The Haven

Overview

This focused inspection evaluated The Haven’s compliance with standards regarding pupil welfare, health, safety, and site security. The report concludes that the school does not fully meet regulatory requirements, stating that "the safety and well-being of pupils and staff is inadequate and a cause for concern." Consequently, the Welsh Government may recommend that the school should not accept new pupils until identified matters are addressed.

Strengths

• "All staff at The Haven engaged positively with the inspection team and co-operated fully with the inspection process."
• The proprietor ensured relevant representatives from the wider organisation were on site to assist the inspection team and support staff.

Areas to improve

• Leaders must ensure the school complies fully with the Independent School Standards (Wales) Regulations 2024, particularly regarding safeguarding policies, training records, and access to confidential records.
• Approaches to managing challenging behaviour and bullying require strengthening, including rigorous incident recording, consistent support for pupils, and suitable induction for all staff.
• Leaders must address fire risk assessment actions, ensure policies reflect Welsh Government guidance, strengthen governance, and immediately cease using an unregistered building as a sensory room.

Safeguarding

The report states that safeguarding procedures are inadequate, requiring the policy to reflect specific school context and Welsh Government guidance, with regular, effective training for all staff to ensure they are "clear and confident in their roles and responsibilities."