Uphold rights relating to Secure Care
Where alternative options to Secure Care are not available in local areas, this data should be collected and shared with the National Convener.
Duty bearers: CHS | Local Authorities | Health Boards | Secure Care providers | Scottish Government
Part of: Recommendations
Where alternative options to Secure Care are not available in local areas, this data should be collected and shared with the National Convener.
In this way, Scotland can build up a national picture of where things can improve, to help:
- form part of the ongoing redesign of Secure Care, and
- implement the Independent Care Review’s recommendation that community-based alternatives must be available.
The Panel must place expectations on the implementing authority with regard to helping children living in Secure Care:
- maintain relationships that are important to them, and
- maintain connections to their family and community.
In both cases, this should only happen where it is safe to do so.
The timescales for children living in Secure Care must be reviewed to ensure that they are appropriate and in their best interests.
There must be no expectation or understanding that children should be living for long periods of time in Secure Care. Instead, the presumption should be that it is a temporary measure.
An exit plan must be put in place for children that:
- helps them understand that a Secure Care arrangement is temporary,
- lets them know when they can expect to move home, or to another place of safety,
- lets them know what needs to happen before they can move, and
- lets them know how they can be involved in decisions around what needs to happen.