The Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice (CYCJ) very much welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Scottish Government’s Consultation on the future of secure care. As well as seeking views on proposals for Reimagining Secure Care, the purpose of secure care, mental health support, future funding and co-ordination models, the consultation also asks about secure transport and the Single Point of Contact (SPOC) service for victims.
Whilst significant progress has been made in recent years, as we note in our response, there are still children being detained in secure care who could be better supported in other environments, and some who are being detained for longer than is necessary. Significant changes are still needed if we are to deliver on the Promise by 2030 and embed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child into Scotland’s response to children in conflict with the law. In particular, article 37 on ensuring that a child is only deprived of their liberty as the absolute last resort, for the shortest appropriate time and subject to regular review. As set out in our response to this consultation, we believe action can and must be taken to:
- reduce the number of children in secure care by investing in alternatives;
- provide individualised, responsive and wraparound support in the community to the most at-risk children;
- ensure the national coordination of placements and provide workforce support.
If you have any questions, or would like to discuss CYCJ’s response in more detail, please contact Allan Young allan.young@strath.ac.uk