SCOTLAND

Special residential schools progress

Scotland’s residential special schools are making reasonable progress, but could be doing better, according to the most comprehensive report of its kind into their work, published at a conference in Dundee on Friday. The 34 establishments have received detailed joint inspections by the Care Commission and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education, and the resulting report highlights examples of innovative work and successful working methods as well as areas for improvement. The report, Residential Care and Education: Improving Practice in Special Schools, reveals that the schools are generally operating very professionally providing care, protection and education of good quality for about 1300 children aged 5 to 17 in Scotland. Praise was given to the many schools that were cultivating a good ethos through effective leadership, professional attitudes among staff, good relationships between staff and pupils and clear policies and procedures. Areas for improvement were identified in some schools, including the need for more staff training in risk management, more attention to the rights of young people, better complaints systems and an improved curriculum. The inspectors also identified a need for more collaboration between care and teaching staff and, in some instances, stronger leadership from senior managers. About two-thirds of the children in Scotland’s residential special schools have social, emotional and behavioural difficulties, and the other third have complex sensory needs. The children’s behaviour can be quite challenging. There is a greater possibility of the SEBD children being re-integrated into mainstream education than there is for those with sensory needs, and the report explains that in many of the schools a lot of children are achieving their educational potential. A key message from the study was the need for care and education staff to work better together in planning for the children and assessing their needs, and for formulating programmes for a 24-hour curriculum so that the children can achieve their full potential. The report was launched at a seminar in the Apex Hotel for professionals working in the sector.

Jacquie Roberts, chief executive of the Care Commission, said, “Our primary responsibility is to promote the interests of children and young people using these services, especially children who have no easy means of making their views known.” She continued, “We compiled the report with the specific aim of highlighting the strengths and the weaknesses in Scotland’s residential special schools, and today’s conference is designed to help managers and staff in the sector share best practice and collectively take the first step on a journey of improvement.”

Graham Donaldson, chief senior inspector at HMIE, said, “Ensuring our most vulnerable children receive the care and education they need is vital to their development and future chances.” He said there was variation in the quality and breadth of the education provided by the special schools. “Children should get the best education possible, no matter what their circumstances,” he continued. “I hope today’s event will contribute to improving standards in residential special schools and help ensure all our young people can fulfil their potential.

Andrew Argo
25 February 2005

http://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/output/2005/02/25/story6853835t0.shtm

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