The Priory School

The Priory School Inspection report for residential special school

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SC038758 Unique reference number 3 March 2009 Inspection date Paul Clark Inspector Key Type of Inspection

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The Priory School Address Pickeridge Close TAUNTON Somerset TA2 7HW 01823 275569 Telephone number

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Email

C Sweeney Registered person Rod Cockram Head of care Christopher Sweeney Head / Principal 18 September 2007 Date of last inspection .

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Email

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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Email

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: The Priory School,3 March 2009

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Brief description of the service

Priory school is a Local Authority provision for boys who are subject to an Educational Statement of Need, within the category of behaviour, emotional and social difficulties (BESD). The school is located on the outskirts of Taunton within a housing development. The boarding house is attached to the school and operates as a separate provision. The boarding provision is used flexibly to meet individual needs, which includes after school activities for a small number of pupils. Pupils can stay for up to four weekday nights each week.

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Brief description of the service

The boarding facility at the school has sufficient single bedrooms, living space and toilet and shower facilities to accommodate up to 10 boys. At the time of inspection the school had 47 boys on roll of whom seven were using the boarding facility. Ages of the boys attending the school range from 11 to 16 years.

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Brief description of the service

Although major building works were planned to begin for the whole school site in January 2008, which was to include a complete refurbishment and upgrade of the boarding provision, this has been postponed by the education authority pending consideration of the school's progress in meeting its educational provision.

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Brief description of the service

The Head of Care acts as the Registered Manager of the boarding facility and the current Head Teacher acts as the Responsible Individual. The Head Teacher is due to leave the school at the end of the next term. The school have been advised that they must inform Ofsted in writing of the name of the replacement Responsible Individual.

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Summary

This two day, unannounced inspection was an integrated inspection carried out by a Social Care Inspector under the leadership of an Education Inspector. Questionnaire surveys were conducted on boarders and parents. The inspection of the Boarding provision included visual inspection of all internal and external parts of the building, scrutiny of policies and procedures, statutory and operational records, staff personnel and training records and young people's case files. The Registered Manager, Acting Head of School, Designated Child Protection Officer, care and teaching staff, Catering Manager, School Governor and young people were interviewed. Care practice was observed. The Social Care inspection included one late night and early morning visit.

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Summary

Young people told the Inspector that they enjoyed being in the unit and that they felt safe and free from bullying. Good relationships were observed between staff and young people. Good policy, procedural and recording systems support the good practice observed. The overall quality rating is good. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

A system is now in place to record when a young person's medication has been returned to their parents and the recording system for the management of the administration of medication now ensures confidentiality.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Young people's health records now contain detailed information on all aspects of their health. 4 of 10 Inspection Report: The Priory School,3 March 2009 Young people's information documents about the boarding provision now contain the contact details of Ofsted.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Recording systems about such events as physical restraints, sanctions, complaints and the actions taken are appropriately monitored by the Head of School or their Deputy.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Staff now date and sign records that they have been trained in, and understand school policies.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Risk assessments are now in place to ensure that potential hazards are identified and guidance action is made known to staff.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Fire safety checks and drills are now carried out at intervals recommended by the local fire authority.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Young people now have Care Plans on their files which make a comprehensive assessment of their needs and which are appropriately reviewed.

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Improvements since the last inspection

A member of the School's governing body now conducts regular welfare monitoring visits to the boarding provision and makes reports and recommendations to the School.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Report notes under this Outcome Group are contained within 'Organisation'.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Report notes under this Outcome Group are contained within 'Organisation'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Report notes under this Outcome Group are contained within 'Organisation'.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Report notes under this Outcome Group are contained within 'Organisation'.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is good. Report notes under this Outcome Group are contained within 'Organisation'.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The quality of boarding at the Priory School is good. Young people enjoy living here, feel safe and enjoy positive relationships with staff. Recommendations made at the previous inspection of boarding have all been implemented. 5 of 10 Inspection Report: The Priory School,3 March 2009 The promotion of equality and diversity is good, evidenced by the attention to personal care needs, balanced gender staff group, diversity of cuisine, sex education programme and policy on dealing with racism.

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Organisation

Children’s health is well promoted, supported by detailed record keeping. Psychological assessment and support for children is facilitated when necessary.

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Organisation

Care staff are trained in the storage and administration of medication, First Aid and Food Hygiene as part of their induction.

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Organisation

First Aid boxes do not contain a list of contents.

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Organisation

A qualified cook oversees well managed catering arrangements. A balanced and nutritious diet is provided which staff and young people comment favourably upon.

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Organisation

Support for children who may bed-wet is discreet and sensitive.

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Organisation

The school has a 'No Smoking' policy for pupils and staff.

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Organisation

Children feel safe and protected from bullying. All relevant policies are monitored through effective recording systems. The school has a designated Child Protection Officer to whom all allegations/disclosures of abuse are referred. The Local Safeguarding Children's Board (LSCB) procedures are available to all staff. Young people stated that behaviour management systems are fair.

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Organisation

Care staff are appropriately trained to drive the minibuses for children’s evening activities. Vehicles are routinely checked and serviced.

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Organisation

Staff recruitment and vetting procedures ensure that young people are cared for by staff who do not present a risk to their safety. The 'Single Central Record' of staff does not record every Criminal Records Bureau check and some of those recorded show that several staff have not been checked for over three years. Visitors sign into the school, wear badges and are not allowed unsupervised access to young people.

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Organisation

Fire safety checks and fire drills are carried out at recommended intervals and staff undertake fire training.

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Organisation

Risk assessments ensure that potential hazards are identified and guidance is made known to staff. A record of staff and young people's accidents is kept.

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Organisation

Boarders are allocated a key worker with direct knowledge of their needs. Care staff occasionally assist teaching staff in class, on school trips/activities and help young people with homework, reading and educational projects.

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Organisation

There are a wide variety of after-school activities available both within the school campus and externally.

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Organisation

There are computers in the boarding house that young people can use for educational purposes, which are appropriately safeguarded. There are a range of musical instruments available, toys and games, plus TV lounge with DVD player and a pool table. Several boys have TVs in their room. 6 of 10 Inspection Report: The Priory School,3 March 2009 Children enjoy an introductory visit (with parents) and trial overnight stay before a decision to board is made. Long term plans are aimed at returning to live and be educated from home. A 'Parental and Family Support Advisor' is employed to help achieve this.

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Organisation

Young people have care plans with comprehensive assessments of their needs which are appropriately reviewed.

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Organisation

Daily meetings between the care staff and boarders take place where they are consulted about choices in the running of the Unit and where daily events and individual behaviour is discussed. Boarders can accrue points and money for good behaviour and there are fair and appropriate sanctions for misdemeanours.

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Organisation

Good relations between staff and boarders were observed.

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Organisation

All boarders may use the unit's telephone to phone their families free of charge and in private. There is regular communication between staff and parents.

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Organisation

Boarders can change out of their uniform after school. The school manages laundry effectively.

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Organisation

There are an adequate number of showers, bathrooms and toilets which are well maintained and which provide privacy. There are stocks of personal requisites/ toiletries should a young person run out.

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Organisation

Although the general standard of the premises and the furnishings and décor is reasonable standard the building is quite old and requires regular updating. Proposed building works to improve the space and facilities in the boarding area have been postponed pending consideration of the school's progress in meeting its educational provision.

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Organisation

'Connexions' Personal Advisors visit the school and assist young people in preparing for independent living.

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Organisation

Although the school has not produced an overall Statement of Purpose there is a Statement in place for the boarding provision. There are information leaflets for young people and parents on the organisation and running of the provision, although these are not dated to show when they are reviewed.

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Organisation

A daily log is completed by care staff, discussed at shift handovers ensuring productive communication between staff. There is good liaison between care and teaching staff.

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Organisation

Staff files are reasonably well ordered. Although there is a comprehensive staff induction programme and an ongoing training programme which addresses key needs, the training records of both care and teaching staff involve retention of loose leaf course certificates and no dated list. Two care staff have an NVQ Level 3 qualification in Child Care, two others are registered candidates. The Head of Care has many years experience in child care and a NVQ Level 3 Qualification in Child Care.

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Organisation

Care staff have 1:1 supervision with the Head of Supervision at least every half term, there are weekly team meetings. Annual personal development plans record staff training and development needs. 7 of 10 Inspection Report: The Priory School,3 March 2009 A member of the School's governing body conducts regular welfare monitoring visits to the boarding provision and makes reports to the School.

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Organisation

The school must ensure that it meets the National Minimum standards currently not met, as detailed below:

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Organisation

ensure that First Aid boxes contain a list of their contents. NMS 14.

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Organisation

ensure that the Statement of Purpose and prospectus for young people and parents are dated to record the frequency of their review. NMS 1.8

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Organisation

ensure that the major building works planned to begin for the whole school site in January 2008 which was to include a complete refurbishment and upgrade of the boarding provision, and which has been postponed by the education authority pending consideration of the school's progress in meeting its educational provision, continues. NMS 23

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Organisation

ensure that at least 80% of care staff have the NVQ Level 3 Qualification in Child Care and that the Head of Care obtains the NVQ Level 4 Qualification in Care Management. NMS 31

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Organisation

construct a dated list of training undertaken on the personnel files of individual staff. NMS 19

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Organisation

ensure that the 'Single Central Record' for all staff at the school records every Criminal Records Bureau check and that staff are CRB checked at least every three years. NMS 27

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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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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that First Aid boxes contain a list of their contents. NMS 14. • ensure that the Statement of Purpose and prospectus for young people and parents are dated to record the frequency of their review. NMS 1.8 • ensure that the major building works planned to begin for the whole school site in January 2008 which was to include a complete refurbishment and upgrade of the boarding provision, and which has been postponed by the education authority pending consideration of the school's progress in meeting its educational provision, continues. NMS 23 • ensure that at least 80% of care staff have the NVQ Level 3 Qualification in Child Care and that the Head of Care obtains the NVQ Level 4 Qualification in Care Management. NMS 31 8 of 10 Inspection Report: The Priory School,3 March 2009

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Recommendations

• construct a dated list of training undertaken on the personnel files of individual staff. NMS

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Recommendations

• ensure that the 'Single Central Record' for all staff at the school records every Criminal Records Bureau check and that staff are CRB checked at least every three years. NMS 27 9 of 10 Inspection Report: The Priory School,3 March 2009

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