- Independent mental health service
Cygnet Hospital Sheffield
Assessment report published 22 April 2026
Contents
Ratings - Child and adolescent mental health wards
Our view of the service
We assessed Cygnet Hospital Sheffield from 4 to 5 March 2026. Cygnet Hospital Sheffield is an independent mental health hospital providing child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) for male and female adolescents aged between 12 and 18 years old across three wards. The service accepts informal patients (who accept admission voluntarily) and patients who are detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 The service was registered with CQC in March 2011 to deliver the regulated activities: assessment or medical treatment for persons detained under the Mental Health Act 1983, treatment of disease, disorder or injury and diagnostic and screening procedures. The service had a controlled drugs accountable officer and a registered manager in place. We last inspected this service in January 2022 and it was rated as good. At this inspection, we rated the service good.
At this inspection, we visited all 3 wards. These were:
- Griffin Ward, an intensive support service which consisted of 12 bedded mixed sex ward for children and adolescents
- Unicorn Ward, an intensive support service which consisted of 10 bedded, mixed sex ward for children and adolescents
- Pegasus Ward – Tier 4 General Adolescent which is a 13-bed mixed sex acute mental health ward for children and adolescents.
Within the CAMHS services at Cygnet Hospital Sheffield, young people could be admitted to either the general admissions unit or one of the two intensive support CAMHS wards depending on individual need and risk presentation. All young people were supported by a full multidisciplinary team alongside the therapy and education departments within the service.
We visited all three wards and found that the standard of care, the environments and documentation were exceptional. We found there were enough staff to meet young people’s individual needs, observed warm and meaningful engagement, activities and access to professionals. Staff were quick to respond to people’s needs and did so in a kind, caring and compassionate manner. There was a robust and fully established multi-disciplinary team who worked well together to ensure the best possible outcomes for young people.
We did not identify any breaches of regulation during this inspection.
Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act Compliance Summary
Staff had a clear understanding of the key principles of both the Mental Health Act (MHA) and the Mental Capacity Act (MCA). The service had a Mental Health Act administrator, who was experienced and knowledgeable in their role having worked in the service for 18 years.
The service accepted young people who were either admitted informally or detained under the MHA. The service rarely made applications under the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards as most young people required treatment under the MHA framework. Mental Health Act documentation was stored securely on an electronic system and original paper copies were stored securely. Staff completed monthly audits to ensure compliance with the Act and young people’s rights under the Act were protected. The MHA administrator supported people to appeal against their section and ensured they fully understood their rights.
When young people were transferred between wards, documentation was completed to reflect this. The Mental Health Act team had effective working relationships with solicitors and stakeholders who attended meetings in the best interests of the young people where needed. At the time of our inspection, all mental health documentation and paperwork was completed correctly. The service also provided young people with a “My Rights” magazine, which provided further information around restrictive practices, individual rights and who could support young people during their admission.
People's experience of this service
During our inspection we spoke with 14 members of staff, 8 young people, an expert by experience, an independent mental health advocate and 4 external professionals across the three wards. We also spoke with family members of young people in the service.
The feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive. Young people we spoke with told us that they felt safe, that staff carrying out observations engaged with them, making them feel valued and listened to and they told us that staff were always kind and caring and understood their needs. Young people spoke positively of staffs approach, that they were able to use Section 17 leave to go out and maintain interests that were beneficial to them and they told us the food and drinks were good. Young people were aware of their care plans and had been involved in developing these. Young people told us they were aware of risks and knew how to seek additional support from staff if needed. They were able to meet regularly with their named nurse and were able to attend meetings alongside their wider care team. Most young people we spoke with told us that their admission had been a positive experience and had helped them. One young person told us, "The ward is brilliant" and that “Staff know how to help me when I am distressed, they know what they are doing”.
Carer feedback included “I am very satisfied within a caring role with the service my daughter receives as I saw that the staff are well trained and dedicated to their job professionally” and “staff are in tune with my daughter, they can identify when her mood is deteriorating”.
We spoke with professionals external to the service who highly praised the service. Professionals we spoke with told us that links with external stakeholders had vastly improved, that the service has “dedicated and professional staff who truly valued and listened to young people, involving young people in improvements”. Stakeholders told us that there was fortnightly contact with the service, and they saw young people regularly whilst they were in hospital. Stakeholders also felt there was a culture of openness and honesty, that the service was transparent and always looking to learn and improve.
An advocacy service worker who visited the service each week fed back that young people’s views were always respected, all young people were encouraged to be involved in their care and that staff were always observed to be very kind and caring, always engaging young people. The advocate also fed back that referrals were made very quickly after admission; that full handovers were provided, and they were always able to speak with newly admitted patients.