Family partnership

We work closely with the child’s family to ensure effective communication, strong partnership working and close involvement in your child’s life.

We recognise that many parents and carers are not necessarily geographically local, we therefore:

  • welcome visits, calls and communication from parents, carers, siblings, other family members and professionals by which ever means is most suited to your family life
  • have a home/school diary for day pupils and 24-hour notes for those staying residentially
  • welcome visits when we celebrate achievements and success
  • offer parent/carer workshops which give the opportunity to become actively involved in set sessions with your child
  • encourage family inclusion to our planned enrichment weeks
  • provide a regular school newsletter with up-to-date features from across education, health and care
  • offer on-site parent accommodation for those wishing to visit their child (subject to availability).

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Annual review meetings and Personal Education Plan meetings (PEPs)School

We regularly review the progress made by the children we support and base all goals on continuous assessment. Annual review meetings are scheduled at the beginning of each year, chaired by us and include the parents/carers, representatives from the local authority, social workers, and other relevant professionals involved from health.

Looked After child meetings

For residential children who have Looked After status it is a legal requirement that a meeting is held four weeks after a child becomes ‘looked after’.

There must be a second review no more than three months after the initial review meeting, and further reviews must be held at least every six months (or sooner, if needs be). Looked After child meetings, chaired by an independent reviewing officer involve the child, where possible, parents, social workers, education professionals and health professionals.

These meetings independently review the education, health, therapy and care provision for the child.

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Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of LibertySchool

All young people over 16 years of age should be able to make their own decisions whenever possible. When a person cannot make their own decisions, as they lack capacity, then people have to decide what is in their best interests.

The Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty (DOL) Safeguard protects adults who are in residential care settings who lack the capacity to choose where they live and/or to consent to treatment. We apply for all residential young people over the age of 18.

We do ask that:

  • if planning a visit, please drop us a line to let us know in advance
  • all visitors respect the teaching and learning areas when they come in and appreciate that some children may find unknown adults a distraction
  • you take time to complete parental questionnaires and evaluations
  • you come and talk to us if you have any queries or concerns.

We do:

  • engage parents/carers in school improvement by acting on parental feedback and will instigate any necessary plans
  • ask you to be involved in the personalised approach to learning for your child within annual reviews and setting of learning targets
  • seek consent and permission for a variety of purposes to be able to share information with relevant external professionals.

Well-being

‘Special yoga is only one example of the wonderful blend of learning and wellbeing offered at The Children’s Trust School’

The way we work

Our multidisciplinary team works across our school and residential accommodation to ensure that the child’s plans and programmes are designed holistically with strategies to optimise their accessibility to learn, participate and thrive.

Ofsted Good provider