The ethos of the college is one in which young people are empowered to have a voice. Ofsted 2010

St. John’s is committed to ensuring that young people have every opportunity to be heard, exercise choice and to be involved in contributing to the college community and services.

A variety of communication and PSD (Personal & Social Development) programmes are offered to support our learners in this aspect of their school & college life.

If a young person has a communication difficulty which might prevent them from articulating their view or choices, this is not seen as a barrier to participation, and staff will work together with the learner to enable them to communicate their feelings and opinions.

Student Councils

Both the School & College hold regular meetings of the Student Council. At these meetings all matters relating to life at St. John’s can be discussed and any concerns, requests or ideas raised.

To maximise participation, the College Council holds open meetings to enable all learners to attend if they choose. The Council is facilitated by staff from the Education and Therapy Teams and issues raised by learners are fed back to the College Management Team. Issues discussed at the College Council included revamping and renaming the Youth Club.

The School Council has an elected representative from each class who is responsible for attending meetings and feeding back the minutes.   Learners are encouraged to approach their class representative with any issues that they wish to be added to the agenda. Recent topics of discussion have included bullying, making a video diary of ‘A day in the life at St Johns’, possible AQA courses to follow, changes and building works and school dinners.

Council representatives feel that being part of the Council gives them an opportunity to change and develop their school.

Feedback from council meetings is taken, by the Learner Governors, to the next meeting of the School or College Governing Body where learner matters are discussed as part of the agenda. Through this mechanism, learners have a direct avenue for their concerns and wishes to be heard at board level and incorporated into strategic planning where necessary.

Learners are encouraged to attend and contribute to their own planning meetings and placement reviews, with support if required. Where a learner chooses not to attend in person, the staff team who work with them most closely and know them best can advocate on their behalf.

House meetings take place on a regular basis where resident learners have the opportunity to input into the running of the houses, menus and leisure activities and facilities on offer.

Independent visitors also attend house meetings and visit the houses on a regular basis to ensure that residents have access to impartial adults whose sole remit is to advocate on behalf of their best interests.

Residents are actively encouraged to contribute to their individual care plans through their key working sessions.

Learners also contribute to the College’s annual process of self assessment through a variety of methods and their input can contribute to our quality improvement planning.

The College has a Learner Involvement Strategy and is currently revising the Learners Handbook and an extended Induction Programme for Learners from September 2011.

The ethos of the college is inclusive, with no young person being excluded from the decision-making process as a result of any communication issues. Ofsted 2010