SCOTLAND’S RESIDENTIAL special schools are making reasonable progress but could be doing better, according to the most comprehensive report of its kind into their work published at a conference in Dundee yesterday.

The 34 establishments have received detailed joint inspections by the Care Commission and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education, and the resulting report highlights examples of innovative work and successful working methods, as well as areas for improvement.

The report, Residential Care and Education: Improving Practice in Special Schools, reveals that the schools are generally operating very professionally, providing care, protection and education of good quality for about 1300 children aged five to 17 in Scotland.

Praise was given to the many schools that were cultivating a good ethos through effective leadership, professional attitudes among staff, good relationships between staff and pupils and clear policies and procedures.

Areas for improvement were identified in some schools, including the need for more staff training in risk management, more attention to the rights of young people, better complaints systems and an improved curriculum.

The inspectors also identified a need for more collaboration between care and teaching staff and, in some instances, stronger leadership from senior managers.

About two-thirds of the children in Scotland’s residential special schools have social, emotional and behavioural difficulties, and the other third have complex sensory needs. The children’s behaviour can be quite challenging.

There is a greater possibility of the SEBD children being reintegrated into mainstream education than there is for those with sensory needs, and the report explains that in many of the schools a lot of children are achieving their educational potential.

A key message from the study was the need for care and education staff to work better together in planning for the children and assessing their needs, and for formulating programmes for a 24-hour curriculum so that the children can achieve their full potential.

The report was launched at a seminar in the Apex Hotel for professionals working in the sector.

Jacquie Roberts, chief executive of the Care Commission, said, “Our primary responsibility is to promote the interests of children and young people using these services, especially children who have no easy means of making their views known.”

Graham Donaldson, chief senior inspector at HMIE, said, “Ensuring that our most vulnerable children receive the care and education that they need is vital to their personal development and future chances. Our work with the Care Commission to promote best practice will improve both.”

Nine of the 34 residential special schools are in Tayside and Fife.

These are Parkview, Dundee; Balnacraig, Perth; Ochil Tower, Auchterarder; Redgorton House, Perthshire; Seamab House, Kinross; the New School Butterstone, Dunkeld; Falkland House, Falkland; Hillside School, Aberdour, and Starley Hall School, Burntisland.