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The Foundation’s Purpose:

We endeavour to train and educate 16-21 year olds who are in problematic situations

Our main aims for the trainees:

  • Offering life changing opportunities
  • Offering a second chance at success
  • Offering work experience and training to enter trades and the wider employment market

Our requirements of the trainees:

Trainees must be committed to learning their chosen trade, are prepared to adapt to the work ethic, and to observe basic standards of behaviour.

Regular attendance is essential, and if overall attendance levels are not maintained, this can lead to the ending of a trainee’s placement

Our Offer:

  • A work-based training placement starting at 3 months duration. During this, trainees will have the opportunity to gain basic qualifications and relevant work experience. It is possible the placement may be extended following a review, and this may happen for one or more consecutive three-month blocks, if deemed appropriate.
  • Help finding a job or an apprenticeship placement near the trainee’s home, or other suitable next step in life, at the conclusion of the placement. (Obviously, no guarantee of outcome can be given.)
  • Guidance and support in improving life skills as a part of the residential placement.

Working Conditions:

  • All living costs while in residential accommodation at the Foundation will be covered by the Foundation, as will public transport costs to and from the Foundation each week (one journey each way per week).
  • When all food, accommodation, transport and training costs are put together with the education bursary, a trainee is receiving benefits of £600+ per week.
  • The educational bursary is a further £100 per week paid directly into the trainee’s bank account on Friday on the completion of a full week.
  • At the completion of Level 1 & 2 a trainee may be awarded an end of level bonus in the form of an Amazon voucher of up to £300 and £500 respectively
  • A range of certified and uncertified courses will be offered which are appropriate to the department chosen, including CSCS, basic first aid, manual handling, and health & safety
  • Time is offered during the working day and encouraged in the evenings through the placement to practise driving theory and/or food hygiene and/or CSCS
  • Practical driving lessons are available. These are offered during the working day and are paid for by the Foundation. (There is, however, no guarantee trainees will reach the standard or have the opportunity to take or pass the test while at the Foundation.) The number of lessons is limited, and those who obtain a Driving Theory pass are prioritised. Once in place, if a trainee cannot attend a lesson, it will be passed to the next trainee on the list.
  • The costs of courses or test entry such as CSCS, Driving Theory, Chainsaw, and any other work-related course will be paid for by the Foundation. However, if the trainee misses the course or test without good reason, then the trainee will have to pay. This could mean completely losing the end of level bonus.

Appraisal Process:

Each department has a set of skills, tasks and competencies to complete at each level (every three months).

  • A monthly mini review is carried out for each trainee in every department beginning one month from the trainee’s start date.
  • After 3 calendar months have been completed, a full review is held to complete Level 1. At this point the trainee may be awarded a bonus, and/or the placement may be continued. Alternatively, the placement may be ended by either the trainee or the Foundation.
  • The same process described in the three bullets above continues through the next three months to completion of Level 2 for those trainees who continue in departments.as
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1. The nature and availability of facilities at Camelia Botnar Foundation (CBF) fall into two basic categories;

1.1. Accommodation corridors/areas within the Main House, Coach House and cottages/flats where trainees are housed. These areas are divided by biological sex. These areas include individual rooms for each trainee and shared bathroom/lavatory facilities. (As we receive many more applications from biological males than females, there may be times that the female corridor in Coach House is instead used to house males. If so, this is only to be done when using the entire corridor. In other words, it is never a mixed sex zone.)

1.2. All other facilities, including the shared facilities in Main House (such as games room, gym, sports hall, smoking areas, lavatories), the shared facilities in Coach house (such as the living room & kitchenette) and those in the department workshops (such as tea rooms & lavatories) are unisex.

2. Trainees who come to CBF will always be treated with respect and dignity, whatever their biological sex, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity.

3. To meet our safeguarding and legal responsibilities in the most effective way within the scope of our facilities, all trainees will be housed in accommodation areas that correspond to their biological sex (recognising the 2025 Supreme Court ruling).

4. The exception to this may be at the cottages/flats stage. These are essentially house/flat-share arrangements and are at the advanced stage of a trainee’s journey through CBF. The exception that may be considered is that if a trans-identified trainee is keen to be in the cottage/flat that corresponds to their gender identity as opposed to their biological sex, and all other present occupants and immediately prospective occupants of the dwelling in question are satisfied and supportive of the arrangement, then a mixed sex but matching gender cottage/flat will be considered.

1. If you are believed to be or discovered to be selling or distributing illegal drugs on or off site this will be considered gross misconduct and you will face an instant ending of your placement, and you may be reported to the police.

2. If you are believed to have or if you are discovered to have used or distributed urine samples, or to be using or distributing any other means of attempting to cheat a drugs test, you will face an instant ending of your placement.

3. Drugs means both illegal drugs and ‘legal highs’.

4. Drugs and alcohol misuse are Health & Safety/safeguarding issues and are not permitted on site whatsoever. Anyone discovered possessing, using, or under the influence of drugs/alcohol on site will not be allowed to continue training or work experience and will be subject to disciplinary measures such as:

• Possession of alcohol will result in up to a full week suspension i.e. maximum will be from the day of suspension up and until the conclusion of the following full week.

• Under the influence of alcohol (failing a breathalyser test) may result in further disciplinary measures, such as a longer suspension, depending on the circumstances.

• Possession of drugs or failing/refusing a drugs test may result in an ending of your placement or will result in a suspension until such time as you can return and pass a drugs test (up to a maximum of one month).

• Possession of drugs paraphernalia will be dealt with on a case by case basis and may result in the same sanction as possession of drugs

• Possession of alcohol containers will be dealt with on a case by case basis and may result in the same sanction as possession of alcohol

• There is no credible defence for any of the above

• A repeat offence will usually result in your placement being ended

5. You will undergo a drug test on arrival on your first day at The Camelia Botnar Foundation.

6. By joining the Camelia Botnar Foundation as a trainee, you are giving permission to be randomly drug tested and/or alcohol tested by any means, at any time while in your placement at the Camelia Botnar Foundation. You are also giving the Foundation a Right to Search your room and property as per the Foundation’s Right to Search.

7. In addition, If there is any suspicion that you are using drugs, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol, this will be investigated and a search of your room and property may be carried out as per the Foundation’s Right to Search. You may also be tested for drugs or alcohol by any means, at any time.

8. The Foundation occasionally acts as a training centre for Sussex & Surrey Police dogs. On occasion, the dogs and their handlers may, without warning or notice, enter accommodation and workshops to screen for illegal substances.

9. Drug and alcohol dependency is considered a health issue and where possible management at The Foundation will try to help and signpost trainees with these problems toward education, healthier lifestyle choices and counselling.

10. For those coming to The Foundation who have acknowledged they have a drug or alcohol problem, we will support you in your attempts to stay clean. Our aim is to help you build a new life and we will endeavour to help you through difficult lifestyle changes, and to be approachable and understanding. However, using these substances while a trainee at the Foundation will always result in disciplinary measures being taken, as outlined above.

11. Because The Foundation is a residential placement, these rules apply both during and outside typical working hours.

12. Prescription drugs: If your doctor has prescribed you medical treatment in the form of any type of medicine you must:

• Ensure you are aware of the side effects of the prescription.

• Ensure the prescription is safe to take whilst operating in your normal working capacity.

• Advise your line manager or a member of the management team immediately upon receiving your prescription, indicating what the prescription is, what it is for and what any potential side effects are.

13. In all cases, decisions will be made on the basis of reasonable belief when necessary and hard evidence is not required.

Help and support

The Foundation will endeavour to ensure that advice and help are made available to any trainee who feels they have a problem with alcohol or drug misuse. In the first instance, individuals will be encouraged to seek help from their General Practitioner.

The Foundation will also support other efforts to obtain treatment or attend counselling (with CGL) or support groups (such as AA).

Any trainee who seeks the assistance of The Foundation in finding treatment for a drugs or alcohol problem has the Foundation’s complete assurance of confidentiality.

Some useful links to websites are provided below:

• Alcoholics Anonymous Tel 0845 769 7555 www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

• ACAD (Advice and Counselling on Alcohol and Drugs) www.acad.org.uk • FRANK Tel 0300 123 6600 (24 hours) www.talktofrank.com • NHS (Information and advice from the National Health Service) www.nhs.uk

We expect you to behave in a respectful and civilised way at the Foundation. Good attitude and behaviour are equally important in the House and at work. Please respect your surroundings and keep them clean & tidy. The following rules apply to all trainees at the Foundation. They are in place for your own health, safety, welfare and development. Breaking rules will lead to disciplinary measures and may result in your placement being ended: 1. No drugs or alcohol on site. And you must NOT return to site intoxicated at any time. The possession or taking of drugs or other substances (except those prescribed by your own doctor) is prohibited. Random drug tests may take place. (See Drug and Alcohol Policy for more details, sanctions etc.) 2. No offensive weapons of any kind are allowed on site. 3. No criminal activities of any kind will be tolerated. 4. No abuse, bullying or discrimination towards staff or other trainees. This includes acts of intimidation, threat and cyberbullying. 5. No smoking or vaping in any building or whilst travelling in company vehicles. You will be suspended. Smoking will usually result in ending of placement. 6. Smoking and vaping is ONLY allowed in the outside allocated smoking areas. 7. Purchasing smoking or vaping products for others on shop trips is not allowed. 8. No selling, gambling, lending, or borrowing of money or goods or personal items. 9. Your possessions are your responsibility. The Foundation will not accept responsibility for any loss or damage during your placement. When you leave the Foundation, if you do not collect your belongings within one month, they will be disposed of. 10. Vandalism and damage will be charged. 11. No work boots to be worn in the Main House or Coach House. 12. No other trainees are allowed in your bedroom. No trainees from other accommodation are allowed near to or inside Coach House/Cottages. Trainees in Main House & Coach House must not enter other accommodation corridors. 13. No tools allowed in bedrooms, including penknives – do not bring work tools back from work. 14. No personal possessions allowed that have an electrical element or filament e.g. fan heater, toaster, kettle 15. You are expected to shower and change before the evening meal. 16. Clothing must be worn in all communal areas. This includes a shirt or a vest that goes over the shoulders. Gym wear must be worn in the gym, including a top and trainers. At work you must wear your uniform. 17. If you go for a walk or leave the site for any appointments, visits etc. you MUST arrange with the House Staff and report to them IN PERSON when you leave & return. With permission from the House Staff, you may go off site to visit with family, guardians or support workers in the evenings between 5.15 – 10.00pm. Anyone coming onto site for you MUST report to House Staff in person. 18. Onsite trainee (romantic/sexual) activities or relationships are not allowed. This includes cuddling and other prolonged physical contact. 19. It is your responsibility to be at work, ready to start, at 8:45am. 20. Last cigarette is at 10.15pm; on landing/in Coach House Lounge by 10.30pm; in your own room by 11pm. Quiet is then expected. Use headphones for TVs, gaming, music, phone calls etc so others can sleep. 21. Motorbikes, mopeds, electric scooters and bicycles are not permitted on site under any circumstances. 22. With permission, you may drive your car to the site. You must hand in your key. You cannot use your car during the week. If you re over 18, you may give other over 18 trainees a lift to or from the site, but only with express permission from House Staff on each occasion. 23. You MUST wear a seatbelt when in Foundation vehicles. If you don’t you will receive a Written Warning. 24. All trainees must return to the Foundation before 10:00pm on Sunday evenings. All trainees must sign-in in person when they arrive on site. It is your responsibility to check/arrange transport for returning on Sunday. Problems like planned public transport closures are your responsibility to overcome. – In exceptional circumstances it may be impossible for you to return on Sunday. If this is the case, you must contact the House Staff as early as possible. It is your responsibility to find a way to make contact. Depending on the circumstances, it may or may not be agreed for you to return first thing on Monday. This is at the discretion of the House Staff. If it is agreed that you can return to start work on Monday, it is your responsibility to arrive as agreed and any lateness will be treated as per standard disciplinary procedures. If no contact is made, you are not permitted to turn up Monday morning and must contact the Foundation as soon as possible; at which time the situation will be considered.

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