expectations

Code of Behaviour
To function well any group of people need accepted ways of doing things which everyone follows.  McKenzie is no different to other establishments in this respect.

Each individual pupil and staff member has the right to :

• Learn and work productively
• Be treated respectfully and courteously
• Work and play in a safe environment

All pupils are expected and encouraged to:

• Complete schoolwork and chores to an acceptable standard
• Listen and follow instructions
• Accept responsibility for their actions
• Remain within the stated boundaries
• Use reasonable and acceptable language
• Show respect for staff
• Show respect for other pupils
• Be respectful with others’ property
• Behave well on outings and with visitors to the school
• Act and speak with honesty

Perform in all activities with a reasonable effort.



The Child's Psychologist and any other Assiciated Referral and Support Presonnel are Expected to:

• Provide initial and ongoing information about the pupil’s school, home and community environment.
• Maintain an ongoing interest in, and support for the child before, during and after attending McKenzie.
• Assist in planning and monitoring holiday placements.
• Liaise with the home and school placement in preparation for the child’s return from McKenzie
• Assist in obtaining follow-up research data on children.
   

Parents and Caregivers are Expected to Maintain Regular Contact with their Child at McKenzie through:

• Correspondence
• Telephone calls
• Visits to the school as appropriate
• Weekend placement at home for local pupils.

Parents would also expect to be Involved in their Child's Programme through such Activities as:

• Receiving scheduled home visits by staff from McKenzie and their child’s GSE psychologist
• Attendance at planning meetings and endeavouring to action agreed on strategies
• Completing holiday and weekend reports to provide accurate information on their child’s progress and demeanour during time at home
• Visiting the school to participate in the parent programme and providing the school with feedback on this aspect of its work
• Participation in research after their child leaves McKenzie
• Supporting the efforts of staff at McKenzie in their work with the child.
   

Principles of Care
The staff at McKenzie are committed to the following philosophy and principles in their work with pupils. We believe that:

• The interests of the pupil must at all times have priority, and any action by staff or the administration must have the child’s best interests as the basis for that action.
• Each pupil is an individual with rights and responsibilities. Individual needs must be considered and the worth and dignity of each must be respected in the context that these rights and needs will be closely associated with those of others.
• It is a function of our school to provide an environment in which each pupil has the greatest possible opportunity for emotional, social and academic growth and general well-being, and in which staff members have the opportunity to utilise their abilities and develop their own knowledge and skills.
• That residential placement is only a temporary state of affairs in the individual’s total life experience, and the ultimate aim of our work is to return the child to the community as personally and socially well adjusted as possible and within the time available.
• The school is a means of support for, not an alternative to, pupils’ home situations and that we would want pupils to ‘feel at home’, without feeling the school is home.
• We provide adequate opportunities for parents, children and associated support services to be aware of their commitments, and to be involved in decision-making regarding the child.
• No discrimination is made on the basis of sex, sexual orientation,
• physical appearance, disability, ethnic background, religion, social or economic circumstances.
• In all matters, the legal rights of children, parents and staff will take precedence over other considerations.
• Pupils, their families and staff have the right to confidentiality in their interactions with the school. 
• Children attending the school have a right to be cared for by skilled adults, who are carefully selected and trained and who have a
• commitment to the philosophy of the school.
• Children have a right to live in an environment in which administrative standards, practices and procedures are conducive to healthy
• emotional, physical, social, spiritual and intellectual development.
• We must observe the principles of integration and involvement within education and the wider community.  In so doing, we are careful to safeguard the interests of all concerned.