“Last year we knew we were doing lots of good things in school, but we were inconsistent with our practice and not everything joined up in the way it needed to, which was a huge frustration for everyone.”
“However, joining the QoL network has really helped us bring all these things together in a consistent and coherent way so now everyone understands where their contribution fits in and how to work most effectively with their colleagues.” From a QoL network partner
At Swalcliffe Park, we believe that different thinking is needed to improve the lives of students and their families. So we developed a ‘Quality of Life’ framework and approach, which enables us to hear student and family voices on the issues of importance to them. This is an evidence-based approach that takes account of a range of international research influences and drives everything we do.
Most importantly, we’ve been able to show it has improved quality of life outcomes for our students and their families.
The ‘Quality of Life’ way of working has been shared at a number of national and international conferences. We’ve been able to demonstrate how it has had a positive impact on the ethos, culture and organisational sense of purpose where it has been adopted. Interest in the framework led to the establishment of the network… which is a growing group of schools and colleges who are working together to integrate a QoL approach in their settings.
We meet as a group six times per year… as a group of reflective practitioners who support each other on our QoL journeys.
What do you get if you join the network?
The ‘PIE’
An IT-based management tool for the Planning, Implementation and Evaluation of your QoL journey. Resources include job descriptions, independence curriculum, research templates and a wide range of helpful ideas.
QoL in autism questionnaire, progress matrix and QoL reports
Access to online questionnaires for students and families.
Individual student and family QoL progress can be tracked over time in the matrix report. You can set areas of focus, specify interventions and evaluate progress for end-of-term reports and annual reviews.
Independence Plus curriculum
Access to our practical curriculum that combines aspects of communication, self-management and independence to prepare students for adulthood and improve QoL.
QoL workshops & newsletters
Attending both our live and online workshops will guide you through your journey, connect you to partners and provide opportunities for best practice sharing.
Half-termly newsletters provide you with QoL developments and research opportunities.
About us
Swalcliffe Park is a non-maintained residential and day school for boys with ASC. We are a Charitable Incorporated Organisation currently supporting students from over 20 LAs.
If you would like to know more about our QoL framework and approach, please have a look at our website www.swalcliffepark.co.uk or contact Kiran on qol@swalclifffepark.co.uk. Please note that there is a small annual cost for joining the network to recover some of the costs we incur. We very much look forward to hearing from you!
