Cookies on our website

Atkinson Close
Beacon Heath
Exeter
EX4 8NA

Tel: 01392 388380/388381
Fax: 01392 494207

Manager: Peter Spearman
Deputy Manager: Darren Beattie

Website: www.atkinsondevon.org

The Atkinson Secure Children’s Home is a welfare only, national provision providing secure accommodation for young people aged 10-17. The Home works with young people who are deeply troubled and often in crisis who put themselves or other people at serious risk of harm. Many young people placed at the Home have substance misuse problems, have been abused, sexually exploited and have deliberately injured themselves or attempted suicide. They usually find it difficult to trust adults and other young people. They often display anger, violence and aggression towards others. Frequently, young people resident at the Home have a history of offending behaviour and have failed to thrive educationally.

The Home is committed to:

• Improving the life chances of young people in its care
• The use of restorative approaches
• Developing positive relationships with young people which help them develop understanding and skills in better regulating their emotions, thinking through problems and interaction with others
• Helping young people develop a sense of worth

The Home offers:

• Individualised learning programmes in our fully equipped school
• Vocational training
• An expanding range of mental health provision for young people which includes dedicated in-reach from the local CAMHS team and support from a Consultant Psychiatrist, Psychologist and Community Psychiatric Nurse.
• Health care, including dental and optician provision

The Home offers the following facilities:

• Indoor sports hall
• Outdoor multi-purpose astro pitch
• Fitness room (cross trainer, running machine, rowing machine etc)
• Large garden with vegetable patch and chickens
• Music room
• Life skills rooms
• Outdoor workshop

Young people can participate in a wide variety of activities within the Home such as climbing, gardening, football, cooking, arts and crafts, husbandry courses, equine and poultry care, football, basket ball and table tennis. More leisurely activities include board games, cards, television, DVD’s, music and computer games etc.

More details can be found on the Atkinson website.