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

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Information about this residential special school

Orchard Manor School is part of the Special Partnership Trust. It provides education for 220 children aged three to 19 years and weekly residential care for up to 20 children. It specialises in providing education and care for children with complex communication and interaction difficulties, autism, and learning difficulties.

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Information about this residential special school

At the time of this inspection, seven children were staying at the school in two homes located in the school grounds.

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Information about this residential special 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 good

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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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 previous inspection: 16 July 2024

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outstanding

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

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outstanding

Six children were seen and spoken to during the inspection. Children have continued to make exceptional progress since the last inspection. A stable team of consistent staff have continued to provide high quality care for the children. The staff have high aspirations for the children, and they provide them with excellent opportunities so that they can really flourish. The strong level of consistent support that children receive from the staff really helps them reach their full potential. The children spoke positively about their residential experiences. They said they get along with the residential staff and can talk to them if they are worried. The children say they have strong relationships with their key workers, whom they really trust. They like their bedrooms, can do fun activities, and they really enjoy the food. Children have excellent opportunities such as swimming, picnics and cooking special meals. Staff

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outstanding

assist children in writing CVs, applying for jobs, and travelling safely using public transport. They have supported one child in obtaining a lifeguard qualification and attending a job interview.

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outstanding

It is clear how much children’s confidence and self-esteem have grown over the past year. Children benefit from being able to attend school consistently. One child discussed the significant influence that their time in residential care has had on them. They said that before moving to this school, they had not attended school for many years. They are now enrolled in school full time, have made friends, have done work experience in another country, and are currently studying for their examinations. They seem proud of the substantial progress they have made since moving to this school. Children benefit from integrated targets across care and school environments. This close working ensures a seamless experience for children, to benefit their continued learning and development.

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outstanding

The residential spaces are clean, tidy and well maintained. There are comfortable sofas for children to sit on and dining areas so they can enjoy meals with staff. The children benefit from staying in a spacious environment where they can relax and feel at ease. In addition to spaces for children to socialise with others, there are other areas where they can spend quiet time if they wish. The garden areas have been further developed, and children are encouraged to learn about the environment and participate in gardening activities. Access to a variety of spaces enables children to have a wide range of experiences, and this helps them learn more about their environment, to be healthy and to maintain an active lifestyle.

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outstanding

Children receive well planned and timely support to prepare to transition towards adulthood. Staff help children to develop their independence skills. This helps them to move towards the next steps in their journey.

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outstanding

There is excellent communication between the staff and others who are important to the children. This ensures that there is a team around each child that is truly Inspection report for residential special school - Orchard Manor School 3 collaborative. Staff advocate strongly for children to ensure that their needs continue to be met. Parents and professionals all speak positively about the strong levels of care and support that children have continued to receive. One professional said:

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outstanding

‘I would like to praise the team and the residential manager for everything they have done for the young person. They have been amazing in their support of them, going above and beyond their remit and advocating for the child’s needs to be met.’

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

A consistent and stable staff team have continued to care for the children since the last inspection. The staff are highly skilled and knowledgeable, and they have a good understanding of the children’s needs. The staff show a strong level of commitment to the children. There is careful planning in place for children moving in. The children respond well to the routines and boundaries that are in place for them.

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

Children say they feel safe in the residential environment. They are well supported to develop their knowledge around risks and learn how to keep themselves safe. Staff have regular conversations with children about safety and provide support so that they can acquire safe independence skills as they move towards adulthood. When one child was concerned about their safety, they spoke to the staff they trust about this. The staff and managers advocated strongly for this child and encouraged them to speak with other professionals about their experiences. This improved the child’s situation and ensured that they were kept safe.

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

Where safeguarding concerns are identified for children attending the school, there is a strong level of support available, and professionals have been informed in a timely manner. However, the support provided has not fully considered the potential risks to siblings or other relatives. Although this may fall within the remit of external professionals, where concerns arise, it is important that this is challenged appropriately. Due to their personal circumstances, one child was offered support from an advocate, but this has not been considered for all children in residential care.

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

There have been no concerns regarding staff practice, no episodes of children going missing and no incidents of restraint. During a school residential trip, a medication error was identified. This was appropriately investigated, and lessons were learned. Leaders and managers supported all staff in developing their practice across the whole school site. This included making changes to school policies and procedures.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a strong leadership team in place. Since the last inspection, leaders have continued to develop their practice across the whole school. There are positive levels of reflection and learning taking place, ensuring that the school continues to develop and improve. Leaders and managers have continued to meet the national minimum standards successfully and learn from events that have taken place. Leaders and Inspection report for residential special school - Orchard Manor School 4 managers understand what is working well, but they are also aware of what needs to change to further improve practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff enjoy their work and feel valued by their managers. They have access to high- quality training and receive support to enhance their skills and practice. They receive good levels of support and supervision from their managers.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The leadership team continues to collaborate with family members, social workers and other professionals. The leadership team has regular contact with families before and after children’s stays, which ensures that children’s needs continue to be well met. Parents receive a weekly update about their child’s experiences.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Safer recruitment practice is in place. Leaders and managers have reviewed practice and now repeat safeguarding checks for all staff. Although leaders and managers have a good understanding of children’s needs, they are not always clear about children’s legal status or what this means for their practice. Inspection report for residential special school - Orchard Manor School 5

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Points for improvement

 School leaders should ensure they are aware of the legal status of children in their care. This should include an understanding of who has parental responsibility, and what this means for staff practice.

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Points for improvement

 School leaders should ensure that when concerns are identified for a child in the school, the effect on siblings or family members should be fully considered.

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Points for improvement

 School leaders should ensure they fully consider advocacy support needs for children, particularly looked after children. Inspection report for residential special school - Orchard Manor School 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 - Orchard Manor School 7

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Residential special school details

Social care unique reference number: SC003895

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Residential special school details

Headteacher/teacher in charge: Nicola Jones

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Residential special school details

Type of school: Residential special school

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Inspectors

Sarah Sheffield, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for residential special school - Orchard Manor School 8 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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