Farney Close School

Inspection report for residential special school - Farney Close School 1 SENSITIVE-OFSTED USE ONLY

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Farney Close School Bolney Court, Crossways, Bolney, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH17 5RD Residential provision inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this residential special school

The school provides care and education to children with social, emotional or mental health and/or associated difficulties, such as speech and language or learning needs.

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Information about this residential special school

At the time of this inspection, there were 85 children on roll at the school, 26 of them accessing the residential provision. Most children attend the residential provision Monday to Friday, with some children having more individual arrangements in line with their needs.

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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 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: 10 December 2024

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding Inspection report for residential special school - Farney Close School 2 SENSITIVE-OFSTED USE ONLY

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outstanding

Children are cared for by a skilled, knowledgeable and compassionate staff team who place children’s outcomes at the centre of their practice. Residential and education staff work together to ensure that children’s needs are well understood and that individualised support plans are consistently implemented. This approach has resulted in excellent outcomes for children. They are more settled and emotionally resilient, and they are increasingly confident in forming and sustaining friendships.

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outstanding

Children make excellent progress across all areas of their personal development. Staff support children to build positive relationships, develop their communication skills and manage their emotions. Children’s emotional wellbeing is further improved through timely access to a well-established multidisciplinary therapy team, which includes counsellors, therapy assistants, speech and language therapists and occupational therapists.

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outstanding

Parents speak positively about how well managers and staff look after children and recognise the progress their children make. Parents say communication and support from staff are excellent and that their children are happy. One parent said, ‘What they have done for my child has been transformational.’

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outstanding

Children experience a wide range of new and enriching activities and experiences. These include trips to theme parks, ice skating and going to ice hockey matches. Leaders make good use of staff knowledge and skills to create opportunities and encourage ambition for what children can achieve. For example, one member of staff has arranged for children to try scuba diving, with the option to work towards a qualification.

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outstanding

Children can express their views in a variety of ways. As well as being able to talk with staff in the home, there are regular school council meetings. Children are encouraged to attend and always seek the views of their peers beforehand. Several changes have been made because of this, including improvements to playground equipment, the introduction of a school disco, changes to meals and adjustments to the daily routines.

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outstanding

Equality and diversity are well understood, and difference is celebrated. Leaders and staff provide ongoing opportunities for learning through workshops, lessons and creative approaches such as plays. Leaders have partnered with local agencies to provide specialist guidance on topics such as vaping and toxic masculinity. Children value this support.

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outstanding

When children first come to stay, this is managed in a careful and planned way to ensure that staff have a comprehensive understanding of how best to support each child. A dedicated admissions officer works closely with families and external Inspection report for residential special school - Farney Close School 3 SENSITIVE-OFSTED USE ONLY

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outstanding

professionals to gather information and help children and families feel prepared for starting life as a residential student. Careful planning, many opportunities to visit and effective sharing of information help reduce anxiety and support a positive start to children’s time in residential.

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outstanding

Safeguarding knowledge and understanding are central to the running of the provision. Leaders use creative strategies to ensure de-escalation is not just a response to emerging concerns but an integral part of the overall approach to keeping children safe. A variety of designated spaces have been introduced in the provision where children can access specialised support from therapy teams and behaviour specialists. These areas enable children to take the time they need to calm.

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outstanding

Safeguarding is a clear priority for staff. When safeguarding concerns arise, communication with external safeguarding professionals is immediate, and all advice received is acted on. Any follow ‑ up work is managed thoroughly to ensure that all potential risks or concerns are explored. Leaders ensure that any learning from incidents is implemented.

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outstanding

Staff manage children’s behaviour effectively. They use their positive relationships with children to identify changes in behaviour quickly. Residential and education staff work together to create detailed plans to ensure that children receive consistent responses throughout their day. This joined-up approach has resulted in a significant reduction in incidents.

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outstanding

Physical interventions are rare. Following any physical intervention, the child is always spoken to, to ensure their wellbeing and to think about what happened. When children raise concerns, these are responded to promptly to ensure that they feel heard and understood.

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outstanding

Any behaviour that could be considered as bullying is managed well. Children’s concerns are listened to, and action is taken to immediately address negative behaviours or comments. Staff speak with children to help them understand the impact of their actions on others. When incidents involve racist language, children receive education about discrimination and the wider effect on individuals and society.

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outstanding

Safer recruitment practices are effective. Leaders maintain detailed oversight of all checks. Comprehensive records are in place which are regularly reviewed by leaders and governors. This helps ensure that all staff remain suitable.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Inspection report for residential special school - Farney Close School 4 SENSITIVE-OFSTED USE ONLY

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The residential provision is led by an experienced and aspirational head of care who is supported by an equally ambitious senior leadership team. Leaders have an exceptional understanding of what is happening for children. In addition to comprehensive self-evaluation and monitoring systems, leaders have introduced a peer monitoring model for staff so that house leads can learn from one another. This, combined with regular visits from the independent visitor and person, allows leaders to assure themselves that children receive the highest standard of care and are truly supported to succeed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders use their evaluations to continuously develop the service, anticipating challenges and the possible effects that they may have. Recent changes in the senior leadership team have prompted a review of roles and created an opportunity to expand the leadership team. Leaders have also responded to a reduction in the number of residential pupils and have acted swiftly to identify how staff can be retrained and best use made of their skills. This demonstrates a strong commitment to staff and has helped create a positive working environment, reducing anxiety during a period of potential change.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff are proud to work in the residential provision and proud of the positive effect that they have on children’s lives. They feel well supported by a visible and approachable leadership team who welcome their ideas and suggestions for improvement. This includes access for staff to opportunities for personal development, which has enabled many to gain additional qualifications.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff receive high levels of support through regular supervision and annual appraisals. They also have access to a counsellor should they wish to reflect on challenges inside and outside of work. Staff value this support, which helps them feel respected and supported in their roles. As a result, staff turnover is low.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There has been significant change in the governing body since the last inspection. The previous chair of governors, who was also the safeguarding governor, left along with 2 other governors. The remaining governors acted quickly to reallocate roles and continue to provide strong oversight, challenge and support. Senior leaders have worked diligently to ensure that there has been no negative effect on children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

No breaches of the national minimum standards were found and no points for improvement or recommendations were made following this inspection. Inspection report for residential special school - Farney Close School 5 SENSITIVE-OFSTED USE ONLY

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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 - Farney Close School 6 SENSITIVE-OFSTED USE ONLY

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Residential special school details

Social care unique reference number: SC014513

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Residential special school details

Headteacher/teacher in charge: Mrs Sara Hack

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Residential special school details

Type of school: Residential special school

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Residential special school details

Email address: sara.hack@farneyclose.co.uk

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Inspectors

Mark Newington, Social Care Inspector Shirin White, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for residential special school - Farney Close School 7 SENSITIVE-OFSTED USE ONLY

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Inspectors

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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