A type of secure accommodation for children and young people to live in if they are in custody. Secure children’s homes are for children aged 10 – 17.
The Youth Custody Placement Service team decides where children who are remanded or sentenced to custody are placed. Usually 10 and 11 year olds and older children (aged 12-15) who are considered vulnerable are sent to a secure children’s home (SCH).
A child, their parent or guardian, their legal representative or the youth offending team can challenge a placement decision.1 The Secure Accommodation Network provides a directory of all Secure Children’s Homes.
- 1. More information about how to challenge a placement decision: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/placing-young-people-in-custody-guide-for-youth-justice-practitioners#questioning-a-placement-decision