Jersey's secure unit for children given second improvement notice after regulation breaches

A secure unit for young people in Jersey has been issued with a second improvement notice following seven apparent breaches of the regulations.

Greenfields was issued with an initial notice in November 2021 and now have been given another one (March 2022) following another unannounced inspection. This has been sent to the Registered Provider, and the Minister for Children and Education, and the Children’s Commissioner.

The apparent breaches are in areas including, staffing levels, staff training and development and quality of leadership. Other matters needing urgent improvement include the operating model, the fabric and condition of the building and the facilities available to care receivers.

It comes after calls last year for the unit to close when an independent report found it to be "neither efficient nor effective."

Greenfields was built in 2006, after its predecessor - the Les Chênes unit - was demolished. Abuse at the old premises was highlighted during the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry.

Greenfields was designed as a secure site to house children and young people detained under the youth justice system and those requiring secure welfare placements.

The Jersey Care Commission will ensure that follow up inspections are undertaken, to check the recommendations have been fully implemented and will continue to work closely with the provider to ensure the improvements required are made.

Children and Education Minister, Deputy Scott Wickenden, says the government takes the improvement notice "very seriously".

He said: "We have responded to the eight areas of improvement identified in the first inspection notice and work is already underway to address the actions identified in this latest report."

He added: "The safety of the young people in our care is paramount and we will ensure any repairs, highlighted in the report, are undertaken immediately.

“The services provided to young people placed in the secure children’s home must improve, and quickly. 

"I am determined to ensure officers in CYPES, and in partner agencies, play their full and active part and meet their responsibilities to deliver multi-disciplinary and integrated support to the highest standards for all young people remanded, sentenced and on secure accommodation orders.

“We are working hard to address the staffing challenges: a permanent Registered Manager has begun their application for oversight, and a dedicated improvement team has been introduced. This includes a residential children’s home expert with experience of managing homes in England judged as outstanding, and a manager from the Jersey Prison Service."

A full report of the Inspection will be published on the Jersey Care Commission’s website in April 2022.