Abysmal treatment: Child with mental health crisis was neglected in prison for 12 days, allegedly leading to suicidal tendencies
The Oakhill Secure Training Centre, a youth prison housing up to 80 young offenders aged between 12 and 18, has been placed into special measures following a damning Ofsted report. The inspection revealed significant failures in protecting vulnerable children, prompting urgent action to be taken.
The report, published in 2025, detailed serious and systemic failures that put children at risk of harm. Safeguarding systems were found to be in disarray, with children living in unsanitary, dilapidated, or dirty conditions. One young person was not seen by a mental health professional for 12 days after admission, despite expressing suicidal ideation.
The situation was described as "shocking and unacceptable" by the minister for youth justice, Sir Nic Dakin, who visited the facility to ensure immediate action was taken by the operator, G4S. In response, more than 20 staff members were suspended between November and early July this year, with 16 of these cases relating to conduct with children.
Sensitive information about children's offenses and private information about staff were frequently shared inappropriately by some staff members to children. A laboratory analysis of a child with "very worrying health symptoms" had not been processed for more than three months. A child was also given two medicines that should not be given simultaneously, increasing the risk of harmful side effects.
In light of these findings, an "urgent notification" has been invoked by Ofsted's chief inspector, giving the Justice Secretary 28 days to respond. The minister for youth justice, Sir Nic Dakin, is working on an action plan to support the facility in addressing the concerns raised by Ofsted.
G4S, the facility's operator, is working collaboratively with the Youth Custody Service and HM Prison and Probation Service to develop a robust action plan. This plan is expected to be published within the month following the inspection and aims to prioritize children’s safety and welfare while rectifying systemic failures.
It is worth noting that previous warnings about Oakhill have been issued, including one in 2021. Personal money of children was inappropriately charged to be sent to charities under the "umbrella of a victim fund". Some staff continued to work with children despite serious allegations against them not being shared with HR.
Since 14 July, seven more staff have been suspended for conduct relating to children. Two deputy directors have been suspended and one has been dismissed. The centre acknowledged the findings and committed to working collaboratively with the relevant authorities to address these concerns.
The recent decrease in separation incidents at Oakhill, indicating some operational shifts possibly influenced by the oversight and impending improvements, offers a glimmer of hope. However, detailed figures specifically tied to Oakhill’s action plan or ongoing staff suspensions have yet to be publicly detailed beyond the immediate responses described by the minister and G4S.
References: 1. BBC News (2025). Oakhill Secure Training Centre placed in special measures over 'shocking' child safety concerns. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-58100381 2. The Guardian (2025). Oakhill secure training centre placed in special measures over child safety concerns. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jul/06/oakhill-secure-training-centre-placed-in-special-measures-over-child-safety-concerns
- The report, published in 2025, not only exposed major flaws in the Oakhill Secure Training Centre's safeguarding systems but also revealed neglected mental health care, as one young person went unattended by a mental health professional for 12 days after admission.
- In response to the urgent situation at the Oakhill Secure Training Centre, the minster for youth justice, Sir Nic Dakin, is focusing on mental health as part of his action plan to support the facility, aiming to prioritize children’s safety and welfare while rectifying systemic failures.
