LVS Hassocks

LVS Hassocks London Road, Sayers Common, Hassocks, West Sussex BN6 9HT 23 April 2018

p.1

Main inspection findings

The overall experiences and progress of children  Individual healthcare plans are now thorough and detail individual children’s needs. Staff share plans with other professionals as required. Plans detail and explore specific needs with clear protocols and procedures in place to manage complex healthcare needs. Very clear records are maintained and there has been a positive impact with the availability of additional health staff. Staff manage medication well, with clear processes and procedures in place to manage medication from its arrival and to leaving the school. There has been a reduction in medication errors since the new process has been in place.  Staff have improved practice to support children with impaired communication and enable them to have their voice heard. Staff gave very good examples of direct work with young people, although they have not, as yet, recorded these sessions. Staff have acted on and listened to young people’s complaints and taken

p.1

Main inspection findings

appropriate action. Leaders and managers have not yet altered or reviewed the complaints policy to ensure that it is accessible for all, or considered how those with impaired communication may share their views.  The independent listener is present more frequently in the school. This enables young people to develop relationships of trust and understanding of this person, with the aim of encouraging young people to share concerns as they arise.

p.1

Main inspection findings

How well children are helped and protected  Leaders have reviewed their use of locked doors, door alarms and other forms of restriction or surveillance of young people. They have written to parents and others to gain their consent for the use of door alarms on bedroom doors at night; currently, not all parents have provided this consent. Managers have completed a general risk assessment for the use of door alarms which is now due for review. Staff have updated ‘The Young Person’s Residential Handbook’ which details the use of door alarms.  Leaders, managers and staff have improved how and when they raise concerns with the school designated safeguarding leads. Records evidence that this occurs in a timely manner, with external referral when required. Staff have thoroughly explored matters of concern, for example when a young person’s behaviour changes. The quality of records has improved, though each individual concern does

p.1

Main inspection findings

not benefit from a front sheet and chronology clearly stating dates, concerns, actions and outcomes, and this inhibits its evaluation and oversight.  Leaders have referred concerns and allegations to external safeguarding professionals. They have applied a low threshold to this, often seeking advice and Inspection report: London Road, Sayers Common, Hassocks, West Sussex BN6 9HT – 23 April 2018 Page 2 of 6 guidance rather than a referral requiring additional intervention. Records detail actions completed, but not a review and evaluation to consider further lessons learned.  Managers have completed a risk assessment which explores staffing levels at night and strategies in place to manage and minimise risk. This risk assessment requires an update and review to ensure that it is clear and explores all proactive risk management strategies used.

p.1

Main inspection findings

The effectiveness of leaders and managers  A full board of governors is established and in operation. The governors have developed their oversight, challenge and scrutiny applied to the senior leadership of the school. They have received training to develop their understanding of their roles and responsibilities. Governors are designated areas of responsibility, including a governor who is responsible for the residential provision. Governors complete regular visits to the school and residential facility with clear aims and objectives. They compile written reports that detail findings of their visit, though they do not detail an evaluation or view of their findings.  The headteacher provides written reports that detail and summarise her evaluation and findings of the areas which she monitors, and there is also evidence of governor’s scrutiny.  Staff have not received regular effective supervision. Leaders have an aspirational

p.2

Main inspection findings

plan that is not currently fully operational or embedded.  The recent independent visits to the school are robust and detail clearly areas to review, develop and improve. There was a delay in appointing a new visitor and so four more visits are required before the end of the summer term.  Senior leaders and managers have reviewed and improved the ways in which they communicate with parents, and there is an increase in the type and variety of opportunities available for parents and carers to visit and communicate with the school their views and concerns. These include the regular newsletters, a parent council and parent questionnaires.

p.2

Main inspection findings

 Inspection report: London Road, Sayers Common, Hassocks, West Sussex BN6 9HT – 23 April 2018 Page 3 of 6

p.2

Compliance with national minimum standards for residential special

schools. Standards that were not met at the previous inspection  Children have clear, individual health and welfare plans containing relevant health and welfare information provided by parents/carers which record significant health and welfare needs and issues (NMS 3.12).  Use of surveillance equipment does not intrude unreasonably on children’s privacy (NMS 5.8).  Arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of children at the school (NMS 11.1).  A governing body/proprietor monitors the effectiveness of the leadership, management and delivery of the boarding and welfare provision (NMS 13.1).  The issues specified in Appendix 3 are monitored and action taken to improve outcomes for children as appropriate (NMS 13.9).

p.3

The school now meets all the national minimum standards for residential

special schools. Inspection report: London Road, Sayers Common, Hassocks, West Sussex BN6 9HT – 23 April 2018 Page 4 of 6

p.3

School details

Unique reference number 1024952 Social care unique reference number SC388553 DfE registration number 938/6267 Inspection number 10049164 The inspection of residential provision 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 School status Independent residential special school Age range of pupils Eight to 19 years Gender of pupils Mixed Number of pupils on the school roll 56 Number of boarders on roll 14 Headteacher Terry Kelly Head of residential provision Kirstie Hayes

p.4

School details

Telephone number 01273832901 Website http://www.lvs-hassocks.org.uk/ Email address info@lvs-hassocks.org.uk Date of previous residential inspection 12-14 September 2017

p.4

Information about this school

 The school is an independent residential special school located in a rural location on the outskirts of Brighton.  The school provides education and care for children and young people who have special educational needs.  Residential pupils are weekly boarders. Residential accommodation is located over two house areas on the main school site. Currently, there are 14 residential pupils, two of which spend two nights a week at the school. Inspection report: London Road, Sayers Common, Hassocks, West Sussex BN6 9HT – 23 April 2018 Page 5 of 6

p.4

Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. The purpose of the inspection was to monitor the progress the school has made in meeting the national minimum standards that it was judged to not comply with at its previous inspection.  The inspectors reviewed documents and records, spoke with staff, senior leaders and young people.

p.5

Inspection team

Amanda Maxwell, lead inspector Social Care Regulatory Inspector Sarah Olliver Social Care Regulatory Inspector 9HT[Add inspection date(s)] guidance ‘Raising concerns and making a complaint about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/publications/complaints-about-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 .

p.5

Inspection team

Parent View 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. 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/government/organisations/ofsted .

p.6

Inspection team

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, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-

p.6

Inspection team

government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection team

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection team

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

p.6