Tarentfort Centre

The Tarentfort Centre is a specialist Low Secure Unit for the treatment and care of adult

males/transgender females (whose risks to others cannot be managed in a female ward), who have confirmed or suspected identities as people with intellectual disability and/or autistic people and who may have additional mental health diagnoses. All people admitted to the Tarentfort Centre must also have been detained under MHA 1983/2007.

There is a full MDT, with a wide range of experience in practice and research in forensic intellectual disability and autism, comprising of consultant psychiatrists, a specialty doctor, mental health and learning disability nurses, healthcare assistants, social workers, occupational therapists, psychologists, a speech and language therapist, a pharmacist, a music therapist and a family engagement and liaison lead, as well as a visiting GP.

The Tarentfort Centre sets out to provide treatment and care based on, and adapted to, the person’s individual needs, strengths, and risks. Collaborative approaches and co-production are central to the approach taken to care and treatment and to service development. The principles and practice of Restorative Practice and trauma-informed care underpin the multidisciplinary approach, and we are committed to celebrating diversity and upholding respect and inclusive practice for all, with an active anti-racist strategy involving staff and patients.

We strive to deliver excellent and evidence-based treatment and actively support trainees of all disciplines in their clinical placements, many of which return to work at the TarentfortCentre. We work in a creative and academic environment, with award-celebrated research and quality improvement projects

Family Engagement and Liaison Lead

The Family Engagement and Liaison Lead (FELL) works specifically with the families, friends, and carers of those accessing the Forensic Mental Health & Learning Disability Services.  The FELL will be able to offer you information, signposting, and support in relation to your loved one’s stay.  They will also be able to give you time to talk about your own concerns and questions.

Click her for more details about the Family Engagement and Liaison Lead

Arrangements for under 18’s to visit

We understand that child visits can be important for both the patient and the child concerned and will work with you to facilitate this, where possible.  Before child visits can be take place, the social work team must be contacted and all people holding parental responsibility for the child will be required to give written consent for the visit to take place.

Social Services will also be contacted to check that there are no specific concerns about the child that may affect whether they can visit. We will work as quickly as possible to ensure these checks take place in a timely manner.

No-one under the age of 18 can enter the unit/ward; however, we do have a dedicated family visiting room on site which can be booked. Once agreed by the Social Work Team, the child visits must be pre-booked to ensure the child visiting facility is available. During the visit, a member of staff may be in the room with you or observing the visit from outside the room.

Additionally, there is an internet-based system that allows you to call family and friends anywhere in the world, over the internet, for free. If you would like to use this system it can be discussed with the team and booked through nursing staff with a convenient date and time.

Items not allowed on the ward:

Before your visit, take a look at our list of monitored and prohibited items.

A monitored item is anything that must be stored in a secure location because it could be harmful if used inappropriately. The patient can use a monitored item by first asking the staff for that item. After the patient is finished using the item, it is important that the item be given back to a staff person so that it can be put back in its safe location again.

Here are the monitored items for forensic patients:

Here are the prohibited items for forensic patients:

Meet the manager

Your feedback is important to the team so that we can continue to improve our services; please send your comments, suggestions or arrange a meeting to:

Martha Makwara – martha.makwara@nhs.net

Parking

We are located on the same site as Little Brook Hospital. Please follow the signs for our exact location.

Parking is free but managed by an external parking company, so please ensure that you collect a parking permit from reception and display it in your vehicle upon arrival to avoid getting a parking fine.

Ask Listen Do

This is a film by NHS England for people with a learning disability, autistic people, families and carers which can help when giving feedback, raising a concern or making a complaint.