The Secure Accommodation Network is a network of 19 Local Authority run Secure Children's Homes.
As Local Authority Children's Homes we are governed by all children's legislation and regulations and adhere strictly to the Government's National Minimum Standards. We are inspected annually and licensed by the Commission for Social Care Inspection and by Ofsted and Estyn Education governing bodies. Each secure children's home offers a high quality of care, education, assessment and therapeutic work to make a positive impact in the lives of young people so they do not remain socially or educationally excluded on their return to the community. Secure Children's Homesare in fact very specialist residential resources that achieve much change and progress in the young peoples' behaviours and provides opportunities that equip them to make better informed decisions when they move on to alternative community placements.
The locks on doors should not keep you out.Local Authority Secure Children's Homes accommodate young people between the ages of 12 - 17 years. Young people may be placed via the Courts if they are subject to a Detention Training Order (Crime and Disorder Act 1998), a Section 90-92 (Power of Criminal Courts Act 2000), Secure Remand (Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and Children and Young Persons Act 1969), Detained under Section 386 (Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984) or subject to a Welfare Placement under Section 25 (Children's Act 1989).
LASecureChildren's Homes are rigidly regulated and inspected and are required to consistently meet high standards of service provision in all areas of Care, Education and Personal Development. The education of young people is an essential element of this holistic approach to meeting individuals needs. We value education greatly and provide a Curriculum comparable to mainstream schools for 30 hours a week delivered by experienced qualified teachers.
Children gain accreditation through OCN and GCSE 'Education is seen as a continuum throughout the working day and extends through homework and recreation and leisure activities including the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. The primary health needs of children are comprehensively met through visiting GP Services. The behavioural, emotional and mental health needs of young people are assessed and met through a range of specialist services that include Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Substance Misuse Workers and other workers from specialist areas of work including sex offending.
The respective inputs from a range of health professionals is coordinated to maximise the positive work undertaken with young people to stabilise their behaviour and begin to meet a range of diverse needs. Secure Children's homes work closely with visiting family and friends to enable and facilitate the re-building of broken relationships and to provide a support network to each young person when they go home or move onto an alternative community placement.
We also focus on individualised aspects of identity such as Religion, Cultural, Linguistic, and Physical needs. This individualised approach to personal growth and development is achievable through high staffing ratio's, effective support services and a focussed approach to meeting the assessed individual needs of young people.
