Discharge from the Secure Unit

This policy describes the processes to be used when discharging young people from the Secure Unit. This policy and includes principles of care when discharging, process to follow and who to inform.

Young people will be discharged from the Secure Unit at the earliest opportunity taking into account their own safety and that of others. The discharge will be carried out in a safe and supportive manner.

Underpinning principles

Discharge from residential care whether from an open or secure accommodation must be underpinned with the same principles as an admission. It is an important part of the young person's experience of care and must be given due concern.

This policy should be used in accordance with related procedures and related policies.In order to ensure the safety of young people discharged from the Secure Unit this policy has three objectives:

To ensure that young people are appropriately discharged from secure accommodation.
To ensure that discharges are undertaken in a sensitive manner.
To ensure that discharge is seen as a safe and positive move for and by the young person.

Planning for discharge from the Secure Unit will form part of the overall plan for young person.

Planning for discharge must form part of the plan from the point of admission and be in the best interests of the young person.

Staff in the Secure Unit must ensure by following the associated procedure that:

The young person is informed of when their discharge will take place and where they will be discharged to
That all of their possessions are returned to them or their carers dependent upon any identified risks
Any medication is forwarded to the adult who is to have responsibility of the young person
The young person's family are informed of the move
All other professionals connected with the young person are informed
Senior managers are informed
All records are completed and the file archived

Discharge from the Secure Unit

Underpinning principles

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