Oakhill Secure Training Centre

Oakhill Secure Training Centre opened its doors in August 2004. It is an eighty-bed facility in Milton Keynes, built by G4S Justice Services to accommodate the requirements of the Youth Justice Board, for the education and rehabilitation of young people remanded into custody, or ordered to carry out a Detention and Training Order by the courts.

The centre is one of four STCs in the UK and houses 12 – 17 year old boys and girls. Oakhill is committed to devoting sufficient time, investment and resources into every trainee that enters the centre’s gates, so that education, training and legitimate employment will become a positive aim in the minds of these young people, instead of something that is beyond their reach.

Our Approach
On admission to Oakhill, the new arrival is referred to as a ‘trainee’ and receives a complete assessment of their character, aptitude, psychological history, motivations, and behaviour. A personalised programme is then developed to meet the ‘trainee’s’ individual needs.

The ‘Offending Behaviour Programme’ enables the individual to review their offending history, and redress their behaviour by teaching them key skills such as problem solving, victim empathy, and moral reasoning.

A Structured Learning Programme
Trainees receive 25 hours per week compulsory teaching. Subjects are aligned to the national curriculum, and tailored to support the individual’s interest to stimulate motivation. Programmes are designed to equip the trainee to re-enter society with competent skill sets and comparable qualifications. The ‘Offending Behaviour Programme’ consists of seven one-hour sessions per week, and is dedicated to assisting the trainee reach a stage where they ‘want to change their life’.

Healthy Living
Trainees receive standard NHS healthcare and are supported by nurses, a part-time GP, a visiting psychiatrist, dentist, and podiatrist.

Our Staff
The Senior Management Team at Oakhill. The 10-strong team possess a wide range of management experience from Youth Offending Teams,Education Welfare, Social Services, The Prison Service and other privately run juvenile units and centres. The management team’s collective experience, supported by their dedicated teams provide a safe, caring environment within Oakhill and coupled with its progressive design, the trainees are provided with a secure environment that supports their successful rehabilitation to society

Education
The ‘Education Link Worker’, which is unique to Oakhill, represents the innovative approach we are applying to supporting the successful reintegration of trainees into society. The Education Link Worker communicates with Youth Offending Team staff to ensure the trainee’s smooth transition into mainstream education, therefore promoting social inclusion. The Head of Education is responsible for education and the strategic development of the Learning Centre. The Head of Teaching & Learning and the Head of Special Needs & Transition are jointly responsible for the operational management of the department.

Training
Service Managers, Supervisors, and Secure Care Officers receive special training in order to implement the ‘Offending Behaviour Programme’, and provide trainees with the appropriate support throughout the whole process.