Children in custody
Printable version
1. Overview
Anyone under 18 who is sentenced to custody is sent to a secure centre for children, not to an adult prison.
This guidance is about the youth justice system in England and Wales. Read about youth justice in Scotland and youth justice in Northern Ireland.
Why children are sent to custody
A court can give a child a custodial sentence if the offence is so serious that they cannot justify a fine or a community sentence.
A child can also be sent to custody on remand.
The Youth Custody Service will decide which secure centre a child will be sent to, based on:
- an assessment and recommendation made by the Youth Justice Service
- the child’s needs
- the child’s age and sex
They will choose somewhere that is:
- best suited to caring for the child
- as near to their home as possible
2. Arriving at custody
The child is interviewed by the reception officer as soon as they arrive.
The reception officer uses this interview to assess the child’s needs, for example if they need any healthcare.
Search
The child will have some of their belongings taken away, like their money and phone.
They will also be searched to make sure they do not have anything that may harm themselves or others, like drugs.
Custody Support Plan (CuSP) officer
Within the first few days, the child will meet their CuSP officer. They’ll be the main point of contact for the child during their time in the secure centre.
Find out more about the support that’s available for a child in custody.
3. What custody is like for children
Time in custody is spent:
- in education
- learning skills to get a job or to return to education
- taking part in programmes to help with issues that may have contributed to their offending
- participating in sport, fitness and other activities
There are strict rules about what children can and cannot do, and they may have to go through alcohol or drug counselling.
Types of secure centre
There are 3 types of custody for children:
- young offender institutions
- secure training centres
- secure children’s homes
Young offender institutions:
- are run by either the Youth Custody Service or private companies
- are for young people aged 15 to 21 (children under 18 are held in different buildings)
- house between 60 to 400 children, split into ‘wings’ of 30 to 60 children
Secure training centres:
- are run by either the Youth Custody Service or private companies
- are for children aged 12 to 17
- are usually smaller than young offender institutions, split into ‘units’ of 5 to 8 children
- give 30 hours of education and training a week, following a school day timetable
Secure children’s homes:
- are run by local councils
- are for children aged 10 to 17
- house between 10 and 38 children
- give 30 hours of education and training a week, following a school day timetable
4. Visiting children in custody
You must arrange your visit first. Contact the secure centre to find out what you need to do.
Who can visit
Family members and friends can ask to visit. If you’re under 18 you have to be accompanied by an adult.
People whose job it is to support the child, like a social worker or legal adviser, can visit them at any time.
When you can visit
Each centre will have specific times for visiting. They will tell you when these are, and you will not be allowed to visit outside of these times.
How often you can visit
Usually, you can visit a child once a week if you are a family member or friend, but this can vary.
How many people can visit
Generally, 3 people are allowed at one time. If you want to bring more people, you will need to get permission first.
Getting help with travel costs
Family members can sometimes get help with the costs of visiting, such as train tickets or petrol.
There are different rules for claiming money back depending on where you visit.
Travel claims for visiting a young offender institution (YOI)
Contact HM Prison and Probation Service to claim for a visit to a YOI.
HM Prison and Probation Service
Telephone: 0300 063 2100
Monday to Friday, 10:15am to 11:45am and 2:15pm to 3:45pm
Find out about call charges
Travel claims for visiting a secure children’s home
Contact the child’s youth justice service to claim for a visit to a secure children’s home.
The document ‘AVS1 - Assisted visits scheme information for relatives’ will give you information on this. You need to complete form AVS2.
Travel claims for visiting Oakhill Secure Training Centre (STC)
Call Oakhill STC and ask for the STC monitor - they’ll tell you how to make a claim and what it covers.
Oakhill STC
Telephone: 01908 866 021
Find out about call charges
You may be able to get help claiming the cost of a train journey before you travel. You can also claim back the cost of your travel after your visit.
You could get help with registered childminder costs if you have young children.
If the child is on remand
Contact the child’s youth justice service, who can organise a visit.
You cannot get help with your travel costs if the child you’re visiting is on remand.
5. Advice and support
For advice or support, a child can speak to a member of staff, for example:
- their Custody Support Plan (CuSP) officer, who is the main point of contact for the child
- a chaplain, social worker or teacher
- a doctor, nurse or other health worker
Chaplains provide support to everyone, whatever their faith. A child can ask to speak to a chaplain of their own faith if they want.
Support from the youth justice service
Someone from the local youth justice service will stay in contact with the child while they’re in custody. The child can get in touch with them whenever they need.
Friends and family
A child will be able to contact their family regularly, and can arrange for them to visit.
Advocacy services
Children can also speak to someone from an advocacy service.
6. Advocacy services
Advocacy services are run by children’s charities and are confidential.
A child in custody can ask an advocacy service for help if they:
- feel they cannot speak for themselves
- do not understand something
- cannot make themselves understood
How to get in touch
People from an advocacy service regularly visit secure centres so children can meet them. Children can also telephone them.
Barnardo’s
Telephone: 0808 168 2694
Find out about call charges
This number is for children in young offender institutions (YOIs) or secure training centres (STCs). The phone number is different for children in a secure children’s home - they need to ask a member of staff for the number.
Other people to call
Children and their families can also contact other organisations for help.
7. Organisations that can help
The Howard League might be able to offer legal advice and help to children under 18 in custody.
The Howard League
Telephone: 0808 801 0308
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Thursday, 9am to 7pm
www.howardleague.org
Find out about call charges
The Prison Reform Trust offers advice and support to children and their families, but cannot give legal advice.
The Prison Reform Trust
Telephone: 0808 802 0060
Monday, 3.30pm to 7.30pm
Tuesday and Thursday, 3.30pm to 5.30pm
www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk
Find out about call charges