Medway Secure Training Centre has made some significant improvements, according to an independent annual report published today.
The Social Services Inspectorate (SSI) report said there had been significant improvements in a number of areas crucial to the day-to-day care of young people. This included a much calmer atmosphere, an improved supervision structure, and less reliance on intervention and more on encouragement.
It also found that there was a more coherent management structure, with defined roles, accountabilities and responsibilities throughout the centre. There were improved physical conditions and improved building and systems security.
While the report notes the progress that has been made at Medway, it recognises that there remains a “full agenda of issues to take forward in order to ensure a sustainable quality service”. Areas for improvement include considering further the policy and practices around bullying and assault, and planning a training and staff development strategy. An action plan addressing the report’s recommendations has been drawn up by Rebound, which runs the centre.
Sir Charles Pollard, acting Chairman of the Youth Justice Board, said:
“We are pleased to see that the SSI report notes a number of significant improvements in key areas. Medway has experienced some problems in the past, but we hope that this marks a turning point for the centre and expect to see consistently higher standards from now on. We will continue to monitor the progress of the centre closely.
“It is essential that the young people placed in secure training centres are given every opportunity to stay away from a life of crime on their release into the community. A fundamental part of this is giving trainees effective education while in custody, and it is therefore encouraging to see that the education service in Medway is once again providing a good service.”
Notes to editors
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The two-phase annual inspection of Medway STC took place in June and July 2003 (Phase 1) and October 2003 (Phase 2). It was conducted by SSI, a manager from NCSC, and an inspector from HMI (Prisons) and HMIs (Ofsted).
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The Youth Justice Board is responsible for commissioning and purchasing places for under 18s in the juvenile secure estate, including STCs, young offender institutions (YOIs) and local authority secure children’s homes (LASCHs).
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Building is underway on a fourth STC in Milton Keynes. The Youth Justice Board has also submitted an outline planning application to build another STC on a site in Glynneath, Wales.
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Copies of the reports are available from the SSI on 020 7979 8075.