Peter Symonds College

Inspection report for further education college with residential accommodation: Peter Symonds College 1 Peter Symonds College Peter Symonds College, Owens Road, Winchester, Hampshire SO22 6RX Inspection of residential provision Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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residential accommodation

Peter Symonds College is a sixth form college providing courses for 16- to 19-year- olds and adults. Adult and higher education is on a separate site. Accommodation for 16- to 19-year-old students is in two boarding houses on the campus. At the time of this inspection, there were 67 students boarding.

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good

How well young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The college provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Date of last inspection: 16 October 2018

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding Inspection report for further education college with residential accommodation: Peter Symonds College 2

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Overall experiences and progress of young people: good

Young people enjoy attending the boarding provision. They say it helps them to maximise the opportunities of their college education. They benefit from making new friends and meeting people from a diverse range of backgrounds. Young people receive support from an experienced staff team who get to know them well and understand their individual needs. The boarding houses provide welcoming and inclusive environments. Leaders and managers carefully consider how to match young people with houses and each other. Young people get on well with those they live with.

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Overall experiences and progress of young people: good

Young people receive a range of support from services across the college. Support services are well embedded in the college system, providing support for those who need it. Young people are focused on their learning and future achievement. Staff from boarding and support services help young people to develop the skills and strategies they will need to achieve. If needed, young people receive support with their emotional health, or are signposted to other agencies.

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Overall experiences and progress of young people: good

Boarding staff have strong links with the college nurse, ensuring that they meet young people’s health needs. Staff support young people to independently manage their own health needs. Young people enjoy a range of opportunities to be physically active. This includes a weekly opportunity to visit a local swimming pool and on-site gym access. While there are a range of activities available to young people, they said they would like to have more offered at weekends.

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Overall experiences and progress of young people: good

Young people elect representatives to attend boarding meetings. This gives them the opportunity to share views and provide feedback. However, responses from staff do not always address the issues raised and are not always clearly communicated. This leads to students feeling matters are unresolved. In particular, students have raised frequent comments about the food provided in the evenings, with no real change seen.

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How well young people are helped and protected: good

Young people say they feel safe and know how to seek help if they have worries. They identify staff they would speak to if they had concerns. Young people said there are creative strategies in place to improve safety, for example, location-sharing through their mobile phone when walking home. Young people receive education on topics such as smoking, emotional health and well-being. They know and understand the expectations placed on them in the boarding provision. As such, there are few concerns with behaviour and young people accept any consequences imposed.

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How well young people are helped and protected: good

Staff understand how to keep young people safe. They know who the safeguarding leads are and how to report concerns. Safeguarding leads take action to ensure Inspection report for further education college with residential accommodation: Peter Symonds College 3 young people’s safety. Detailed records show that information-sharing takes place in a timely way with relevant professionals. Following any incident or concerns, young people’s safety in boarding is supported through clear processes.

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How well young people are helped and protected: good

Health and safety in the boarding provision is a priority for the college. Leaders and managers ensure that their statutory responsibilities are met and the boarding houses are safe. Safer recruitment processes are used to employ staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The head of boarding is committed to providing a high-quality boarding experience for young people. They are open to feedback from young people and staff to identify where there is scope for change and boarding can be further developed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive training in areas such as safeguarding, mental health awareness, first aid, and health and safety. When needed, specific training is provided, for example, around health conditions. Staff say they are well supported and can speak with senior staff if needed. They feel listened to and that their views are important. However, records do not yet show consistent, regular supervision for all boarding staff. This means they do not have a regular opportunity to reflect on the needs of the young people and the support they offer. Staff receive annual appraisals.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have high expectations for young people. They monitor progress across both education and boarding. Clear recording systems help staff to deliver consistent care for young people. However, key conversations that staff have with young people are not always recorded. This means it is not always clear what support young people receive on specific issues.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers regularly review and update policies and procedures. Governors have oversight of these documents before publication. However, some policies contain reference to outdated guidance or use terminology that has changed. Inspection report for further education college with residential accommodation: Peter Symonds College 4

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Points for improvement

 The college leaders should ensure that staff are provided with regular opportunities for reflective supervision that discusses the needs of the young people.  The college leaders should ensure that records held for the young people reflect conversations which show the support offered to them.  The college leaders should ensure that policies are reviewed alongside relevant statutory guidance so that they contain up-to-date information.  The college leaders should ensure that young people are given clear feedback about issues they raise and how their concerns will be addressed.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of 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 further education college with residential accommodation: Peter Symonds College 5

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accommodation details

Social care unique reference number: SC062851

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Inspectors

Clare Nixson, Social Care Inspector Jennie Christopher, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for further education college with residential accommodation: Peter Symonds College 6 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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