“It is important to ensure that all young people, regardless of their age and gender, who live away from home, are provided with a clear sense that their social and emotional needs are cared for.” (Donaldson’s Statement of Purpose and Function).
An introduction to Residence at Donaldson's
From Monday to Thursday night we provide residential care for young people who are deaf* or have speech and language disorders. Our residents are all of school age and live in one of three residential flats located in the Residential Block. There are three registered flats; Firth, Forth and Avon. A bespoke video entry system keeps the flats secure and allows access to the building. Residents are accommodated within the flats according to their age, stage of development, communication skills, friendships and interests. Each flat is unique and reflects the age and stage of the residents who live in it. The small scale of our living groups helps to foster a supportive and homely environment where the residential staff can help to promote the individual interests of the young people.
All rooms are single occupancy with ensuite provision. All our young people are afforded as much choice as possible as to which room they occupy. Bedroom doors have electronic locks activated by a pass card held by the resident child/young person. Their sense of privacy is further enhanced by the bespoke deaf friendly door bell system that gives a visual and audible alert to the occupant of a visitor. All residents have lockable furniture in their rooms for those special possessions or if preferred such items can be lodged with care staff for safe keeping. All young people are encouraged to personalise their own living space.
Each flat has a modern and comfortable living room providing tranquil views over the countryside that surrounds Donaldson’s. These rooms are well equipped with HDTV’s with Sky and Freeview channels, DVD’s and PC’s. The formers audible transmission can be supported by the inbuilt Power Loop System.
There are well appointed kitchens in each flat where residents are free to prepare snacks and drinks. Forth’s kitchen has a number of adaptations to ensure disabled access and usability. The residents breakfast and tea are also served from these kitchens. The residents help to influence development in food through their involvement in the whole school “Hungry for Success” group.
We believe that childhood and adolescence are special times that are entitled to special care, protection and support. Therefore, all staff either have, or are working towards, nationally recognised qualifications in child care and have qualifications or competence in British Sign Language. Similarly, all care staff are either registered or working their way towards full registration with the Scottish Social Services Council and all uphold the Council’s Codes of Practice for care staff. All staff interaction with residents is based on sensitivity and respect for the individual.
All residents have a key worker who takes a particular interest in their individual key young people. They are responsible for involving the young person and their family in the composition of their own care plan. The care plan helps to ensure that each young person’s needs are fully catered for and that differences in cultures or values are fully understood and embraced. All care planning is actively linked with the young person’s College Individual Education Programme.
The key worker together with other staff is responsible for promoting independent living skills and supporting and encouraging appropriate interactions and relationships with
peers, staff and members of the general community, whilst protecting them from harm. Progress in these areas is regularly reviewed and re-assessed and the achievement of milestones is always a reason for celebration.
We are keen to develop strong links with the families and carers of all our resident young people. Key workers regularly update families on their child’s progress, throughout each week. They also make regular visits to the young person’s home to share information with the family and help to develop a relationship based on trust and partnership. Parents’ visits to the Residences are equally welcome and encouraged.
Accommodation is provided weekly throughout term times for students who might need it for any of the following reasons: location of home; development of communication and social skills; the management of behavioural difficulties and for emergency respite care. Most admissions follow a short residential assessment visit that allows the young person to get to know us.
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How to Apply for Residence
Parents of pupils who require a residential place at Donaldson's need to follow the same admissions procedure as non residential pupils.
To visit our How To Apply section for more information.
Homework Club
We are committed to maximising the educational attainment of all Donaldson's children and young people. Homework is therefore seen as a natural and important extension to class-based learning and is considered an integral part of school work and an established part of community life. Our after school homework club has proved successful in allowing secondary pupils to access the support of both education and residential staff when attempting homework based tasks after the formal academic day. Care staff encourage all young people to complete their homework in the evenings.
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Child Protection
It is the aim of Donaldson's to always to act in the best interests of the child and to encourage the fullest possible involvement and consultation with parents. For this reason Donaldson’s has in place Child Protection Guidelines.
For a copy of these guidelines please visit our Policies section.
It is important that Donaldson’s Governors, Parents and Staff share the aims, knowledge and values concerning the protection of children. They have, as far as possible, been involved in the preparation of Donaldson's Child Protection Guidelines. The existence of such Guidelines is made known to all Governors, Parents, Staff and Pupils. For communication purposes, it is important that Governors, Parents and Staff understand the language used in the Guidelines about child protection matters. Staff need to have clear guidelines about the action to be taken when there is suspicion of child abuse or concern over any particular child.
Parents have a right to expect that Donaldson's has taken steps to develop such Guidelines. They should expect that staff understand these Guidelines and will be confident in operating them. The Staff need the confidence that management will implement the guidelines which are in place and that there will be support for their concerns over individual children. Clear Guidelines which have the agreement of parents, staff and management can ensure that children are protected more effectively.
Please feel welcome to contact Donaldson's should you have any concerns over Child Protection procedures or issues.
*deaf is used to cover Deaf pupils, hard of hearing and deafened
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