Information for young people about Lansdowne secure children's home
Why am I going to a secure children's home?
Young people are admitted to Lansdowne for a number of reasons, normally for your own protection or the protection of other people. If you do not understand why you are at the secure unit you can ask your social worker or staff at the unit.
Staff are not here to punish you, but to keep you safe. We will try to help you understand yourself and your behaviour. We can support you to find new ways of coping and behaving and to keep out of trouble when you leave us. It is really important that you work hard to help yourself as well. You have to want to change.
You can find out more about life at Lansdowne on our page Arriving at Lansdowne secure children's home and the daily routine.
What are my rights at Lansdowne?
All information about you is kept in your own personal file and kept in a safe place. You can ask your coordinator if you want to see this file. Other people working to help you, like your doctor or social worker, may also be able to see parts of your file.
You have a right to make contact with all of the following people:
- your social worker
- your guardian – this is the person that represents you in court
- your solicitor – they work with your guardian to represent your interests in court
- your independent representative – they are volunteers and are completely separate to Lansdowne and the local authority. They will visit you in the secure unit to make sure your voice is being heard. Anything you say to them is completely confidential.
Visits
Your family can visit you at the home. You should ask your coordinator about when they can visit.
Your social worker will come and see you at least once a week. You can also speak to them if you are worried about anything.
Thank you for my stay. I have enjoyed it here so much.
Young person at Lansdowne.
Telephone
You can make and receive calls at Lansdowne. However for your own safety there may be some people you are not allowed to speak to.
Rewarding good behaviour
You are expected to follow the rules at Lansdowne. If you follow these rules you will be given privileges. Each day staff will give or take away points depending on how you have behaved. Once a week your points are added up and these points go towards a level system.
The more points you have the more privileges you are given. Privileges can be staying up later at night and using your personal stereo for longer periods. If you reach the top level you may be able to go out on a trip on your own.
If you lose points you may drop a level and lose privileges. If you damage property you could be asked to fix it or put some money towards replacing it. You may also be asked to do extra chores or your leisure activities may be stopped for a time.
Who can I contact?
If you have any questions or you are worried about anything you can speak to your social worker or your key worker at Lansdowne. There are however, other sources of help and information:
- speak to your independent representative – tel: 01424 440118 and ask for them by name
- call Childline free, 24 hours a day – tel: 0800 1111
- find out more on the Childline website
- read about what life in care is like, written by people who have been, or are living in care, on the National Voice website.
Complaints
If you want to make a complaint it is important that you speak to someone at the home or your social worker first.
Alternatively, for information on how to make a comment or complaint, see our page on comments and complaints about Children's Services.
