We are committed to ensuring that parents and funding authorities regularly receive clear and factual information about the life and work of the school and the progress of each young person who is placed with us. In return, we expect parents to keep us updated about any changes in home circumstances that may affect the wellbeing and happiness of the students.

Partnership

The school works closely in partnership with parents to ensure that the individual needs of all students are fully met. The school has an open door policy and parents are encouraged to maintain high levels of contact with their children, the care staff and the teaching staff.

To complement formal consultation meetings and reviews, parents are welcome to visit the school on an informal basis at times that are mutually convenient. These visits can be arranged by telephone or discussion with the staff. There are no restrictions on visiting and parents are always welcome. Local accommodation can be arranged for parents who require overnight stays.

Parents are strongly encouraged to attend Annual Reviews and termly reviews of each student's individual education plan.

Keeping in touch

Parents of residential pupils are encouraged to maintain contact with their children, either by telephone or by email. The school provides a dedicated phone line for the exclusive use of students. To ensure we comply with statutory requirements, the location of the phone ensures students' privacy, although because of the nature of their difficulties most students require adult support in order to make a phone call. The school has web cams installed on two computers and young people who are able to, and wish to have contact with parents in this way are supported to do so.

Individual care plans detail the days and times when staff phone individual parents to maintain positive links. These phone calls generally take place on a weekly basis, although they are more frequent if this is necessary. Staff are happy to talk to parents by phone at any time to answer queries or give an update.

Parents are always be informed if there is a problem, or in the event of accident or illness. Given the importance of the telephone as a communication link, it is important that parents keep us updated with their telephone and mobile contact numbers.