A homely and nurturing environment

Our residential accommodation consists of nine comfortable and exceptionally well-appointed houses. Four of the houses are conveniently located on or near the main school site. The other five are in countryside locations approximately one mile away from the school.

Each house accommodates 3-9 children and is designed to provide a safe, relaxing and nurturing family atmosphere. A dedicated staff team is assigned to each house so that they get to know each child well and to ensure they provide consistent care and support.

Residential accommodation

Every young person has their own bedroom which is decorated according to their individual preferences and interests. Each bedroom has study facilities along with storage including a lockable space. Young people who wish to have one and who are assessed as competent and safe may have a key to their bedroom door.

Each house has a large, fully equipped kitchen, dining room, laundry and utility room, controlled internet access, together with a lounge area which is used for indoor recreation, watching television, playing computer games and general relaxation. Some houses also have additional recreational hobby space. Each house has its own landscaped garden which can be used for leisure activities.

In keeping with the school’s therapeutic approach and because some children have sensory difficulties and needs, the sensory information in each house (i.e. loud noise, strong lighting, bold colours) is kept to a minimum. This ensures the creation of a ‘low arousal’ environment which reduces stress and promotes a calming and relaxing atmosphere.

Each house has a House Manager who is responsible for the smooth running of each home on a day-to-day basis. They are supported by Deputy House Managers along with a team of Key Workers, Youth Support Workers, Clinical Therapy Assistants and domestic staff who work together to ensure that all aspects of each child’s individual care and therapy needs are met.

In addition to supporting each child with their daily care needs, a Key Worker’s main function is to act as key safety attachment figure for two young people in their allocated house. They are also trained to support young people through Life Story Work as well as acting as point of contact with their class teachers to support their academic and social progress at school.

Every effort is made to ensure that every child’s views and wishes are heard and respected where possible and appropriate. Each house holds their own group meetings on a fortnightly basis. These meetings provide an opportunity to discuss suggestions and ideas about the home environment, choice of activities and meals.

Although it’s thankfully quite rare for children to feel the need to complain, each child is made aware of their right to make a complaint. If a complaint is made it is looked into promptly and, if we have got something wrong, we make sure that it’s put right as quickly as possible.

Staff provide children with warm, welcoming homes, which reflect the children who live there.  Children contribute ideas to decorating and furnishing communal areas as well as their bedrooms

Ofsted – 2024