Unsted Park School

Progress monitoring inspection residential special school report

p.1

Unsted Park School Castle Care Group, United Regional Office, Munstead Heath Road, Godalming, Surrey GU7 1UW

p.1

Context of the inspection

This monitoring inspection took place to review the school’s progress made against its action plan. The inspection looked at action taken in response to the four national minimum standards (NMS) that were not met at the last inspection in December 2017.

p.1

Context of the inspection

The inspector spent four hours on site, viewing records and meeting with the recently appointed head of care, the recently appointed operations manager for education, the operations manager for the region, who was providing an induction for the operations manager, and the deputy head of school with the lead on inclusion. The acting headteacher is currently away.

p.1

Context of the inspection

The inspector also met with two senior care staff and viewed the accommodation.

p.1

Summary of the progress made in implementing the action plan

The evaluation of the school’s action plan conducted by Ofsted in April 2018 deemed it to be ‘acceptable with modifications’. As a result, the head of care who took up post in April 2018 utilised this, along with the action plan to propose an updated development plan. This plan is clear on what needs to be achieved and by whom, and has realistic completion dates. In addition, he has devised a RAG-rated (that is: red, amber, green) termly evaluation of the residential provision, highlighting areas for development. This aims to: improve staff skills and knowledge; create a better living environment; and improve outcomes for students. Senior residential staff said that staff are now feeling more involved in the service, and have a greater understanding of why they are completing some records and tasks. They also said that staff are more motivated and have welcomed the new approach to leadership from the head of care. As a result of

p.1

Summary of the progress made in implementing the action plan

Progress has been made in reporting and recording safeguarding and child protection concerns. Since the last inspection, eight safeguarding concerns have required referral to partner agencies. Clear chronologies show what the issue was, who it was reported to and when. There was a delay in reporting an incident to the designated officer in the local authority, it was of less than 48 hours and no child was at risk due to the delay. The head of care has noted the delay and has improved reporting procedures since being in post. Inspection Report Unsted Park School, 18/06/2018 Page 2 of 5 Weekly safeguarding team meetings are used to review any concerns and monitor all students who have had any issues over the academic year. Meeting minutes show clear recording of decisions and who is responsible for following these up. Issues arising are scrutinised in the following week’s meeting. The team is developing its links with external

p.1

Summary of the progress made in implementing the action plan

agencies and is sourcing training from specialist services in areas such as sexual exploitation and safer internet and mobile phone use. In addition, the team is seeking to engage parents further to expand their knowledge of internet safety and safety apps to download onto their child’s phone. Residential staff have also received further training in who to report safeguarding concerns to and how to escalate these externally if they feel the school has not responded effectively. As result, NMS 11.1 is now met.

p.2

Summary of the progress made in implementing the action plan

Since the last inspection, all staff who did not already hold a suitable level 3 qualification have been enrolled to complete this. All are making good progress and the head of care receives regular updates from the training provider regarding each staff member’s progress and the percentage of the course completed. This means that NMS 19.2 is now met.

p.2

Summary of the progress made in implementing the action plan

Students’ placement plans have been reviewed and revised since the last inspection. They now contain greater detail and demonstrate better joint working across school departments and services. However, they still lack specific detail on how to support the individual student. Statements remain vague, such as ‘staff to be vigilant and offer support and encouragement’, without describing what support is effective for the student and for what they require encouragement. The head of care has devised a new pro forma for the placement plans, which will result in more detailed plans and increased student involvement in devising them. The plans are much improved, but do not yet meet NMS 21.1.

p.2

residential special schools:

 21.1 The school produces a written placement plan, agreed as far as is practicable with the child, the child’s parents/carers and any placing authority for the child, unless the information is held elsewhere such as in the child’s statement of special educational needs or education, health and care plan. The placement plan identifies the needs of that child that the school should meet and specifies how the school will care for the child and promote their welfare on a day-to-day basis. Where significant changes are made to the placement plan, there is appropriate consultation. Where applicable, the plan is consistent with the care plan of the placing authority for any child placed by a local authority. The placement plan is regularly reviewed and amended as necessary to reflect significant changes in the child’s needs or progress in his or her development. Where feasible, children in the school are aware of the

p.2

residential special schools:

content of their placement plans, and confirm that the school is providing care for them that is consistent with the plans. Inspection Report Unsted Park School, 18/06/2018 Page 3 of 5

p.2

Inspection team

Jennie Christopher Lead social care inspector

p.3

Information about this school

Unsted Park is a residential special school for boys and girls aged seven to 19 years. The school provides day and residential provision for students who have Asperger syndrome. Residential placements are provided in four boarding houses. The residential provision was last inspected in May 2014. Inspection Report Unsted Park School, 18/06/2018 Page 4 of 5

p.3

School details

Unique reference number 135419 Social care unique reference number SC363144 DfE registration number 936/6592

p.4

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.

p.4

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.

p.4

School details

Type of school Residential special school Number of boarders on roll 15 Gender of boarders Mixed Age range of boarders 7 to 19 Headteacher Lucy Wood Date of previous boarding inspection 05/12/2017 Telephone number 01483 892 061 Email address unstedparkschool@priorygroup.com Inspection Report Unsted Park School, 18/06/2018 Page 5 of 5 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 .

p.4

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.

p.5

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

p.5

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.

p.5

School details

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.

p.5

School details

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.5

School details

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.

p.5

School details

To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

p.5

School details

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

p.5