Agenda item

Aycliffe Secure Centre Update, including Maple House - Report of the Acting Centre Manager, Aycliffe Secure Centre

Minutes:

The Panel received a report which provided an update on Aycliffe Secure Centre including the new transition home, Maple House (for copy of report see file of minutes). 

 

The Acting Centre Manager, Anne Haigh, spoke of how the Covid-19 pandemic had presented unprecedented challenges for the Centre. Despite this, the young people found innovative ways to overcome the difficulties of lockdown for example through writing letters to new residents to introduce themselves.  Throughout the pandemic, the young people’s learning experience continued and online vocational courses were introduced.

 

The Panel heard that as young people often find the transition to a community placement difficult, a new transition home, Maple House, funded by the Council and the Department for Education had been built to provide a stepping stone, to ease the transition from the secure environment back into the community.

 

A further development was the Centre’s participation in the Secure Stairs framework which supports young people and staff with trauma informed care.  A recent annual review found the young people are receiving trauma informed care and the young people themselves report feeling safe and secure with the staff caring for them. 

 

The Acting Centre Manager also explained the Centre has piloted a sleep/Fitbit project as many young people report difficulties with sleep.  Information gathered on the quality of sleep is being shared with the psychological team and there are plans to extend the project across all the houses.

 

The Acting Centre Manager confirmed that ‘My Space’ had continued throughout the Covid-19 period, although it had been necessary to hold sessions virtually.  This provided the young people with the opportunity to discuss issues with staff from Investing in Children. 

 

The Panel congratulated all staff and young people at the Centre on their recent outstanding Ofsted achievements.

 

Resolved:

 

That the report be noted.

 

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