Ratcliffe School

Inspection report for residential special school - Orchard Manor School 1 Orchard Manor School Orchard Manor School, John Nash Drive, Dawlish, Devon EX7 9SF Residential provision inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this residential special school

Orchard Manor School provides education for up to 180 children aged three to 19 years and weekly residential care for up to 20 children. It specialises in providing education and care to children with communication and interaction difficulties, autism spectrum disorder and learning needs. The school is part of the Special Partnership Trust.

p.1

Information about this residential special school

At the time of this inspection, five children were living at the school in two homes located within the school grounds.

p.1

Information about this residential special school

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

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

The residential special school provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.1

good

Date of previous inspection: 15 November 2022

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good Inspection report for residential special school - Orchard Manor School 2

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children who stay in the residential provision of the school make good progress from their starting points. They progress not only academically but also, for example, in developing confidence and social skills and becoming independent on public transport. This means that some of the children are able to travel independently when visiting their family.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Most of the children have lived at the school for more than four years and have a strong sense of belonging to the school. Children benefit from consistent care from an extremely stable and experienced staff team. This stability helps positive relationships develop between children and those who care for them, leading children to feel comfortable and safe. Parents and professionals were really positive about the impact the residential school has had on their child. They are confident that the staff understand their child and the child’s particular care and health needs.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children spoke positively about their experience at the school, and inspectors observed extremely warm and caring interactions between the children and the staff. In particular, the children like the range of interesting extracurricular activities. These include swimming, completing the Ten Tors challenge, building a model railway, playing on the bike track and going to the cinema. The children enjoy time on their own playing games and told the inspectors that they also, as a group, ‘love’ visiting a favourite restaurant.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Records, including care plans and risk assessments, are kept up to date and reviewed regularly. The inspectors found these records to be personalised, and they demonstrated progress and consultation with the child and the parent. Leaders and managers recognise that these records would be improved by aligning their review dates.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The residential houses are very well equipped, comfortable and homely. There is space for all the children to socialise and have quiet time.

p.2

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Children who contributed to the inspection told the inspectors that they felt safe, and these views were echoed by parents and professionals.

p.2

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

When children move into the residential provision, staff have plans to help support and care for them safely. Matching children to live alongside one another is taken very seriously, and professionals carefully plan the needs of each child. Leaders and managers recognise the importance of making explicit the process of reviewing the matching when a child turns 18. Inspection report for residential special school - Orchard Manor School 3 Risk management is effective and is supported well by comprehensive assessments that are regularly updated. These documents alert staff to the children’s known risks and how to respond to keep children safe, both inside and outside of the residential accommodation. Considering the children’s complex needs and disabilities, the staff are not risk averse.

p.2

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Records capture the varied conversations that the children and staff have to discuss sensitive subjects. In particular, key-worker sessions are used extremely well to help the children understand how to navigate the risks of independence. Relationships between the children and staff are really positive, and they contribute to how well the staff support the children when they are upset or worried.

p.3

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Children do not go missing, and staff do not use physical intervention or restraint within the residential provision.

p.3

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The health and safety lead demonstrates effective oversight across the whole school site. They prioritise routine maintenance effectively. Personal emergency and evacuation plans are in place for those children requiring additional support in the event of an emergency.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Since the previous inspection in November 2022, the senior leadership team has continued to meet the national minimum standards successfully. Development plans from the overall strategic plan set out clearly what needs to be achieved to meet the aim of providing exceptional care. The head of care joined the school in January 2023. She joins a senior team that demonstrates strong leadership. The team is professionally curious and endorses an open culture of learning and challenge.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Senior leaders apply a high degree of reflective and critical management oversight across all records. They have a number of systems and processes in place to assure themselves of the progress, outcomes and overall safety of the children in the school and residential provision.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A key strength of the senior leadership team is the efforts it makes to ensure there is a stable and skilled workforce. Staff feel supported by the leadership team. Established members of staff who have worked at the school for many years continue to be motivated and willing to embrace change and new initiatives.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Senior leaders are visible and supportive in their approaches. Staff report that supervision and training are of a good standard. This helps all staff to remain up to date with current research and practice. Cohesive teamworking is further strengthened by good-quality daily handovers and team meetings. Inspection report for residential special school - Orchard Manor School 4

p.3

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 - Orchard Manor School 5

p.4

Residential special school details

Social care unique reference number: SC003895

p.5

Residential special school details

Headteacher/teacher in charge: Nicola Jones

p.5

Residential special school details

Type of school: Residential special school

p.5

Inspectors

Linda Bond, Social Care Inspector (lead) Sarah Sheffield, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for residential special school - Orchard Manor School 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.

p.5

Inspectors

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

p.6

Inspectors

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

p.6

Inspectors

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

p.6