St Bernard's School

Inspection report for residential special school - St Bernard’s School 1 St Bernard’s School St Bernard’s House, Wood Lane, Louth, Lincolnshire LN11 8RS Residential provision inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this residential special school

St Bernard’s School is a residential special school that has academy status. It provides education and care for 95 children aged from two to 19 years. The school caters for children with a range of needs, including complex and severe learning difficulties.

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Information about this residential special school

During the week, post-16 students access the residential provision for time-limited, intervention, in support of the outcomes identified as part of their education, health and care plans.

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Information about this residential special school

One child routinely stays at the school for part of the week. At the weekend and during school holidays, children access the provision for short breaks. All children who access residential care are on roll at the school.

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Information about this residential special school

Up to six children can be accommodated. At the time of this inspection, four children and young people were resident on each day of the inspection.

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Information about this residential special school

The residential provision is overseen by the principal education and care officer, who has been in the role for a number of years and holds an appropriate level 5 qualification.

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Information about this residential special school

The inspector only inspected the social care provision at this school.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding Inspection report for residential special school - St Bernard’s School 2 The residential special school provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the school contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 23 November 2021

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding Inspection report for residential special school - St Bernard’s School 3

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outstanding

Children thoroughly enjoy their time in residence. They make friendships, take part in a variety of activities and enjoy time to relax, in a safe and comfortable space. The dedicated staff team provides exceptional care. They have an in-depth understanding of how important nurturing relationships are for children. Children are relaxed in the company of staff. Individualised support means that children are at the centre of all decisions and practice. All children have positive experiences and make excellent progress. A social worker said, ‘Progress and outcomes are fantastic.’

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outstanding

The residential provision remains an integral part of the school. There is excellent partnership working between the school, the children’s families or carers and residential care staff. This means that there is consistency for children, enabling them to make great progress in line with their education, health and care plans. For example, post-16 children make significant progress in their practical independence skills, such as being able to make a bed or tidy away after a meal.

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outstanding

Children say they have a voice and are listened to. There is a representative from residence on the school parliament. Positive relationships between staff and children enable open communication. Parents were overwhelmingly positive about the communication residential staff provide in relation to their child’s well-being. Parents’ feedback during the inspection was positive. One parent said, ‘My child loves it there. The staff are fantastic. 100% they are brilliant.’

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outstanding

Transitions are managed very well. During the week, children are eager to start the school day and move with ease between residence and the school building. Children feel comfortable in their surroundings and, for children who find moving between places difficult, support is available. Exceptionally strong links between residence and adult and children’s social care aid children’s positive transitions towards adult care.

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outstanding

The school and residential building have undergone a long period of rebuilding and refurbishment. The result is a light and bright residential building where children feel comfortable and at home. Children can freely access the kitchen, regularly help prepare meals and enjoy eating them in the lounge/dining room. The extension has created two distinct spaces for socialising which give children ample room to enjoy the activities provided by staff. Children have access to a wide range of toys, computers and play equipment. Children enjoy and benefit from this space.

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outstanding

Professionals consistently fed back that communication and safeguarding practice are excellent. Arrangements to safeguard children are highly effective. Staff undertake a broad range of good-quality training in safeguarding matters. Updated training on Inspection report for residential special school - St Bernard’s School 4 any new government safeguarding guidance ensures that staff are always aware of good practice. Staff clearly understand the risks and vulnerabilities of individual children and their role in keeping them safe. Highly effective risk assessments and risk management plans promote children’s safety.

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outstanding

Staff use their positive relationships with children to maintain a sense of calm and ensure that all children can get the most out of their stay. Staff skilfully help soothe children who are in distress. Children’s communication needs are well understood by staff. There is a whole-school approach to positive behaviour management. Staff are committed to finding positive solutions that improve children’s outcomes. This is very effective and there has been no use of physical intervention in residence.

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outstanding

Staff understand the importance of meeting children’s health needs. There is a well- managed system for administering and recording medication safely. Children’s mental health needs are also fully addressed. This is a strength of the service. There is a determination throughout school and residence that children’s mental health needs should be recognised. Staff guide and support children to begin to understand and manage their feelings. Children know who to go to for help if they are struggling with their mental health.

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outstanding

Recruitment and vetting procedures are effective and therefore help protect children from contact with unsuitable people. The physical environment is safe and meets children’s needs. Health and safety is effective. Any matters relating to safety and maintenance are promptly addressed. There is a clear fire safety plan and staff understand what they need to do in an emergency or if the fire alarm should sound. Children would benefit from being reminded more frequently about what they should do if they hear the fire alarm.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The strong and effective leadership team ensures that the school and residential provision are making a real difference to children’s lives. Leaders and managers are inspirational, confident and very competent. They are progressive and forward thinking. New initiatives are introduced and reviewed to ensure that they are meeting the needs of the school. Leaders and managers create a culture of high aspiration for children and have an ambitious vision for what children and staff can achieve.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff say that they are well managed and they feel valued. The school and residential staff teams have a shared vision that puts children at the centre of their practice. The staff team is stable, and many members of staff have worked in residence for several years. No agency workers are used. This promotes consistency for children. A parent said, ‘The staff are amazing. I know my child will be safe, happy and well looked after there.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

All staff are experienced, suitably qualified and have access to regular good-quality supervision and training. There is a comprehensive training and development Inspection report for residential special school - St Bernard’s School 5 programme so that education and residential staff deliver a consistent approach in line with the school’s ethos, aims and objectives. This supports the staff team’s ongoing professional development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The school’s governing body very closely monitors the effectiveness of the leadership and management and delivery of care in the residential provision. All quality assurance information is routinely considered at the governors’ meetings. A clear and ambitious development plan is in place to continue measured growth in the provision based on strengths and clear objectives. This ensures that high standards of practice are maintained across the school and in residence. Inspection report for residential special school - St Bernard’s School 6

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Point for improvement

 School leaders should review children’s knowledge of what they should do if a fire alarm is activated. (Linked to NMS 15.1)

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people using the social care common inspection framework. This inspection was carried out under the Children Act 1989 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with the national minimum standards. Inspection report for residential special school - St Bernard’s School 7

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Residential special school details

Social care unique reference number: SC065118

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Residential special school details

Headteacher/teacher in charge: Lea Mason

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Residential special school details

Type of school: Residential special school

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Residential special school details

Email address: lea.mason@lwf.lincs.sch.uk

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Inspector

Catherine Honey, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for residential special school - St Bernard’s School 8 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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