Wyre Forest School

Inspection report for residential special school - Wyre Forest School 1 Wyre Forest School Wyre Forest School, Habberley Road, Kidderminster, Worcestershire DY11 6FA Residential provision inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this residential special school

Wyre Forest School is a special school for children and young people with a broad range of needs, including physical, social, emotional and learning difficulties. The school is a local authority service and is directly responsible to a governing body. The residential aspect of the service operates from Monday to Friday and can accommodate up to 15 children and young people. There were 15 children and young people staying in residency at the time of the inspection.

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

outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

p.1

outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

p.1

outstanding

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.

p.1

outstanding

Date of previous inspection: 14 February 2023

p.1

outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding Inspection report for residential special school - Wyre Forest School 2

p.1

outstanding

Parents of children are extremely complimentary about residency and how the flexibility of the service provides the right support for them at the right time. Leaders take great care to plan children’s stays according to the individual needs of children and their families. One parent said that being able to stay in residency has helped their child’s relationship with their siblings to improve.

p.2

outstanding

Staff work hard to ensure that the accommodation is extremely welcoming, warm and nurturing for children. Children’s photos, certificates and belongings fill the children’s bedrooms and the communal living areas and reflect children’s individual hobbies, interests and achievements. An extremely well-maintained environment, inviting decor and the thoughtful organisation of the physical space demonstrate that the children who live there are important, valued and respected.

p.2

outstanding

The quality of the relationships between the staff and children is exceptional. Staff demonstrate an unwavering commitment to the children and speak about them with love, warmth and enthusiasm. Children are incredibly positive about the care that they receive. The relationships between the adults and children are warm, affectionate and loving. Children have built strong and trusting relationships with the staff who care for them. This helps children to feel safer and relaxed in their surroundings. Children receive high-quality care that makes them feel valued and secure.

p.2

outstanding

Children make excellent progress in developing their skills and abilities. For example, children enjoy swimming and are supported to develop their confidence and skills when accessing water. Staff make a considerable effort to help children develop their independence skills, including being ready for employment. Staff help children to create a CV and apply for jobs on the school site. When children are selected for an interview, staff provide invaluable support to them to prepare for and attend the interview. As a result, some children have secured jobs. Children’s progress is celebrated, and children are given rewards for their achievements. As a result, children feel a sense of pride. The support of staff helps children to grow their skills, experience new opportunities and to thrive.

p.2

outstanding

Staff are passionate about helping children to have wonderful experiences. Children attend a youth club in the local community, and they also have pen pals from another school. Children also benefit from taking part in swimming, parties with other schools and bicycle riding. Children are helped by staff to develop their own individual interests and hobbies. The service has a large open outdoor space that is available to children. This includes a bike dirt track, play area, forest school and go-kart area. Children play harmoniously and have a delightful experience. Inspection report for residential special school - Wyre Forest School 3 The support for young people leaving the service post-18 is excellent. Dynamic and collaborative working between education and care staff to track progress helps the partnership to understand how children can be best supported when they are ready to move on. The process of moving on is very focused on the young people, and

p.2

outstanding

great care is taken to ensure that young people are fully involved in the process. Once young people move on, the staff team continues to provide support and advocate on their behalf.

p.3

outstanding

Children are supported by staff to understand their routines in the home. Children have a sound understanding of what to expect during their stay and can confidently share this with others. Children move between residence and school seamlessly. Staff predict when children may struggle in the morning and respond to this supportively. Children make excellent progress with their learning as a result of solid working relationships between the staff in residency and school staff. Team around the child meetings, which include parents, help the residential staff to understand each child’s learning journey and how the child can be helped to continue with their learning through homework and other educational activities.

p.3

outstanding

Staff are dedicated to ensuring that children’s health needs are always met. Staff receive training as needed to meet individual children’s complex health needs. Consequently, children receive the healthcare that they need. The support of staff has ensured that one child has developed their skill and understanding of how to manage their own health needs. This work has not only impacted positively on the day-to-day experiences of this child but also on those of their family, as the child is now able to take greater responsibility for their healthcare.

p.3

outstanding

Staff ensure that keeping children safe is a priority. Regular safeguarding training ensures that staff are aware of children’s vulnerabilities and that they are vigilant to safeguarding concerns. The recording, reporting and monitoring of safeguarding concerns by staff and managers are highly effective and ensure that any emerging concerns are identified and responded to promptly. Excellent communication and effective multi-agency working avoid delay and ensure that children are protected from harm.

p.3

outstanding

High-quality risk management plans and risk reduction plans mean that staff have a strong understanding of the children, their individual needs and how to reduce any risk. This ensures that children get the support that they need at the earliest opportunity.

p.3

outstanding

The depth and consistency of the relationships that children have with staff help children feel secure. This means that the use of physical intervention is rare. Staff work hard to support children to understand their behaviour. For example, for one child, the dedicated attention of staff in helping the child understand the triggers for their behaviour has helped the child to regulate their emotions and develop a clear Inspection report for residential special school - Wyre Forest School 4 sense of safety. Consequently, the child is happier and safer, and incidents have reduced.

p.3

outstanding

Children feel happy and safe when they stay in residence. Staff make a significant effort to make sure that children know how to make a complaint should they need to. Each child is provided with information about the complaints process in their preferred communication style. There have been no complaints from children.

p.4

outstanding

Restorative practice that focuses on good behaviour and building and maintaining positive relationships means that consequences are rare. Children behave exceptionally well and appreciate each other’s differences. Children are supported to understand what constitutes bullying behaviour and how they can raise concerns should they need to.

p.4

outstanding

Staff help children to develop an understanding of how to keep themselves safe. Creative work about online safety, child exploitation, sexualised behaviour and sexual development has allowed children the opportunity to explore these topics, ask questions and develop their knowledge to improve their safety.

p.4

outstanding

Children live in an environment that is safe and secure. A range of health and safety checks are carried out to assess whether there are any hazards that could pose a risk to children. Children take part in regular fire drills and have personal emergency evacuation plans to ensure that staff know how to safely evacuate the children in case of an emergency.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Since the previous inspection, there has been a change in the leadership team. The school and residence continue to be led by dedicated and inspiring leaders who have the children at the heart of all that they do. The head of care is remarkable and provides inspiration and direction for the team. One staff member said, ‘The manager is amazing – the best manager I have ever had. She can see the positive in everything. She is so passionate about this place; she wants the best for everyone, has time for everyone. She lives and breathes this place.’

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff feel highly supported and valued by the manager. Supervisions take place monthly, and staff said that outside of this, the manager is always available for them. Supervision aids staff development and ensures that staff have the opportunity to reflect on their responsibilities and how they can continually improve the experiences that children have. Staff undertake a wide range of training. This means that they are equipped to meet the needs of children.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders create a culture of enablement and inclusion. Aspirations for children are high. A team ethos of ‘there are no barriers that can’t be overcome’ means that children make continual progress. Leaders will often get involved in morning routines and support the staff team, creating a family feel. The staff are committed and clear Inspection report for residential special school - Wyre Forest School 5 about their responsibilities to children. They work with each other respectfully and supportively to ensure that children have a happy and consistent experience.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The oversight of residency is strong and effective and is undertaken by experienced professionals. Governors carry out unannounced visits at times when the children are in residency, including during the morning and evening. This helps them to be assured that children are being supported effectively. The manager makes effective use of governors’ reports to help the service to further develop. In recent reports, the governors have provided suggestions about how leaders can enhance the home environment to benefit children. Managers have acted quickly in response by making improvements to the children’s communication areas. As a result, children are using the areas more, which is enhancing their ability to share their views, wishes and feelings.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Children’s family members are unanimously happy about the positive impact of residency on their children. One parent said, ‘I cannot fault them. They deal with issues straight away. If they can’t get me on my phone, they will drop me an email. They are always there, whatever problems I have. My child loves their peers; they are mixing well with others.’ Another parent said that their child, who struggles emotionally, is thriving in the home and having positive experiences due to the relationships with staff.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Monitoring systems are of an exceptional standard. Collaborative working with the independent visitor, governors, teachers, external services and families enables regular review of children’s progress and the service delivered. Shortfalls are identified early, and there is a solid understanding about how the service is developing. Learning from research into sensory-based activities, speech and language and sexualised behaviours is implemented in practice. This research-based practice has enhanced children’s experiences and the quality of their stays. Inspection report for residential special school - Wyre Forest School 6

p.5

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 - Wyre Forest School 7

p.6

Residential special school details

Social care unique reference number: SC490122

p.7

Residential special school details

Headteacher/teacher in charge: Rebecca Garratt

p.7

Residential special school details

Type of school: Residential Special School

p.7

Inspectors

Chanel Bryant, Social Care Inspector Marianne Grandfield, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for residential special school - Wyre Forest School 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.

p.7

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.8

Inspectors

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

p.8

Inspectors

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

p.8