“In March this year, around 50 children who are a significant risk to themselves or others were waiting for a place in secure accommodation every day. This had almost doubled from 25 the previous year,” the report states.
It highlights lack of support available for growing numbers of children with complex needs and mental health difficulties following the Covid-19 pandemic as a key driver behind increasing waiting lists.
The inspectorate warns that children who cannot be placed in SCHs risk being placed in unregistered provision.
The report states: “A lack of mental health provision also means that some of these children are placed in SCHs because no other provision can look after them and keep them safe. The children who cannot be placed in an SCH often end up in unregistered provision.”
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