St. Aubyn Centre CAMHS Unit

The St. Aubyn Centre is the only the NHS Adolescent Acute and Intensive Care (AIC) unit in the south of England. It provides care for young people between the age of 11 and their 18th birthday who are experiencing acute, complex and/or severe mental health, emotional and psychological problems. This includes vulnerable groups of young people e.g. looked after children, young offenders, young people with a dual diagnosis (substance misuse) and young people with mild to moderate learning disability.

This brand new Centre is situated on the north side of Colchester, Essex, with easy road and rail links to London and the rest of East Anglia.

The Courtyard provides a safe outdoor environment at the St. Aubyn Centre

To find out more, you can read the marketing brochure here or see the Guide for Professionals and Carers.

For more information, contact

Elizabeth.melless@nepft.nhs.uk / 01206 344600

toni.scales@nepft.nhs.uk / 01206 287216

Built to the highest standards and incorporating innovative research-based design. The St. Aubyn Centre has 25 single bedrooms with ensuite shower rooms (across two wards).

Facilities provided are:

●Adolescent acute inpatient care (15 beds)
●Adolescent Intensive Care (10 beds within a low secure environment)
●A Section 136 suite, for young people detained by the police under the Mental Health Act
●Education facility including classrooms, IT suite, gym & library
●Multi-faith/contemplation room
●Family Therapy suites
●Activity of Daily Living kitchens
●Creative Therapy rooms in addition to art & craft areas
●Small cinema
●Indoor & outdoor recreational space

There are family visiting rooms and a café area in the main “street”(behind reception) where young people can spend time with their relatives in a more ‘relaxed’environment.

You can see 360° views of the unit by using the links below

View 1
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Care team

The dedicated St. Aubyn team includes:

● Doctors
● Modern Matron
● Registered Mental Health Nurses
● Psychologists
● Family Therapists
● Psychodynamic Psychotherapists
● Cognitive Analytical Therapists
● Occupational Therapists
● Social Workers
● Associate Practitioners
● Senior Healthcare Assistants
● Teaching Staff
● Administrators
● Support Services
● Students & trainees from all disciplines.

We also work closely with:

● CAMHS Crisis Outreach Team
● CAMHS Eating Disorders Team
● Youth Offending Teams
● Community CAMHS Teams
● Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP)
● Children’ Learning Disabilities Team
● Young Peoples Drug & Alcohol Service (EYPDAS)
● Schools
● Social Care
● Safeguarding teams
● Paediatricians
● Adult Mental health
● Voluntary Services
● Advocacy Services.

The Care Programme Approach (CPA)

All young people have a CPA care plan which records what we agree in partnership with them & their parents/carers. Care plans are reviewed regularly and will reflect current treatment aims.