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.