Improvements in the safety, care and health of young people at Oakhill Secure Training Centre (STC) have been identified today in a newly released Ofsted inspection report.
Improvements at Oakhill STC praised in new Ofsted report
Improvements in the safety, care and health of young people at Oakhill Secure Training Centre (STC) have been identified today in a newly released Ofsted inspection report.
In the eight months since the last report, inspectors highlighted the progress made in a range of areas - including “popular and well taught” vocational pathways, “robust security arrangements” and the ongoing full refurbishment which is “significantly improving the environment in the centre”.
The report also states that "strong progress has been made in the areas of staff retention, recruitment and attrition", with a more stable workforce resulting in "more continuity of care for the children, increasing the opportunities for positive relationships to develop".
In the eight months since the last report, inspectors highlighted the progress made in a range of areas - including “popular and well taught” vocational pathways, “robust security arrangements” and the ongoing full refurbishment which is “significantly improving the environment in the centre”.
The report also states that "strong progress has been made in the areas of staff retention, recruitment and attrition", with a more stable workforce resulting in "more continuity of care for the children, increasing the opportunities for positive relationships to develop".
We’ve introduced a significant number of changes that are having a positive impact on the centre and outcomes for young people. The range of support and care services are much improved, a full refurbishment of the centre is near completion and we have made significant investments in technology to improve education.
Richard Stedman, Director of Oakhill STC, began his new role on 1 April 2018. He praised the team at Oakhill and highlighted his commitment to ongoing progress.
“In my short time at Oakhill I’ve been impressed by the dedication of my colleagues. We’ve made good progress, but as today’s report highlights there is more work to do. We have developed a violence reduction strategy, which includes further training for the team in how to manage conflicts and prevent them from escalating. This is already having a positive impact and we are fully committed to making long lasting improvements at the centre.”
Led by “robust” management and governance, there was particular praise for the range of health services available to the children. The new forensic and clinical psychological services mean that children can access psychology-led interventions appropriate to their needs. Effective interventions from the on-site substance misuse team and the “flexible and highly responsive services, including during out of office hours” were also vastly improved.
“The well-being and safety of those in our care is of paramount importance to the whole team at Oakhill”, said Richard. “We’ve introduced a significant number of changes that are having a positive impact on the centre and outcomes for young people. The range of support and care services are much improved, a full refurbishment of the centre is near completion and we have made significant investments in technology to improve education.
“I am particularly proud of the important work being done to support the mental welfare of young people through our child and adolescent mental health services.”
“In my short time at Oakhill I’ve been impressed by the dedication of my colleagues. We’ve made good progress, but as today’s report highlights there is more work to do. We have developed a violence reduction strategy, which includes further training for the team in how to manage conflicts and prevent them from escalating. This is already having a positive impact and we are fully committed to making long lasting improvements at the centre.”
Led by “robust” management and governance, there was particular praise for the range of health services available to the children. The new forensic and clinical psychological services mean that children can access psychology-led interventions appropriate to their needs. Effective interventions from the on-site substance misuse team and the “flexible and highly responsive services, including during out of office hours” were also vastly improved.
“The well-being and safety of those in our care is of paramount importance to the whole team at Oakhill”, said Richard. “We’ve introduced a significant number of changes that are having a positive impact on the centre and outcomes for young people. The range of support and care services are much improved, a full refurbishment of the centre is near completion and we have made significant investments in technology to improve education.
“I am particularly proud of the important work being done to support the mental welfare of young people through our child and adolescent mental health services.”