Care

Care and education at Aran Hall are based on the same site to ensure that our student’s development programmes are delivered consistently throughout the day. Students live in groups of 5 or 6 in small homely settings and each student has their own room which they are encouraged to personalise. Each house room has a lounge and dining room, plus access to a kitchen to enable students to prepare light meals and develop daily living skills. Main meals are provided by the school’s catering team.

Each houseroom has a Team Leader, Deputy Team Leader, Houseroom Leader and a team of support workers who are dedicated to working in the house and are familiar with the students in their group. Each student has a Key Worker who, where possible, is chosen by the young person. It is the Key Workers responsibility to provide individual guidance and support to their young person, provide input in developing Risk Assessments Management Plans, Social Reports and Placement Plans, to act as an advocate for the young person, to maintain contact with the students family friends and significant others, to ensure their young person is well clothed and maintains good personal hygiene and to organise events for students’ special events including birthdays and Christmas.

We also have two waking night teams who consist of a Team Leader, Deputy Team Leader and three Residential Night Support Workers. All our staff undergo an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check prior to their appointment. They complete a two week induction which includes shadowing care staff in houserooms and classrooms, and training in physical intervention techniques and child protection procedures.

Every member of care staff works towards NVQ 3 in Caring for Children and Young People, as well as receiving training in Autism, First Aid, Epilepsy, Behaviour Management and Child Development. Training requirements are reviewed through regular supervision and annual appraisal reviews.