Swanwick Lodge

Inspection report for secure children’s home - monitoring visit: SC038719 1 Swanwick Lodge Registered provider: Hampshire County Council Glen Road, Swanwick, Southampton, Hampshire SO31 7HD

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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.

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Information about this secure children’s home

The home can accommodate up to 10 children who are aged between 10 and 17. At the time of the inspection, seven children were living in the home.

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Information about this secure children’s home

The home cares for children placed by local authorities under section 25 of the Children Act 1989. Admission of any child who is under 13 years of age under section 25 of the Children Act 1989 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 manager of the home has been registered with Ofsted since March 2022.

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This monitoring visit

The home was judged outstanding at the full inspection carried out from 30 April to 2 May 2024. This visit was undertaken to address specific concerns received by Ofsted.

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This monitoring visit

Children freely expressed their views, thoughts and feelings to the inspectors and were positive about the care that they receive. Children’s complaints are listened to, investigated and acted on. Inspection report for secure children’s home - monitoring visit: SC038719 2 Staff are clear about their safeguarding responsibilities. When safeguarding concerns arise, staff report them to managers without delay. Managers take each one seriously and respond robustly. Concerns are reported swiftly to the appropriate professionals, including the local authority designated officer when needed. Management oversight is thorough, with clear communication, expectations and learning outcomes.

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This monitoring visit

Children’s bedrooms have items in them that are safe for them and that reflect their interests and identity. Staff and managers have decorated the communal areas to make them as homely as possible. There are currently difficulties with the heating and cooling systems, meaning that the home is not as comfortable as it could be. Managers have invested a great deal of time and effort into minimising the impact on children and getting this resolved as quickly as possible.

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This monitoring visit

Staff are resilient when managing difficult situations. They talk positively about the support that they receive from managers. In line with the staff support and development opportunity policy, staff have multiple opportunities to reflect on their practice, discuss any concerns that they have and talk about their professional development. These are in addition to opportunities for formal supervision.

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This monitoring visit

Staff recruitment and retention are ongoing challenges for managers, and there is not currently a full staff team. Recruitment is underway and, in the meantime, the registered manager has made sure that there are sufficient adults to safely care for children by accommodating fewer children than the home is currently registered for. When there are gaps in the rota, these are filled by regular staff working additional shifts or by agency staff who work at the home regularly. Staff who leave are offered an ‘exit interview’ so that managers can fully understand their reasons for leaving and adjust training and practice where required.

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This monitoring visit

The registered manager is committed to reducing the frequency of physical intervention and to ensuring that holds are no more restrictive than they need to be. ‘Safety pods’ have been purchased, with the intention that they will reduce the need to use ‘advanced holds’. Staff will receive training about how to use these and are positive about the impact they hope will be achieved.

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This monitoring visit

The recommendation made at the last inspection is outside the scope of this visit. This will be reviewed at the next full inspection. Inspection report for secure children’s home - monitoring visit: SC038719 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

30/04/2024 Full Outstanding 25/04/2023 Full Good 05/04/2022 Full Good 22/02/2022 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for secure children’s home - monitoring visit: SC038719 4

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the ethos of the home supports each child to learn. Leaders should ensure that the science curriculum is planned and taught in a way that meets the needs of the children. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 29, paragraph 5.18)

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for secure children’s home - monitoring visit: SC038719 5

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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: Hampshire County Council, The Castle, Winchester SO23 8UG

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Inspectors

Thirza Smith, Social Care Inspector Helen Simmons, Social Care Regulatory Inspection Manager Inspection report for secure children’s home - monitoring visit: SC038719 6 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 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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