Richard Huish College

Inspection report for further education college with residential accommodation: Richard Huish College 1 Richard Huish College South Road, Taunton, Somerset TA1 3EA Inspection of residential provision Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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residential accommodation

Richard Huish College provides a wide range of A-level courses, vocational courses and apprenticeships to students aged 16 to 19 years. Boarding accommodation is available for students who live oversees or in England but wish to avoid excessive travel. At the time of this inspection, 51 students stayed in the on-site, purpose-built boarding provision.

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residential accommodation

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

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outstanding

How well young people are helped and protected good

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The college provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the college contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for young people.

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for further education college with residential accommodation: Richard Huish College 2

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Overall experiences and progress of young people: outstanding

The happy and welcoming atmosphere created by staff radiates throughout the boarding provision. Students very much like staying here and have formed long standing positive relationships with each other. Students respect and care for one another, valuing each other’s differences and positively celebrating diversity. Students said that staying in the boarding house is like being part of one big family. Most students commented on the size of the provision, saying they felt it was not too big but just right. They said that they felt this enabled them to really get to know the staff and each other.

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Overall experiences and progress of young people: outstanding

The relationships staff have built with the students are a strength of the college. Students speak with warmth and affection about the staff, who they say care about them and enable them well to reach their goals. Students particularly like that staff treat them with respect and as young adults rather than children. They also appreciate that staff are open to their views and ideas for further development of the college. An example of recent changes made because of listening to students’ views are the changes made to the timing and location of the evening meal. Boarders also now have an oven, air fryers and rice cookers in the boarding house kitchen, which means they can prepare their own meals and snacks.

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Overall experiences and progress of young people: outstanding

The quality of accommodation provided is excellent. Students like their single en- suite rooms and have personalised them with their belongings. Communal spaces are comfortable, well-furnished and enjoyed by students.

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Overall experiences and progress of young people: outstanding

A wide range of enrichment activities are available. These activities promote students’ confidence, social skills, emotional well-being and fitness. There is ‘something for everyone’ to join in with and students are encouraged to suggest ideas for trips and activities. Overall, the take up of activities is good.

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Overall experiences and progress of young people: outstanding

Most boarding staff also work in the education provision. This means that students are provided with additional support and help in the evenings with their educational studies and learning.

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Overall experiences and progress of young people: outstanding

Staff track students’ educational destinations, outcomes and progress. The data shows the success of the students, including a significant number who have gone on to prestigious universities. Progress data is also used by staff to monitor how well students are doing and to identify when they may need additional support. This support is provided and helps the students to develop skills for adult life. When needed, written plans are in place that provide clear guidance for staff on what support students need and how best to provide it. Students and parents contribute their views to these support plans.

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Overall experiences and progress of young people: outstanding

All National Minimum Standards for Further Education Residential Accommodation are met. Inspection report for further education college with residential accommodation: Richard Huish College 3

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How well young people are helped and protected: good

Students are kept safe in this college and consistently report that they feel safe in the boarding provision. Staff and governors regularly consult with students to seek their views and to check on their well-being.

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How well young people are helped and protected: good

A dedicated and experienced safeguarding team is available throughout the day and night, providing guidance and support when there are worries about students. This team understands the vulnerabilities facing children and young adults who live away from home. When necessary, action is taken to safeguard students by identifying and mitigating risks. There is good work to develop students’ independence by signposting them to external support agencies. The safeguarding team works effectively with external agencies, students and their families in order to manage concerns. Safeguarding records are maintained but could be improved. Currently, the safeguarding records do not always align consistently to demonstrate clearly the decisions made and actions taken by staff. The leadership team recognises this area for development, having included it on their action plan prior to this inspection.

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How well young people are helped and protected: good

The well-being service is a strength of the college provision. The well-being team works successfully to empower, enable and support the students to develop self- awareness and self-management skills. Students make good use of the online ‘Wellbeing Padlet’, which signposts them to support organisations in the community.

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How well young people are helped and protected: good

The management of student behaviour is effective. Since the previous inspection, staff have become more focused on providing students with an opportunity to reflect, repair and learn from their behaviours, including the effect these can have on others. The basis of the behavioural approach is about being kind, respectful and a good member of the community. This is achieved in practice.

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How well young people are helped and protected: good

Risk is managed appropriately. Staff support students to understand and manage risks that are relevant to their age and experiences, for example online risks and the spiking of drinks when out. When high risks are identified, staff put in place risk management plans. They do not always use the same documentation and communication processes when there are other emerging risks that require staff to respond.

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How well young people are helped and protected: good

Clear health and safety systems are in place. Students are not consistently following food safety guide guidance, which has led to some food items being inappropriately stored and not labelled.

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How well young people are helped and protected: good

Senior leaders and the human resources team have a good understanding of safer recruitment and they apply policies and procedures effectively. Inspection report for further education college with residential accommodation: Richard Huish College 4

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers understand accurately how the college is performing and recognise the very positive contribution boarding provides to students’ development. They are ambitious for the students and the development of the boarding provision.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers recognise the needs of students and adapt the provision to meet these needs. For example, the boarding offer is flexible and means boarders can stay for part of the week or term and stay at holiday times. This is particularly important in supporting students and reducing travel for those whose homes are across the other side of the world. Staff recognise the need for students to be able to develop their independence skills in a supportive and safe environment. Boarding students noted that a significant benefit they have over day students is that they have access to subject tutors and careers advisers outside of the academic day.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers use data they collect effectively in order to identify trends and patterns in students’ progress and behaviour. Leaders then use this information to help them to focus their resources and target their support for students to best effect. The focus in recent years has been on developing the support aimed at tackling increasing concerns about anxiety. Staff across the different departments work holistically to promote positive emotional well-being among the students and staff teams. Leaders and managers review, analyse and reflect very effectively on events at the college. They use this process to further develop systems, approaches and policies.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Strong systems are in place to support and develop staff. Staff well-being sessions are a regular occurrence, including yoga, reflexology and mindfulness sessions. All staff receive regular opportunities to talk with their manager about their work with students. Helpful reflective discussions are commonplace. Currently, leaders and managers do not consistently record or share agreed actions arising from these discussions. In recognition of the added impact and complexity of work carried out by the safeguarding team, clinical supervision with an external person is made available.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Training and continuing professional development provided to staff are relevant to their role. There are good opportunities to build skills among the staff team and to promote consistency for students.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Governors work closely with leaders to identify and make continuous improvements. Governors regularly consult with boarding students about their experiences and are satisfied that students are kept safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Research is an integral part of the college’s improvement plan. Every department is involved in identifying and researching a project relevant to their work with students. The findings from this research are published and used effectively, to develop the college and experiences for students. Inspection report for further education college with residential accommodation: Richard Huish College 5

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Points for improvement

 College leaders should ensure that safeguarding records align consistently to show the decisions and actions taken by staff and include the rationale for those decisions.  College leaders should ensure that any emerging risks use the same documentation and communication processes as pre-identified high risks.  College leaders should ensure that all students understand and implement food safety and hygiene practices.  College leaders should ensure that supervisors consistently record and share actions arising from supervision discussions.

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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: Richard Huish College 6

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accommodation details

Social care unique reference number: 2735045

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Inspectors

Wendy Anderson, Social Care Inspector Paula Lahey, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for further education college with residential accommodation: Richard Huish College 7 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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