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LIFE AT OVERLEY
As well as organised leisure activities, Overley Hall gives recognition to the need for privacy, peace and space as an important part of each day. The atmosphere generally is happy, relaxed and homely. Integral to good care standards is a healthy diet. The pupils at Overley are extremely well nourished. Regard is given to additive free diets; more able pupils are helped to understand nutritional needs.
Overley Hall is approved as a centre for the teaching of Basic Food Hygiene Certificate offered by the Institution of Environmental Health Officers. All Overley Hall staff are expected to qualify in this certificate. Educational and residential provision is essentially sufficiently separate to allow a distinct division between School and Home. Emphasis is given to the ethos of a family. Three totally independent family groups live on the ground floor, but sleep upstairs. Boys and girls sleeping accommodation is separate. There is a total of 18 single bedded rooms. Parental wishes and individual needs are addressed. Furniture and fittings reflect the needs of the individual. Personal possessions preserve the link with family. All doors are fitted with an alarm system. There are four "waking" and three "sleeping" on call staff. The facilities on the top floor provide semi-independent living for a mixed group of boys and girls. Accommodation comprises a fitted kitchen/activity room, television lounge, bedrooms and bathroom facilities. The ethos in this Unit is totally different. Here, the aim is on group caring, choice, taking responsibility decision making and the development of social and life skills in a less formal way. The young people in this group value their place within and have to meet expected criteria to maintain their place. THE LODGE
The young adults at The Lodge will be involved in all aspects of decision making. The accommodation comprises of four single bedrooms, one with en suite facilities, shower room, bathroom/laundry room, kitchen, living room, dining room, activity room/computer room and extensive fenced play area/garden. The aim of The Lodge is to create a safe environment to encourage independent living and social skills. They will still attend school Monday to Friday at the main hall, but return to The Lodge at home times. The Lodge is supported by a housekeeper and three full time care staff as well as one waking and one sleeping staff at night. The young adults are encouraged to complete as many home making tasks as appropriate, including laundry, cooking, bed making etc with staff support.
Needs within the groups are different and constantly reviewed. Communication skills are embodied in all aspects and encompass a great deal of work. Recreational facilities include fixed equipment, e.g. swings, a field, heated indoor pool and a converted coach house. Alternatively, cookery, art, craft, sand/water play, dressing-up and a variety of toys and games. Staffing ratios allow for individual attention for those who need help, and the flexibility of additional help whenever necessity. Extensive use is made of several community facilities including local swimming pool, ice rink, Telford Centre and other play parks, local libraries, National Parks, McDonalds, and Gateway Clubs. Weekend and holiday activities are planned as part of a programme to offer our children a wide range of experiences and opportunities to develop social skills, develop self confidence and the opportunity to participate in "normal" activities. Three mini buses are available to enable access to "off site" facilities. HEALTH CARE Accidents - unfortunately accidents happen from time to time. The services of the local hospital are available in the case of an accident requiring hospital treatment. You will be contacted by telephone and in the case of admission, given all relevant information so that you can speak directly to hospital staff and satisfy yourselves, particularly in the case of long distances, whether the emergency necessitates your presence. School and home staff provide a familiar face, comfort and a means of communication during periods of hospitalisation. Students receive regular dental inspections and should treatment be required, the facilities of our local dental centre are available. Should any treatment require hospitalisation, parents are given the option of accompanying their son/daughter or arranging treatment to be carried out during holiday periods. The oral hygienist visits monthly. Other professionals are accessed when required. MEDICATION Medication is dispensed monthly using the Boots M.A.R. (Medication Administration Record) system, whereby pupils medication is pre-packed. Medication is stored in secure facilities in our surgery. FIRE CERTIFICATE SOCIAL SERVICES INSPECTION - RE: 1989 CHILDREN ACT FEES |
A key element in the success of a residential establishment is the mutual support and link between home and School. Care staff play an essential role in promoting the physical and emotional well being of all our pupils. In effect, they are assuming the role of good parents and are instrumental in providing opportunities to promote affection, care, consistency, stability and security, regardless of the degree of learning disability.
Breakfast includes a choice of cereals, toast, preserves, tea and coffee; Brunch is served at weekends. During Lunch, the main meal of the day, pupils are positively encouraged to choose their meal and care is taken with regard to fat, additives and preservatives content. Special preferences are catered for. Some fresh fruit and vegetables are supplied by our large vegetable garden, which is cultivated by pupils. All meat is purchased locally from a registered butcher.
In September 2004 we increased our intake to 22 and opened Overley Hall School Lodge which provides living accommodation for four 16 – 19 year olds.
The young adults at The Lodge also access all aspects of the local community and enjoy a wide range of activities including the use of local public transport.
Medical care is provided by the local General Practitioner, with whom all our students are registered. Visits are made and on a monthly basis and services called upon whenever necessary. Staff ensure good habits of hygiene are maintained. If your child is ill whilst at School, you will be contacted.
In principle, Overley Hall believes in reducing drug intervention, apart from that prescribed for particular conditions, e.g. Epilepsy. All pupils on medications are reviewed on a regular basis by the psychiatrist attached to the Children and Mental Health Services Team.
Overley Hall holds a current Fire Certificate. The local Fire Service uses the building as a practice resource.| Office & Fax 01952 740262 |