Research

Unlocking the Facts: Young People Referred to Secure Children’s Homes

2 mins read Youth Justice Youth custody
There are 22 secure children’s homes across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Young people can be placed in a secure children’s home via the criminal justice system. They may also be placed in a secure home due to concerns they pose a serious risk to others or cannot be kept safe in the community. If a place is not found, young people are placed in alternative accommodation sourced and provided by their local authority, which can include less-secure residential children’s homes, foster care and unregulated placements.
Overall, 15.7 per cent of the sample were referred for a secure children’s home placement because they were seen as a danger to others. Picture: Phil Adams
Overall, 15.7 per cent of the sample were referred for a secure children’s home placement because they were seen as a danger to others. Picture: Phil Adams

SUMMARY

Researchers from Cardiff University’s Cascade School of Social Sciences and the What Works Centre for Children’s Social Care analysed Department for Education data on all 527 young people from England referred to secure accommodation for welfare reasons between 1 October 2016 and 31 March 2018. About half – 49.7 per cent – were young women while 50.3 per cent were young men. Ages ranged from 10 to 17 with most aged between 14 and 16.

On receiving a secure order, 319 young people were placed in a secure children’s home and 208 in alternative accommodation. Nearly half – 48 per cent – of the young people who were not found a place in a secure home were placed in a children’s residential home while nine per cent went to a young offender institution.

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