Hawkesbury Lodge is a 20-bedded, mixed-sex, secure rehabilitation unit in Longford, Coventry. Three of the beds are in a wing that is used as a ‘step down’ facility. It is one of four units providing rehabilitation and recovery services in Coventry and Warwickshire. Referrals are from community mental health or inpatient services. People are either informal or formally detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 (MHA) and have a severe and enduring mental disorder with additional physical, social and psychological needs, including substance misuse.

We found that staff had systems to keep people safe and for reporting any issues of concern. Risk assessment systems were available to keep people and the environment safe. People and staff were encouraged to give feedback on the service and this was used to measure quality and effectiveness. Staff reported feeling supported and having access to training. Some systems for monitoring adherence with the Mental Health Act 1983 were in place. However, we did not find evidence that informal patients could access community leave as they wanted.

Staff used a ‘recovery approach’ to empower people to identify their own needs and the support required. People were given information and encouraged to give their views on their care; however systems for recording this needed improvement.

Staff at Hawkesbury Lodge had developed working relationships with other internal services, external community teams and agencies to help people access services. The rehabilitation and recovery service was developing systems to get greater feedback from people who used services and carers to influence the service.

Staff were given information and had an understanding of the governance framework, such as systems for feedback after incidents. Staff received support from their teams and line managers.