Young people in youth custody

What is youth custody?

Youth custody is secure accommodation for children and young people under 18 who are either:

Being on remand does not mean that a child has been found guilty.

Youth custody is different from the adult prison system. A child who is remanded or sentenced to custody is placed in the youth secure estate, not an adult prison.

Read the official overview at GOV.UK: children in custody.

How is a child’s placement decided?

The Youth Custody Service decides the most suitable available placement for a child entering youth custody. It uses information from the Youth Justice Service and other agencies involved with the child.

The decision should take account of:

The Youth Custody Service will try to find the most suitable placement, including one that can meet identified support needs. This may not always be the closest setting to home or the family’s preferred option.

If your child has a disability, mental health condition, learning disability, autism, brain injury, communication need or medication requirement, make sure this is shared with their Youth Justice Service worker, solicitor and the placement team as early as possible.

Types of youth custody setting

The youth secure estate includes several types of setting. The placement decision is individual and should not be treated as a fixed age only rule.

Secure children’s homes

Secure children’s homes are small, care focused settings. They can accommodate children aged 10 to 17. They commonly support children with high welfare, safeguarding or vulnerability needs.

Secure training centres

Secure training centres accommodate children aged 12 to 17. They provide care, education, structured activities and support designed for children in custody.

Secure schools

A secure school is part of the current youth secure estate. It uses a child centred model combining education, care and therapeutic support. Availability and suitability depend on the child’s needs and the places available.

Under 18 young offender institutions

Under 18 young offender institutions are larger secure settings. They are generally used for older boys. Young offender institutions can also hold young adults, but children under 18 are accommodated separately from adults.

Girls are not placed in under 18 young offender institutions. Their placement is considered within the other available youth custody settings.

For current information, see GOV.UK: what custody is like for children and the Youth Custody Service.

What happens when a child arrives?

The first days in custody can be difficult. The setting should assess the child’s immediate safety, health, welfare and support needs.

The child may:

Staff should explain what is happening in a way the child can understand. The child should tell staff immediately if they feel unsafe, are worried about someone else, have not taken medication, need communication help, or do not understand a procedure.

Property, accommodation and food

A child’s belongings may be checked and some items may be stored securely. What a child can keep depends on the setting’s safety and security rules.

Tell staff about prescribed medication. Healthcare staff will assess and manage medicines; a child should not assume they can keep medication with them.

Accommodation differs between settings. A child may have a single room or share accommodation, depending on the setting, safety assessment and available space. Rooms and facilities are not identical across the youth secure estate.

Children should receive suitable food and drink. The setting should take account of medical, allergy, cultural, religious and ethical dietary needs. Tell staff promptly about any dietary requirement.

If there is a concern about property, accommodation or food, the child can speak to staff, their key worker or caseworker where applicable, healthcare staff, an independent advocate or the setting’s complaints process. Families can also raise concerns with the establishment.

Education, training and activities

Education and training should be central to a child’s time in custody. In secure children’s homes and secure training centres, children receive 30 hours of education and training each week.

Education and training in other settings may be organised differently, but should take account of the child’s age, ability, special educational needs, disability, neurodiversity and future plans.

Learning may include English, maths, functional skills, vocational learning, creative work, physical education and recognised qualifications. The available courses depend on the setting and the child’s education plan.

Activities may include sport, fitness, creative work, practical skills and programmes to support wellbeing and reduce reoffending. What is available varies between establishments and may change over time.

Support for neurodivergent children

Neurodivergent children and young people may need additional support in youth custody. This can include children with autism, ADHD, learning disability, brain injury, speech, language or communication needs, or sensory needs.

The child’s care, education, health and sentence or remand plans should take account of identified needs. The available specialist roles and services vary between settings.

Families can ask:

Safety, safeguarding and wellbeing

Every setting in the youth secure estate must safeguard children and promote their welfare. Staff should take concerns about bullying, violence, exploitation, self harm, mental health, discrimination, abuse and unsafe living conditions seriously.

Tell staff straight away if the child:

A child can also ask to speak to healthcare staff, their key worker/caseworker, social worker, Youth Justice Service worker, solicitor or an independent advocate.

Use of force, restraint or separation must be governed by law, safeguarding duties and the setting’s procedures. If you are concerned about an incident, ask for it to be recorded and obtain legal advice promptly.

The wider safeguarding framework is set out in GOV.UK: safeguarding and child protection in the youth secure estate.

Can family and friends keep in touch?

Family contact can be important to a child’s wellbeing and resettlement. Contact may include visits, telephone calls, letters and, in some settings, video contact.

Arrangements depend on the setting, the child’s plan, security, safeguarding and any court order. Visits normally need to be booked in advance. The setting can explain its rules on visitors, identification, travel support and what items may be brought to a visit.

Contact may be restricted where this is necessary for safety, safeguarding or legal reasons. If you have concerns about contact arrangements, speak to the child’s caseworker or the establishment and seek legal advice where needed.

Advocacy and complaints

Children can ask for help from an independent advocate. Advocacy services are confidential and visit secure settings regularly. An advocate can help a child understand their rights, raise concerns, make a complaint or have their views heard.

Ask staff how to contact the advocacy service available at that establishment. Read more about advocacy services for children in custody.

A child can also use the setting’s complaints process. Families may raise concerns with the setting, the child’s Youth Justice Service worker, social worker or solicitor. Keep a note of dates, names, reference numbers and any response received.

Planning for release

Planning for release should begin during custody. It is important whether the child is on remand or serving a sentence.

Plans may address:

The Youth Justice Service, secure setting, family, social worker and other agencies may all have a role. Ask who is leading the child’s resettlement plan and when it will be reviewed.

Read GOV.UK custody and resettlement case-management guidance.

Further information

Important

This information applies to England and Wales. It is general information, not legal advice. If a child is in youth custody and you are worried about immediate safety, health, self-harm, bullying or abuse, contact the establishment straight away and ask for the duty manager. Tell the child’s solicitor, Youth Justice Service worker or social worker as soon as possible.