The Secure Treatment program (eight beds) of the Roberts/Smart Centre provides treatment for adolescents with a mental disorder, who have demonstrated that they are a danger to themselves or others and that they require services in a highly secure facility. Admission to the secure treatment program is prescribed by legislation (Child and Family Services Act (CFSA), R.S.O. 1990, Chapter C.11, section 114). Two of the eight beds are funded by the Ministry of Youth Justice.
The program offers an on-site classroom, where students are able to earn credits toward their high school diploma while in care, under a partnership between the Roberts/Smart Centre and the M.F. McHugh Education Centre.
Admission Procedure
Admission to the Secure Treatment program is by application to the Executive Director of the Centre, followed by a hearing before a Judge of the Provincial Court or the Superior Court of Ontario.
Contact our Intake Coordinator for information on the process.
Admission Criteria
Admission criteria for the secure treatment program can be found in the Child and Family Services Act, R.S.O. 1990, Chapter C.11, section 117. It is strongly recommended that persons wishing to make a referral review this legislation before doing so, and, if possible, consult with legal counsel. Where there are questions specific to the program at the Roberts/Smart Centre, the Intake Coordinator will be pleased to provide information. Note especially the sections related to consent, in particular where the client is over sixteen years of age.
Length of Stay
Under the legislation, a Judge may order an adolescent to be committed to the Secure Treatment program for a period up to 180 days, which may be extended by judicial order. A young person may stay in the Secure Treatment program until six months after his/her eighteenth birthday.
Plans of Care/Treatment
Plans of care are developed for each young person placed in the secure unit. The professional clinical staff, with the collaboration of the adolescent, the parents, residential staff, and other concerned professionals, is responsible for the development of the plans of care.
Discharge
Generally clients are discharged upon the expiry of the secure treatment order; however, upon the recommendation of the Clinical Supervisor, the Executive Director of the Centre may discharge an adolescent at any point.
Emergency (Short-Term) Admissions
While the CFSA (Section 124 (2)) provides for emergency admissions to secure treatment programs for terms up to 30 days, the Roberts/Smart Centre offers these opportunities only in rare circumstances.
All requests for admissions under this section must be discussed with the Intake Coordinator prior to the application being made.
