Types of secure accommodation

There are 3 types of secure accommodation in which you can be placed:

• secure training centres (STCs): Purpose-built centres for children who have offended up to the age of 17
• secure children’s homes: Local authority-run provision for 10-17 year olds providing high levels of intensive help and support
• young offenders institutions (YOIs): accommodates children who have offended from the age of 15 to 21 years.  Young people between 15 to 17 years of age are held in units completely separate from those for 18 to 21 years old.

All young people are assessed when they enter the youth justice system, and the result of this assessment determines where you will be placed. You will spend the first half of the sentence in custody and the second half in the community under the supervision of the YOT.

What support is available?

The YOT will support you and your parent/carer while you are subject to a DTO by working jointly with the institution in relation to education, visits and welfare.

The YOT caseworker will make regular visits to see you and will help direct which intervention is best to support your development.

They will also keep in regular contact with your family and any other agencies involved with you.

Other custodial sentences

Other custodial sentences are available, but rarely used:

• s90 s91, by Crown Court judges to sentence longer than 2 years, or for murder, detention for life
• S226a (dangerousness) or s228 (extended supervision post-release)