Exploration of staff attitudes and experiences towards mixed- and single-sex wards in the National Secure Forensic Service for Young People

Abstract

Mixed-sex wards in adult forensic secure services have been abolished and replaced by single-sex services. The National Secure Forensic Service for Young People (NSFSYP) continues to use a mixture of single-sex male and mixed-sex wards. This study aimed to explore staff experiences and attitudes towards placing young people in mixed- or single-sex wards in the NSFSYP. Mixed methodology was adopted in the form of focus groups (qualitative) and questionnaires (semi-quantitative). Content analyses of the qualitative data revealed five themes: care of female patients, normalization, safety, commissioning and social representation of women. The questionnaire was developed from the qualitative findings and comprised 22 statements measuring attitudes towards mixed- and single-sex wards. One hundred and forty-five questionnaires were returned: a 44% total response rate. Overall, the responses to the questionnaire confirmed the focus group data. There were statistically significant differences in responses between staff working on mixed- and single-sex wards. Staff working on mixed-sex wards felt that mixing genders on wards is a crucial part of adolescent forensic inpatient treatment. For them, mixed wards provide a more developmentally appropriate environment for young people. The needs of female patients broaden the debate beyond segregating and mixing gender.