Norfolk Specialist Sex Abuse Centre Faces Closure

A specialist centre which helps women recover from mental health problems caused by sexual abuse could be shut down.

The Ashcroft residential unit in Wicklewood, near Wymondham, offers sanctuary for up to ten women who are suffering mental health problems after being abused early in life. It offers tailored support for up to 18 months.

Too few referrals are being made to Ashcroft, so it may be forced to close. Eight of the ten beds are funded by Norfolk County Council costing £732 a week with the other two beds for respite care, funded by NHS Norfolk, costing £807 a week. Staff have been told they could face redundancy, but a final decision has not yet been made.

BREAK chief executive Leigh Vallance said: “The staff at Ashcroft have been acutely aware of the decrease in referrals and we have acted promptly in order to avoid any unhelpful speculation from within or outside of the organisation.

“We are currently liaising closely with our funding partners to establish the full extent of the situation before any further decision is taken.”

Norwich North MP Ian Gibson said it would leave a “huge gap in the absolutely essential service”.

Ashcroft, which also offers supported housing and a day service, was taken over by BREAK in 2007 when it was not financially viable as an independent charity. One worker, who did not want to be named, said there were several women in need of the service, but not being referred to it. She said: “The plug is being pulled too soon on a unit that gives specialist treatment and care. Women are coming thinking they have a place to get well for six, 12, 18 months and finding out it could shut and it is making them distressed.”

Debbie Olley, an assistant director at adult social services, said the county council is committed to empowering people with mental health problems but more people want to live independently rather than in residential units.

She said: “Ashcroft offers a very high standard of care and while we are still happy to make referrals there, we cannot justify our current levels of funding when the demand for placements has fluctuated so significantly over the past year. We are continuing to review the situation.”