Residential special school could close next year

Bradstow is a specialist school for children with autism and complex needs

A residential special school in Kent for autistic children with complex needs could close next summer due to a "challenging financial landscape".

Wandsworth Council, which runs Bradstow School in Broadstairs, said it had been "forced to look at other options".

Restrictions were placed on the school for a period last year following an Ofsted inspection where "serious and widespread concerns in relation to the care" were found.

In a letter to parents, Wandsworth Council said the potential closure was "not a reflection of the quality of current leadership".

Fifteen local authorities have children placed at the school, and Wandsworth Council said it had four children there.

Kent County Council (KCC) is the largest user, with 13 out of the school's 33 children placed through it.

Wandsworth Council said it had been working with KCC since November 2021 to explore potentially transferring the provision, but KCC had recently decided not to go ahead.

Kent County Council wrote a letter to parents in the summer with "safeguarding concerns"

Bradstow School has a budget of around £12m a year funded by all local authorities that place children there.

Of the 33 children, 27 are residential and six are day pupils.

Wandsworth Council said: "The unwillingness of councils to pay the levels of fees needed to maintain the quality of financial viability of the school forced Wandsworth Council to look at other options."

A consultation period will begin in January 2025 with a proposed closure in August.

Wandsworth Council said it would support families through the consultation period and planned for a "smooth transition" for each child if the decision was made to close.

Restrictions were placed on Bradstow in October 2023 following an Ofsted inspection that banned any new children from being admitted into the residential home.

The inspection found "significant concerns" regarding lack of management oversight in behaviour management and the use of physical interventions.

In June, KCC wrote to parents to tell them it had "ongoing concerns" that "avoidable mistakes" had been made in the home.

The BBC reported how one mother said her non-verbal autistic son was given incorrect doses of medication and absconded multiple times.

Leanne Manser told BBC South East she was concerned for other children in residential care there.

She said her son was served notice because Bradstow said it could not support her child's care needs.

A June 2023 Ofsted report rated the school as outstanding but an inspection on the residential care in October the same year found it required improvement.

At the time, Wandsworth Council acknowledged the school needed "sustained improvement" and said the safeguarding and wellbeing of children was its "top priority".

In a letter to parents seen by the BBC, Ana Popovici, executive director of children's services at Wandsworth Council, said the authority "acknowledged Bradstow has experienced challenges" but that the proposal was "not a reflection of the quality of current leadership, education and care" provided by the school.

Councillor Kate Stock, cabinet member for children at Wandsworth Council, said: “The upcoming consultation process is crucial, and we are committed to gathering feedback from all stakeholders to make the best possible decision for the children and families served by Bradstow."

A spokesperson for KCC said: "We are working to find alternative educational provision for the pupils currently attending Bradstow School."

The council said students would be given individual plans to minimise disruption.