West Kirby Residential School

West Kirby Residential School Inspection report for residential special school

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SC018958 Unique reference number 11 March 2008 Inspection date Nick Veysey Inspector Key Type of Inspection

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West Kirby Residential School Address 107-119 Meols Drive West Kirby WIRRAL Merseyside CH48 5DH 0151 632 3201 Telephone number garethwilliams@wkrs.co.uk Email Board of Governors Registered person Gareth Williams Head of care John Wylie Head / Principal 22 January 2007 Date of last inspection .

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This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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You can obtain copies of The Children Act 2004, Every Child Matters and The National Minimum Standards for Children's Services from: The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Cripins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop

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About this inspection

The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcome for children set out in the Children Act 2004 and relevant National Minimum Standards for the establishment.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is strong Good: this aspect of the provision is sound Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is not good enough Inadequate: 3 of 10 Inspection Report: West Kirby Residential School, 11 March 2008

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Brief description of the service

The school is a Special Educational Needs College for young people with complex and significant behavioural, emotional and social difficulties. Many pupils also have additional learning difficulties and or disabilities, including speech and language, autistic spectrum disorder and associated medical needs. All pupils have experienced major difficulties in mainstream schools and other educational settings. All pupils are of White British heritage. The school has residential provision for up to 30 pupils during weekdays, in term time. There is a variety of boarding arrangements available depending on the needs of the child, ranging from one to four nights each week. The school is located near the centre of West Kirby and is close to bus stops, a train station, leisure centres, swimming pools, youth clubs, shops, the beach, parks and other schools. The most recent report on the educational provision may be obtained at

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Summary

At this unannounced full inspection all the key standards were inspected. This is an outstanding school that meets all the National Minimum Standards. Young people are happy and well looked after by caring, highly skilled and competent staff. The school has a warm friendly atmosphere and children feel listened to, valued and safe. Young people's welfare is enhanced by the staff's excellent understanding of their individual needs and the support they need. Young people are supported to deal with the challenges they face and to play an active part in the community. The school places considerable emphasis on developing young people's independent skills and confidence. All parts of the school are very good at sharing information about young people’s experiences and needs to make sure that they are being cared for properly in a safe and secure environment. The overall quality rating is outstanding. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the Principal was asked to ensure that all the required recruitment checks were carried out before people started work at the school. The school has taken appropriate action to address by carrying out suitable checks with the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and verifying written references.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Young people live in a healthy environment. Their physical and emotional well being is promoted. Young people have clear plans showing their health needs and the arrangements for meeting them. Staff monitor young people to make sure they are healthy by encouraging them to attend routine health checks and by ensuring they get medical treatment when they are unwell. The school has excellent links with specialist health and advisory services to make sure that young people get suitable support with specific health issues such diet, asthma, epilepsy, diabetes, mental health and disabilities. Young people also have access to specialist services in school including physiotherapy, psychology and speech and language therapy. Staff deal with health issues sensitively. They make sure young people get excellent support and advice to promote healthy lifestyles including healthy eating, physical activity and sexual health. Young people

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Helping children to be healthy

4 of 10 Inspection Report: West Kirby Residential School, 11 March 2008 have access to information about healthy lifestyles in different formats including websites such as the Teenage Health Freak. The school places great emphasis on helping young people understand their own health needs and taking appropriate responsibility for managing their physical and emotional well being. There are many excellent examples of young people making significant progress in managing their own personal care. Staff are suitably trained and competent to meet a wide range of individual health needs. Also, staff with first aid qualifications are on duty at all times to make sure appropriate action is taken to safeguard young people in the case of an emergency. The school has robust and thorough systems in place to ensure that the arrangements for medication are safe and promote young people's welfare. Staff make sure that young people only have medication specifically prescribed for them and take it in line

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Helping children to be healthy

with the prescription instructions. Medication is securely stored in a suitable cupboard. Staff keep detailed records of any medicines stored in the school and the administration of medicines to young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Young people feel safe staying at the school and are protected from harm. Staff have created a warm and open environment where people are treated with respect and dignity. Staff respect young people's privacy and confidentiality consistent with good parenting and the need to protect young people. Young people make and receive telephone calls in private and are given space and time to be alone when they wish. Staff fully understand about their roles and responsibilities to promote and safeguard young people’s welfare. They are trained in safeguarding young people including recognising the signs and symptoms of abuse. They provide an exceptionally good level of supervision for young people based on their age and understanding to make sure they are safe in the school and in the community. Also, staff give young people good advice about personal safety. Staff respond appropriately to any serious

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

concerns about young people’s safety and let parents, the police, and Ofsted know about serious events involving young people. The school keeps detailed records about any concerns regarding young people's safety, including any accidents and the actions taken in response. The school makes sure that young people have access to information about their rights and how to deal with their concerns through the complaints procedure. Young people know how to make a complaint if they are unhappy. The school keeps a written record of any complaints and the action taken to deal with them. No complaints have been made about the school since the last inspection. Ofsted has not received any complaints about the school. Young people feel the school is good at dealing with bullying. The majority of young people have not experienced bullying. Young people who have had difficulties with bullying said that staff had given them good advice and sorted the problem out. For example, a young people said, 'I have

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

been bullied but staff dealt with it well and made me feel safe'. Staff use highly effective communication skills to encourage young people to develop socially acceptable behaviour. They place great emphasis on building positive relationships with young people and understanding young people’s behaviour. Young people have clear and consistent boundaries and know what is expected of them and what is unacceptable. Staff praise young people when they do well and reward them. They also reassure young people when they are upset and help them deal with their anxieties and frustrations in a positive way. Staff do not condone unacceptable behaviour and assist young people to learn to manage their behaviour and solve problems. Young people live in a safe and secure environment. Staff carry out regular health and safety checks including fire safety systems, to make sure that the school is a safe place to 5 of 10 Inspection Report: West Kirby Residential School, 11 March 2008

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

live. The vetting of visitors and people wishing to work at the school is very thorough to make sure young people are protected.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The residential provision actively supports and promotes young people's education and personal development. Young people get excellent support when they need it. They said, 'I get help with my homework every night and my reading' and 'if I'm stuck staff help me'. Staff see education as important and have created an environment that supports and stimulates young people to learn and study. They make sure that young people are emotionally prepared for school and offer them excellent support if they experience difficulties. Staff encourage young people to develop their social and communication skills by taking part in group activities in school and in the local area. Staff throughout the school are exceptionally good at sharing information with each other about young people's needs and the support they require. Young people said staff are good at 'helping with problems, helping meet my special needs'. They are

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

able to talk to staff about problems and receive individual support when they need it. Staff spend a lot of time individually with young people. There are many excellent examples of young people getting advice and support with a wide range of possible needs, including culture, identity, sexuality, healthy lifestyles, relationships, dealing with problems, personal and road safety and life skills. The school has well-established links with a range of helping agencies like the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service. Staff actively seek suitable services and support to meet young people's particular needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Young people have thoroughly written placement plans identifying their needs and outlining the arrangements for meeting them. Staff have excellent understanding of young people's individual needs. They put the plans into practice and keep detailed records about young people’s progress and experiences. Young people’s plans are reviewed regularly to make sure that they are up to date and continue to meet their needs. Young people attend review meetings and feel that they are listened to and their views about their lives taken into account. Young people are able to contact families and friends to help them maintain relationships. Staff make sure that the arrangements for contact promote and safeguard young people’s welfare. They work closely with young people’s families to let them know about their progress and involve them in decisions about the care provided. The school places great emphasis on encouraging

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Helping children make a positive contribution

young people to make decisions about their lives and to influence the way the school is run. Young people feel they have a say about what happens through the school council, group meetings and individual discussions with staff. Young people said, 'our views are listened to and dealt with'. Staff are highly skilled at encouraging young people to express opinions, make decisions and contribute to the life of the school. They praise young people for their ideas, encourage young people to listen to other people's views, respect other points of view, and make sure that everyone has the opportunity to say what they think. Staff also encourage young people to think about community issues such as the environment. Young people enjoy sound relationships with staff based on honesty and respect. Staff are helpful and enjoy spending time with young people. They have clear professional and personal boundaries with young

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Helping children make a positive contribution

people consistent with good child care. 6 of 10 Inspection Report: West Kirby Residential School, 11 March 2008

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is outstanding. The school places great importance on preparing young people for adult life. Young people said that the school is good at 'helping independence and preparing you for the future'. Staff are creative and resourceful in building young people's confidence in their social and life skills. Young people are supported to try new experiences and take controlled risks such as using public transport independently to go to college. Young people are encouraged to take more responsibility for themselves suitable to their age and understanding. They routinely learn skills through taking part in the running of the school such as shopping, planning meals, cooking, using money and household tasks. Also, they are encouraged to develop their personal care, safety, organisational and social skills. Young people's preferences are taken into account. They have opportunities to study at colleges and get work experience in areas that interest them.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Young people enjoy homely and comfortable accommodation. The residential accommodation is decorated, furnished and maintained to a high standard. Young people have personalised their bedrooms and have enough personal space to meet their needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The school is professionally and efficiently run by dynamic managers who promote clear vision and values providing a safe and stable environment for the children studying and living there. The school is committed to sustained improvement in the quality of care it provides. Young people know what support they can expect from the school and how they will be looked after. The children's guide provides important information about the school in a way that is easily understood by young people. Also, the school has a clear and accurate written statement for parents and placing authorities of how the school operates and plans to meet young people’s needs. Young people are looked after by highly competent and enthusiastic people, who have suitable skills and experience to meet their needs. The staff reflect the gender and cultural backgrounds of the young people living in the school and provides positive role models for

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Organisation

young people. They are caring and provide a supportive and stimulating environment for young people with a wide range of complex needs. Staffing levels are excellent and consistently meet the needs of young people staying at the school. Staff are well supported on a daily basis and through regular professional supervision. The vast majority of staff have a recognised child care qualification, and staff are able to develop their knowledge and skills through relevant training. The school’s written records provide a comprehensive picture of individual young people’s needs, development and progress. Young people’s records are well written, organised and contain up to date information about them including the relevant documents from placing authorities.

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions, which must be taken so that the registered person meets the Care Standards Act 2000, and the National Minimum Standards. The Registered Provider must comply with the given timescales.

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Due date Action Standard

7 of 10 Inspection Report: West Kirby Residential School, 11 March 2008

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): 8 of 10 Inspection Report: West Kirby Residential School, 11 March 2008

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The intended outcomes for these standards are:

• children live in a healthy environment and the health and intimate care needs of each child are identified and promoted (NMS 14) • children are provided with healthy, nutritious meals that meet their dietary needs (NMS 15) Ofsted considers 14 the key standard to be inspected.

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The intended outcomes for these standards are:

• children’s privacy is respected and information about them is confidentially handled (NMS 3) • children’s complaints are addressed without delay and children are kept informed of progress in their consideration (NMS 4) • the welfare of children is promoted, children are protected from abuse, and an appropriate response is made to any allegation or suspicion of abuse (NMS 5) • children are protected from bullying (NMS 6) • all significant events relating to the protection of children in the school are notified to the appropriate authorities by the head of the school or designated person (NMS 7) • children who are absent without authority are protected in accordance with written guidance and responded to positively on return (NMS 8) • children are assisted to develop appropriate behaviour through the encouragement of acceptable behaviour and constructive staff responses to inappropriate behaviour (NMS 10)

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The intended outcomes for these standards are:

• children live in schools that provide physical safety and security (NMS 26) • there is careful selection and vetting of all staff and volunteers, and monitoring of visitors to the school to prevent children being exposed to potential abusers (NMS 27) Ofsted considers 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 26 and 27 the key standards to be inspected.

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The intended outcomes for these standards are:

• the school’s residential provision actively supports children’s educational progress at the school (NMS 12) • children have ample opportunity to engage in purposeful and enjoyable activities within the school and in the local community (NMS 13) • children receive individual support when they need it (NMS 22) Ofsted considers 12 and 22 the key standards to be inspected.

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The intended outcomes for these standards are:

• children are encouraged and supported to make decisions about their lives and to influence the way the school is run; no child should be assumed to be unable to communicate their views (NMS 2) • children have sound relationships with staff based on honesty and mutual respect (NMS 9) • children experience planned and sensitively handled admission and leaving processes (NMS 11) 9 of 10 Inspection Report: West Kirby Residential School, 11 March 2008

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Annex A

• children have their needs assessed and written plans outline how these needs will be met while at school (NMS 17) • in accordance with their wishes children are able and encouraged to maintain contact with their parents and families while at school (NMS 20) Ofsted considers 2, 17 and 20 the key standards to be inspected.

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The intended outcomes for these standards are:

• children can wear their own clothing outside school time, can secure personal requisites and stationery while at school, and are helped to look after their own money (NMS 16) • children about to leave care are prepared for the transition into independent living (NMS 21) • children live in well designed and pleasant premises, which provide sufficient space and facilities to meet their needs • children live in accommodation which is appropriately decorated, furnished and maintained to a high standard, providing adequate facilities for their use (NMS 24) • children are able to carry out their personal care in privacy and with dignity (NMS 25) Ofsted considers the key standard to be inspected.

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The intended outcomes for these standards are:

• children, parents, staff and placing authorities have access to a clear statement of the school’s care principles and practice for boarding pupils (NMS 1) • children’s needs, development and progress are recorded to reflect their individuality and their group interactions (NMS 18) • there are adequate records of the staff and child groups of the school (NMS 19) • children are looked after by staff who understand their needs and are able to meet them consistently (NMS 28) • children are looked after by staff who are trained to meet their needs (NMS 29) • children are looked after by staff who are themselves supported and guided in safeguarding and promoting the children’s welfare (NMS 30) • children receive the care and services they need from competent staff (NMS 31) • children and staff enjoy the stability of efficiently run schools (NMS 32) • the governing body, trustees, local authority, proprietor or other responsible body monitors

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The intended outcomes for these standards are:

the welfare of the children in the school (NMS 33) Ofsted considers 1, 28, 31 and 32 the key standards to be inspected. 10 of 10 Inspection Report: West Kirby Residential School, 11 March 2008

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