Valence School

Progress monitoring inspection residential special school report

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Valence School Valence School, Westerham Road, Westerham, Kent TN16 1QN

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Context of the inspection

This monitoring visit was undertaken following a judgement of inadequate which was given at the full welfare inspection carried out from 27 to 29 March 2017. The progress made in meeting the national minimum standards for residential special schools was assessed.

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Summary of the progress made in implementing the action plan

Inspection Report Valence School, 23/06/2017 Page 2 of 6 A number of the national minimum standards which were breached at the full inspection in March 2017 are now judged to be met. Actions taken to address the other breaches will need time to take effect and these breaches are repeated at this inspection.

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Summary of the progress made in implementing the action plan

Leaders, managers and the governing body have understood and accepted the shortfalls identified at the last inspection. In the days following the inspection in March 2017, the principal and governors instigated audits across key areas of the school. The audits resulted in a comprehensive and detailed action plan which was shared with Ofsted, staff and parents.

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Summary of the progress made in implementing the action plan

Immediate action taken by leaders, managers and the governors focused on improving safeguarding systems and practice. The school sought external professionals to deliver a range of safeguarding training to all staff working at the school. As a result, the staff have an increased knowledge and understanding of identifying and reporting concerns or actual harm. In addition, managers with safeguarding lead roles are better able to make referrals to the appropriate safeguarding agencies. Training from Kent County Council safeguarding and educational bodies has supported the school in achieving this.

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Summary of the progress made in implementing the action plan

The governing body has reviewed its structure and implemented processes to gain a better oversight and improved monitoring of the management and practices in the school. In particular, the role and responsibilities of the safeguarding governor have increased. The recruitment of a suitably experienced assistant safeguarding governor has strengthened the oversight of practice.

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Summary of the progress made in implementing the action plan

Senior leaders and governors have reviewed and improved systems to ensure that they meet standards across the board. However, changes made have yet to fully embed. This inspection found that not all shortfalls had been met as some areas need time to fully have an impact.

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Summary of the progress made in implementing the action plan

Good-quality risk assessments, changes to staffing rotas and spot checks by senior managers have resulted in no child being left unattended during the night. Significant progress has been made in ensuring that complaints are noted, investigated and responded to in a timely manner. Systems for the management of medication errors continue to develop with good joint working between the school and NHS Trust.

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Summary of the progress made in implementing the action plan

Supervision of staff has not been as detailed or as regular as necessary. Increased levels of senior staff visibility and informal conversations are more readily available. Not all staff have regular supervision so opportunities to address practice and individual learning are limited. Despite this deficit, the staff say that they feel more supported and they have reacted positively to the numerous changes put in place. There has been additional staffing drafted in to support the management team to meet the actions required from the last inspection and to cover the absence of the head of care for the residential provision. While this has created extra work for all involved, the school has worked hard to ensure that they can keep the everyday life of the school going and keep parents, students and others informed. The interim management arrangements for the residential provision are suitable. Further changes are planned which will strengthen the

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Summary of the progress made in implementing the action plan

management of the residential provision and safeguarding. Inspection Report Valence School, 23/06/2017 Page 3 of 6

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(residential special) schools:

 NMS 13.1 The school’s governing body and/or proprietor monitors the effectiveness of the leadership, management and delivery of the boarding and welfare provision in the school, and takes appropriate action where necessary.

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(residential special) schools:

 NMS 13.4 The school’s leadership and management consistently fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the standards are met.

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(residential special) schools:

 NMS 13.9 The records specified in Appendix 3 are monitored, and action taken to improve outcomes for children as appropriate.

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(residential special) schools:

 NMS 19.6 All staff have access to support and advice for their role. They also have regular supervision and formal annual appraisal of their performance. Inspection Report Valence School, 23/06/2017 Page 4 of 6

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Inspection team

Liz Driver Lead social care inspector Ruth Coler Social care inspector

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Information about this school

Valence School is a maintained residential special school. The school caters for pupils who have physical disabilities and/or complex medical needs. Currently, 52 residential pupils aged between 11 and 19 years board. They live in eight bungalows. Accommodation is situated within the grounds of the school. The residential provision was last inspected in March 2017. Inspection Report Valence School, 23/06/2017 Page 5 of 6

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School details

Unique reference number 10038219 Social care unique reference number SC041791 DfE registration number 119032

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School details

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 boarding schools.

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School details

The inspection was conducted at the request of the Registration Authority for independent schools in order to monitor the progress the school has made in implementing its action plan following the previous inspection.

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School details

Type of school Residential special school Number of boarders on roll 52 Gender of boarders Mixed Age range of boarders 4 to 19 Headteacher Roland Gooding Date of previous boarding inspection 29/03/2017 Telephone number 01959 562156 Email address rgooding@valence.kent.sch.uk Inspection Report Valence School, 23/06/2017 Page 6 of 6 guidance ‘raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.co.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

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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.co.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 and 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.

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School details

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School details

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School details

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School details

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School details

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

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