For young people

What to expect on admission

When you arrive on the unit, you will be welcomed by members of the team and shown around the unit. A meeting will take place with a doctor and a nurse so they can answer any questions you might have and admit you to the ward. They will also ask you questions to gain a better understanding of how you are feeling and what you are going through.

Physical examination

As well as supporting young people with their mental health needs, staff will also monitor their physical wellbeing. This means you will be asked to have a physical health check by one of our doctors soon after you arrive at the Beacon Centre.

Your bedroom

Whilst at the Beacon Centre you will have you own room with an en-suite bathroom. The bathroom has a shower, toilet and sink. Each room also has a large chalkboard and you are encouraged to personalise this to help make the room your own.

What do I need to bring?

• comfortable clothing for no more than 7 days
• books (no wire bound or stapled)
• posters/photographs/cards
• MP3/ iPod (without a camera or recording facilities)
• toiletries such as shampoo, conditioner, body wash toothbrush and toothpaste (no aerosols)
• young people also have access to a personal snack box in the Young Person’s kitchen where they may keep some treats if they wish (please keep these as healthy as possible)

During your admission you will be given your own locker in the nursing station for any valuables you might have with you. We would not encourage you to bring anything of value onto the ward.

A day in the life of the Beacon Centre

The young people’s timetable is updated every week. The Occupational Therapy (OT) team organise the activities out of school hours with input from the young people given at the weekly Young Person’s Forum.

The typical structure of a day at the Beacon Centre is: 

08:00 – 09:30 Young people are woken up, they are given medication, are supported to engage in their personal care, and to eat breakfast

09:30 – 12:00 Young people are expected to attend education lessons provided by teachers from Northgate School. They are expected to attend three lessons in the morning, as well as a 15-minute break at 11:00. The participation in education is assessed according to individual needs and abilities.

12:00 – 12:35 Lunchtime. There are two main meals offered at lunch which change daily. Individual dietary requirements (including Halal and Kosher) can also be catered to. If your child has a specific dietary requirement or allergy, please inform a member of staff so adjustments can be made.

12:45 – 13:15 Community Meeting (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday). This meeting is therapeutic in nature by providing staff and young people with a space to discuss feelings and thoughts about being at the Beacon Centre. On Tuesdays in this space we have Young People’s Forum. This is led by an external advocate and allows young people to discuss their experience of being on the ward without Beacon Centre staff present.

13:30 – 15:00 Education (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday) or therapeutic groups (Thursday, Friday)

15:15 – 16:15 Therapeutic groups.

16:15 – 17:00 Free time. Young people are encouraged to utilise leave during this time. Many young people also use this time to work on their hobbies or schoolwork. Individual therapy sessions may also take place in this time.

17:00 – 17:30 Dinnertime.

17:30 – 18:00 Free time. Visits and leave can also be facilitated during this time.

18:00 – 19:00 Ward activities facilitated by the Activity Coordinators, Occupational Therapists, and nursing team.

19:00 – 20:00 Free time.

20:00 – 21:00 Supervised Smart Phone time. Young people are permitted to use their smart phones with the camera off in the computer room during this hour.

21:00 – 23:00 Young people are given their evening medication and are supported to engage in their self-care before they go to bed by 23:00 at the latest.

Please note all meal times are protected time and we encourage people to respect this, nurses will not be available to take telephone calls or deal with enquiries at this time.

Search policy

In order to keep young people safe on the ward staff will need to search their belongings when they arrive and after they return from leave in the community. Sometimes this will mean they ask young people to remove shoes and coats so they can be searched. Young people have a right to be present during the search of their belongings and all personal searches will be conducted with the rights and dignity of the young person as a priority.

Some items are not allowed on the ward, click here to view our prohibited items poster