Our work to tailor women’s services across the collaborative is underpinned by our ambition to offer women the same access locally as men. Tailoring the facilities to the needs of this group to include accommodation that minimises the risk of self-harm and a tailored community offer to respond to the needs of those with complex trauma. Women can expect a renewed focus on family support and tailored care to meet their needs.
What is happening now?
A detailed review of the women’s secure mental health pathway across Thames Valley & Wessex has been undertaken, aligned with national transformation priorities and local service developments.
The aim was to ensure that services are trauma-informed, gender-responsive, and appropriately tailored to the complex needs of women across secure and community settings. This work is in response to the growing recognition that women in the secure system often experience high levels of trauma, mental health challenges, and social disadvantage.
The review looked at the entire pathway, including community provision, prison mental health support, and inpatient care. Current services were mapped to identify gaps, duplication, and opportunities for improvement. Crucially, the process was underpinned by co-production, with engagement from women who had lived experience of secure care. Their insights helped shape a clearer understanding of what has worked well, what has not, and where meaningful change is needed.
What will come next?
With a clearer understanding of the unmet need across the pathway, we are commissioning female secure beds to ensure women can access care closer to home. This will be supported by targeted investment in specialist clinical expertise to strengthen preventative and recovery-focused pathways within the community.
At the same time, we are prioritising workforce development within inpatient services. This includes investment in staff training and skills to enhance therapeutic engagement and trauma-informed care. Additional investment will go towards improving the physical environment to ensure care settings are safe, supportive, and conducive to high-quality treatment and rehabilitation.
In the longer term
With the level of unmet need now clearly established, we are making targeted investment across inpatient and community pathways as part of the Women’s Services Transformation Programme. This includes the development of enhanced clinical facilities, sustainable staffing models, and increased specialist expertise in complex trauma.
Investment will also support inpatient workforce development and the creation of therapeutic environments that promote safety, dignity, and recovery.