Swanwick Lodge

Inspection report children‟s home: SC038719 1 SC038719 Registered provider: Hampshire County Council Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This secure children‟s home is operated by a local authority and is approved by the Secretary of State to restrict children‟s liberty. The children‟s home can accommodate up to 16 children aged between 10 and 17 years who are placed by local authorities under section 25 of the Children Act 1989.

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Information about this children’s home

Under section 25 of the Children Act 1989, admission of any child who is under 13 years of age requires the approval of the Secretary of State.

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Information about this children’s home

The commissioning of health services in this home is the statutory responsibility of NHS England, under the Health and Social Care Act 2012. Education is provided on site in dedicated facilities.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 13 November 2018

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement to be good at the last full inspection.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Progress on the four requirements set at the last inspection was assessed at this inspection, as were recommendations made which were not related to education or health. Those recommendations will be assessed at the home‟s next full inspection.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

A requirement relating to ensuring that children are kept safe was made at the full inspection in November 2018. This related to an incident when children had been left Inspection report children‟s home: SC038719 2 unattended in a corridor for a period of time. Since the last inspection, there have been no similar incidents. Staff awareness is good and ensures that children are now safely supervised at all times. This requirement is met.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

A requirement was made in relation to ensuring that incidents when children are „managed away‟ are appropriately monitored by managers. This has been addressed. Records of these incidents are now of good quality and show that managers have regularly reviewed the measure. Consequently, children have rejoined their peers when it has been judged to be appropriate and safe.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

A requirement was made relating to ensuring that serious incidents are shared promptly with Ofsted. This has been addressed. Since the last inspection, all such incidents have been shared in a timely manner and updated when needed.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection, a recommendation was made relating to ensuring that sanctions are appropriate to the misdemeanour and related to addressing the behaviour. Some sanctions have been reviewed by managers who have not recognised the shortfalls or have not recorded how practice has been addressed. This means that there has been insufficient appraisal of the effectiveness or appropriateness of the sanctions. The shortfall is now subject to a requirement.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

A recommendation made at the last inspection relating to carrying out searches of children‟s rooms only when necessary has also been addressed. Previously, there had been routine searches of children‟s rooms even when there was no apparent risk. This practice has now ceased, and searches are carried out only when there are concerns that children may be at risk or there is information that there may be contraband in the room.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, there has been a concerted effort to improve the range of enriching activities available. Children say that there is enough to do to keep them busy. However, the system has not been fully tested due to reduced occupancy in the home. This recommendation is met, as the efforts being made by staff at this point in time ensure that the children have opportunities to take part in numerous different activities.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, there have been no monthly visits from an independent person as required under legislation. One visit has been missed and reports have not been received by Ofsted in a timely manner. This means that it is difficult to monitor the performance of the home and be alert to possible shortfalls. There has been no impact on the children‟s welfare due to other monitoring systems. For example, children have ready access to advocates and other external professionals. This shortfall has been identified by the responsible individual but has not yet been rectified.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The feedback from visiting professionals, in relation to the tenacity of staff in working with very challenging children, is very positive. „Staff have invested in her‟, said a visiting social worker. It is clear that staff continue to work determinedly and doggedly to help children to move forward. Relationships are warm and understanding, and children seek staff‟s company and advice. Inspection report children‟s home: SC038719 3 Staff have an active role in influencing planning decisions for children, and advocate strongly on their behalf to improve their chances of success at their next placement. As a result, children trust them.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Ongoing major refurbishment has meant that occupancy has been reduced. This has been very well managed, and staff responsible for overseeing the project have ensured that children‟s choices and activities, as well as the quality of the decor, have remained of a good standard. Disruption during this time has been skilfully minimised.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

13/11/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 14/02/2018 Interim Declined in effectiveness 25/04/2017 Full Requires improvement to be good 08/11/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report children‟s home: SC038719 4

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Children‟s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the „Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that– within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes– the name of the child; details of the child‟s behaviour leading to the use of the measure; the date, time and location of the use of the measure; a description of the measure and its duration; details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure; the name of the person who used the measure (“the user”), and of any other person present when the measure was used; the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and a description of any injury to the child or any other person, and any medical treatment administered, as a result of the measure; within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (“the authorised person”)–

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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(b)(i)(ii)(c)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, ensure that sanctions are relevant to the misdemeanour, are scrutinised promptly and any records of conversations around their use are recorded. 30/03/2019

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children‟s home at least once each month.

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Requirement Due date

When the independent person is carrying out a visit, the registered person must help the independent person– if they consent, to interview in private such of the children, their parents, relatives and persons working at the home as the 30/03/2019 Inspection report children‟s home: SC038719 5 independent person requires; and to inspect the premises of the home and such of the home‟s records (except for a child‟s case records, unless the child and the child‟s placing authority consent) as the independent person requires.

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Requirement Due date

A visit by the independent person to the home may be unannounced.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person must produce a report about a visit (“the independent person‟s report”) which sets out, in particular, the independent person‟s opinion as to whether– children are effectively safeguarded; and the conduct of the home promotes children‟s well-being.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person‟s report may recommend actions that the registered person may take in relation to the home and timescales within which the registered person must consider whether or not to take those actions. (Regulation 44 (1)(2)(a)(b)(3)(4)(a)(b)(5))

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that the visits happen on a monthly basis and that reports of the visits are sent to the relevant professionals in a timely manner. Inspection report children‟s home: SC038719 6

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference made to the lives of children and young people. They watched how professional staff work with children and young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care provided. Wherever possible, they talked to children and young people and their families. In addition, the inspectors have tried to understand what the children‟s home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people whom it is trying to help, protect and look after.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

Using the „Social care common inspection framework‟, this inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with the Children‟s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the „Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Hampshire County Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 3rd floor, Elizabeth II Court North, The Castle, Winchester, Hampshire SO23 8UG

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Inspectors

Paul Taylor, social care inspector Lee Kirwin, social care inspector Inspection report children‟s home: SC038719 7 achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children‟s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children‟s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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