Consultation open for views on proposals on the future of secure
care.
Proposals to strengthen the sustainability of secure care and
enhance the support available to vulnerable children are being
consulted upon.
The consultation seeks views on a range of proposed reforms to
future secure care services, which will continue to be a critical
part of Scotland's child welfare and justice systems.
Among the proposals are:
- whether secure care should be nationalised or nationally
coordinated
- models from the ‘Reimagining Secure Care'
report, including community-based hubs that are designed to
deliver early intervention, crisis support and ongoing care
within a child's own community
- new models for the funding and commissioning of secure care
settings
- standards for the safe transport of children to and within
secure care.
The proposals will ensure that children's rights are at the
centre of secure care services, aligning further with the
incorporation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of
the Child into Scots law and the Scottish Government's commitment
to The Promise.
Promise Minister Natalie Don-Innes said:
“This national consultation marks a significant moment in our
journey to reimagine how we care for and support some of the most
vulnerable children in Scotland.
“Every child in secure care deserves support that is therapeutic,
understanding of their experiences, and tailored to their
individual needs. This consultation explores how we can create a
system where children receive the right care, at the right time,
in in environments that support their recovery and
rehabilitation, keep them connected to family and community, and
prepare them for positive futures.
“Your views will help shape a secure care system that places
children's rights at its heart, ensures secure care remains a
last resort, and gives every child the best chance to thrive.”
Background
The consultation on the future
of secure care is open for views until 16 April 2026.
Secure care provides intensive support in a safe environment for
a small number of children whose needs cannot be met in other
settings.
This follows the publication of the Children and Young People's
Centre for Justice's (CYCJ) report on ‘Reimagining Secure Care'
which outlines a transformative vision for the future of secure
care, and broader children's care, in Scotland. The Scottish Government has
responded to this report.
