| Social Care |
CARE OF STUDENTSThe care of students has the highest priority within Valence School and all staff are conscious that each student’s emotional well-being is crucial if they are to be successful in learning situations and other activities. All students are encouraged to talk to adults in the School whom they trust and every care is taken to support vulnerable students or those with particular difficulties with living away from home. Care for residential students is provided in Home Living Areas consisting of a Personalised Care and Inclusion Leader, who manages the team, Keyworkers and Student Support Assistants. Residential Care Managers assist with the overall operational management of all the Home Living Areas. The Department is headed by the Head of Social Care and Student Support and the Head of Residential Care and Safeguarding, both of whom are qualified Social Workers. All nursing care is incorporated in to each team’s work. The emphasis is on team work in which the identified needs of each student is met by a carefully planned and co-ordinated approach adopted by all staff members in the team. KEYWORKERSThe Keyworker co-ordinates each student’s action plan and together with students and the multi disciplinary team will plan, support and encourage individuals to achieve their set targets. The Keyworker will work with students to plan how their care needs can be met in the way each chooses and to support students in planning social and leisure opportunities within and outside the School, through the Skills of Success programme. The Keyworker is the main link between the student and other staff within the School and keeps in regular contact with their parents/carers. Every student will have an allocated Keyworker who will work alongside the multi-disciplinary team to ensure that each student’s educational, social, health and emotional needs and development are supported. LIVING ACCOMMODATIONResidential students live in a series of six bungalows and Lawn House both situated close to the main school building. Each bungalow has accommodation for six students in single or double bedrooms with en suite care facilities. Each is equipped with environmental controls and call systems. Lawn House accommodates 18 students also in single or double bedrooms with en suite care facilities, environmental controls and a call system. Both areas have sitting rooms where students can relax and enjoy social and leisure opportunities, and adapted kitchens to enable students to prepare their breakfast, evening meal and snacks. There is a dedicated Waking Night Staff team who meet the care needs of the students overnight. SOCIAL and LEISURE ACCOMMODATION and ACTIVITIESDuring the evening there is a range of activities and clubs on-site and opportunities to access the local community with shopping, cinema, bowling and visits to football matches and theatres. These activities are mainly managed through the Skills of Success programme with encouragement and support for students to organise visits, clubs and activities themselves.We aim to provide experiences that will be fulfilling and challenging to individuals and any parents/carers with concerns about their son/daughter’s safety, when not in School supervised activities, should contact the School to discuss the matter. Day students are encouraged to participate in after school activities but this will be dependent on available additional staff support, and transport arrangments. |
