[BC] [Homes] Understanding Your Organisation: Children's Homes

Objective of BCM for Children's Home

The article discusses how Business Continuity Management, or BCM, can be implemented and integrated into Children's Homes. Although the roles and functions of Children's Homes may differ from region to region, the children's home's core mission remains unchanged. This article uses a typical Children's Home in Singapore to provide the context. 

If you are familiar with ISO standards, the "Understanding of Organisation" is the prelude to the start of any ISO standards.

Any BCM implementation based on the ISO 22301 BCMS standard starts with "Understanding Your Organisation".  This is where we provide an understanding of the "Children's Homes" in Singapore and the functionality within a typical children's home.

Understanding What is a Children's Home?

A children’s home is a residential facility that provides care, support, and a safe environment for children who cannot live with their families due to various reasons, such as neglect, abuse, abandonment, or family breakdown.

These homes are designed to offer a nurturing environment where children can grow, develop, and receive the necessary emotional and psychological support.

Children’s homes often cater to children of different age groups, and they are staffed by trained caregivers, counsellors, and other professionals who work together to meet each child's needs.

In addition to providing necessities like food, shelter, and clothing, children’s homes offer educational support, recreational activities, and life skills training. These services aim to help children overcome the challenges they may have faced in their previous environments and prepare them for a successful transition to adulthood.

The care provided in these homes is typically tailored to each child's needs, whether they require specialized medical care, therapeutic services, or support with their education and personal development.

Children’s homes also play a crucial role in child protection, ensuring that each child is safe from harm and their rights are respected. Government agencies or non-profit organizations often regulate these facilities to ensure that they meet established standards of care. The ultimate goal of a children’s home is to provide a stable and supportive environment that enables children to heal, grow, and develop the skills they need to lead independent and fulfilling lives.

Organisation Structure of Children's Home

The organizational structure of a children's home is typically designed to ensure efficient management, high-quality care, and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Knowing the organizational structure enables the formation of a BCM planning team and, subsequently, a BCM team. A management team will also be established, sometimes called the BCM Steering Committee. We know these structures are not permanent in Children's Home, but the team members need to know their roles and responsibilities, even if it is a secondary appointment.

The structure may vary depending on the size of the facility and the specific needs of the children, but it generally includes the following key roles and departments:

Executive Leadership

Board of Directors/Governing Body. The governing body oversees the children's home's mission, strategic direction, and financial health. It provides guidance and makes high-level decisions regarding policies, funding, and compliance with legal requirements.

Executive Director/Administrator. The executive director or administrator is the top management role and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the children's home. They oversee all departments, implement policies set by the board, manage budgets, and ensure that the facility meets regulatory standards. This role also involves liaising with external stakeholders, such as government agencies, donors, and the community.

Care and Support Services

Residential Care Manager. This role oversees the direct care provided to children. The residential care manager supervises care staff, implements care plans, and monitors each child's well-being and development. They are also responsible for maintaining a safe and nurturing environment within the home.

Caregivers/ House Parents. Caregivers or house parents provide round-the-clock care and supervision to the children. They are responsible for daily tasks such as feeding and bathing and support the children's emotional and social development. Caregivers also serve as primary contacts for the children, offering comfort and guidance.

Social Workers/ Counselors. These professionals provide therapeutic services, including counselling and emotional support. They work with children individually or in groups to address psychological and behavioural issues, help them process trauma, and develop coping skills. Social workers also coordinate with external agencies to ensure children receive support services.

Health and Education Services

Nursing and Medical Staff. Nurses or medical staff are responsible for administering medications, managing chronic conditions, and coordinating with external healthcare providers in homes with children requiring medical care. They ensure that all the children's health-related needs are met.

Educational Coordinators/ Teachers. Educational coordinators or in-house teachers ensure children receive appropriate education through local schools or on-site programs. They support the children's academic development, including tutoring, coordinating special education services, and providing life skills training.

Administrative and Support Services

Human Resources. The HR department handles recruitment, training, and staff management, ensuring all employees are qualified and their work meets the home's standards. HR also manages employee benefits, performance evaluations, and compliance with labour laws.

Finance and Accounting. This department manages the budget, oversees financial reporting, handles payroll, and ensures that the home operates within its financial means. They also manage donations, grants, and other funding sources.

Facilities and Maintenance. Responsible for maintaining the physical environment, the facilities and maintenance team ensures that the children’s home is safe, clean, and well-maintained. This includes regular maintenance of buildings, grounds, and any equipment used to care for children.

Compliance and Quality Assurance

Compliance Officer. The compliance officer ensures the children’s home meets all legal and regulatory requirements. This role involves regular audits and inspections and implementing corrective actions when necessary to maintain compliance.

Quality Assurance Team. This team monitors and evaluates the quality of care and services provided. They gather feedback, conduct assessments, and implement improvements to ensure that the home meets or exceeds standards of care.

Summing Up ...

Discussing the nature of "business" and the organisational structure of Children's Home will help you better understand its operations.

Knowing the organisational structure of a Children's Home helps configure it as a BCM organisation despite the lack of dedicated resources compared to a commercial organisation.

Next ... How Do I Start ... Follow the BCM Planning Methodology

Business Continuity Planning Methodology

This blog will provide the "Planning Steps for Implementing BCM for Children's Home"—click the icon to read more. It will give you a good overview of the steps to be taken.

Lastly, what competency should you have with funding from the Singapore government?

How To Be BCM Competent and Where Do I Start?

Are you the Designated Team Leader for this BCM Project or Program?

If you are the appointed executive to implement, update or manage this business continuity initiative, you may want to consider attending this course. This is the BCM Expert Implementer course.

It is the most comprehensive course to kick-start your knowledge, and there is no pre-requisite to participate in it. If you are a Singaporean or Permanent Resident, you will receive funding from SkillsFuture Singapore.

Do you want to train your team and implement or update your Home's BC plan concurrently?

BCM Institute is an authorised Training Institute (ATO). We have broken a training course into modules to train and guide your team to complete the requirements of the BC program aligned to the ISO 22301 BCMS standard.

As this blog is set in the context of a typical Singapore Children's Home, there is a provision for training aligned to the planning methodology and approved as one of the key Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) and SkillFuture Funding.

Contact us if you would like to know more.