Sounds like the unit needs to go back to really basic basics. It's essential that staff all be on the same page so that there is none of this triangulation. Again, expect the kids to rebel as you guys tighten things up, but once they realize everyone is consistent, it should start to get more manageable at least.
Schedule - should be written in stone and posted about the unit so clients (and staff) have that visual cue.
Rules - again, should be written in stone and posted about the unit. You need to make sure staff have got rules down cold, and are on board with them.
Rewards - first Residential Treatment Center (RTC) used video games/extra TV time/outings as rewards. Again, visual cues on the unit to remind the kids what they're working toward. Probably *NOT* a tally by client on the general unit, but perhaps in their room (if they're in private rooms) or in other relatively private area so kids and staff can keep track. My son's Residential Treatment Center (RTC) had a separate room on the unit where video games were set up, to minimize distraction/acting out by clients who didn't make goals. I'd start first with- really small increments, i.e. girls who can do breakfast without a meltdown gets X number of minutes of video games (or whatever), then girls who can get thru morning hygiene (always a major trigger on my son's unit) get X minutes (or whatever the reward is), etc.
The only consequence my son's unit had was an LSI. He would have to stay in his room (except for school and meals) until he completed it. Now, my son was the poster child for oppositional/defiant - he would end up with- literally stacks of LSIs. I asked him today about them and he said that most of the time he waited staff out. According to him, they could only have him on room restriction for 30 days (?? I'm not too sure about the length of time, think he's mis-remembering, it was probably a week), but occasionally there'd be something good going on and he would get them done. Then he would have to sit down with- staff to review LSI, and then he would be off restriction (until the next time).
He said the one thing that really bothered him, though, was when staff would be nice to him during/after one of his meltdowns. At a bare minimum, it's absolutely essential that staff *not* react emotionally to the kids' provocations. No anger, no impatience - those are like throwing gasoline on a fire. It takes an iron will, but even here at home I saw for myself that when I stopped reacting and just remained neutral, he did not get the same payoff. Ticked off mommy? Huge payoff for him. Works the same way with- staff.
It's all about control and manipulation and divide-and-conquer for these kids. Chaos is their friend.