Horton Lodge

Inspection report for residential special school - Horton Lodge 1 Horton Lodge Staffordshire County Council, Horton Lodge Special School, Rudyard, Leek, Staffordshire ST13 8RB Residential provision inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this residential special school

Horton Lodge is a local authority-maintained residential special school for up to 63 children aged from two to 11 years with physical disabilities and/or associated learning difficulties. Some of the children have additional visual, hearing and/or speech and language difficulties and medical needs. The school’s approach is based on conductive education.

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Information about this residential special school

The residential provision operates from Monday to Wednesday, with up to six pupils residing at the school on any one night. The residential provision is called ‘Kiplings’ and is in a separate wing of the school. The inspectors 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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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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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.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 5 December 2023

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good Inspection report for residential special school - Horton Lodge 2

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outstanding

Children make exceptional progress as a direct result of their time in the residential provision. They stay in a caring and supportive environment, which allows them to thrive. Staff are passionate about providing excellent care and enjoy the time they spend with children. Staff’s child-centred approach significantly improves children’s lives and experiences.

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outstanding

Children’s carers and parents speak positively about the school and the experiences it provides to their children. One parent said, ‘Kips is absolutely amazing. My child absolutely loves it there; it’s like home from home. Their independence and confidence have improved massively.’ Another parent said, ‘My child loves it there; it’s like a second home. They are so comfortable. I would be lost without them.’

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outstanding

Children’s communication improves considerably because of the exceptional, joined- up approach between school, residence and parents. Staff responsible for leading in this area are passionate in their approach to supporting children. There has been a collaborative approach between parents and staff to raise money to fund electronic communication equipment, and this has been transformative for children. The new equipment ensures that more children are given a voice and their communication needs are better understood. Leaders plan to develop this further to ensure that more children can have the same experience.

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outstanding

Staff put significant effort into ensuring that children’s time in residence is filled with fun and learning opportunities. Children enjoy each other’s company and engage in a wide range of enjoyable activities, which are tailored to their individual needs. This includes playing, singing, sensory play, and arts and crafts. Staff also make use of the wider school to provide children with positive experiences. This includes use of the sensory room, where children can relax and explore.

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outstanding

Children are provided with fully inclusive and life-changing opportunities. This includes developing their life and independence skills through the school’s research- based approach, which is designed to push children to progress beyond any potential limitations. The approach is fully embedded throughout the school and residence. Children’s progress is tracked exceptionally well and in line with their plans. This means that support to children is tailored to where they need it most.

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outstanding

Each child has a detailed and clear health plan, which helps staff to have a thorough understanding of their health needs. Staff receive training to support children’s complex medical needs. This ensures that staff have the knowledge they need to provide an excellent quality of care. Inspection report for residential special school - Horton Lodge 3

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outstanding

There is a positive safeguarding culture embedded in the school. A highly effective system is in place for reporting and addressing any concerns, and staff receive safeguarding training that is regularly refreshed and updated. Additionally, leaders have learned from the previous experiences and used this learning to improve practice. Positive behaviour management training has been introduced and is beginning to be imbedded across the school and residence. As a result, children flourish in a safe and supportive environment.

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outstanding

Children say that they like it in residence and appear relaxed and settled. They are well cared for by skilled and trusted adults who they know well. A caring and nurturing approach is used by staff, which children like and respond well to. Children are encouraged to use good manners and are provided with clear routines and boundaries. Individual risk assessments are included in children’s care plans. Risk assessments are clear, regularly reviewed, and they provide clear guidance for staff to manage risks effectively. Staff care for children in line with these plans. As a result, children feel well supported, and incidents are extremely rare.

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outstanding

Systems for managing children’s complex health needs are effective. There is excellent collaboration between nursing staff and care staff to ensure that medication practice is safe and that children’s needs are understood. Nurses provide training and consultation for staff where needed and contribute towards children’s plans. This allows their expertise to be used when considering how to deliver the best possible standard of care to children.

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outstanding

Leaders and managers recognise the importance of supporting children’s and staff’s mental well-being. There has been a drive across the school and residence to ensure that high levels of support are in place. The head of care has taken a lead role, and a well-being action plan has been put in place and is being embedded across the school. This approach supports children and staff to maintain positive emotional well- being.

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outstanding

Appropriate safer recruitment systems for vetting new staff are in place. Thorough records detail all the necessary information about new and existing staff. The site and environment are also physically safe and secure. Staff ensure that visitors are closely monitored, signed in and chaperoned.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers are exceptionally passionate about the quality of care provided to children. They are extremely child centred and prioritise children’s needs effectively. Leaders take pride in the progress that children make and are extremely committed to ensuring that they have positive experiences during their time in residence. Inspection report for residential special school - Horton Lodge 4 Leaders and managers ensure that there is continuity of care for children. There remains a core team of staff who have worked in the residence for several years. When any staffing shortages occur, these are often filled with staff from the school who have positive relationships with the children. Staff speak extremely positively about their experiences working in the residence, the school ethos, and the high level of support they receive. The stability and expertise of the staff team are central to children achieving positive outcomes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The head of care and the staff ensure effective working relationships with a range of professionals, both internally and externally. Staff work alongside the internal nursing team, family support worker, mentors and teachers. Externally, they work closely with the local authority, parents and safeguarding agencies. This effective, joined-up approach contributes to children’s needs being met consistently and their safety and well-being always being promoted.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There is exceptional monitoring and oversight of the residential provision. This includes visits from the local authority, peer reviews, governors’ reports and regular consultation with stakeholders. This allows for effective internal and external oversight of the residence. There is exceptional liaison between education, governors and the independent visitor. Monitoring tools identify potential shortfalls, and remedial action is taken. This approach ensures that the exceptional level of care provided to children is maintained and improved where necessary.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff benefit from a comprehensive range of training, which is individualised in line with children’s needs. Learning is underpinned by theory-based research, which is embedded across the whole school. Staff also receive regular and meaningful supervision and annual appraisals. Supervision sessions are detailed and of excellent quality. They support staff to reflect on their practice and consider the needs and progress of children. Additionally, staff are supported to develop in their roles. The head of care ensures that all staff have access to resources that support their practice and ongoing development. This range of support equips staff with the skills they need to provide high-quality care. Inspection report for residential special school - Horton Lodge 5

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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 - Horton Lodge 6

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Residential special school details

Social care unique reference number: SC038727

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Residential special school details

Headteacher/teacher in charge: Lucy Bloor

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Residential special school details

Type of school: Residential special school

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Residential special school details

Email address: office@hortonlodge.staffs.sch.uk

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Inspectors

Carl Wilton, Social Care Inspector Laura Norcop, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for residential special school - Horton Lodge 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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