A youth prison where suicidal children weren’t seen by experts for 12 days, medicines were mixed inappropriately and some youngsters “experienced unintentional pain” has been placed into special measures after an Ofsted inspection.
The situation at Oakhill Secure Training Centre has been branded “shocking and unacceptable” by a minister.
The facility – run by G4S – is home to up to 80 young offenders aged between 12 and 18, according to its website.
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An inspection into Oakhill – located on the outskirts of Milton Keynes – carried out last week, has laid out a litany of concerns.
An “urgent notification” has now been invoked by Ofsted’s chief inspector, meaning Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood now has 28 days to respond.
Previous warnings about Oakhill have been issued – including one in 2021.
The issues found in the latest report included:
• “Serious and systemic failures” that mean children “have been and remain at risk of harm”, with safeguarding systems in “disarray”;
• Two deputy directors have been suspended and one sacked;
• More than 20 staff members were suspended between November and early July this year – with 16 of these cases relating to “conduct with children;
• Since 14 July, seven more staff have been suspended for conduct relating to children;
• A referral of a child reporting “suicidal ideation” was not offered mental health support for eight days;
• A child was given two medicines that “should not be given simultaneously as they are known to increase the risk of harmful side effects”;
• A laboratory analysis of a child with “very worrying health symptoms” had not been processed for more than three months;
• Children with mental health concerns have not been seen on time – one young person with “multiple complex mental health diagnoses” was not seen by a mental health professional for 12 days after admission;
• Children “experienced unintentional pain” while being restrained by staff in a process called an “inverted wrist hold” that was allowed under previous guidelines but is no longer used – but staff were not given training on the changes;
• Serious allegations were not shared with HR and in some cases staff “continued working with the children when it appeared inappropriate to do so given the gravity of allegations”;
• Staff said they were “threatened with unauthorised punishments” and workers “convey a culture of fear, mistrust and reprisal”;
• Some children live in “unsanitary”, “dilapidated” or “dirty” conditions;
• Children had their personal money “inappropriately charged” to be sent to charities under the “umbrella of a victim fund”;
• Sensitive information about children’s offences and private information about staff were “frequently shared inappropriately” by some staff members to children.
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Sir Nic Dakin said, the minister for youth justice, said: “This is a truly shocking and unacceptable report.
“I have already visited Oakhill Secure Training Centre this week to ensure urgent action is being taken by G4S to prioritise the safety of the young people in their custody, and to further address the very serious concerns raised by Ofsted and the Chief Inspector.”
“We will publish an action plan within the month to support them further in these efforts – and will not hesitate to take further action if needed.”
A spokesperson for Oakhill STC on behalf of G4S said: “The safety and welfare of children at Oakhill STC is our highest priority and we take the Ofsted inspection findings extremely seriously.
“We are working collaboratively with the Youth Custody Service and HM Prison and Probation Service to develop a robust action plan to address the concerns raised.”
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK.
