Lexden Springs

Inspection report for residential special school - Lexden Springs 1 Lexden Springs Winstree Road, Colchester, Essex, CO3 0PZ Residential provision inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this residential special school

Lexden Springs is a community special school. It is a day and residential special school that caters for pupils with special educational needs, severe learning difficulties, profound and multiple learning difficulties and autism.

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Information about this residential special school

There are 284 pupils on roll. The number of residential pupils is currently 14. Residential pupils can board between Monday and Friday for up to four nights. The residential provision can accommodate up to 30 children in six purpose-built houses situated in the school grounds.

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Information about this residential special school

The residential provision opened in October 2020. The head of care was appointed in September 2019 and has the relevant qualifications and experience to run the provision.

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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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inadequate

How well children and young people are helped and protected inadequate

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inadequate

The effectiveness of leaders and managers inadequate

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inadequate

There are serious and/or widespread failures that mean children and young people are not protected or their welfare is not promoted or safeguarded and/or the care and experiences of children and young people are poor.

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inadequate

Overall judgement at last inspection: good Inspection report for residential special school - Lexden Springs 2

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inadequate

There are shortfalls and failures in the safeguarding responses from staff, managers and designated safeguarding leads. Consequently, the residential provision’s overall judgement is inadequate. Despite these shortfalls, children have positive and enjoyable experiences.

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inadequate

The lift in one house has not worked for several weeks. Actions taken to resolve this issue, have been unsuccessful. Managers have failed to think creatively about alternative options. This has meant that on several occasions one child has not been able to access the residential provision.

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inadequate

Children’s engagement in the community is limited. Community-based activities have to be arranged in advance using an online system to plan and approve the activity. This system means that spontaneous outings and opportunities for children to experience a variety of social settings outside the school are restricted.

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inadequate

Faith-based activities are not regularly planned for the children, which limits their opportunities to explore different faiths and religious beliefs during their residential time.

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inadequate

The accommodation is spacious and planned to meet children’s recreational and leisure interests. Children have access to a wealth of specialist toys and sensory equipment. The school site provides the children with access to outdoor play areas, a cycling area and soft play. The local youth club is popular with the children who stay in residence on a Monday.

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inadequate

Children enjoy the residential provision. The relationships between the staff and the children are strong and established. The staff have natural and warm interactions with the children that help the children to feel at ease. Consequently, children develop a sense of security and the stability that they need to make progress.

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inadequate

Staff understand the children’s communication needs. They use pictures, symbols and social stories to help children express themselves. Communication aids are available to the children throughout the houses. This increases the opportunity for all of the children to make choices, express their views and initiate interactions.

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inadequate

Parents are positive and complimentary about the residential provision. The children enjoy coming, and they benefit from building independence and confidence in being away from their homes.

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inadequate

School attendance for children who stay in residence is good. The communication between education and residential staff provides continuity of care for the children. Inspection report for residential special school - Lexden Springs 3 This collaborative working ensures that the children are provided with consistency and stability.

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

Staff, managers and designated safeguarding leads have failed to follow the school’s safeguarding policy. Safeguarding concerns have not been escalated immediately. On several occasions, staff have failed to take prompt action to establish the cause of bruises or unusual marks on a child’s body. As a result, effective measures to reduce these risks have not been identified or implemented. Inadequate responses to concerns and a failure to respond to significant risks have meant that children are not sufficiently protected.

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

Staff have failed to act appropriately in response to several safeguarding concerns. Concerns about a child’s contact with an unsuitable adult were not communicated to the relevant professionals, despite staff being aware of the risk. As a result, the risks were not explored, leaving the child at risk of potential harm.

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

Safeguarding concerns are not consistently recorded or followed up. Despite receiving multiple reminders from senior leaders, staff have failed to record concerns and detailed conversations with parents. This lack of detailed records reduces the effectiveness of scrutiny and oversight.

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

Electronic incident reports are detailed and record causes, triggers and behaviours. However, a considerable number of incidents were not investigated or actioned before the incident report has been closed by senior staff. Poor understanding of incidents means that any lessons that could support staff to better manage incidents are being missed.

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

The staff use social stories and symbols to help the children understand safety. One child has been supported with his understanding of safe behaviour in the kitchen. Consistent communication and planned reintroductions to difficult situations help build children’s confidence and safety awareness.

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

Children have high levels of supervision. Bullying is not an issue in the residential provision. Restraint is not used because staff are skilled at de-escalation. The staff use their knowledge and relationships with the children to encourage positive behaviours.

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

Good risk assessments for children’s individual behaviours are in place. They refer to appropriate control measures to reduce risk. The risk assessments are developed in conjunction with the school staff and are regularly updated. As a result of this integrated approach, children’s awareness of safety is increased.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The shortfalls in the monitoring and scrutiny of safeguarding concerns have led to a judgement of inadequate. Internal and external monitoring systems have failed. Inspection report for residential special school - Lexden Springs 4 Some of the issues found at the inspection had not been identified by senior leaders, managers, the governing body or the external monitoring visitor.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The staff have access to a range of training courses. However, some of the staff do not hold the relevant level 3 qualification and are not working towards this within the required time frame. This does not ensure that staff are gaining the knowledge and qualifications required for their roles.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The head of care is experienced, approachable and supportive. She regularly works on shift and acts as a positive role model for the staff. She uses her knowledge of the children to provide a range of onsite activities that the children enjoy. Parents provided positive feedback about the quality of care and good communication.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The staff said that they feel supported and have confidence in the head of care. The staff meet regularly as a team and prioritise the needs of the children. Their commitment to enriching the children’s experiences is evident in the quality of the care provided.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Two points for improvement raised at the last inspection have been met. Health and safety records and the management of recruitment records have been improved. One point for improvement raised at the last inspection is not met; this is in relation to ensuring that incidents are suitably explored and reviewed before the record is closed. Inspection report for residential special school - Lexden Springs 5

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special schools

The school does not meet the following national minimum standard(s) for residential special schools:

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special schools

 The school should ensure that: - arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school; and - such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State. (Residential special schools: national minimum standards 13.1)  Accommodation is well lit, heated and ventilated, cleaned and maintained, and reasonable adjustments are made to provide accessible accommodation for any children with disabilities. The accommodation contains suitable specialist facilities and equipment to support the specific needs of children with disabilities. Any specialist equipment should be well maintained and safe, and staff should have appropriate training to operate it. (Residential special schools: national minimum standards 9.4)  All existing care staff have attained a relevant minimum level 3 qualification or have qualifications which demonstrate the same competencies. All new staff

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special schools

engaged following the commencement of the 2015 standards hold these qualifications or begin working towards them within three months of confirmation of employment and complete the qualification within two years. (Residential special schools: national minimum standards 26.2)  Schools should create and make accessible a stimulating environment to encourage children to develop their emotional, intellectual, social, creative and physical skills in a developmentally appropriate way taking account of any special needs. This should include daily living skills, independence, health and employment skills needed by the child for their likely future living arrangements, taking account of their needs and in line with any EHC plan. These activities are described in the SEND Code of Practice under supporting successful preparation for adulthood. (Residential special schools: national minimum standards 23.1)

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P oints for improvement

 School leaders should ensure that incidents are investigated and actioned before the incident review is closed by senior staff.  School leaders should ensure that children experience faith-based activities in the residential setting. Inspection report for residential special school - Lexden Springs 6

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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 - Lexden Springs 7

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Residential special school details

Social care unique reference number: 2582228

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Residential special school details

Type of school: Residential special school

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Residential special school details

Email address: simonwall@lexdensprings.essex.sch.uk

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Inspector

Rachel Watkinson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for residential special school - Lexden Springs 8 regulates and inspects 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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