Statement Of Purpose & Function
Statement of Purpose & Function
Blossom House is a weekly term time only, residential provision. We care for 4 nights a week from Monday to Friday. We cater for 15 boarders aged between 8 – 18 years.
All Blossom House pupils have an Education Health Care Plan and a place within the day school.
Blossom House Purpose
Blossom House works closely with families to provide a caring, educational environment for the young person, that supports learning through a 24 hour curriculum, generalises skills to enhance and promote the growth of independence.
We ensure that every young person has a voice (sign, symbol, gestures) and it is heard. Individual successes are celebrated and shared with families and throughout the school community, helping to develop and maintain personal wellbeing.
We work together to add value to the lives of both the individual and their family as a whole, while providing opportunities and experiences in preparation for the young persons next phase and into adulthood – Learning for Life
Function
Our team are experienced, dedicated professionals who work to provide consistency and continuity for each young person, enabling them to meet their educational, social, behaviour, health and emotional needs in order to achieve their full potential
The team work closely with the young person, class teams, parents and carers to be able to provide a 24 hour curriculum enabling our young people to develop their communication, independent and social skills – to become happy and confident individuals and preparing them for adulthood.
Within Blossom House, a detailed framework through Evidence 4 Learning is used to set individual targets and track and record achievement and progress during young persons time in the provision. This can be shared with parents.
The Blossom House staff work closely to support the families of our young people, we find this is essential in meeting all of the needs of the individual.
We work with other professionals such as Speech & Language, Physiotherapists, Paediatricians, Psychologists and Children’s Services including the young adult team, to ensure a multi-disciplinary approach.
Staff & Key Workers
All the young people within the residential provision will have a keyworker. It is the responsibility of the keyworker, along with support from the co-keyworker, to offer assistance, support and guidance to the young person about a variety of issues and to liaise with them regarding their care needs and any concerns that might be troubling them. The key worker will communicate, where appropriate, with parents, external agencies and other staff within school, regarding issues surrounding student progress and development. They will also advocate for the young person when necessary and ensure welfare and rights are being protected.
All staff, whether they are the young person’s keyworker or not, should ensure that children are able to contact any member of staff of either gender with personal, academic or welfare concerns, and that those problems will be listened to and addressed.
Keyworkers work with the young person to set individualised targets which help them to work towards achieving their maximum potential.
All staff in Blossom House are qualified sufficiently for the post that they are in. All have achieved or are working towards a qualification in care (Level 3 in Children and Young People)
Pupil Voice
Pupil voice is celebrated. The young people are involved in decisions about Blossom House, via weekly suite meetings and half termly “Our Voice” meetings. Menus for the evening meals incorporate the individual young person’s choice
Protection of boarders within the residential provision
In line with the schools safeguarding policy, all staff receive annual safeguarding training as well as regular training throughout the year. Staff follow protocol in reporting and recording any concerns via CPOMS and to the DSL and safeguarding team.
Residential Staff Structure
Head Teacher – Brian Thomas
Deputy Head Teachers
Sarah Hooton & Laura Wainwright* (*Residential Link Teacher)
DSL – Xanthe Mullinger
Assistant Head – Amy Bresnen
Chair of Governors – Jackie Summerfield-Constable
Residential Governor – David Short
Head of Care – Sharan Brain
Deputy Head of Care – Judith Jackson
Waking Nights – Julie Taylor & Amanda Spencer
Care Officer – Vicky Dean, Bronwyn Williams
Care Assistants – Jack Westmacott, Billy Bennett, Amrah Akhtar, Finley Breach, Amanda Rowberry, Kelly Harrison, Gabby Bourn, Danielle Rogers, Glynis Dyer
Accommodation
Blossom House is situated above the day school setting. It comprises of three suites, Poppy – 4 bedrooms, Sunflower- 5 bedrooms and Bluebell – 6 bedrooms. Every boarder has their own bedroom that they are able to personalise with their own belongings. Each suite has a social room which can be used for activities, socialising, homework or relaxing and a bath/shower room and toilet facilities.
Breakfast and an evening meal are prepared in our residential kitchen and served in our dining/multi purpose room.
The room can be configured as a cinema room, disco suite or for other activities.
Other facilities include:
- laundry facility – comprises of washing machines and dryers.
- A lift between floors is available for pupils or visitors with mobility issues.
- Blossom House is able to access facilities onsite such as Sensory room, Food tech and outdoor space.
In addition, we have three staff sleeping in rooms with ensuite facilities, to accommodate the Sleep-in staff and Head of Care, who are on call each night.
We have two waking night staff on duty who monitor the young people throughout the night, they are able to contact the sleep in staff or Head of Care via a walkie talkie if they need to do so.
The Head of Care office is situated within the provision.
