Care and therapy

The Shires has high numbers of care staff to meet the needs of all students and to ensure their well being and health and safety. There is always one-to-one support and often two-to-one support for each student plus an extra member of staff to go where needed. Frequently, staffing levels are higher than this so that students can enjoy taking part in a wide variety of challenging activities, particularly off site.

At night, there are at least three waking night staff for every six students. Waking night staff are supported by additional ‘sleep-in’ staff who have attractive and individual rooms on the upper floor of the building and who can be called upon during the night if necessary.

To complement the skills of the core staff team, The Shires draws on a wide range of additional skills from a team of therapists and consultants. The Shires consultant clinical psychologist works on developing individual programmes with students and helping staff to develop meaningful behaviour and care programmes that advance the students’ skills, self knowledge and independence.

Students are supported by a well-qualified speech and language therapist and occupational therapist who work with the core staff in developing individual programmes to develop and extend the students’ skills. The therapists work with students and staff before and after school to ensure that students are receiving consistent and continuous therapeutic input. The Shires consultant music therapist works with each student on a weekly basis. The students really enjoy their weekly sessions and benefit greatly form the freedom of expression and social interaction they are able to access through music.

What Ofsted says...

This is a place where students are treated with respect and dignity and are extremely well cared for.  There is a strong focus on meeting the needs of each individual young person.

The promotion of equality and diversity is outstanding.