Residential Care
The Residential Care department is lead by the Residential Care Co-ordinator who reports to the Head of Pastoral Support, Safeguarding and Residential Care. The Residential Care Co-ordinator’s role is to ensure that consistently high standards of care are maintained. These care standards are inspected annually by Ofsted, and during the school’s most recent inspection in December 2012, the Inspectors gave the school a grade of 'Outstanding'. The full report is available to download from the Homepage of the website. The Care Team support the pupils and students whilst keeping parents, families and LA’s involved and fully informed about their welfare and progress.
The school offers weekly, Monday – Friday boarding in two residential areas: Main House for boys and girls in Key Stage 3 & 4 and a purpose built building for Sixth Form students. The Main House is managed by an Area Leader and a dedicated team of care staff. The pupils socialise and eat together but sleep in three separated and supervised sleeping areas, one for the girls and the remaining two for boys. See also Sixth Form.
The Residential Areas are homely with comfortable lounges, and dining areas, bedrooms, including some single rooms, bath and shower facilities. All Areas have fully equipped kitchens where the Care Team prepare breakfasts and evening meals, as well as occasional party teas etc. Pupils and students are encouraged to become involved in preparing meals, thereby acquiring new skills and improving their independence.
After school, each group of pupils and students has a meeting to discuss their day and run through the programme for the evening. These encourage various basic skills such as turn taking, listening to others without interrupting, eye contact, and social skills, as a fun way to build confidence and self esteem. All pupils and students have a placement plan which identifies their needs and how they can be addressed, which is monitored and updated as appropriate. There are strong links with both education and therapy input throughout the waking day curriculum.
All students have a placement plan which identifies their needs and how they can be addressed, which is monitored and updated as appropriate. There are strong links with both education and therapy input throughout the 24-hour curriculum.
Life skills programmes are agreed with each pupil and student, tailored to their individual needs and age appropriate. There is an emphasis on travel skills, money matters, communication, personal organisation and increasing independence. Extensive participation with their work experience and career planning all play a large role in helping our pupils and students with their transition to life beyond St Dominic's.
After school activities vary from term to term but currently include drama, cookery, swimming, football, walking, cinema and shopping trips, eating out, scouts, St John Ambulance cadets, guides and various art and craft groups. Day pupils are welcome to join in with the waking day curriculum and have the opportunity to flexi-board.
