Wolvercote Clinic

Criteria for evaluating site suitability

Location

The site and buildings should:

1. not directly overlook property of a sensitive nature, such as schools, centres working with children, private accommodation, etc, or a public highway. (Weighting: High)

2. be relatively accessible and not too isolated. (Weighting: Medium)

3. enable the Lucy Faithfull Foundation to retain experienced specialist staff (Weighting: High)

4. have C2 use status for planning purposes to minimise cost and disruption. (Weighting: High)

5. be in a reasonable state of repair and not require major refurbishment works (Weighting: Medium)

6. be viable for permanent use (although consideration will be given to short-term sites that the Clinic could reasonably relocate to prior to 31 March 2002). (Weighting: Medium)

7. have some connection with an existing facility (prison, hospital, etc.) to provide an established “neighbour” with additional security benefits. (Weighting: Medium)

Capacity

To carry out its work effectively, the clinic needs capacity for:

8. bedroom space for 25 residents in single or shared rooms, and one staff bedroom to accommodate the sleeping night cover. (Weighting: High)

9. space for up to 21 other members of staff, including therapists, administrative staff, management, and service staff. (Weighting: High)

10. four large group rooms, space for a viewing facility to observe sessions, and storage for equipment. (Weighting: High)

11. shared resident space: dining room, television lounge, etc. (Weighting: High)

12. enclosed outdoor space. (Residents are in the Clinic on a 24-hour residential basis for 12 months). (Weighting: High)

13. rooms to accommodate LFF meetings with other agencies. (Weighting: Medium)

Security

Security considerations should cover the safe supervision of residents and the vulnerability of the site from public disorder and criminal damage. This should be discrete but sufficient to reassure the public of the facility’s safe management. Any site should:

14. have grounds or a perimeter that can be made secure and where access and egress can be readily monitored by staff and CCTV. (Weighting: High)

15. balance any isolation against vulnerability to public disorder to ensure the health and safety of staff and residents. (Weighting: High)

Cost

Cost will be taken into account in terms of affordability. It may be a factor when considering similar sites.