Kings Mill School

Inspection report for residential special school - Kings Mill School 1 Kings Mill School Victoria Road, Driffield YO25 6UG Residential provision inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this residential special school

Kings Mill School is a residential special school that is maintained by a local authority. The school is in the centre of Driffield. It provides education for 135 children aged from two to 19 years. The school teaches and supports children with learning disabilities, autism and sensory needs.

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Information about this residential special school

35 children currently access the residential provision. Children can stay in the residence for up to four nights per week. The residence supports one child full time on a temporary basis. All children have education, health and care plans.

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Information about this residential special school

At the time of the inspection, 11 children were staying in the residence, and inspectors were able to spend time with all of them.

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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 failures that mean children and young people are not protected.

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inadequate

Date of previous inspection: 25 June 2024

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inadequate

Overall judgement at last inspection: good Inspection report for residential special school - Kings Mill School 2

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inadequate

The shortfalls in how well children are helped and protected have impacted on the overall experiences of children.

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inadequate

Children’s plans identify their health needs and offer clear instructions to staff on how to support them in an emergency situation. However, not all plans identify the most up-to-date communication needs of children in order to help staff offer consistent approaches. One child responds best to objects of reference, but nothing was recorded in the child’s plan to guide staff about this.

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inadequate

The residence is well decorated and there are boards around the building to recognise most children’s achievements and birthday boards which are bright and cheery. They do not reflect the achievements or mark the birthdays of all of the children in the home, and one child identified this.

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inadequate

Some children have memory books, which support their memories of their stays and activities they have been on. Not all children have these books and therefore there are missed opportunities for the child to look back on their time in the residence and be reminded of their experience.

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inadequate

Staff support children in a calm and caring manner. They understand their needs and routines well during potentially stressful times. Staff treat children with dignity and respect. Staff offer choices to children in relation to their daily living. Children appeared happy and confident in their environment and engaged with staff.

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inadequate

Families of children who access the residence value the break that the school residence offers them and the care that their children receive from staff. The staff have offered ongoing support to children and families while they wait for alternative placements.

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

A senior leader of the residence has not shared information about an allegation against a staff member with the head of school or appropriate safeguarding partners. This prevents effective information-sharing and oversight which is intended to safeguard children who have overnight stays.

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

One child with complex needs was left unsupervised in the building for a prolonged period. No harm came to the child during this time, but they were at an increased risk of harm. Senior leaders informed the child’s family of the incident and investigated the circumstances but failed to report this to safeguarding partners to allow wider scrutiny. Inspection report for residential special school - Kings Mill School 3 Investigations completed by a senior leader around low-level concerns do not record full details or actions taken to resolve these issues. The investigation records indicate a lack of professional curiosity, and information has not been escalated through the school’s internal procedures. This prevents scrutiny of the investigation to ensure that appropriate action has been taken.

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

The school’s whistle-blowing policy does not clearly signpost staff to the external routes that staff in the residence can take if they have concerns, such as contacting prescribed organisations. This does not allow for the external scrutiny by the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) that is required.

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

Staff understand the risks to children and what situations might contribute to the child becoming distressed. Staff plan carefully how they use space in the building to minimise risk. Staff thoughtfully plan which children share space together. This promotes a calm and peaceful environment in the residence, which children respond to positively.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The Head of Care was aware of some concerns raised by staff within the residential provision, but actions taken have not effectively addressed these. Additional training is planned but has not taken place yet. Staff members have reported concerns directly to the Head of Care and again through their personal supervisions. Staff do not believe that these concerns have been addressed by senior leaders. This has resulted in a feeling of frustration within the team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Existing oversight systems designed to safeguard children did not elicit the extent of staff concerns or issues within the team. Additionally, the independent visitor was not informed of these concerns during their visits, limiting their ability to review the situation effectively.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Leaders and managers do not maintain consistent oversight or evaluation of incidents involving the children. This reduces opportunities to learn and improve practice so that staff can better support the children. The auditing tool implemented does not support leaders and managers to evaluate practice within the residence regarding medication errors, gaps in recording and low-level concerns.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Staff reported not always feeling supported by senior leaders, and inconsistencies in leadership approaches were reported. On one occasion, when staff sought guidance from senior leaders, they experienced difficulty in reaching someone to provide the necessary support and advice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Staff meet regularly with their supervisors, but the records of the meetings are brief and do not allow for reflection. Where staff raise concerns, it is not always clear what these are or to whom they relate. Staff who are new to supervising others have not been given training to support them in this role. Inspection report for residential special school - Kings Mill School 4 Staff reported feeling supported by the newly formed senior team and spoke highly of them. Inspection report for residential special school - Kings Mill School 5

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special schools

The school does not meet the following national minimum standards for residential special schools:

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special schools

 The school’s leadership and management must demonstrate effective skills and knowledge which actively promote the safeguarding and welfare of children. Staff with management responsibilities must receive relevant training in the management and practice of residential care. In particular, those supervising other staff should receive appropriate training. Appointed visitors to the home should explore incidents and be supported to do so. (Residential special schools: national minimum standards 2.3)  The school’s leadership and management fulfil their responsibilities consistently and effectively so that the standards are met. In particular, the head of care must maintain oversight of and respond to incidents and errors in the residence and engage effectively with the team. (Residential special schools: national minimum standards 2.4)  The school should ensure that arrangements are made to safeguard and promote

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special schools

the welfare of pupils at the school; and such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State. In particular, they must ensure that all staff understand their responsibilities to escalate concerns both internally and externally and are confident to do so. (Residential special schools: national minimum standards 13.1)  The school should ensure that all staff are aware that safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility throughout the school and its residential facilities. In particular, school leaders and managers must understand their own responsibilities to share safeguarding concerns for children with designated people and ensure that thorough investigation processes take place. Recording of investigations must be clear and accurate. (Residential special schools: national minimum standards 13.2)

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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 - Kings Mill School 6

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Residential special school details

Social care unique reference number: SC055984

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Residential special school details

Headteacher/teacher in charge: Mrs Alison Hall

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Residential special school details

Type of school: Residential special school

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Residential special school details

Email address: kingsmill.specialschool@eastriding.gov.uk

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Inspectors

Carol Jagger, Social Care Inspector (lead) Rachel Webster, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for residential special school - Kings Mill School 7 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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