Living with Oaktree

🚀🎉 Welcome to Your New Chapter! 🎉🚀
Stepping into a new home is a massive milestone, and we are so excited to welcome you to the family! This guide is packed with everything you need to know about what daily life looks like around here, how we keep things safe and fun, and how we are going to support you as you build your independence. Think of this house as your safe launchpad, a place where your voice is always heard, your choices are respected, and your future is our top priority. Take a look through, get comfortable, and let’s get ready to smash your goals together!

🏠🪴 Moving in 🪴🏠
Hopefully, you’ve already had a chance to visit and get a feel for the place! If not, don't worry at all, you'll get to know it in no time.

👋 Arriving & Settling In 👋

The Grand Tour: As soon as you step through the door, a friendly member of our team will be there to welcome you, show you around the property, and take you straight to your new room.
Unpacking Helpers: Moving boxes can be exhausting. A member of staff will be on hand to help you unpack and settle into your new space, just let us know if you need a hand!

🔑 Your Welcome Pack 🔑
To kick things off, you'll grab your very own welcome pack. Inside, you’ll find:

The keys to your new home.
A handy guide to the city, packed with local spots and things to do around you.
Some essential toiletries to keep you going while you unpack.

🛡️ Staying Safe (The Important Stuff) 🛡️
Your safety is our top priority. Once you're in, staff will quickly take you through the fire safety procedures and explain exactly what to do if the alarm ever sounds. It’s quick, simple, and ensures everyone stays safe.

We're here to make this transition as smooth and fun as possible. If you have any questions at all when you get here, just ask, we've got your back!

🤝👍 Our Promise to You 👍🤝
When you live here, you aren't just moving into a building,you’re becoming part of a community. We want you to feel safe, valued, and excited about the future. Here is what you can always count on from us.

❤️ Positive & Respectful Relationships ❤️
We are a team, and we’re in this together. You can expect our staff to always treat you with kindness, respect, and a friendly smile. We are here to support you every step of the way.

🚫 A Safe Space, Free from Discrimination 🚫
This is a home where you can truly be yourself. We have absolutely zero tolerance for discrimination of any kind. Everyone is welcome, everyone is equal, and everyone belongs here.

🌱 Opportunities to Learn & Grow 🌱
Your future is bright, and we want to help you make the most of it! We are always on the lookout for fun and helpful ways to help you learn new skills, try new things, and reach your goals.

🏡 A Safe & Secure Home 🏡
Your safety and peace of mind are everything to us. We make sure our accommodation is a secure, comfortable, and cosy environment where you can relax and feel completely at ease.

🗣️ A Team That Truly Listens 🗣️
Your voice matters. Period. Our staff will always take the time to listen to your views, respect your wishes, and value your feelings. If something is important to you, it’s important to us.
Think of us as your ultimate support crew. Whatever you need, we are always ready to listen and help you thrive!

☀️🌟 What to Expect Everyday 🌟☀️
Getting used to a new routine takes a little time, but we’re here to help you find your rhythm. Here is a quick look at how things work around here and how we’ll support you.

🗓️ Daily Routines 🗓️
To help keep things organised and running smoothly, we have a simple daily routine. It helps create a balanced, stress-free environment so you always know what’s coming up next.

🕒 Support When You Need It 🕒
You are never on your own. Our staff team is available throughout the day and right through the evening to lend a hand, offer advice, or just have a chat whenever you need some support.

🤝 Your Very Own Key Worker 🤝
When you move in, you’ll be paired up with a specific staff member called a Key Worker. Think of them as your personal go-to person, someone who is dedicated to looking out for you and helping you smash your goals.

📅 Help with Appointments & Meetings 📅
Life can get busy, and managing schedules can be tricky! Whether it’s a doctor’s appointment, a college meeting, or anything else, our staff will be right there to help you organise it and support you along the way.

💬 Regular Catch-ups 💬
You’ll have regular, private one-to-one chats with your Key Worker. This is your dedicated time to talk about absolutely anything you want, whether you want to celebrate a win, vent about a bad day, or raise any questions. Your voice is always heard here.

🤝🙌 What We Ask From You 🙌🤝
A great community is a team effort! To keep our home a happy, peaceful, and fun place for everyone to live, we just ask that you bring your best self and pitch in with a few simple expectations.

🌟 Treat Others with Kindness & Respect 🌟
We are a big family here, and everyone comes from different backgrounds. We ask that you always treat your fellow housemates and the staff team with tolerance, respect, and kindness. A little good energy goes a long way!

🧹 Keep Things Clean & Tidy 🧹
Nobody likes doing chores, but keeping the place looking good makes it better for everyone. All we ask is that you tidy up after yourself, whether that's washing your dishes after cooking or keeping your own space clean.

📝 Keeping to Our Agreements 📝
When you move in, you’ll sign a License to Occupy and a Behaviour Contract. These are just official ways of agreeing to be a great housemate and looking after the property. Following these simple rules keeps everything running smoothly for you and everyone else.

🕒 Curfews & Heading Home 🕒
We want you to enjoy your independence, but we also need to know you're safe. Any curfews or expectations about what time you need to be home won't just be handed to you, we will sit down and agree on them together as part of your personalised placement plan.

By working together and respecting each other, we can make this an amazing, supportive place to live. We're so glad to have you on the team!

🗓️⏰ Our Daily Routine ⏰🗓️
While every day brings something new, having a bit of structure helps everyone feel settled. Here is how our team maps out the day to support you.

☀️ Morning Kick-Off (08:00) ☀️
Our staff team will be up, energised, and ready to go by 8:00 AM. Whether you need a morning chat before heading out or a bit of help organising your day, we’ll be there to help you start the morning right.

🍳 Dinner Time & Cooking Skills 🍳
We love getting together around dinner time! Staff will always do their absolute best to be around in the evening. We are more than happy to help you prep and cook, but our main goal is to help you build your confidence in the kitchen so you can master your own cooking skills and become totally independent.

🌙 Winding Down (22:00) 🌙
To make sure everyone gets a good night's rest, our "sleep-in" staff will head to bed at 10:00 PM. Don't worry, though,even though they are getting some sleep, they are still on-site overnight if there is ever an emergency!

🎱🗺️ Out & About: Things to Do Nearby! 🗺️🎱
Ready to explore? There is plenty to see and do right on your doorstep. Whether you want to get active, hang out with friends, or just treat yourself, here are some of the best spots to check out in the local area.

🛍️ Retail Therapy & Shopping 🛍️
Whether you need to pick up the essentials, grab some new clothes, or just fancy a browse, the local shopping centre has got you covered. It's the perfect spot to meet up with friends or grab a coffee.

⚽ Goals (5-a-Side Football) ⚽
Love football? Head down to the local Goals centre! It’s the ultimate place to lace up your boots, join a local kickabout, or get a fast-paced 5-a-side match going with your housemates and friends.

🎳 Bowling Alley 🎳
Looking for a fun night out? The nearby bowling alley is perfect for a bit of friendly competition. Grab some food, hit the lanes, and see who can score the most strikes!

🏋️ Hit the Gym 🏋️
If you like to keep active and burn off some energy, the local gym is close by. It’s fully equipped for whatever workout you prefer, whether you’re into lifting weights, cardio, or trying out a fitness class.

👥 Local Youth Clubs 👥
Want to meet new people, try out new activities, or just find a chill place to hang out after hours? The local youth clubs are fantastic spaces to connect with other people your age and get involved in fun projects.

🚲 Bike Rides & Trails 🚲
If you prefer the great outdoors, there are some brilliant cycling routes around the area. Grab a bike, get some fresh air, and head out to explore the local paths and green spaces.

If you want to find out how to get to any of these places, need help looking up opening times, or want someone to go with you the first time, just chat with your Key Worker, they'll happily help you plan your trip!

💬🤝Your Personal Support Crew: Key Workers 🤝💬
When you move in, you’ll be paired up with a specific staff member who becomes your Key Worker. Think of them as your personal go-to person, someone who will work closely with you throughout your time here to help you feel confident, happy, and ready for the future.
Here is a look at the awesome things you and your Key Worker will work on together.

🏥 Health & Wellbeing 🏥
Keeping on top of your health is important. Your Key Worker will help you book and attend any medical or health appointments you need.

💼 Prepping for Big Meetings 💼
Got a meeting with a professional, social worker, or advisor? You won't have to face it alone. We’ll help you prepare so you feel confident and ready.

🎓 Education, Training & Jobs 🎓
Ready for the next step? We’ll help you look into college courses, training programmes, or job opportunities, and support you with applications and interviews.

🏡 Leveling Up Your Independence 🏡
Want to learn how to cook a signature dish, manage your own budget, or keep your home running smoothly? We’ll practice all the life skills you need to smash independent living.

🎯 Crushing Personal Goals 🎯
Whatever you want to achieve, big or small, we will help you set goals, map out how to reach them, and celebrate your progress along the way.

💬 One-to-One Catch-ups 💬
You’ll have regular, private 1:1 sessions with your Key Worker. This is your dedicated time to chat about how things are going, share what’s on your mind, vent about any worries, or figure out exactly what extra support you might need.

Remember: While your Key Worker is your main point of contact, our whole team is here for you. You can talk to any member of staff at any time of the day or night if you need a hand, some advice, or just a chat. We’ve all got your back!

🔐🛡️ Keeping You Safe & Sound 🛡️🔐
Your safety, comfort, and wellbeing are the absolute most important things to us. We want this home to be a place where you can relax completely, knowing you’re fully looked after.
Here is exactly how we work behind the scenes and right alongside you to keep everything safe.

🏡 Looking After Your Space 🏡

Room Health & Safety Checks: Staff will do regular, quick checks of your room and the house. This is just to make sure everything is working perfectly, nothing is broken, and the property stays in tip-top shape for you.
Yearly Electrical Tests: Once a year, we test all the electrical appliances in the house (from TVs to kettles) to make sure they are 100% safe to use.

🔥 Fire Safety Practice 🔥

Weekly Alarm Tests: We run a quick fire alarm test every week just to make sure the system is working perfectly. It only lasts a few seconds, so don't alarm!
Monthly Fire Drills: Once a month, we’ll practice a fire drill together. It’s quick, simple, and ensures everyone knows exactly where to go and what to do just in case.

👋 Regular Check-ins 👋

How Are You Doing?: Our team will regularly check in with you throughout the week. We just want to make sure you’re feeling safe, doing well, and getting all the support you need to feel happy here.
Social Worker Visits: Your Social Worker will also drop by for regular visits. It’s a great chance for you, your Social Worker, and our team to catch up, chat about your progress, and make sure everything is going perfectly for you.

Safety isn't about rules, it's about making sure you feel protected and cared for. If you ever feel unsafe or worried about anything at all, you can chat with a member of staff at any time. We are always here to help!

👋📱 Catching Up with Family & Friends 📱👋
Staying connected with the people who matter most to you is super important! We want to help you maintain those close relationships while making sure our home remains a peaceful and comfortable space for everyone. Here is how visits and chats work.

❤️ Staying in Touch with Family ❤️

Your Plan: Your Social Worker will let us know about any plans or schedules in place for your phone calls and family visits.
Full Support: We are here to help you get ready for upcoming calls or visits, ensuring you have the time, space, and support you need to connect with your loved ones.

👥 Having Friends Over 👥

Welcoming Your Friends: Your friends are absolutely welcome to visit you here! Just give the staff team a heads-up beforehand so we can get it agreed upon.
Chilling in Communal Areas: Visits take place in the shared communal spaces, making it a great spot to hang out and chat.
Setting the Time: Depending on what’s happening in the house that day and the needs of your housemates, we’ll just agree on a set amount of time for the visit beforehand so everyone knows the plan.

🌟 Being a Great Guest 🌟
To keep the house a happy place for all residents, we just ask that your visitors always show respect to the property, the staff team, and, most importantly, your housemates.

Connecting with your favourite people is a massive part of feeling settled. If you want to arrange a visit or need a quiet space for a call, just have a chat with a member of staff and we’ll help you sort it out!

💷💰 Your Money & Budgeting 💰💷
Learning to manage your own money is a huge step toward independence, and we are here to help you get the hang of it! Here is how your money works and what you’ll be responsible for.

💵 Where Your Money Comes From 💵
You will usually have your own money to manage while you live here. Depending on your situation, this might come from:

A weekly allowance from your Local Authority.
Universal Credit (once you turn 18).
Special arrangements supported directly by us here at Oaktree Supported Accommodation Services (OSAS).

🛒 What You’ll Take Care Of 🛒
Because this is all about building your independence, you will be responsible for using your money to cover your own day-to-day expenses, including:

Your food and groceries.
Personal toiletries.
Any personal items, clothes, or treats you want.

💡 Don't panic if budgeting sounds tricky! Our staff team is always on hand to help you plan your spending, create a weekly budget, and make your money stretch further. Just ask us for a hand!

🍞 Household Essentials On Us! 🍞
To help everyone out, OSAS keeps the kitchen stocked with the basics. You will always find the following available for everyone in the house (including staff) to share:

Bread
Milk
Tea & Coffee

Having control of your own budget is pretty exciting. We’ll help you figure out the boring bits so you can feel confident managing your cash like a pro!

📱🌐 Staying Connected: Wi-Fi & Devices 🌐📱
We know how important it is to stay connected with friends, stream your favourite shows, and browse the web. The house is fully equipped with Wi-Fi for you to use while you're living here! To keep our online community safe and happy, here is how it works.

📶 Getting Connected 📶

Easy Access: You’ll be given the Wi-Fi details as part of your move-in plan so you can get your phone or tablet connected right away.
Using it Responsibly: All we ask is that you use the internet responsibly and respect your housemates while online.

🛡️ Keeping You Safe Online 🛡️

Safety Filters: Because we are 100% committed to looking after you, our Wi-Fi network includes safety filters. These are just there to block harmful or inappropriate content and keep the digital environment safe for everyone.
Regular Checks: To make sure everyone stays protected, our team does regular, routine safety checks on the internet network and any house-owned devices.

⚠️ A Quick Note on Fair Use ⚠️
We want everyone to enjoy fast, safe internet. If the Wi-Fi is misused or abused, the Oaktree team does reserve the right to temporarily pause or remove access. As long as you're using it safely and respectfully, you're good to go!

If you ever have trouble connecting your phone, or if you're worried about anything you've seen online, just let a member of staff know. We’re always here to help you navigate things safely!

💬🗣️ Having Your Say: Your Right to an Advocate 🗣️💬
Sometimes, it can feel tough to speak up or make your voice heard when dealing with big decisions or professional meetings. That is exactly what an Advocate is for, and as someone living at OSAS, you have a right to one whenever you want!

🤔 What is an Advocate?🤔
An Advocate is an independent person who is completely on your side. Their only job is to support your choices and make sure people listen to you. They don't work for the house, and they won't tell you what to do. Here is how an Advocate can team up with you.

👂 Listen to You: They are a safe space to vent or share your views, worries, and concerns.
🗺️ Explore Your Rights: They will help you look at all your options and understand your legal rights, without pushing you in any direction.
💡 Give You Information: They'll track down the facts you need so you can make the best choices for yourself.
📞 Make the Calls: They can help you get in touch with relevant people, or even contact them on your behalf if you don't feel comfortable doing it.
🤝 Back You Up: They can come along to meetings or appointments with you so you don't have to face them alone.

🚀 How to Get an Advocate 🚀
If there is ever anything you are unhappy about, or if you just want some independent support, just speak to any of the staff here. We will gladly help you get in touch with your advocate!

You can also reach out directly to NYAS (National Youth Advocacy Service), an amazing organisation dedicated to helping young people just like you get their voices heard.
Click on the link to head to their website: www.nyas.net or call them on 0808 808 1001.

Remember: This is your life and your future. You have a right to be heard, and we will always support you in getting the backup you deserve!

💙❤️ What to Do If You're Feeling Sad or Unhappy ❤️💙
We want our home to be a place where you always feel safe, secure, and genuinely happy. But let's be real, life has its ups and downs, and it’s completely normal to have days when things just feel a bit heavy or off.

🪵 It's Okay Not to Be Okay🪵
Whatever you are going through, you don't have to carry it alone. You might be feeling down because:

You don't understand or agree with a decision that has been made.
Something from your past is playing on your mind.
You're having a tough time at a local club, college, or work.
Something inside the house is bothering you.

🗣️ We Are Always Ready to Listen 🗣️
No matter what the reason is,even if you can't quite put it into words, we always encourage you to chat with an adult in the home. Our team is here to wrap a supportive arm around you (metaphorically!), talk through whatever is bothering you, and help lift those worries off your shoulders. There is no problem too big or too small, and we will never judge you.

🌟 Your comfort is our priority 🌟
If you're feeling down, grab a member of staff, make a cup of tea, and let's talk it through together. We've got your back!

💬📢 How to Make a Complaint (Your Voice, Your Rights) 📢💬
We always want to give you the absolute best support possible. But if there is ever a time when you are unhappy with how you’ve been treated, or if you feel something isn't right with your support, you have every right to complain.

We take your feedback incredibly seriously, and making a complaint will never get you into trouble. Here is exactly how the process works and how we will back you up.

💬 Step 1: Let’s Chat It Out First 💬
Often, the quickest way to fix a problem is to talk about it. If you feel comfortable, we suggest chatting with your Key Worker, the House Manager, or any adult in the home you trust. Usually, we can work together to get things sorted out right then and there.

📝 Step 2: Making It Official 📝
If talking it through doesn't solve the issue, or if you prefer to make a formal complaint straight away, you can fill out a Complaints Form.

Where to find it: These are always available on the Mentor system.
Need a hand? Any member of staff can help you log in, find the form, and fill it out if you want some support.

🔍 Step 3: What Happens Next? 🔍
Once your form is sent, here is how we handle it fairly:

Independent Investigation: Your form goes directly to the Head of Supported Accommodation, who will look into everything formally and properly.
No Bias: If your complaint happens to be about a manager, don't worry—it will be handled by a completely different senior staff member who works outside of this house to keep things 100% fair.
Keeping You Posted: We won't keep you in the dark. You will get regular updates on how the investigation is going, strictly in line with our official complaints policy.

🌟 Our Promise 🌟
You deserve to feel safe and respected in your home. If something is wrong, please tell us so we can make it right!

🎉🚀 You’ve Got This! 🚀🎉
Moving into a new home and learning the ropes is an incredible journey, and you are going to do amazing. Remember, every single routine, safety check, and support system we have in place is there for one reason: to help you feel safe, happy, and successful. You are never on your own here. Whether you need help figuring out your budget, want to chat about a tough day, or just want to celebrate a goal you’ve smashed, our team is right beside you every single step of the way. Welcome to the house,we are so glad you're here!

"Your future is entirely in your hands, but you don't have to build it alone. We are here to back you up, listen to your voice, and help you grow into the independent person you are meant to be. Let's make this next chapter great together!"