A SECURE children's home in Swanwick has been found to break national guidelines when punishing youngsters for bad behaviour, an inspection has found.

Staff at Swanwick Lodge were frequently found to send youngsters to their bedrooms, often stripped of bedding and personal possessions, for considerable periods of time.

Inspectors also found that one afternoon a week youngsters were left to work in their rooms with occasional visits from teachers.

The report by the Social Services Inspectorate found this to be "educationally unacceptable".

During their visit in July last year inspectors also found Swanwick Lodge's overall curriculum only provided 23 hours of classes with weaknesses in English, maths, science and ICT.

Despite these shortcomings the SSI inspection, including an Ofsted inspection, granted the unit a three-year licence to continue as a secure unit.

The inspectorate praised the care being given to the 16 young people aged between ten and 18 years staying in the home.

Staff were described as being committed to the young people in their care and setting clear expectations and boundaries. Following the report a spokesman for the home - one of only 30 in the country - said improvements had been made.

She said there was greater access to educational facilities and that a review of disciplinary procedures had taken place.

County council executive member for social care Councillor Felicity Hindson said: "Young people in our care deserve the very best we can offer.

"I am pleased the SSI has judged that we are providing a high level of support to children and young people at Swanwick Lodge to make the best of their lives when they move on.

"They have also suggested a number of areas of improvement and we have worked hard to implement those changes to ensure we are providing the best care we can to those in secure children's home."

Children who stay at Swanwick Lodge are either placed there as part of a sentence or for welfare reasons to ensure their own safety.