Publish date: 20 July 2026
The team at Childwall Ward, part of Mersey Care’s Secure Care Division, has been named 'Team of the Month' for April 2026 in recognition of their outstanding commitment to safe, compassionate and recovery-focused care.
Based at Rathbone Hospital’s low secure unit, Childwall Ward is a 16-bed male inpatient ward supporting patients admitted from a range of pathways, including medium secure services, acute inpatient care and Ministry of Justice orders. The ward focuses on rehabilitation, helping patients to develop independence, build confidence and prepare for a successful transition back into life in the community.
Trish Bennett, Chief Executive Officer, visited the ward to thank the team, and present them with a certificate, and said:
“Being named Team of the Month is a fantastic and well-deserved recognition of the Childwall Ward team”
Central to their rehabilitation approach is supporting patients to develop the skills needed for modern life. This includes the safe use of technology, including mobile phones, helping people with their daily routines, manage their finances, maintaining contact with support networks and building confidence to using digital tools as part of their recovery journey.
The Team of the Month recognition reflects the ward’s consistently high standards of care, including their compassionate support for patients during times of significant vulnerability and need. Staff have provided consistent, therapeutic support to new admissions, ensuring patients feel safe, listened to and supported in a least restrictive environment.
The team has also demonstrated excellent practice in a complex case involving high risks, including attempts to subvert security. They maintained intensive one-to-one engagement to ensure safety while building trust and therapeutic relationships. This approach has supported patients to move out of restrictive settings such as seclusion, offering them calmer, safer space, whilst maintaining dignity and focus on recovery.
These efforts sit alongside a strong track record of quality and improvement on the ward, including previous recognition through the Quality Review Visit (QRV) Accreditation Framework, where Childwall became the first inpatient ward at Mersey Care to achieve ‘Excelling’ status following a Good Plus rating - a status it has successfully retained following a consecutive review.
Greg Shelley, Head of Operations for Low Secure Services, said:
“The team consistently demonstrate compassion, professionalism and a commitment to delivering the highest standards of care, even in the most complex and challenging situations.
“I would like to thank every member of the team for their continued dedication. Their focus on recovery, dignity and supporting patients to rebuild independence truly reflects the values we strive for across our services.”
The award recognises not only a month of excellent work, but the sustained commitment of a team dedicated to supporting recovery, building independence and helping patients take positive steps towards life beyond secure care.
