Agenda item

Ofsted Inspection: Aycliffe Secure Centre full inspection results - Verbal update by Head of Early Help, Inclusion and Vulnerable Children

Minutes:

The Head of Early Help, Inclusion and Vulnerable Children reported that at an Ofsted inspection in 2019, Aycliffe Secure Centre was judged outstanding.  An assurance visit took place in November 2020 and a full inspection, under the new framework, took place in spring 2021. The Head of Early Help, Inclusion and Vulnerable Children was pleased to report the Centre had retained its outstanding status, with only a small number of recommendations to take forward.

 

The Panel heard how the Centre staff had worked hard to respond to the pandemic and with COVID-19 secure working methods in place, the school had remained open throughout, to ensure the education of the young people was uninterrupted.  The inspection found that not only had business as usual been maintained but significant improvements had been made during the pandemic with staff ‘going the extra mile’ to improve aspects such as the young people’s sleep patterns. 

 

A new ‘transition home’ is planned to open in the summer to help young people who have resided at the Centre to integrate back into the community and a bid for DfE funding has been made to further support this project. 

 

The Head of Early Help, Inclusion and Vulnerable Children acknowledged that the retention of the outstanding status was testament to the huge efforts of the Centre’s team.

 

Councillor Surtees placed on record her thanks to managers and staff and congratulated the Centre on this success, during such challenging times.

 

The Chair echoed the comments and expressed how much she enjoys visiting the Centre and meeting the staff and young people, who make the most of the impressive facilities at the Centre.  

 

The Chair welcomed involvement from the new Panel members and encouraged new members to take the opportunity to visit the Centre in due course and to consider volunteering to represent the Panel on Aycliffe Centre’s sub-groups.