Book excerpt: Residential special schools in England must follow rules, or Standards, that are set by the government. This guide tells you what the rules are, and how they apply to your child's school. Use this full-colour guide for parents to find out what is expected of residential special schools and the staff who work in them, how you can help the people caring for your child, and the information you should receive. This guide provides the wording of each Standard, advice about good practice, and a list of questions you can use to ensure that the care of your child is 'up to standard'. This parent's guide to residential special schools is part of the series of guides about the National Minimum Standards for Residential Special Schools. There are two other guides available, one for staff and one for children and young people.