WELCOME TO SILVER BIRCHES

The Silver Birches Staff team

Stuart McQueen

Residential Education Manager

Michelle Lai

Deputy Residential Manager

Julie Reynolds

Residential Educational Officer

ML/SB/08

Link workers

Every student continues to be a part of the Link worker system. The link worker is the person who caries out all necessary paperwork for your Annual reviews, progress files and is a contact for your Parents/carers or other professionals such as social worker and doctors.

But most of all they are there for you to talk to and help you achieve your goals.

The link workers at Silver Birches are – Stuart McQueen

Michelle Lai

Julie Reynolds

ML/SB/08

Silver BirchesResidential Education Assistants

Sonia Vanguard

Noreen Rickwood

Arune Gudaityte

Asta Kulbickaite Yasmin Weddell ML/SB/08

Night Attendants

TINA WHYBROW JAS SANDU

ML/SB/08

General information

Every evening a member of the residential education team sleep in so there is always someone available if you need help. A waking night attendant is on duty throughout the night.

The students’ bed times are usually at 9.30pm -10pm unless there is a special event or a special programme they have negotiated to watch.

All students take part in a weekly meeting where choices of activities, menus and any general information are discussed.

ML/SB/08

Staying in contact with friends and family

Silver Birches encourage regular contact with home and friends. We have a payphone which the students can use, the phone number is below. Mobile phones are also permitted.

Silver Birches Payphone number 01322 663127

Mobiles are allowed but please be respectful of others when using. Phones are have to be handed in at 9pm Thursday evening for sending home Friday.

ML/SB/08

Need to talk

Remember if you ever have a problem you can talk to anyone at Silver Birches. You can also talk to anyone in the main school.

If you feel you cannot talk to a member of staff there are phone numbers in our phone room for various organisations such as child line, independent listener.

ML/SB/08

Medication

We will encourage you to recognise your personal health needs and if needed understand what medicine you are taking. Any medications are locked away in the medicine cupboard and administered when required.

We also have access to the school nurse who oversees all medication.

ML/SB/08

Layout of Silver Birches

Living room Dining room

Kitchen Utility room

ML/SB/08

Looking after our home

We all have the responsibility to keep the house clean and tidy so we run a jobs rota for the students which shows their weekly jobs and days and times they need to be completed. This encourages knowledge of time management. All Silver Birches students wash and iron their own clothes within a set rota time.

ML/SB/08

Bedrooms

You are encouraged to make your room as homely as possible, posters, pictures, bedcovers and curtains are all allowed. Radios alarm clocks, individual portable DVD players, ipods, walkmans are permitted,

Sorry personal Televisions and Laptops are not allowed.

ML/SB/08

Activities

We provide a wide variety of activities which the students request at their House meeting. If theses activities are within our health and safety regulations they are then asked to find out information regarding these including costs if outside of school.

The Activities the students enjoy vary from sport based to cinema.

We encourage our students to become involved with groups within the local community.

Due to our independent training you will need around £10 - £15 per week. Please hand this money in on a Monday so it can be logged in and put in safe for your use when ever you need it.

ML/SB/08

Independence

We fully encourage and nurture your independence and will assist you in all areas required. Our aim is for you to be as independent as possible to prepare you for your future. You will receive help with all areas including personal care, cooking skills, and independent shopping and travel.

ML/SB/08

Our Meals

At Silver Birches we all plan our weekly menu during our weekly house meetings. These meals are compared to the main school lunch menus. We then complete the shopping lists and then we access the local supermarkets to purchase the items required. All students take turns in preparing and cooking the evening meals. We encourage a healthy eating menu and include a wide range of cultural foods.

ML/SB/08

Personal items

Lockers are available and a small deposit is required to have a key. The lockers are in the living room.

Any food items you wish to bring in is allowed except nut products. These items have to be stored named in the kitchen. Please remember we encourage a healthy food choices and have to stay within the government food standards.

Please remember that your property is your responsibility.

ML/SB/08

Student council

Silver Birches continue to contribute to the Student Council. A representative is voted for once a year during a house meeting. The role of a student councillor is to pass on information questions or requests of your peers and report back to the students any answers or information from the meetings.

ML/SB/08

Silver birches House Rules

Respect each other and your surroundings

No boys and girl in each others bedrooms. Girls can visit girls, boy likewise as long as bedroom doors are open and you have checked with staff.

No bullying is accepted either physical or verbal

Inform staff if you wish to leave the house.

No chewing gum.

Food and hot drinks are not allowed in your bedrooms

ML/SB/08