Wyre Forest School

Inspection report for residential special school - Wyre Forest School 1 Wyre Forest School Wyre Forest School, Habberley Road, Kidderminster, Worcestershire DY11 6FA Residential provision inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this residential special school

Wyre Forest School is a special school for children and young people with a broad range of needs, including physical, social, emotional and learning difficulties. The school is a local authority service and is directly responsible to a governing body.

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Information about this residential special school

The residential aspect of the service operates from Monday to Friday and can accommodate up to 15 children and young people. There were 15 children and young people staying at the residency at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this residential special school

Staff are referred to as carers throughout the report.

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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 previous inspection: 4 March 2025

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outstanding

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

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outstanding

There were 13 children present during the inspection. Inspectors saw all the children and spent time communicating and playing with them.

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outstanding

Children benefit from meaningful relationships with leaders and carers, who place a high value on them as individuals. Staff have a strong understanding of children’s individual needs. They are attentive and show warm, appropriate affection. Children trust the adults who care for them, which reflects the natural and nurturing approach adopted by staff. Leaders and carers have high aspirations for children, and as a result, children continue to make exceptional progress across different areas of their lives.

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outstanding

Leaders and carers work exceptionally well with education professionals and families to deliver a coherent 24 ‑ hour curriculum for each child. Targets are tailored to children’s individual needs. There is a strong collaborative approach to supporting progress in areas such as personal care, developing independence in travelling between the residence and school, work experience and participation in household routines. One parent told inspectors that the residence has provided her child with ‘skills for life’, which have become increasingly evident since the child moved to a more independent setting.

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outstanding

Leaders are dedicated to ensuring that all children benefit from the service. The head of care carefully considers new admissions to ensure children’s needs can be met effectively. This thoughtful approach contributes to the positive relationships formed between children. Children show empathy towards one another and enjoy spending time together. This reflects the nurturing care they receive from leaders and staff.

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outstanding

Staff provide children with a wide range of fun and enriching activities. These include attending local youth clubs, swimming, sports hall activities and in ‑ residence movie evenings. Leaders and staff actively encourage children to share their views about activities they would like to take part in. As a result, children have enjoyable and meaningful experiences during their time in residence.

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outstanding

Children’s voices are a high priority within the residence. Leaders and staff have undertaken research to further strengthen how children’s views are promoted. This has been embedded into practice through regular collaboration with the communication team. Children are confident in identifying a trusted adult they can speak to at any time, which helps them feel safe and settled during their stays.

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outstanding

The environment is warm, welcoming, and child focused. Photos of all children who attend the residence are displayed, which supports a sense of belonging. The communication lead and residential staff work closely together to ensure that the environment meets the needs of the current cohort. Recent improvements include Inspection report for residential special school - Wyre Forest School 3 adapting display boards to better reflect children’s ages and abilities and ensuring displays are positioned at appropriate heights. This enables all children to engage fully with their surroundings.

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outstanding

Leaders and staff provide high ‑ quality support to children and their families. They regularly share information about children’s progress and what strategies work well. This enables parents to use consistent approaches at home. Parents report that this has contributed positively to their children’s ongoing development.

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outstanding

The approach to safeguarding is exemplary. Leaders and staff demonstrate a strong understanding of each child’s individual vulnerabilities and areas of risk. Robust systems are in place to protect children and keep them safe. Leaders take a proactive approach to working with external agencies to ensure that children receive the support they need. This includes providing early help and ensuring that living arrangements outside the school and residence are safe and appropriate. As a result, children experience a high level of security and protection both in the residence and beyond.

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outstanding

The leadership team promotes a strong and effective safeguarding culture across the staff team. Staff benefit from regular learning and development opportunities, including short, focused briefings that cover a wide range of safeguarding topics. This ensures that safeguarding remains a consistent priority. Consequently, staff are confident in their roles and respond appropriately to concerns. Staff told inspectors that they feel able to raise safeguarding concerns and are clear about the process to follow, including when concerns relate to a member of the leadership team.

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outstanding

Leaders and staff are highly effective in promoting positive behaviour within the residence. Leaders regularly review behaviour ‑ management strategies to ensure they remain appropriate and effective. Strong, trusting relationships are central to behaviour support. Leaders and staff take time to understand each child as an individual and develop clear, personalised strategies. This approach helps staff understand what works well for each child and has contributed to a reduction in incidents in the residence.

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outstanding

Rewards are used successfully and are actively promoted by leaders and staff. Leaders have adapted the reward system from weekly to daily recognition to ensure that goals are realistic and achievable. Children take pride in achieving ‘star of the day’, which encourages positive behaviour and develops independence skills. When consequences are used, they are fair, proportionate and reflective. Staff consistently take time to explain the reasons for consequences, helping children understand the impact of their actions and learn from their experiences.

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outstanding

Leaders and the site team work closely together to ensure effective systems are in place to maintain a safe environment. Health and safety checks are completed Inspection report for residential special school - Wyre Forest School 4 consistently. Staff are vigilant and skilled in identifying potential hazards in the residence and report concerns promptly to leaders. This ensures that risks are addressed swiftly and the environment remains safe for children and staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders are aspirational and highly committed to ensuring that children receive high ‑ quality care. The head of care promotes a strong culture of child ‑ centred practice in which the needs of all children are prioritised. She works effectively with a skilled and supportive senior leadership team and education staff. Leaders and staff speak passionately about their work and clearly recognise the positive impact that the residence has on children’s lives.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders ensure exceptional levels of scrutiny that drive continuous improvement. Staff work closely with the chair of governors and the independent visitor. Robust, detailed reports provide effective oversight, reflect on actions taken and evaluate whether children are appropriately safeguarded. Children have developed positive relationships with visitors to the provision. This helps create an open and trusting environment where they feel confident sharing their experiences.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff benefit from a comprehensive and well ‑ planned training programme that closely aligns with children’s needs and staff development priorities. Staff are given additional areas of responsibility, including research ‑ informed practice, communication and mental health first aid. This ensures that staff develop expertise in their designated areas and contributes to improved practice and exceptional outcomes for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders provide staff with meaningful and regular supervision. These sessions support staff to reflect on what is working well and identify areas for development. Supervision is of high quality, and staff report that they value the support they receive. Leaders also facilitate regular group supervision, enabling staff to learn from one another. This approach promotes consistent care for children and supports continuous improvement in practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders have established highly effective working relationships with key partners. The head of care works closely with parents, senior leaders, education staff, the school nurse and local safeguarding agencies. One parent told inspectors, ‘Lots of emotional support over the last 11 years as a family. It always feels that [the head of care] welcomes new ideas. There is a nice atmosphere every time, with lots of smiling faces.’ This collaborative approach supports children’s wellbeing and safety and ensures that their needs are consistently met. Inspection report for residential special school - Wyre Forest School 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 - Wyre Forest School 6

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Residential special school details

Social care unique reference number: SC490122

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Residential special school details

Headteacher/teacher in charge: Rebecca Garratt

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Residential special school details

Type of school: Residential special school

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Inspectors

Chanel Bryant, Social Care Inspector Amy Richards, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for residential special school - Wyre Forest School 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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