Ratcliffe School

Assurance visit report: Orchard Manor School 1 Orchard Manor School

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Orchard Manor School, John Nash Drive, Dawlish, Devon, EX7 9SF

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Information about this residential special school

Orchard Manor School is a local authority provision. It provides education for 183 children, aged three to 19 years and weekly residential care for up to 35 children. It specialises in providing education and care to children with communication and interaction difficulties, autism spectrum disorders and learning needs.

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Information about this residential special school

At the time of this assurance visit, 14 children were residing at the school.

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Information about this residential special school

Previous inspection date: 14 January 2020

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Information about this residential special school

Previous inspection judgement: Requires improvement to be good

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Information about this visit

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), Ofsted suspended all routine inspections in March 2020. As part of a phased return to routine inspection, we are undertaking assurance visits to children’s social care services that are inspected under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF).

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Information about this visit

At these visits, inspectors evaluate the extent to which:  children are well cared for  children are safe  leaders and managers are exercising strong leadership.

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Information about this visit

This visit was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000, following the published guidance for assurance visits.

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Information about this visit

Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills is leading Ofsted’s work into how England’s social care system has delivered child-centred practice and care within the context of the restrictions placed on society during the COVID-19 pandemic. Assurance visit report: Orchard Manor School 2

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Findings from the visit

We identified no serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance visit.

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The care of children

Pupils are well cared for. Staff have developed trusting relationships with the pupils, and at this visit the inspectors observed staff providing them with genuine, warm and nurturing support. All pupils said that they like coming to stay here and that they like the staff.

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The care of children

Pupils said that they feel listened to and that they feel able to speak to staff if they are worried or concerned about something. One pupil told the inspectors that he had contributed extensively to creating a homely environment where he stays and that he is proud of this.

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The care of children

Pupils’ care and support plans clearly identify how their needs are to be met. These comprehensive documents guide staff in how to support the pupils in managing their health needs and matters relating to their ethnicity, gender identity, religious and cultural needs.

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The care of children

Leaders and managers ensured that, during the lockdown period, staff made regular phone calls and, where agreed, had face-to-face contact with the pupils and their families. This demonstrates good partnership working and the school’s desire to ensure that pupils are well. Pupils said that they liked this, and it was good to stay in touch. Pupils have a thorough understanding of how to keep themselves safe in relation to COVID-19 and the importance of social distancing, handwashing and being aware of the signs and symptoms.

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The safety of children

Leaders and managers have learned from previous shortfalls in child protection procedures, and improved procedures informed by this learning are now being followed. Pupils are safe. Pupils said that they feel safe because the staff make them feel safe.

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The safety of children

Leaders and managers provide staff with creative and well-thought-out behaviour support plans and risk assessments. These plans ensure that staff care for the pupils in line with these. Pupils are provided with continuity and consistency in support in managing their emotions and feelings. Assurance visit report: Orchard Manor School 3 Since the last visit, there have been three incidents of physical intervention. These incidents required low-level interventions, and staff took a reasonable response to these. Pupils have not been missing since the last visit to the residential provision in January 2020.

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The safety of children

Fire safety requires further attention to ensure that all fire safety checks are carried out promptly and that all fire safety equipment is maintained in optimum condition.

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Leaders and managers

Since the last visit to the residential provision in January 2020, leaders and managers have taken a focused and determined approach to developing a positive culture across the whole school. Staff said that they feel listened to and that the head of care supports them well.

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Leaders and managers

Staff feel positive about their work. They said that teams across the school work together, especially during the lockdown period. As a result of this, pupils receive consistent care and support.

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Leaders and managers

Leaders and managers have extended their independent oversight of the service. This helps to drive improvement and evidences their commitment to continuously improving the service. As a result of this, an effective action and development plan has been devised to further improve the residential provision.

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Leaders and managers

Leaders and managers take complaints or issues of concern seriously. They respond effectively to these, and clear records are maintained to demonstrate a good audit trail.

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Leaders and managers

Leaders and managers have responded effectively to the shortfalls in the national minimum standards and recommendations made at the last visit.

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Recommendations

 Ensure that all fire safety checks are carried out promptly in each house and that all fire safety equipment is maintained in optimum condition. Assurance visit report: Orchard Manor School 4

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Residential special school details

Social care unique reference number: SC003895

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Residential special school details

Headteacher/teacher in charge : Mark Rose

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Residential special school details

Type of school : Residential special school

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Residential special school details

Email address: mrose@orchardmanor.devon.sch.uk

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Inspectors

David Kidner, Social Care Inspector Michelle Oxley, Regulatory Inspector Manager Assurance visit report: Orchard Manor School 5 to 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.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: http://www.gov.uk/ofsted

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