Welcome to Atkinson
Ofsted Rating – ‘Good’ – October 2011
Atkinson is a secure children’s home managed by Devon County Council. We provide a secure environment for young people aged 10-17 who have been admitted to our Home under the Section 25 Welfare Secure Order process . This is because they are a serious risk to themselves or others, and/or because they have a history of absconding from previous placements. Atkinson works with a team of professionals, including a full Camhs team to help young people reduce their risk and return to a positive lifestyle in the community.
Atkinson provides a full mental health screening and educational assessment to help local authorities understand the needs of the children placed in our care, and has a depth of knowledge and resettlement professional to offer advice and guidance on the next steps for young people after secure provision. Young People in our care have access to direct sessions with the Camhs team and are provided with full school provision.
If you are seeking secure provision at the moment please call 01392 388380/8381 or out of hours 01392 388389/8391 or in an emergency dial 07875 273129.
Here at the Atkinson we understand that placing in a young person in a secure environment can be a challenging and stressful process both for the young person and the professionals that are caring for them. That’s why we aim to provide a professional and supportive service that guides everyone through the process.
If you are unsure about secure orders or if a young person you are working with may need safeguarding in this way, then please feel free to give us a call and we can offer our help.
Our location
Atkinson is set on the outskirts of Exeter within easy reach of the mainline train station and just next to junction 29 of the M5 motorway. Travel time for London Paddington by train is approximately 2hrs 20mins to Exeter St.Davids. Travel time by car from Bristol is approximately 1hr.
Our geographical position in the South-West is ideal for young people as once they are approved to leave the home on trips outside, can access the coastal resorts and beaches, Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks which are all great therapeutic settings. We also have access to a wealth of resources in this area that young people regularly take advantage of, with adventure parks, outward bound centre’s, 2 Zoo’s and a number of other children’s activities centre’s that allow children to be children.
All these trips are planned and take into account the individual needs of the young people in our care and their individual care plans. Every trip outside the home are escorted by staff and undertaken on a risk assessed basis.
Our Home
On the Atkinson site we have a wide range of facilities including:
- Full School, with updated classrooms and Professional Kitchen.
- Sports field and extensive gardens with chickens!
- Fully equipped workshop
- Music room and range of instruments (instructors available)
- Full-sized gymnasium and cardio gym.
- Dedicated Life Skills Classrooms for day-to-day cooking and Laundry workshops.
Our bedrooms and living areas are in two clusters – Brentor and Haytor – to provide a more homely living environment. Each young person has their own light and airy room which they are encouraged to personalise with their own pictures and posters. They are all en-suite rooms with the ability to make secure telephone calls (subject to approval in care plans) and are approved and regulated by Ofsted.
