Medway improves but more changes needed

A range of positive initiatives have significantly improved
standards at Medway secure training centre in Kent, a new report
reveals.

The Social Services Inspectorate report, based on an inspection
carried out in January, states that “a range of positive
initiatives were in place to bring about significant change in
areas of concern”.

However, inspectors said they were “very concerned about the
deficiencies in the child protection policy and practices which
flow from it”. The report recommends the involvement of a “suitably
qualified professional” in child protection referrals.

Lord Warner, chairperson of the Youth Justice Board, said:
“Challenges for the centre are not over, targeted improvements do
need to be made and progress will continue to be monitored.”

Medway houses up to 44 young offenders, mostly serving detention
orders of less than six months. It recently began admitting young
women and the inspectorate said staff were working well to
integrate them.