Agenda item

Aycliffe Secure Centre Annual Update - Report of Aycliffe Secure Centre Manager

Minutes:

Selwyn Morgans, Manager of Aycliffe Secure Centre, presented the Aycliffe Secure Centre Annual Update (for copy of report and presentation see file of minutes).

 

Members were provided with information on the facilities, the additional services at the centre, the main events of 2019 and the challenges for 2020.  One of which is to continue the high level of performance during 2019 to maintain the ‘outstanding’ Ofsted rating. 

 

The Chair thanked the Centre Manager for the presentation. 

 

Members praised the fantastic facilities at the centre which continues to go from strength to strength, adding that this work should be supported as much as possible and commended the Centre Manager on his commitment and enthusiasm. 

 

The Centre Manager thanked Members for their kind words and support and gave credit to the staff.  He responded to comments and questions as follows:

 

  • In response to a question as to the average length of time that a young person spends at the centre, the Centre Manager advised that this varies on the type of referral.  Youth justice referrals can be between 2 months to 4 years, whereas welfare referrals average between 3 to 6 months. 

 

  • Members acknowledged that entering the centre for the first time may be a daunting experience for a young person and asked about the induction process.  The Centre Manager informed Members that the induction process is designed to help the young people settle-in as soon as possible.  This includes a film prepared by young people who live or have lived at Aycliffe which is shown to the young people before they arrive at the Centre, as well as a multi-media welcome pack which is available for the young people to access in their rooms.  All the young people have a comprehensive health assessment to identify their individual needs.    

 

  • The young people of the Children in Care Council asked whether there are art  facilities at the Centre. The Centre Manager confirmed that there is an art room, adding that art is very important, with many of the young people being talented artists.  He commented that every young person has a talent, and that arts, sports, recreational and practical activities play a very important role at the centre.  He added that there is a fully equipped music studio and he offered to look into whether the studio could be made available to assist the young people of the Children in Care Council with the music project they worked on during the Care Day event.

 

Resolved:

 

That the report be noted.

 

 

 

 

 

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