- SERVICE PROVIDER
Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
This is an organisation that runs the health and social care services we inspect
Assessment report published 24 June 2026
Contents
Ratings - Child and adolescent mental health wards
Our view of the service
The assessment of child and adolescent mental health wards took place on 24 February, 5 March and 26 March 2026. Essex Partnership University Trust provides 3 child and adolescent wards: .
Poplar unit is a 12 bedded mixed sex, general psychiatric ward, providing inpatient assessment and treatment for young people aged 13 to 18 years old. At the time of inspection there were 8 young people admitted to the ward.
Larkwood ward is a 10 bedded mix sex psychiatric intensive care unit, providing intensive care and treatment for young people aged 13 to 18 years old, who are experiencing acute, complex and/or severe mental health problems. At the time of inspection there were 9 young people admitted to the ward.
Longview ward is a 15 bedded mix sex, general psychiatric ward, providing inpatient assessment and treatment for young people aged 13 to 18 years old. At the time of inspection there were 9 young people admitted to the ward.
We rated the service good. The service had made improvements and was no longer in breach of Regulation 12 HSCA (RA) Regulations 2014 safe care and treatment, staff followed infection control policies with regards to wearing personal protective equipment, all medication and sharps were disposed of as per trust policy and clinic rooms did not contain out of date items, staff followed trust policies and procedures with regards to use of mobile phones in the ward areas. Regulation 18 HSCA (RA) Regulations 2014 staffing, bank and agency staff had a full induction and understood the service before starting their shift. Regulation 14 HSCA (RA) Regulations 2014 meeting nutritional and hydration needs, young people were not reliant on staff for access to snacks at prescribed times.
Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act Compliance Summary
The service admitted young people under the Mental Health Act 1983. Staff received and kept up to date with training on the Mental Health Act and the Mental Health Act Code of Practice and could describe the Code of Practice guiding principles. Training on the Mental Health Act was mandatory for staff; the compliance rate was 100% for Larkwood and Poplar Unit and 94% for Longview.
Staff had access to support and advice on implementing the Mental Health Act and its Code of Practice. Staff received assistance from designated Mental Health Act staff.
The service had clear, accessible, relevant and up-to-date policies and procedures that reflected all relevant legislation and the Mental Health Act Code of Practice. For example, there was a process in place to monitor young people’s legal status and renewal dates, which meant staff were able to ensure reviews took place in a timely manner.
Staff explained to each young person their rights under the Mental Health Act in a way that they could understand, repeated as necessary and recorded it clearly in the young person’s record each time.
Staff made sure young people could take section 17 leave (permission to leave the ward or hospital) when this was agreed with the responsible clinician. The use of leave from the ward was agreed by the multidisciplinary team (MDT). Arrangements for leave were made at daily planning meetings and nurses carried out an assessment of each young person’s mental state before each occasion of leave was utilised.
Staff stored copies of young people’s detention papers and associated records correctly and staff could access them when needed.
Mental Capacity Act
Staff received and kept up to date with training in the Mental Capacity Act. Staff had a good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act. The training was initially provided as part of the induction process and staff had regular refreshers.
Staff assessed and recorded capacity to consent clearly each time a young person needed to make an important decision. Staff took all practical steps to enable young people to make their own decisions. Staff completed an assessment on admission of each young person’s capacity to consent to admission and treatment. Further assessments took place during reviews by the multidisciplinary team.
Staff knew where to get advice regarding the Mental Capacity Act, including deprivation of liberty safeguards.
People's experience of this service
We spoke with 16 young people and 6 carers or family members. We received both positive and negative feedback across the 3 wards.
Young people on Poplar unit, gave mostly positive feedback. They said most staff treat you with kindness and respect, 1 person said, ‘staff are amazing and truly care’, observations were completed well and they felt involved in their care. Young people also said there were enough activities and they were supported to maintain contact with family and friends. However young people said there were occasions when leave was cancelled and they did not always feel that community meetings were helpful.
Young people on Longview ward gave mostly positive feedback, they said the dynamics on the ward had improved a lot, and when they were on enhanced observations there was always a staff member there for you. Young people said they felt incidents were managed quickly and they felt safe, they were involved in care planning, their voices were heard and the ward was person-centred. However, young people said there were occasions where leave would be cancelled, they did not enjoy the food and felt sometimes staff were in the office using their phones rather than being present on the ward.
Young people on Larkwood gave mixed feedback. They told us some staff were really nice, there was good MDT input, and they have regular time with their named nurse. However, young people said they did not enjoy the food, as it was repetitive and unhealthy, there were occasions where leave would be cancelled, and sometimes there was a lack of communication. Young people said the washing machine and tumble dryer on the ward was not working, so they had been sharing with Longview ward, leading to things getting mixed up or coming back unwashed. The sensory room was also not accessible due to a piece of carpet being pulled up.
Carers said communication was great and they had been supported through the whole process of their young person’s admission; the ward was clean and nice and staff amazing. However, carers said sometimes they felt the ward struggled with staffing and the food wasn’t great, young people have too many takeaways and there should be more physical education.