We understand that choosing alternative accommodation for your child can be a daunting and difficult decision. We want you to feel happy and confident in the decision you make and therefore extend an invitation to you and those close to you to visit our residential home so that you may add to your understanding and discuss a placement with us.
Our ethos
Our staff are committed to supporting children and young people in a manner that is centred around their individual needs, interests and skills. The care we provide always focuses on the importance of privacy, dignity, rights, choice and fulfilment in a comfortable, homely, stimulating and safe environment.
In our residential home, we seek to promote the development of social behaviours, independence and personal skills, and to offer opportunities to practice then in real life settings. We place a strong emphasis on community inclusion as well as targeting skills in personal care and home management.
A safe and supportive environment
Our residential home has been carefully designed to create very special home for children and young people where daily living experiences and activities are meaningful and memorable. Our residential home is committed to meeting the needs of individual children in areas that are personal to them.
When choosing a placement for a young person, we will take into account:
- Gender
- Age
- Appropriateness of the social mix
- Communication skills
- Level of supervision required
- Any other individual circumstances which may affect the placement
Flexible residential placements
Rugeley School is able to offer a range of residential placement lengths, up to 52 weeks per year, as well as a limited respite service to young people with autism.
Involving young people in their care
Each young person has an allocated keyworker who provides individual support, advice and guidance. Furthermore, we actively encourage young people to be involved in planning the day-to-day running of the home that they live in as we believe this creates a more effective and positive place to live. Active participation is encouraged via:
- Daily group meetings which are held in the homes after school where young people can discuss the planning of recreational activities
- A ‘You asked, we did’ book which enables young people to make requests to the staff team
- Personalising their bedrooms to reflect their individual personalities and preferences
- Weekly key worker sessions
Home staff are trained in the use of communication systems, which facilitates young people to express their individual views and choices.
Consistency of care
Our residential pupils benefit from close working between the day school and residential homes. This consistency is hugely beneficial to our young people’s development as it ensures that what is being learnt at school is also being reinforced at home.
Maintaining relationships
We understand the importance of support networks. As such, wherever possible, we promote contact with parents, relatives and friends and others close to the individual. We encourage young people to write letters home, make regular phone calls to parents/carers and visit home where possible.