Information for parents and carers about Lansdowne secure children's home
It can be a very emotional time when your child goes into secure accommodation. Your feelings may range from guilt or sadness to relief that your child is safe. The staff at the home will help your child to understand that they are there because you care and need to know that they will be safe.
My child's needs were more than met. If she manages to move on with her life, this will be due to the fantastic staff at Lansdowne.
Parent of a young person at Lansdowne.
For your child to benefit from their stay at Lansdowne it is really important that we work closely with you and receive your full support and cooperation.
Why is my child going into a secure children's home?
Children and young people are admitted to a secure home for their own protection or for the protection of others. We understand that restricting young people's liberty is a serious step, which is taken only when there is no other choice.
You can ask for your child to be taken into a secure children's home, or under some circumstances they can be sent there by the local authority. If you gave permission for your child to be in secure accommodation but want to change your mind, you can ask for them to return to live with you.
Find out more about the legal process for admission to a secure children's home.
How long will my child stay?
A child normally stays at Lansdowne for three months. However some young people do stay longer if it is decided that they will benefit.
Within one month of your child being admitted to Lansdowne an Independent Review will be carried out to look at whether your child still needs to be in secure accommodation. The Independent Review is made up of three people who do not know your child but have a lot of experience working in children’s services.
They will want to talk to you, your child, the social worker, staff working at Lansdowne and your child’s guardian. The guardian is appointed by the magistrates court to represent the best interests of your child. The review panel will tell everyone concerned about their recommendations.
Who is responsible for my child at Lansdowne?
Once your child is at Lansdowne, a member of staff will become their ‘key worker’. This person will have regular one to one sessions with your child and be their first point of contact if they need to talk over any problems.
The key worker will keep a close eye on their progress and attend meetings about your child. Staff at the home are experienced and qualified. You can find full details through our page Staff at Lansdowne secure children's home.
The dining area at Lansdowne
What care will my child receive?
Our priority is to support and develop the physical, emotional and mental well-being of your child. We aim to help young people develop self-respect, respect for others and the self-control they need to be responsible for their actions. To achieve this, professional relationships between staff and the young people are based on honesty and mutual respect.
For more information visit our page on what we offer.
Contact with my child
It is important that you have regular contact with your child whilst they are in the home, by telephone, visits and letters.
If you do telephone we do ask that whenever possible you call between 6.15pm and 8.15pm and that calls are limited to 10 minutes. If you cannot call between these times please speak to the staff who may be able to make other arrangements under special circumstances.
If you visit your child, there are a number of rules you need to follow for security reasons:
- leave all personal belongings in a locker outside the home
- don't bring certain items into the unit – please check with staff about this before visiting
- give any gifts or money for your child to staff for safekeeping
- don't pass on cigarettes, tobacco, matches or lighters to your child or any other young person in the home
- don't smoke anywhere in the building or grounds
- you cannot visit your child if it appears that you have been drinking.
What happens when my child leaves the secure children's home?
We offer you and your family support after your child has left and staff from Lansdowne will visit your child. You and your child can also ring staff for advice.
We also ask for your views on the service that your child received. Your feedback is important to us in improving our service.
Who can I contact?
If you or your child are unhappy about anything at Lansdowne, please speak first to your child’s key worker at the unit or your child’s social worker.
If you are still not satisfied then you can ask for help from the next senior person. It is important that you only contact each person if you feel that your complaint has not been dealt with properly by the preceding person.
