Therapeutic approach and treatment

Our expert multidisciplinary team includes experienced consultant psychiatrists, senior nursing staff, psychologists, occupational therapists, pharmacy, technical instructors and social workers who collaborate to deliver tailored care plans. Key elements include:

• Comprehensive psychiatric assessment and medication management guided by NICE standards
• Psychological therapies including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) informed approaches, and trauma-focused interventions
• Occupational therapy supporting independent daily living skills, physical health, and meaningful activity. These include cooking, arts and crafts and sport activities both on and off the ward
• Embedded social work teams supporting a holistic care approach
• Structured therapeutic environments following Safewards principles to promote safety, respect, and positive engagement
• Collaborative care planning involving patients and families from admission to discharge

Facilities and environment

Patients receiving care on Audley ward benefit from:

• Single en-suite bedrooms supporting privacy and dignity
• Dedicated therapy and activity spaces including fitness and sensory rooms
• Secure indoor and outdoor communal areas designed for safety and wellbeing
• Access to GP services and specialist clinical support
• Flexible visiting arrangements facilitating family involvement in care

Admission and discharge process

Admissions are accepted 24/7 for urgent NHS and non-English placements. Referring teams are asked to provide comprehensive clinical documentation including risk assessments, Mental Health Act paperwork, recent nursing and medical notes, and multidisciplinary reports to ensure smooth admission.

Discharge planning begins at admission, focusing on effective handover to community services, step-down care or criminal justice services, with ongoing collaboration where required to support recovery and prevent readmission. For those patients in need of longer treatment following the acute period of their care, we have on-site mental health rehabilitation pathways, which can be discussed with the clinical teams.

Why should you refer a patient to Audley Ward?

• We are rated ‘Good’ by the CQC across all 5 domains
• Responsive, specialist, gender-specific PICU service equipped for complex, high-risk cases, including those from criminal justice services
• Strong multidisciplinary expertise delivering evidence-based, recovery-oriented care
• Emphasis on patient safety, dignity, and collaborative working with clinical partners
• Proven pathways supporting timely discharge and continuity of care
• Ideally located to support the care closer to home agenda for those from the Southeast, east of England and London

What our patients and Carers say

“I cannot praise the staff enough for my care during my recovery. I genuinely wouldn't have been where I am today if it wasn't for the team on Benfleet Ward. Thank you all so much from the bottom of my heart.” Patient on Benfleet ward.

“The staff on Benfleet ward have been great in supporting me with my mental health. They have been empathetic and always ready to help whenever I am in need of anything.” Patient on Benfleet ward.

“Thank you for helping my son get better. It has been a tough few weeks for him and my family but I greatly appreciate all your efforts to get him better quickly.” Parent of a patient on Benfleet ward.