OPD Community Services

6- Canadian Avenue

  • Canadian Avenue is a Psychologically Informed Planned Environment (PIPE). PIPES are specifically designed environments where staff members have additional training to help them develop an increased psychosocial understanding of their work. This understanding enables them to create an enhanced safe and supportive environment, which can facilitate the development of those who live there. They are designed to have a focus on the environment in which they operate; actively recognizing the importance and quality of relationships and interactions. They aim to maximize learning opportunities within ‘ordinary’ living experiences and to approach these in a psychosocially informed way, paying attention to interpersonal difficulties, for example those issues that might be linked to personality disorder.

  • Service Contact: apps.london.canadianavenue@justice.gov.uk
  • Client Age: Men aged over 18
  • Address: 7 Canadian Ave,  London,  SE6 3AU,
  • Reception phone number: 0208 690 3234
  • Service hours: 24 hour staffed

About This Service

The PIPE model incorporates six core components which are designed to support and develop individuals living and working in a PIPE. Through training and clinical supervision, the staff group can begin to develop the quality of the psychological and social environment of the unit, paying attention to the core principles of an enabling environment. 

All residents are required to have weekly sessions with their key worker to support them in fulfilling their license conditions. 

Planned socially creative and structured group sessions are offered to provide opportunities for relating and addressing issues relevant to transition through the environment. The groups are voluntary. 

Examples of groups at Canadian Avenue:

  • The Reader: Delivered by a third sector organization who come in to read and discuss the meaning behind excerpts of literature)
  • Residents meetings: A platform for residents to discuss ongoing issues within the house.
  • Cooking sessions: Opportunities for residents to learn cooking skills
  • Formulation group: A psychoeducational group that allow the men to think about the things that make stories about their lives
  • Budgeting workshop: A group where the men are able to develop the skills to plan and budget effectively for life in the community.
  • Men’s Health: A group where men are given information and discuss the needs and concerns relating to physical health.

Who We Support

Individuals currently screened into the OPD pathway, whose difficulties are primarily related to Personality Disorder and are deemed as high risk with a minimum of 12 months on their license.

Men aged over 18 who:

  • Have personality related needs as their primary difficulty (does not require a formal diagnosis of PD)

  • Have been screened into the OPD pathway

  • Present with a high or very high risk of reoffending/harm to the public

  • Have at least 12 months left on their license

  • Are motivated to engage with aspects of the PIPE model

  • Have no physical mobility difficulties that prevent them from using stairs

  • Presentation is not primarily explained by intellectual disability or Major mental illness. 

How to Get This Service

If an individual is believed to be suitable for Canadian Avenue PIPE, the Probation Practitioner (PP) should complete a referral on N-Delius. All referrals to the PIPE are dealt with on a case-by-case basis and are considered in a weekly referral meeting attended by the Operational Lead (AP Manager), the Clinical Lead (Psychologist), the Regime Lead (PIPE PP) and other PIPE staff.

Our Team

Resources

This video describe the PIPE AP