In response to the serious risk of harm to children, Ofsted, CQC
and HMI Prisons have issued an Urgent Notification about Oakhill
Secure Training Centre to the Secretary of State for Justice, Rt
Hon MP.
The Urgent Notification comes after an inspection earlier this
month found a palpable change in culture at Oakhill since its
last inspection. Inspectors uncovered serious and systemic
failures at the centre, with safeguarding systems in disarray.
Inspectors reported that Oakhill is no longer child centred and
staff conduct is of significant concern. Twenty-three staff were
suspended between November 2024 and 13 July 2025, including 16 in
response to allegations about their conduct with children. Since
14 July 2025, seven more staff members have been suspended
relating to their conduct with children.
Inspectors found a fractured leadership team. The centre Director
and one of the two deputy directors are suspended from their
duties, and the other deputy director was recently dismissed from
employment. An interim director and new deputy director have
started work at the centre but have had limited opportunity to
make any meaningful impact.
Oakhill was judged inadequate at its last full inspection in
October 2024. Since 2017 it has not been judged higher than
‘requires improvement to be good'.
The Secretary of State now has 28 days to respond with an action
plan for improvement at the centre.
Notes to editors:
- The inspection of Oakhill Secure Training Centre took place
on 21-25 July 2025; the full report will be published in line
with Ofsted's usual inspection timelines.
