Start on first girls' secure unit

Building underway on Scotland's first secure unit for 14 to 18 year old girls

News, 25 April 2005

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Work begins today on the first ever unit in Scotland for troubled girls.

The unit at the Good Shepherd Centre in Bishopton is expected to open by the end of 2006.

It will provide 18 secure places and six close support places for vulnerable young girls between the ages of 14 and 18 who have been referred there by the children's reporter for offending or on welfare grounds.

Deputy Justice Minister Hugh Henry, who today cut the first sod at the site of the new development, said: "Once open, it will help us improve highly intensive support for troubled young girls to reduce the risk they present to themselves and to others.

Staff at the unit will give them the guidance they need to get their lives back on track and the girls will also benefit from the unit's close proximity to the already successful Good Shepherd open school.

"This will enable the unit to provide greater continuity of care within and outwith the secure unit, and ensure the girls who are referred to the unit are better supported in their move back into mainstream services or their local communities", said Mr Henry.

The development is part of the Scottish Executive's plan to increase by 29 to 125 the number of secure places available.

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