Bath Place User Group

The Next Meeting
 

* Free refreshments *

* Everybody welcome *

or email bathplaceusergroup@yahoo.co.uk

Bath Place User Group

Minutes for meeting held on 04/10/08

Attending

Nick R

Nick W

Bec

Sue

John

Ali - facilitator

Liz

Carol

Rachel

Discussion in the meeting focused on the code of conduct and unattended child policy. 

The need for policies or guidelines was brought up by the service user group previously and Liz presented a rough template based on other public buildings policies for consideration to the service user group.

• Alison felt it was encouraging negativity within Bath Place to have “rules” in place. Sue agreed that it was against the spirit of Bath Place and too prohibitive. Alison asked if she was allowed to bring in alcohol if she was on her way back from shopping and Sue asked if the no alcohol policy would cover raffels. Carol suggested that the rules could be based on Bath Places mission statement.

  John felt rules were not necessary if it was already illegal, and questioned if the rules would apply to room hirers as he felt that they disrupt service users of Bath Place. Nick R stated that the rules would apply to all users of Bath Place but without room hire Bath Place would close.

• Alison questioned if Bath Place was on the community radio.

• Rachel and Bec discussed why a gate had not been installed, this was due to the need for disabled access. Discussion then moved on to whether a secure door with a button to open it could be installed and possible fund raising the Service User group could do to buy one.

• Alison felt unhappy with the suggestion that children should be supervised up to the age of 10 and felt that a 4 year old could access areas of the center for example the toilet without supervision. Liz and Carol felt there were still hazards in the community center for young children and that the staff needed an unattended child policy. Nick R pointed out that Bath Places duty of care could not be change.

• Steve joined the meeting and Alison asked if the code of conduct and unaccompanied child policy were legal requirements. Steve replied that they were not, however it is good practice and covers Bath Place if things went wrong. When questioned about rules on parenting in the center Steve pointed out that the service user group and the center had to be careful not to impose its judgments and morals on other service users.

•  The current legislation on smacking was discussed.

• Carol suggested a code of respect for children and adults in the center. Alison suggested a sign at the entrance “your child your responsibility”, which could be made by the children.

• Steve raised the issue of  what is acceptable risk for children, the need for vigilance was discussed as Bath Place is accessed by all areas of the community .

• The service user group agreed posters with Bath Places duty of care and the need for children to be supervised needed to be on display around the building.

• The code of conduct was discussed with Steve. Bec felt that those that are illegal should not be included. Alison voiced her concern that the code needed to be a positive statement which covered acceptable behavior towards children. Steve questioned how we could dictate what is “acceptable”. Carol suggested code of respect for all users.

• Discussion then moved onto posters and the right of free speech at Bath Place. Sue and John both voiced concern that they were unhappy with the Steve being able to take things down if he felt they were unsuitable. The fine line between encouraging free speech and not offending the service users and staff was discussed.

Next meeting Tuesday 2^nd of December at 1.15pm