Adolescent Inpatient Unit (Stepping Stones)

The adolescent inpatient unit is a 15 bed psychiatric residential assessment and treatment program for young people aged between 12 - 18 years who are experiencing severe psychiatric and or emotional disturbances. There is also a day program operating for young people to attend.

The building, designed around a garden courtyard, consists of a residential area including recreation space, a music room and a kitchen. There is also a school building, indoor pool and gym facility.

The unit operates 24 hours, 7 days a week with an alternative school program running Monday to Friday 10.00am - 4.00pm.
A young person will meet with their mini team regularly to identify and review their goals for discharge. The case co-coordinator and nurses are the people to whom inquiries should be directed.

Some Important Things To Note!
Admission to a hospital setting is a significant event in a teenager's life, it is considered only when all other avenues have been explored and for various reasons the inpatient unit is the best place to be.

In light of this the staff endeavour to provide the best care, in the lease restrictive environment, building on the strengths and attributes of the adolescent.

Support is also provided where needed to other people important in the young person’s life.

Although staff are experienced in providing a safe and therapeutic environment, in which young people can work on their issues, it is important to remember that young people are exposed to a variety of behaviours whilst in an inpatient setting, some of which are not helpful to that individual. There is therefore the potential for young people to develop unwanted behaviours of their own.

What do you need to bring?

  • Adequate amount of clothing, a few personal items to help you settle in but nothing precious. Money can be kept in a safe but we recommend only about $15 per week is necessary for outings etc.

  • Toiletries are essential, bathers, cassette player, CD’s and tapes are useful at times but staff cannot be responsible for these items.

Rules on the Unit!
These are clearly displayed around the unit and a more comprehensive sheet containing the a-z of the unit will be given to parents and the young person on admission in brief some important rules to remember:

  • No non-prescribed drugs or alcohol are permitted on the unit, or during leave.

  • No harming yourself, others or property.

  • The rights and privacy of others is to be respected, breaches of these rules will incur consequences. Staff on the unit do not support young people smoking. Smoking is harmful to your health. Adolescents need parental permission to smoke on the unit. Smoking is restricted on the unit.

What Happens on the Unit?
Families are routinely involved in decision making and are expected to attend regular family sessions. Emergency meetings may also be necessary to address important issues. Guardianship responsibilities remain with the parents / carers. Whilst on the unit, young people, when well enough, are expected to attend the program as discussed with the mini-team. The program is a combination of education, therapeutic, and life skills, including psychotherapy, goal setting, living skills, art, music, cooking, gym, outings, newsletter and communication skills.

To help us work effectively with a young person, a varying level of supervision is used when it is appropriate for maximizing safety and care. This is determined and reviewed by the mini-team and the nurse in charge. Observation levels range from special, being the most highly supervised, then 5 down to 1 being the least supervised.

Weekend leave occurs to encourage the young person to maintain links with their ongoing accommodation and the community they will return to after a stay in hospital.

Education on the Unit
Department of Employment, Education & Training (DE&T) work with the health professionals in a multi-disciplinary model, attending mini-team meetings and family sessions as educational consultants.

We work with 12 - 18 year old young people who have a severe mental illness, including those with a dual diagnosis. The teachers expertise in preparing curriculum, managing and teaching groups and assisting young people back to an appropriate educational setting, complements the skills of other staff of Stepping Stones.

We provide educational assessments and feedback this information to the school and family. Although mandated to provide services only to Stepping Stones Inpatient Unit, we do support schools and outside agencies through secondary consultation, meetings and professional development.

The aim of the program is to:

  • Provide the opportunity for young people to reflect and continue to work on their difficulties.
  • Support and encourage appropriate classroom behaviour
  • Access to a relevant range of subjects

During a young person's stay on the unit, they attend a structured program that runs five days per week beginning at 10.00am and ending at 4.00pm. Subjects such as Health and Human Relations, Information Technology and Art are permanently on the time table and where feasible, follow the course outlines and objectives within the Curriculum Standards Framework (CSF). Other subjects offered are Living Skills, Gardening, Yoga, Communication Skills and Drama.

Teachers form a partnership with the Mental Health Professionals in planning, delivering and evaluating the program.

Supporting VCE Students
Teachers maintain close links with home schools allowing consultation with the young person's school and families regarding pertinent issues: course selection, career pathways and school based welfare / curriculum issues.

To ensure continuity of study, the teachers will provide specific instruction in some subject areas and request work from school when appropriate.

Where necessary, the teachers will provide documentation to support a change in a young persons VCE commitments.

Lyndale Secondary College
Lyndale is responsible for the provision of resources through it's global budget, managing personnel and administrative matters of the Education Program and providing support and guidance on all matters to do with the Education Department's policy.

The Management Committee plays a vital role in overseeing the Education Program. In addition it provides a forum where interested parties from Monash Medical Centre, Health and Community Services and the Department of Education and Training (DE&T) can raise issues for discussion and clarification. This convenes once per term.

If you would like any further information on the Education Program at Stepping Stones Adolescent Inpatient Unit, you can contact:

Mr. Bruce McPhate
Teacher In Charge
Stepping Stones Adolescent Inpatient Unit
Monash Medical Centre
246 Clayton Road,
Clayton, Vic. 3168

Tel: 613 9594 1300
Fax: 613 9594 6333
 

 

To contact us email to: camhs@southernhealth.org.au