Specialities
	Offering a brighter future for our younger service users Malcolm Arnold House provides a service for disadvantaged children and young people with mild to borderline learning disabilities, with associated challenging behaviours and mental health problems Service Description Secure treatment facilities for young people with developmental disabilities and challenging behaviour, including forensic needs. Where the belief if that young people with learning disabilities and challenging behaviour have the right to have their needs met and to be given opportunities to develop personal relationships, which allow growth and development. Where it is recognised that some young people may require special help and support to overcome the obstacles presented by their challenging behaviour. Patient Profile The Malcolm Arnold House service is for: Young people with mild to borderline learning disability, including autistic spectrum disorders and other developmental disabilities. Young people between the ages of 11 years up to 18 years (although some can remain at the service until the age of 23 years if appropriate). Young people with behavioural, learning and communication problems, which pose major challenges to local and national services. Young people who have an underlying mental health problem associated with their developmental disability and who are detained under the Mental Heath Act (1983) or other appropriate legal frameworks as ordered by a court. Treatment Philosophy Key features of the programme include: Initial assessment of 10 weeks following admission to assess suitability for longer term treatment. An individualised treatment programme, consisting of therapy, teaching, offence related work, programmes to address mental health difficulties and a range of educational and social behavioural skills, undertaken within Malcolm Arnold House's Therapy Suite and in the community. A multi-disciplinary team approach with access to a full range of dental and primary healthcare services. Clinical Services The team can provide a range of clinical services including: Behavioural / cognitive psychotherapy, including anxiety and anger management Art and drama therapy Cooking and dietary work Relaxation training Sex education / counselling Language and comprehension assessment and interventions Domestic skills training Personal and social skills training Physical exercise / activity and physiotherapy Offence related treatment programmes Psychotropic medication Drugs and alcohol awareness programmes Educational sessions are provided in response to the assessed needs of each young person When appropriate, the Workbridge Centre is open to young people, where training and experience in a work setting is available. Facilities Malcolm Arnold House is a purpose built secure facility set within spacious and attractive grounds, where patients benefit from expert treatment in a friendly environment. Each of the 4 wards has been built with 10 beds with each having an 'extra care suite' for those young people who need to be cared for under close supervision away from their peers. The new wards allow patients to be accommodated according to their age and level of need. Generous staff patient ratios also ensure high levels of supervision. The new facility provides a much greater amount of space for living and on ward therapy. The young people have access to recreational, therapeutic and vocational facilities on the St Andrew's Healthcare campus. The grounds include a swimming pool, gymnasium, activity hall and cafe/shop. The younger age service at Malcolm Arnold House accepts adolescents between the ages of 11 and 18 years at admission, with mild or borderline learning disability, including autistic spectrum disorders and other developmental disabilities. Malcolm Arnold House also provides an upper age group service which accepts young people between 18 to 25 years of age. Young people are referred to us because of their need for a secure residential environment. Existing placements have often broken down due to the degree of challenge presented by the young person with little or no appropriate alternative being available. Enquiries For further information, or for information on making a referral to a Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist, please contact either: Dr Ernest Gralton, Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist on 01604 615531, the Admissions Officer on 01604 616601 or the Adolescent Service Operations Manager on 01604 614334. Alternatively, please email abeeby@standrew.co.uk or write to the Admissions Officer at the following address: St Andrew’s Healthcare Billing Road Northampton NN1 5DG To download the Malcolm Arnold House brochure, please click here