Northamptonshire detention centre for teenagers calls for inspectors to return after damning report

A secure centre for young criminals that was rated ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted claims its action plan is complete and has called for inspectors to return.
Rainsbrook Secure Training Centre at OnleyRainsbrook Secure Training Centre at Onley
Rainsbrook Secure Training Centre at Onley

Rainsbrook Secure Training Centre at Onley, near Daventry, was severely criticised in the report published in May. Inspectors visited in February.

The report states some young people have been subjected to degrading treatment and racist comments, cared for by staff under the influence of illegal drugs, and raises concerns some staff may have colluded with the detainees to ‘elicit compliance by wholly inappropriate means’.

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The centre deals with young people given custodial sentences or on remand from the ages of 12 to 18, it is privately run by security firm G4S, and is education-focused. It also has a dedicated mother and baby unit for detained young mothers and their babies, as well as those in the final stages of pregnancy.

Due to its focus on education, the secure training centre (STC) gets visits from the schools and education inspectors at Ofsted.

G4S director of children’s services, Paul Cook, said: “It has already been five months since inspectors visited and I am firmly of the view that given the seriousness of the report, the centre should be reviewed as soon as possible in order to check on our progress. This will provide much needed certainty for young people, their parents and our staff.

“In the meantime, we continue to work with stakeholders, including the Youth Justice Board and charities like Barnardo’s – who visit twice a week and are part of the centre’s admissions process – in order to provide young people at Rainsbrook the best rehabilitation, education and training possible to prepare them for life back in their communities.”

G4S also released a promotional Youtube video with comments from staff at the centre following the report.