Oxford News
Oxford trust children’s mental health ‘requires improvement’
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspected the inpatient child and adolescent mental health wards at Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust in November 2025.
All three of the wards, The Meadow and Highfield units at Warneford Hospital in Oxford and Marlborough House in Swindon received an unannounced inspection from the commission following ‘information of concern it had received’.
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Inspectors found the service was in breach of four regulations relating to person-centred care, safe care and treatment, safeguarding and safe management of the service.
Following the inspection, CQC has changed the ratings for safe, responsive and well-led from good to requires improvement.
The ratings for caring and effective were rated good again.
Serena Coleman, CQC deputy director of mental health in the south, said: “When we visited these CAMHS (child and adolescent mental health services) wards, we found a service where management hadn’t kept a firm enough oversight on some issues and young people in their care were feeling the impact of that.
“All of the young people we spoke with said they didn’t feel involved in decisions about their own care.
“Half of the care plans we reviewed were generic and didn’t reflect individual needs or wishes.
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“We had serious concerns about how restraint was being used. Records didn’t always show that staff had tried other approaches first, and two young people reported negative experiences during restraint.
“Blanket restrictions were also in place across all three wards meaning every young person was subject to rules around accessing snacks, drinks and outdoor space, regardless of their individual circumstances or risk level.
“These are the kinds of restrictions that should only be applied to individuals, and when there’s a clear reason to do so.”
Inspectors found the service had given medication to four young people detained under the Mental Health Act without the correct treatment authorisation in place, and staff did not regularly remind young people detained under the act of their rights.
It was found that eight young people across two wards hadn’t had their rights repeated to them since admission, one of them for six months.
Ms Coleman added: “What makes these findings more concerning is that the trust’s own internal processes hadn’t identified many of them, risking that these concerns will go unaddressed.”
Despite the need for improvement, inspectors did find positives at the trust.
Ms Coleman said: “We also found staff worked well together across different disciplines, and we observed many warm and respectful interactions between staff and young people throughout our visit.
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“Carers spoke positively about the service, and the support available for young people’s physical wellbeing including gym access, yoga, and weekly wellbeing clinics was good.
“At Marlborough House, staff had developed an innovative nature-based therapy programme in collaboration with a local wildlife trust.
“The trust knows where it needs to improve and we will monitor them to make sure young people are safe while this happens.”
The rider of the blue Kawasaki motorbike was involved in a collision on the Wantage Road north of Streatley between Goring and Wallingford.
Emergency services including police officers and paramedics were called at around 7.50am on Friday, April 24.
The motorcycle rider, a man in his 60s, died as a result of the crash. His next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers, Thames Valley Police said.
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The force has not said what the man hit in the collision. We have asked for further details.
Investigating officer police sergeant Rob Oliver-Clayson, of Thames Valley Police, has urged witnesses to come forward as part of their investigation.
He said: “Firstly, I would like to express my sincere condolences to the family of the man who sadly died in this collision.
“I am appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision, or the moments leading up to it, to please get in touch.
“If you saw anything, or have any information that may assist our investigation, please come forward. If you captured dash-cam footage, you can upload it to our dedicated online portal.
“You can contact us by calling 101 or making an online report, via our website, quoting reference number 43260199539.”
The 51-year-old Irish former model and actress is Jeremy Clarkson’s girlfriend and helps run the 1,000‑acre Diddly Squat Farm in Chadlington, Oxfordshire.
Ms Hogan has become a fan favourite for her no‑nonsense approach on the hit series, previously appearing in films such as Fierce Creatures, before stepping back to raise her three children.
She joined Mr Clarkson on the Prime Video show when it launched in 2021 and has since taken on a leading role in the farm shop.
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It was recently announced on ITV’s This Morning that Ms Hogan will be presenting a new show on ITV, Farming for Love.
This will see her play cupid for four single farmers from across the UK who are hoping to find a partner to share both their lives and livelihoods.
Following the major announcement, fans and friends of Ms Hogan have been quick to rally around her with well-wishes and messages of support.
Underneath Fremantle UK’s post on Instagram, one social media user said: “Fab, can’t wait, she’s brilliant.”
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Another added: “Amazing! Love that Lisa is gonna be on our screens more.”
A third said: “What great content! Normal hardworking people, and Lisa is so natural”
“So delighted for lovely Lisa,” another agreed.
Ms Hogan will continue to appear on Clarkson’s Farm, with the first episodes of the new series five due to be released on Wednesday, June 3.
The sixth series of the show has been confirmed for a 2027 release after the update was revealed in new planning documents this week.
The royal has overseen Highgrove in Gloucestershire since 1980, transforming it with extensive, carefully designed gardens.
Now, a vacancy for a communications executive with The King’s Foundation, working at the spot near Tetbury, has been advertised on LinkedIn.
According to Hello magazine, the successful applicant will be based on site and help to promote the King’s private country home to the wider public.
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The role focuses on creating digital content about Highgrove’s gardens, events and educational programmes.
Key tasks include planning and producing posts for the estate’s social media channels, drafting copy for websites and newsletters, and helping to publicise workshops and visitor experiences held in the grounds.
The communications executive will also support press and media activity linked to Highgrove, working with colleagues at The King’s Foundation.
The advert says the charity is looking for candidates with experience in social media, copywriting and digital campaigns, and an eye for engaging visual content.
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It describes the job as an “exciting opportunity” for someone who enjoys storytelling and has an interest in horticulture, heritage and the environment.
Highgrove House is a Georgian property which serves as a private residence for the King and Queen Camilla.
The surrounding gardens are managed by The King’s Foundation and open to paying visitors on selected dates between April and October.
Income from tours and events helps to support the charity’s wider work.
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