 ways to contact this team: •Using a web form, which is the most secure and effective way of requesting help for a child. The form can be found at: www.reading.gov.uk/childrensreferralform •Calling the team on 0118 937 3641 •Emailing the team on cspoa@brighterfuturesforchildren.org
What is your service standard for responding to referrals/accessing services?
If you have contacted Single Point of Access using the web form, you will receive an automatic reply acknowledging your enquiry. You may be contacted by the team to provide more information. If you have completed the Children's Single Point of Access referral form, they will let you know what course of action they intend taking with you within two working days
Funding
Local Authority
Charges
No
Inspection outcomes/quality awards
Outstanding Ofsted Judgement for 2014 to 2017 Good Ofsted Judgement for 2017/2018
Feedback and complaints procedure
Cressingham has a culture that encourages a ‘no blame’ environment to ensure that any errors or concerns are reported and lessons can be learnt. We aim to provide high standards of service and care for children or young people and their families or carers who need our support. However we know things can sometimes go wrong and in these circumstances, we need to know, so we can try to put things right as quickly as possible. We have a complaints brochure for the young people that are accommodated in our service. This brochure is in widget format to assist the young people in understanding what the process is and what they need to do. In the event of a serious complaint regarding any of the young people or staff dependent on the seriousness of the complaint, Cressingham management may be obligated to inform Ofsted immediately - Notification of serious event (Children’s Homes Regulations 2015. Regulation 40) “Your right to complain” You should never feel afraid to complain if something is bothering or upsetting you. The quickest and easiest way to let us know there is a problem is to talk to the staff working with your child or their manager. We believe most complaints can be resolved through an informal discussion, although we do ask staff to keep a record of the issues you raise and any actions agreed with you. Staff should deal with your complaint seriously and sympathetically. The complaint procedure is there for you to use when you need it. We know it’s not easy to make a complaint and we try to deal with every complaint as openly and sensitively as possible. Complaints may be made on your child’s behalf or by other people who have an interest in your child’s welfare. However, if someone else makes a complaint, your interests will always come first and we will seek your views unless there are very good reasons why we should not, or cannot do so. If you do not feel comfortable with raising the concern directly with our service, or you have tried this route and are not happy with the outcome you can contact the Customer Relations Team. There is a leaflet, which will be given to you, in your welcome pack, or if you ask for one. You can complete an online complaint/comments form or you can write to the customer relations team: Customer Relations Team Freepost RTLS-CKGX-RKLL Reading Borough Council Civic Offices Bridge St RG1 2LU Tel: 0118 937 2905 By email: complaints@reading.gov.uk By text: type SPKUP & your message to 81722
How will I know my child will be safe using this service?
You are always welcome to come and visit us and view our facilities. Each child will have an extensive profile and support plan and individualised risk assessment. All staff are compliant with all training requirements issued by Ofsted. The home receives 2 unannounced visits fro Ofsted every year and also receives unannounced visits from an independent regulation 44 visitor on a monthly basis.

Ratings

Rated 5 out of 5
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This information has been collected from third party providers therefore the Reading Services Guide, Reading Borough Council (RBC) and Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC) cannot accept responsibility for the accuracy of this information and recommends that parents, carers, young people, residents and professionals check with providers regarding DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) and OFSTED registrations and CQC registrations. Information collected by Reading Service Guide; is used solely to implement and supply the Family Information Service (FIS), Special Educational Needs & Disabilities - Reading's Local Offer, Adults & Carers Support Group and Reading Youth.

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