Inspiring young people to feel hopeful for their future
Empowering young people to fulfil their potential and feel hopeful for the future are at the heart of our education team’s work.
The St Aubyn Centre Therapeutic Education Department in Colchester and Poplar Adolescent Unit Therapeutic Education Department in Rochford support teenagers who are receiving care from our inpatient mental health services.
Each young person is automatically enrolled into the school during their stay on our wards and their time in education is an important part of the wider therapeutic timetable.
The education team liaise closely with their usual community school and work with them to ensure the students are supported with continuing their education when they return home after being discharged from hospital.
They also support anyone not currently in education, employment or training to choose options suited to their individual goals and plan their next steps.
The St Aubyn Centre Therapeutic Education Department was rated Outstanding by Ofsted in December 2023 and the inspection team praised it for being “a sanctuary for pupils who are experiencing difficult times.”
They said: “Pupils’ mental health and well-being is a key priority for the well-trained staff. If things get hard, staff are there for pupils.”
“They support them to be hopeful and aspire for a better future for themselves.”
“This includes high-quality careers advice and mentoring. This prepares pupils very well for their next steps when they are ready to take them.”
Poplar Adolescent Unit Therapeutic Education Department is currently graded Good by Ofsted. The department had an ungraded Ofsted inspection in July 2023, where inspectors said if it had been a full and graded inspection, they were likely to be rated Outstanding.
The inspectors said: “Pupils experience a safe haven that gives them hope for a different future.
“Their teachers provide opportunities to turn this hope into reality.”
Young people at both education centres are also taught skills and strategies to support their wellbeing and personal development.
Each student works with their teacher to develop a bespoke timetable tailored to their individual needs and to encourage their personal interests and life skills. The teachers also work closely with the medical team and other professionals caring for each student.
Simon Turnnidge, Executive Headteacher for both education departments, said: “I’m privileged to lead two fantastic teams of incredible people, who work selflessly and tirelessly with the young people, their families and our professional support networks.
"We will always balance a young person's learning needs with their mental health needs, and will work flexibly, with understanding and compassion.”
My Voice Matters is the theme for this year’s Children’s Mental Health Week 2024 (Monday 5 to Sunday 11 February), an awareness campaign organised by charity Place2Be.
My Voice Matters is about giving children and young people the tools they need to express themselves and be heard.
Visit the St Aubyn Centre Therapeutic Education Department website to read more about their work.
Visit the Poplar Therapeutic Education Department website to read more about their work.
#WeCare - We want everyone who uses our services to have the best possible experience. Our care will be therapeutic, tailored to each patient’s individual needs, and focus on what they need to feel better.
Our five-year Strategic Plan sets out our priorities and commitments to deliver the highest quality and safest care possible.