Teenager dies after being restrained at secure training centre

A 15-year-old boy serving a detention and training order at
Rainsbrook Secure Training Centre died this week following an
incident in which he lost consciousness while being restrained by
staff at the centre, writes Clare
Jerrom.

Northamptonshire police are investing the death of Gareth Myatt,
who is the first child to have died in an STC.

Three members of staff at the centre in Rugby, who were involved
in the incident, have been removed from care duties following
Myatt’s death, but are carrying out administrative duties at
the centre and have not been suspended.

The centre operates a physical control in care method when
restraining children who are held in an embrace in a ‘non pain
method’ until they calm down.

Director of social services at Stoke-on-Trent, Chris Brabbs,
said Myatt had been known to social services “for a
considerable time”.  Stoke area child protection committee
will now lead a serious case review into the teenager’s death.

The Youth Justice Board has stepped up its monitoring of 
Rainsbrook STC to ensure practice is complient with the centre’s
contract with the board.

There are three STC’s in England and Wales and a fourth is
being built in Milton Keynes.  Rainsbrook is run by Rebound, part
of Group 4.