Local home company has partnered with a Basingstoke Special Educational Needs (SEN) school to bring greater community support and education to pupils, staff, and families.
Bluebird Care North Hampshire and West Berkshire has launched a unique collaboration with Maple Ridge School, a special educational needs (SEN) school for children aged 4 to 11 with moderate to severe learning disabilities.
As part of the partnership, Bluebird Care’s Team will join classes to provide essential personal care, and nutrition and hydration support to pupils – freeing up teaching staff to focus on pupils’ educational needs and deliver the curriculum.
The partnership is already having a transformative impact on pupils, school staff, and the delivery of the curriculum. Headteacher Vicki Clovis said that the unusual move has been welcomed by pupils who have “really built meaningful relationships and trust, ensuring they get the most out of the partnership”.
Three of Bluebird Care’s Care Experts are joining the school over this academic year, with a fourth specifically to free up school staff to lend expert review to the children’s Education Health and Care plans.
The school’s pupils recently enjoyed designing Christmas Cards for Bluebird Care’s customers and team members to celebrate the partnership, equipped with art materials donated to the school by Bluebird Care.
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Together, the school and care team are demonstrating the power of local connections and community support – bringing the expertise of Bluebird Care’s Care Experts to the community.
Vicki Clovis, Headteacher of Maple Ridge School, commented:
"Demand for places at Maple Ridge is rising, and at the same time, we are making provision for children with increasingly complex needs. This has been putting a huge amount of pressure on my teaching and support staff, and so finding a partner to work with to manage the provision of personal care and support in our school has been hugely beneficial for everyone.
“The service Bluebird Care North Hampshire & West Berkshire provides ensures we have high-quality team members when and where we need them, with the skills to support our children’s needs. The consistency of the Bluebird Care team this term has allowed our children to build meaningful relationships and trust with them, ensuring they get the most out of the partnership.”
Phil Miles, Owner and Director of Bluebird Care North Hampshire & West Berkshire, added:
"We’re delighted to be working with Maple Ridge School and making a difference in the lives of their pupils and teachers. It's great to move our outstanding care from the home to the classroom, exactly where it’s needed. Vicki has a fabulous team at Maple Ridge, and the way she has welcomed and integrated the team into the school has been instrumental in the success of this project so far. This innovative partnership showcases Bluebird Care’s adaptability and dedication to delivering care where it is needed most.”
Bluebird Care provides high-quality care services to children, young adults, and older people in their own homes, day centres, supported living environments, and SEN schools in Basingstoke.
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