1. Introduction

1.1 Purpose

The purpose of this report is to appraise the Committee on the outcome of a licence renewal inspection by the Social Services Inspectorate-South East (SSI) in July 2003.

1.2 Corporate Strategy

The licence renewal inspection of Swanwick Lodge supports Aim 5 (Improving Services) of the Corporate Strategy, as part of the continual improvement of services.

1.3 Swanwick Lodge

Swanwick Lodge is a 16 bedded Local Authority Secure Children's Home. The facility was built in 1997 and comprises of two 8 bedded units with an education unit on site. Swanwick Lodge accommodates children aged between 10 and 18 (Secretary of State approval is required for placements under the age of 13), both male and female. Children placed are subject to either criminal detention as part of a sentence from the courts or placed under Section 25 CA1989, for welfare reasons.

1.4 Environment

Swanwick Lodge is furnished and equipped to a very high standard. Each child has their own bedroom and ensuite bathroom facility. Each unit comprises of a dining room, lounge and quiet area. The education unit includes classrooms, workshops and a music room. Swanwick Lodge has been repeatedly commended by visitors for the secure garden area which includes a lawn and well stocked flower beds. Swanwick Lodge is grateful to the Hampshire Garden Trust for their on-going support in developing this.

1.5 Background to the Report

Hampshire's Swanwick Lodge Secure Unit was the subject of a licence renewal inspection completed by the Social Services Inspectorate-South East (SSI) in July 2003. The purpose of the inspection was to advise the Secretary of State about the continuing suitability of the Secure Unit to be licensed as a secure children's home. The Inspection was carried out using the standards criteria developed by SSI for the inspection of the secure estate. The education facilities of the unit were inspected by Ofsted two weeks earlier i.e. 15 - 17 July 2003. The Ofsted report is contained within the SSI Inspection Report.

A separate Inspection was undertaken at the same time as this inspection, having being conducted by the National Care Standards Commission. Their report is available separately.

2. Re-licensing of Swanwick Lodge

2.1 The SSI found that the services offered by Swanwick Lodge Secure Unit complied with regulation and recommended to the Secretary of State that Swanwick Lodge was for re-licensed as a secure unit for a further 3 years. As such, a further 3 year licence was granted by the Secretary of State on 21 October 2003.

3.0 Positives identified by SSI

3.1 The SSI made very positive comments about all aspects of Swanwick Lodge. They can be summarised by their overall assessment which is quoted below;

3.2 Swanwick Lodge was in the process of undergoing considerable change, much of which not had time to bed down firmly at the time of this inspection. Further changes to practice were planned all of which we welcomed. It will be essential to ensure that the new practices are fully incorporated into day-to-day care practices. Monitoring of practice by managers will be particularly important in the initial stages.

It is important to recognise that although this report highlights a number of areas for development it was clear that the day-to-day care of young people was good and staff and managers were committed to the young people in their care. They worked hard to build and sustain relationships with young people who at times displayed very challenging behaviour. It is important that the positive aspects of the care provided by Swanwick Lodge are sustained whilst reducing the reliance on single separation and sanctions as a means of control. (SSI Inspection report, Swanwick Lodge, 2003)

4. Issues for Improvement Identified by SSI

The SSI report raised a number of issues that require action from Swanwick Lodge to ensure an improvement to the service is made. All the issues raised by the SSI have been responded to with a clear Action Plan. The significant issues raised are as follows:

4.1 Managers should carry out a fundamental review of policy, procedure and practice surrounding the use of single separation and sanctions. (The purpose of the review should be to reduce the use of single separation and sanction and develop practice that uses rewards and positive reinforcement as a means of encouraging young people to conform to the unit's expectations for behaviour. The use of single separation and sanctions must conform fully to guidance and recognised good practice).

4.2 The Statement of Purpose and Function requires additional information to be included in it to ensure it conforms with regulation

4.3 The "home authorities" Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton should review their use of Swanwick Lodge to ensure that all possible alternative strategies are thoroughly considered before resorting to secure care.

4.4 A staff absence management strategy should be established and levels of sickness absence reduced.

4.5 Managers should continue in their efforts to recruit more people from black and minority ethnic communities to the staff team.

4.6 Opportunities for young people to personalise their bedrooms should be improved.

4.7 Managers should ensure that individual case records comply fully with regulation and guidance

4.8 Clear systems for consulting with young people should be established. Young people's meetings should provide young people with meaningful opportunities to contribute to the day-to-day running of the unit).

4.9 Staff should receive training in dealing with complaints and young people should be provided with information on the complaints procedure that makes in clear how informal complaints would be dealt with.

4.10 In terms of the education unit, Swanwick Lodge should Revise the educational programme on Wednesday afternoons, Establish a system of accreditation to value and record the achievements of the children and Address the issues of the inadequate curriculum hours and the poor access to education for some, stemming from the 43 week year.

5. Response of Swanwick Lodge

5.1 Swanwick Lodge recognises the issues that have been raised by the SSI and is committed to ensuring that the unit demonstrates best possible practice, by improving those areas of the service.

5.2 Swanwick Lodge is undergoing significant change with a new management team and is fully committed to making any service improvements.

5.3 A detailed Action Plan addressing each issue raised by the SSI has been submitted to the Department of Health. A copy of the Action Plan is appended to this report (Appendix 1). The Action Plan gives clear time scales to ensure each issue is improved and that Swanwick Lodge meets all requirements. The significant majority of recommendations from the SSI have already been successfully completed.

6 Recommendations

(i) That the Social Care Policy Review Committee accept the findings in this report.

(ii) That the Social Care Policy Review Committee advise the Executive Member for Social Care on any matters of policy that require attention and any actions required, subject to available resources.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - Background Documents

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB The list excludes:

1. Published works

2. Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.