My daughter is slowly starting to blossom, she requires nurturing of the kind she is receiving at St Mary's. It is perfect. She is finding her voice being listened to and cared for so sensitively.

Mrs E, Parent

Social Worker

The Social Worker is involved in the pastoral care of the children at St Mary's in conjunction with other staff, including the Art Psychotherapist, Counselling Psychologist and Behaviour Co-ordinators in School and College.

The Social Worker seeks to encourage parental involvement to assist in the transfer of the child's skills from school/college to home and will wherever possible facilitate contact with staff to assist parents. The Social Worker is available to discuss matters of concern with parents and will visit parents at home where possible.

The Trust operates a Keep Safe Policy, which is the Children's Complaints procedure. The specially designed pack is given to all new pupils/students and parents to help understand how to deal with problems at school/college and what to do about them.

The Social Worker is the named person at the Trust in matters of Child Protection and is responsible to raise the profile of Child Protection with all staff and to encourage safe working child-care practice at the school. The Social Worker is recognised by CSCI as the ‘Independent Person' for the Trust and as such is accessible to all pupils/students and parents. This role carries with it a responsibility to investigate any complaints raised, other than child protection matters which must be referred to appropriate agencies.

Regular Parents' Meetings are held for parents to meet informally in a relaxed environment. In this informal setting part of the time is spent discussing matters of interest such as independence skills, sex education and other curriculum areas of interest, Benefits and Transition Planning.

The Social Worker is the link between the school/college and organisations concerned with the welfare of the young people, including Social Services Departments.

St Mary's has a Christian Foundation and encourages the spiritual development of the young people by regular Eucharist Services, daily assembly, attendance at local Churches at weekends and an annual themed ‘Day Of Wonder'.

It is possible to arrange simple classes for pupils wishing to take their First Communion or to be Confirmed. This is done in conjunction with the ‘home' Priest and the Trust Chaplain or local Priest, dependent on denomination. The Social Worker is available to discuss such requests.

The Trust seeks to encourage young people of other faiths to follow their own requirements to practise their faith. It may also be possible to arrange religious instruction in other faiths, e.g. Jewish and Muslim.

The Social Worker is available to discuss how the Trust can meet the religious and cultural needs of the children. 

Clinical Psychology
Clinical psychologists aim to reduce psychological distress and to enhance and promote psychological well-being (British Psychological Association, 2008), using the methods and findings of psychology and psychological theories.

At St Mary's, the Clinical Psychologist offers psychological and emotional intervention and support to the children and young people referred. This may be direct work with the young person, and/or working with key members of staff to help promote a greater understanding of the young person's difficulties, and find ways to reduce their distress or help them manage it more effectively. In addition the clinical psychologist offers regular training to staff on issues relating to psychological and emotional well-being.

All children and young people referred will be assessed to see whether psychological therapy is appropriate for them at this time. Assessments might involve a variety of methods including psychometric tests, conversations with the young person and important people in their life (including family), and direct observation of behaviour. This thorough assessment process helps clinical psychologists to develop a formulation - an informed hypothesis about what may be contributing to and helping to maintain difficulties or distress. This formulation will then guide the type of psychological intervention offered. Clinical psychologists are trained in a number of different types of therapy, so they are able to offer support and interventions tailored to each individual and their needs.  This means that the work may be

• short or long-term
• one-to-one with the young person or with staff teams
• more or less frequent depending on what the young person finds helpful
• focussed on helping the young person achieve a certain goal (e.g. learning ways to manage their anxiety more effectively) or more exploratory, allowing the young person space and time to reflect on their difficulties with guided support

In order to provide a safe space for the young people, aspects of the work will remain confidential, unless the young person gives permission for this to be shared. However, the clinical psychologist works closely with other key workers, including the school social worker and director of therapy, and does contribute reports to the Individual Learning Programmes and Annual Reviews. Young people will also be encouraged, where appropriate, to share their experiences with those important to them, in order for them to access multiple sources of support and maximise the impact of the work.

Dr Jo Coldwell
Clinical Psychologist

Transition
In School, the transitional process is managed through the Annual Review and is coordinated by the Head of School. In Year 9, an initial transitional plan is drawn up that includes information on who is involved, the young person's needs under specified headings, and information about the consideration of Post 16 provision. The plan is updated annually and ensures appropriate planning to meet individual needs.

In College, the transition process starts from day one. The Waking Curriculum is designed to assist students' development from leaving school to becoming young adults. The College Transition Adviser works closely with parents, Connexions and the student to plan for a smooth transition process Post 19. Options include creating links, where appropriate, in the student's home area, specialist residential colleges, further education colleges and supported living/housing. Transition Post 19 is discussed at each of the Annual Reviews that take place whilst the student attends St Mary's College.