Place of safety

Our place of safety provides you with a supervised, calming area where you can feel supported and protected if you're experiencing behaviours of distress.

We will assess your mental health needs to get a better idea of your situation. 

We have two places of safety in our hospital, however if these are unavailable we may find a safe space for you to wait for your assessment, with the police for support.

After your assessment, we’ll work with you and our other mental health teams to look at the best next steps for you.

If it’s in your best interests and our rooms are available, we’ll arrange an inpatient bed at Prospect Park Hospital in Reading.

Our rooms are all single bed areas, with washing facilities to give you privacy during your assessment.

If it’s appropriate, we’ll discharge you so that you can be supported by our teams either in your home or in a safe place in your community.

The police will contact our duty senior nurse (DSN) at Prospect Park Hospital to make sure there is space in the unit for you, and then transport you here for assessment.

Unfortunately, we don’t accept self referrals.

Our place of safety unit it as Prospect Park Hospital, and is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

While you may be brought in to us by friends and family, we don’t typically allow visitors while you’re being assessed.

Our mental health teams and services, including Talking Therapies, are available if you need support. 

Find out how to access mental health support (opens new browser tab)

You can also find resources and guides on our website to help you if you need more advice.  

Resources to help with your mental health wellbeing (opens new browser tab)

Our Neurodiversity Passport can help you communicate your needs to our staff. It covers sensory processing, your communication preferences, and topics that might make you feel anxious and overwhelmed, so that we can support you.   

Read about our neurodiversity passport