Relationship Guidelines

This document has been prepared after extensive consultations with service users through Residents’ House Meetings and the Users’ Group.  Additionally, consultations have been undertaken with residential staff, team leaders, managers and the Director.

Reason for Establishing Written Guidelines:  To assist residents and staff to respond sensitively and discreetly regarding relationships.

Purpose of Consultations:  To enquire of all concerned their views.

The following ethos is paramount...

The promotion and upholding of dignity, privacy, choice, independence, rights and personal fulfillment of all residents.  

It was agreed that positive, mutually respectful relationships are encouraged in all forms of relationships, e.g. friends, girlfriend / boyfriend, etc. 

The areas under greatest discussion were those of intimate relationships...

• It was agreed that intimate actions within relationships are discouraged within communal areas.

• It was agreed that intimate actions are reserved for the privacy of a service-users’ bedroom.

• It was agreed that staff should offer advice if they are concerned that either party is unsure of the actions of the other.

• It was agreed that staff should actively intervene if one party is being forced to act in a way they clearly do not wish or appear to understand.

• It was agreed that staff may offer advice, if asked, on contraception, sexually transmitted diseases and other sex related matters, or refer service-user to the Hayfield Social Worker.

• It was agreed that mutually consensual intimacy should be respected by service users and staff.

January 2009