Northern Counties School

Inspection report Northern Counties School, 27/02/2017 Page 1 of 10 Northern Counties School Northern Counties School, Great North Road, NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, NE2 3BB

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Inspection dates 27/02/2017 to 01/03/2017

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The overall experiences and progress of children and young people Outstanding

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The quality of care and support Outstanding How well children and young people are protected Outstanding The impact and effectiveness of leaders and managers Outstanding

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The residential provision is outstanding because

 Pupils enjoy their residential experience. They make outstanding progress in all areas of their development.

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The residential provision is outstanding because

 Pupils thrive in an environment that gives them the ability to communicate regardless of their very complex needs.

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The residential provision is outstanding because

 Pupils’ life experiences significantly improve because of the care and opportunities they receive.

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The residential provision is outstanding because

 Pupils enjoy exceptional relationships with staff, who know them very well.

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The residential provision is outstanding because

 Safeguarding is highly prioritised, and immediate action is taken to protect pupils.

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The residential provision is outstanding because

 Pupils’ behaviour and ability to self-regulate their emotions significantly improve because of the care they receive.

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The residential provision is outstanding because

 Leaders and managers are highly ambitious. They continually seek to improve the service in the best interest of pupils.

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The residential provision is outstanding because

 High quality training ensures that all staff have the ability to meet pupils’ very complex needs. Inspection Report Northern Counties School, 27/02/2017 Page 2 of 10

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schools:

The school meets the national minimum standards for residential special schools Inspection report Northern Counties School, 27/02/2017 Page 3 of 10

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Information about this inspection

The deputy headteacher was given around three hours’ notice of this inspection. The inspector worked closely with the head of school, head of residential children’s services and house managers. The inspector spoke to a wide selection of residential staff throughout the inspection. A selection of staff were spoken to alone. Time was spent talking to pupils and observing pupils over two evenings. The inspector joined the teatime routine and evening activities with two groups. The inspector also observed the breakfast routine across all three houses. The inspector met with the head of school, head of residential children’s services and house manager regularly throughout the inspection to feed back, and to evaluate the inspection as it progressed. The inspector also met with a class teacher, the behaviour support team, the speech and language therapist and physiotherapists. The inspector had a phone conversation with the

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Information about this inspection

safeguarding governor. Parental views were collated from the Ofsted Parent View website during the inspection. The inspector also spoke to some parents by phone. The inspector consulted a representative from the local authority safeguarding team, and examined a range of policies and records in relation to the safeguarding and care of residential pupils.

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Inspection team

Jamie Richardson lead social care inspector Inspection report Northern Counties School, 27/02/2017 Page 4 of 10

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Information about this school

Northern Counties is a non-maintained residential special school and is part of the Percy Hedley Foundation. The school provides a specialised environment for the assessment, education, therapy and care of children who have complex communication needs resulting from combinations of hearing/visual impairments, learning difficulties, autism and/or physical difficulties and complex health needs. The school caters for children aged three years to 19 years, and includes post-16 provision. It is situated within easy walking distance of the centre of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and a range of amenities and facilities. The majority of pupils do not access the residential provision. The residential accommodation is available for children who are usually over the age of 10 years who are unable to commute on a daily basis, or who need education, support and management extending beyond the normal school day. The residential accommodation

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Information about this school

consists of four self-contained units, each with its own communal facilities, providing 21 places. The provider intends to apply to register the residential accommodation as a children’s home. This will enable the school to provide year-round accommodation for children. The residential provision was last inspected in March 2016. Inspection report Northern Counties School, 27/02/2017 Page 5 of 10

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Inspection judgements

The overall experiences and progress of children and young people Outstanding

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Inspection judgements

Pupils thrive in this completely child-centred environment which provides integrated care. This ensures that each individual’s very complex needs are understood and met. Pupils enjoy their time in residential care and benefit tremendously from the on-site facilities such as the hydrotherapy pool. They all enjoy social opportunities provided here. One child spoke about liking his friends coming to play, while others were excited to be going trampolining and bowling.

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Inspection judgements

Diversity is celebrated; consequently, each individual is valued as an integral part of the school community. As a result, all pupils, many for the first time, access every part of the 24-hour curriculum in their own way. They make excellent progress with their educational, social and emotional development. One parent commented: ‘He is making great progress. He is more independent there and he can do more at home now.’

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Inspection judgements

Pupils enjoy excellent relationships with staff, who understand and know them well. One member of staff commented: `All staff are so passionate here about children’s care; we all have different skills to be able to help them in every way we can.’ The mix of hearing and non-hearing staff provides pupils with a wealth of experience and positive role models.

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Inspection judgements

Pupils’ communication significantly improves as they are supported by specialist staff with a wide set of communication skills. As a result, staff draw on a raft of communication methods according to each individual’s needs, such as eye gaze equipment, sign language, objects of reference and symbols. This provides pupils with a world of total communication. For some, it is the first time they are able to voice their feelings and opinions. Consequently their identity and self-esteem flourishes.

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Inspection judgements

Pupils enjoy a safe environment, which is adapted around their very specialised needs. As a result, pupils have the opportunity to work on their independence skills. For some, it is the first time they have been able to enjoy some safe time alone. The management team works closely with other professionals to ensure that pupils are safe. One social worker commented: `The school definitely handle safeguarding issues well. They are very good at information sharing.’

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Inspection judgements

The quality of care and support Outstanding

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Inspection judgements

The seamless, integrated approach between residential staff, education, therapy team and health care professionals ensures that pupils’ highly specialised needs are well understood. Pupils’ individual care plans reflect the very bespoke care that each individual child needs. Staff are dedicated to implementing plans and working closely with each other, making sure pupils receive the highest quality care that significantly improves their quality of life.

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Inspection judgements

Staff prioritise pupils’ very specialised physical and emotional health needs. Pupils benefit from the range of on-site services such as the registered nurse, psychologist, Inspection report Northern Counties School, 27/02/2017 Page 6 of 10 physiotherapist and speech and language therapist. As a result, they receive a tailored package of care that enables them to stay healthy physically and emotionally. Because of this integrated support, they all enjoy life and learn.

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Inspection judgements

Staff work hard to ensure that the environment is tailored to meet individual needs. Pupils are encouraged to develop their sense of identity and personalise their own spaces where possible. Staff are able to use a range of skills to seek out pupils’ opinions, likes and dislikes. Staff then follow pupils’ requests. For example staff have made personalised boxes, which contain pupils’ favourite items, and they have purchased a range of swings and a ball pool. This ensures that pupils feel relaxed, settled and happy in residential care.

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Inspection judgements

Staff are dedicated to providing pupils with every opportunity to broaden their life experience. Pupils enjoy excellent on-site facilities such as a park, swimming pool and rebound therapy. In the community, pupils enjoy a range of activities such as local deaf clubs, shopping, meals out, and walking. For some pupils it is the first time they have been able to access activities and go into the community. This is providing them with essential skills for later life. One parent commented: `They have given him life skills. I can take him out shopping now.’

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Inspection judgements

Staff work closely with families. This ensures that families remain a central part of pupils’ planning and care. Where required staff offer home support and help facilitate positive contact. This bespoke support helps pupils and families enjoy quality time together. As a result, family relationships improve and pupils maintain their sense of identity.

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Inspection judgements

How well children and young people are protected Outstanding

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Inspection judgements

Staff know pupils extremely well and demonstrate extensive knowledge of each individual’s needs and risks. Staff effectively use their specialist knowledge to balance keeping pupils safe while successfully providing opportunities for them to develop their life experience and independence.

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Inspection judgements

Individual risk assessments are robust. Pupils benefit from input from a variety of professionals, including the school behaviour support team. This ensures that every risk area is covered and strategies to reduce risk are clear. This helps staff to understand how best to support pupils and keep them safe.

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Inspection judgements

Staff take immediate action to keep pupils safe in response to any safeguarding situation or allegation. The head of residential services and house managers effectively share information with other professionals such as police and social care to keep pupils safe. One social worker commented: `They are very open and proactive in their response to safeguarding. They respond immediately to any issues.’

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Inspection judgements

The regular review of safeguarding training and related policy ensures that staff knowledge and practice continues to evolve to meet the needs of the pupils, to keep them safe. This helps staff to understand their role in relation to the protection of pupils, and gives them confidence in implementing procedures.

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Inspection judgements

Pupils thrive from the structure and routine provided. It offers them a predictable world Inspection report Northern Counties School, 27/02/2017 Page 7 of 10 which helps them to feel secure and safe. Staff are committed to understanding individual pupils. The environment is adapted to their personal needs, and pupils are given the skills to communicate. As a result, pupils’ anxiety lessens and their behaviour significantly improves. Young people feel proud of their achievements. One young person commented: ‘My behaviour has got better from coming here.’ When incidents of challenging behaviour do require physical intervention to keep pupils safe, this involves low-level holds for minimal amounts of time.

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Inspection judgements

An ongoing review of recruitment procedure is improving the vetting of new staff. This ensures that pupils are looked after by safe adults.

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Inspection judgements

The impact and effectiveness of leaders and managers Outstanding

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Inspection judgements

Leaders ensure that residential care integrates seamlessly into the school community. As a result, pupils benefit from consistent approaches and learn essential skills which are reinforced both day and night. The residential provision is exceptionally well managed around the individual needs of each pupil. Senior leaders and house managers have high expectations, and they strive to provide the best possible individualised care for pupils. They are innovative in their approach to understanding each pupil and adapting the care and the environment to meet their needs.

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Inspection judgements

High ratios of experienced and well-qualified staff ensures that pupils’ very complex needs are met. Staff training specifically meets the needs of individuals. This ensures that staff have an outstanding understanding of pupils’ needs and how best to support them. For some, this involves managing a range of complex needs, including potentially life- threatening conditions.

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Inspection judgements

Staff feel extremely well supported by regular supervision and daily contact with their managers. One member of staff commented: `Managers are really supportive here. They actually work with us and you can ask anything anytime. We are one big team.’

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Inspection judgements

Monitoring by school governors provides effective challenge. This helps leaders and managers to monitor progress and focus on their improvement planning. The leadership team is confident about the strengths of this service. Leaders implement research effectively into practice and are highly ambitious to achieve. This enables leaders to demonstrate continual service development.

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Inspection judgements

Leaders and managers maintain exceptional relationships with parents by working in partnership with them, and ensuring that parents remain a central part of children’s lives. Leaders and managers work very closely with a wide variety of other professionals such as paediatricians, specialist mental health services, and diabetes and epilepsy specialists. This ensures that children and young people receive the complex care they need.

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Inspection judgements

This residential provision fully meets its statement of purpose and provides outstanding care for pupils. Inspection report Northern Counties School, 27/02/2017 Page 8 of 10

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What inspection judgements mean

The experiences and progress of children and young people are at the centre of the inspection. Inspectors will use their professional judgement to determine the weight and significance of their findings in this respect. The judgements included in the report are made against ‘Inspections of boarding and residential provision in schools: the inspection framework’.

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What inspection judgements mean

Judgement Description Outstanding A school where the experiences and progress of children and young people consistently exceed the standard of good and results in sustained progress and achievement. The outcomes achieved by children and young people are outstanding and the impact the boarding/residential provision has had in supporting this progress and achieving these outcomes is clearly evidenced. Good A school providing effective services which exceed minimum requirements. Children and young people are protected and cared for and have their welfare safeguarded and promoted. Requires improvement A school where there are no serious or widespread failures that result in children and young people's welfare not being safeguarded or promoted. However, the overall outcomes, experiences and progress of children and young people are not yet good. Inadequate A school where there are serious and/or widespread failures that mean

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What inspection judgements mean

children and young people are not protected or their welfare is not promoted or safeguarded or if their care and experiences are poor and they are not making progress. Inspection report Northern Counties School, 27/02/2017 Page 9 of 10

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School details

Unique reference number 108551 Social care unique reference number SC037591 DfE registration number 391/7004 This inspection was carried out under the Children Act 1989, as amended by the Care Standards Act 2000, having regard to the national minimum standards for residential special schools. Type of school Residential Special School Number of boarders on roll 65 Gender of boarders Mixed Age range of boarders three to 19 Headteacher Joanna Allen Date of previous boarding inspection 15/03/2016 Telephone number 0191 281 5821 Email address j.allen@percyhedley.org.uk Inspection report Northern Counties School, 27/02/2017 Page 10 of 10 guidance 'raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted', which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.uk/ofsted." If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk

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School details

You can use Parent View to give Ofsted your opinion on your child's school. Ofsted will use the information parents and carers provide when deciding which schools to inspect and when and as part of the inspection.

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School details

You can also use Parent View to find out what other parents and carers think about schools in England. You can visit www.parentview.ofsted.gov.uk or look for the link on the main Ofsted website: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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School details

achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children's services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. Further copies of this report are obtainable from the school. Under the Education Act 2005, the school must provide a copy of this report free of charge to certain categories of people. A charge not exceeding the full cost of reproduction may be made for any other copies supplied. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please

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School details

telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to 'Subscribe'.

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School details

T: 0300 123 4234 Text phone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.co.uk/ofsted

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