Hassockfield receives satisfactory Ofsted rating despite concerns over progress
Neil Puffett
Monday, January 31, 2011
Safety and welfare standards at a secure training centre run by private firm Serco have been rated as satisfactory by Ofsted inspectors.
However, inspectors, who visited the centre in December last year, found that a number of areas of development had only recently been addressed, making it not possible to fully evaluate progress.
Overall, Hassockfield, which was under the spotlight this month as a result of a second inquest into the death of young offender Adam Rickwood there in 2004, was rated as satisfactory, the same rating it received in May 2010.
Despite concern over progress in some areas, aspects of work at the centre were praised by inspectors.
This included a "calm and relaxed" atmosphere at the centre and "good and appropriate relationships between staff and young people". Local joint working was also praised.
"A strength of the centre continues to be the excellent transparent working relationship with local child protection services and other external workers," the report states.
"Managers are keen to develop the service offered to ensure the best possible outcomes for young people."