Gender: Mixed
Age: 12-18
Beds: 12
Unicorn Ward is a CAMHS Tier 4 PICU service and provides support for young people, both male and female who have complex needs and require high intensity nursing care. The focus is on stabilisation with a view to enabling transition to a general acute ward or back into the care of community services. The service is able to provide robust care and support for young people displaying significant levels of challenging behaviour.
Tilly’s Journey
In this blog Tilly reflects on her time as a service user on Unicorn Ward, the adolescent PICU service at Cygnet Hospital Sheffield, and writes about how the team helped her to open up, engage in therapies and reduce her risky behaviours.
Unicorn Ward has full MDT input, including a specialist doctor, psychologist, social worker, occupational therapist and educational support from full-time teachers and educational support staff. The service works with young people to prepare them for discharge back out of service and into their home area, whilst still in a robust and supportive PICU environment.
“Wow what can I say about Unicorn Ward. My daughter has formed amazing relationships with the staff and felt listened to whilst reliving her darkest moments. As staff got to know my daughter, they managed to know what keeps her grounded and ways to support her – staff made time to actually know my child and recognise her needs emotionally and mentally. Unicorn Ward – you are all amazing.”Parent
Unicorn Ward is the first CAMHS PICU service in the country to become CAMHeleon accredited. CAMHeleon celebrates and promotes best practice and the things that really make a positive difference to young inpatients, identifying small changes that have a big impact.
There is a diverse educational programme in place, so that young people can continue their education at the same time as receiving treatment. Education is provided by our Phoenix School which has a ‘Good’ rating with Ofsted.
Service User Profile
- Age 12-18
- Detained under the Mental Health Act
- Diagnosis of:
- Psychosis
- Self-harm and/or suicidal ideation
- Depression or anxiety
- Emerging personality disorder
- Substance misuse – providing there is a primary diagnosis of a mental health problem
- Emotional, social and behavioural difficulties
- Borderline/mild learning disability as a secondary diagnosis
- Autism spectrum disorders, with a mental health primary diagnosis
- May have a forensic history
Our Facilities
- En-suite bedrooms
- Spacious communal areas
- Outdoor sports areas
- Training kitchen to support skills development
- On-site Ofsted registered school
- Gym
