Swanwick Lodge

Inspection report for 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 secure children’s home

This secure children’s home is managed by a local authority. It is approved by the Department for Education to restrict children’s liberty. The children’s home can accommodate up to 16 children, who are aged between 10 and 17 years.

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Information about this secure children’s home

There were five children living in the home at the time of this inspection.

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Information about this secure children’s home

The secure children’s home provides accommodation for children placed by local authorities under section 25 of the Children Act 1989.

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Information about this secure children’s home

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

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Information about this secure 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.

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Information about this secure children’s home

The acting manager has applied to Ofsted to be registered.

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Inspection date: 22 February 2022

Judgement at last inspection: Requires improvement to be good

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

None. Inspection report for children's home: SC038719 2

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement to be good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judged that it has sustained effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

During this inspection, the requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection on 6 July 2021, related to health care and education, were not assessed or reviewed. These will be considered at the next full inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The occupancy of the home has been reduced because of the demands on staff due to the impact of COVID–19, other staff sickness and the complexity of the children’s needs. There is an ongoing recruitment campaign to increase staff numbers. Managers have, at times, worked on shifts to make up staffing numbers and to offer support.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have shown resilience and determination and have strived to ensure that children are kept safe and make progress. Children who met with inspectors were positive about the care they have received. One child said, ‘This place has changed my life. The best things here are the staff.’ She added, ‘I know myself much better now; they’ve helped me understand myself.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The care and support children receive have enabled them to reflect on the past and begin to implement new strategies to cope with difficult situations and challenges more effectively.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The five requirements made at the last inspection on 6 July 2021, not related to health or education, have been addressed. Improvements have been made to ensure that staff are aware of each child’s vulnerabilities and risks and implement agreed strategies to keep them safe. This includes the support children need during approved outings and the level of supervision needed if they are unsettled and at risk of self-harm.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children are now actively involved in the development of their care and behaviour support plans. They meet with a manager on a weekly basis to discuss their progress. This helps them to feel that they are involved in the planning of their care.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The recording of key-work sessions is much improved. These are now insightful and show that children’s opinions and feelings, especially concerning areas that are affecting their well-being, are explored and discussed. In all cases, the records showed that the children are reassured and offered help.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are daily checks carried out by staff to ensure that all areas of the home are safe. They ensure that detritus, such as loose masonry or objects that may have been blown into the perimeter, are removed to lessen the risk to children and staff. Inspection report for children's home: SC038719 3 Three recommendations made at the last inspection, relating to the care of the children, have been addressed. Children report that the quality of food has improved, and records show that their feedback is sought on a regular basis. Members of staff also commented on the improvement in the quality of food provided.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children said they are kept busy and have a variety of activities on offer. During the inspection, some children declined to meet with inspectors as they were too busy enjoying activities, such as using a dance mat and making cakes with members of staff. Other children who met with inspectors spoke of enjoying activities such as music, art and going on mobilities (approved trips into the community) when the opportunity arose. Plans for activity and enrichment weeks show that members of staff are proactive in ensuring that the children have access to activities which will engage them and provide enjoyment.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is a new and improved children’s guide that is written in an accessible format. The document remains under review to ensure that it remains relevant and accessible to children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Safeguarding concerns are shared effectively and promptly with the relevant agencies. Professionals from local authorities report very good communication and sharing of information. The local authority designated officer reported that the transparency and quality of information in relation to referrals have improved over the last nine months. This means that children’s safety is promoted, and plans are put in place to keep children safe where required.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Records of physical restraint incidents were sampled. Managers review each incident to ensure that the legal criteria are met and that the children’s health and well-being are checked. A child who met with inspectors reported that the use of restraint is fair and that she meets staff to discuss the incidents after they have happened.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One incident reviewed by inspectors was extremely challenging for staff. However, the manager had missed aspects of staff practice where there was the potential for injury to the child. There was no evidence of any intention by staff to harm the child, and the child was assessed by a health professional after the event to ensure their well-being. The manager fully accepted this and now plans to implement a further layer of review for future incidents that involve physical interventions. Inspection report for children's home: SC038719 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

06/07/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 22/10/2019 Interim Improved effectiveness 14/05/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good 26/02/2019 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children's home: SC038719 5

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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 education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

help each child to achieve the child’s education and training targets, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

support each child’s learning and development, including helping the child to develop independent study skills and, where appropriate, helping the child to complete independent study;

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Requirement Due date

promote opportunities for each child to learn informally. (Regulation 8 (2)(a)(i)(ii)(v)) 31 March 2022

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(h)) 31 March 2022 Inspection report for children's home: SC038719 6 In particular, ensure that through scrutiny of restraints they recognises any potential risks to the children and takes action so that staff practice improves.

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that effective care planning and strong working relationships exist between the health care team and the home. In particular, ensure all of the staff members adhere to the principles of the secure stairs model. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 56, paragraph 11.2)  The registered person should ensure that the ethos of the home supports each child to learn. Leaders and managers should ensure that the curriculum meets the needs of older children and supports them moving into further education and employment. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 29, paragraph 5.18)  The registered person should ensure that the recruitment of staff safeguards children and minimises potential risks to them. In particular, that the home recruits a health care manager, substance misuse worker to support the care of

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Recommendations

children. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1)

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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

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, 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’. Inspection report for children's home: SC038719 7

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Secure children’s home details

Registered provider: Hampshire County Council

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Secure 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 Shaun Common, Senior Officer, Secure Estate Helen Simmons, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC038719 8 to 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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