Guide for parents, carers and children
Answering common questions
Visiting Swanwick Lodge
Our address is Swanwick Lodge, Glen Road, Off Swanwick Lane, Southampton, SO31 7HD.
All visitors must be approved by the child's social worker prior to booking a visit or a telephone call. Without approval, neither will take place. You should also bring some form of photo identification to every visit.
Visiting hours
School days: 6:30pm to 8:30pm
School holidays and weekends: visits are made by arrangement.
All visits must be booked in advance by contacting our reception on 01489 581913.
Visitors' belongings
Personal possessions such as handbags, keys and mobile phones cannot be taken into the home. You will be given a secure locker to keep your belongings safe during your visit.
Permitted and prohibited items
To maintain a secure environment and protect children, staff and visitors, the following is a list of permissible and prohibited items.
Permitted items
Items that are allowed must be checked by a member of staff before being given to the child.
Checks may not be possible in time for the visit but will be completed as soon as possible.
All items listed below are subject to the child's risk assessment at the time of the visit.
- clothes as agreed with home staff
- personal items such as photographs and posters
- gifts for birthdays/celebrations
- money to be added to the child's account (only a limited amount of money may be held on behalf of children)
- TV, stereo or games console, if the child's status allows
Prohibited items
- food, sweets (including bubble and chewing gum) or drinks (including alcohol)
- sharp objects, razors, razor blades or any object which could be used as a weapon
- cigarettes, tobacco, cigarette papers, e-cigarettes
- matches, solvents, lighters or lighter fuel containing solvents
- tins, aerosols
- glass items, pencil sharpeners and tools
- medications, including over the counter
- toiletries (items provided internally)
- sticky tack, glue sticks or similar
- non-age appropriate magazines/reading materials including any pornographic material
- DVDs or objects certificated above the child's age
- mobile phones, cameras, recording devices (including MP3 players and similar devices) and batteries
- jewellery, valuable personal items
Contact and keeping in touch
Phone calls
Children may use their bedroom phone to call relatives or key professionals, though we discourage calls during school hours. The phone will be pre-programmed to only connect with approved contacts.
Letters
We encourage all children to write home and stay in touch with their approved contacts as often as they like — postage is provided free of charge. Receiving letters is a highlight for many children, and we welcome you to send letters through their social worker.
To help keep everyone safe, we ask that all envelopes clearly show the sender’s name. Letters will be opened in the presence of a staff member.
Meetings
There will be a number of meetings during your child's stay at Swanwick Lodge. Your child's social worker will keep you informed and invite you to attend.