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Ferndene - Stephenson Medium Secure Unit (MSU)

'Members of the education team are highly skilled at adapting to particular needs' - Ofsted

'Pupils behave exceptionally well' - Ofsted

Ferndene Stephenson Medium Secure Unit (MSU) is a national adolescent medium secure psychiatric unit which provides inpatient services to young people aged 12-18. All patients are detained under the Mental Health Act. However, some of the young people are transferred for assessment and treatment from the criminal justice system, with the rest detained under the ‘civil section’ of the Mental Health Act.

Curriculum

Curriculum Overview

The majority of pupils have had no educational provision outside of Ferndene Stephenson MSU and many have missed significant amounts of education in the past and require basic skills.

The education staff at Ferndene Stephenson MSU deliver a broad and balanced curriculum that is tailored to the needs of individual pupils. Appropriate accreditations are offered in the form of A Levels, GCSEs, Entry Level awards, Functional Skills qualifications, or Unit Awards. Subjects offered include English Language, English Literature, Maths, Science, Art, Design and Technology, Food Technology, Music, and PE.

Vocational Opportunities

If pupils can access NHS Section 17 leave, then education staff work closely with the team around the pupil to facilitate educational leaves. A key event at Ferndene Stephenson MSU is ‘Takeover Day’ – a national initiative where in-patients are given the opportunity to take on the role of a member of staff for the day. Where appropriate, further in house support is provided with vocational and/or careers information and guidance.

Curriculum Enrichment

Curriculum enrichment is delivered in conjunction with health professionals and tailored to the needs of the young people. On occasion, external providers will deliver specific workshops.

Pupils

The young people have a wide range of mental health issues which may include psychosis, paranoid schizophrenia, psychopathic disorder, personality disorders, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. They may also have been involved in the judicial system.

Many young people have significant gaps in their learning due to poor school attendance. The pupil’s age, ability, aptitude, educational history, motivation, and mental state all combine to form a wide spectrum of educational needs and requirements.

Most of the young people who are in Ferndene Stephenson MSU have a Statement of Educational Needs or an EHCP. All young people have regular Care, Treatment, and Education Reviews from NHS England.

Our Team

The teaching team at Ferndene Stephenson MSU are part of a multi-disciplinary team who contribute to and receive shared information which includes psychology assessments, speech and language assessments/reports, and the communication passports which inform how we can best work with the young people to help them to achieve educational outcomes.

From the information gathered at the weekly Clinical Team Meeting (CTM), we collate a weekly patient risk status sheet. This highlights for each pupil the subjects and areas they have access to and what their nursing staff ratios and observations are.

Security

Ferndene Stephenson MSU provide the highest level of security for adolescent mental health patients in the country. Security and the safety of staff and young people is the highest priority. Each teacher is responsible for the security within their teaching room.

Pupils can be taught individually, in small groups on the ward, or in specially resourced classrooms according to their need.