Secure futures? A mixed methods study on opportunities for helping young people referred to secure children’s homes for welfare reasons

• DOI: 10.1108/jcs-06-2022-0019
• Publication Date: 2024-03-05T06:16:42Z
• Authors: Annie Williams; Hannah Bayfield; Martin Elliott; Jennifer Lyttleto...; Honor Young; Rhiannon Evans; Sara Long
• Keywords: Capability Approach

Purpose Using a mixed methodology comprising interviews, case file analysis and descriptive statistics, this study aims to examine the experiences of all 43 young people in Wales subject secure accommodation orders between 1st April 2016 31st March 2018. Design/methodology/approach Children UK aged 10–17 years who are deemed be at significant level risk themselves or others may order, leading time spent children’s home (SCH) on welfare grounds. Following rise number children referred SCHs for reasons, paper describes these people’s journeys into, through out SCHs, giving insight into their highlighting areas policy practice improvements. Findings indicate that improvements mental health support placement availability key improving particularly vulnerable group throughout childhood. Practical implications Other practical study’s findings, such as transport arrangements, also discussed. Originality/value While findings limited by reliance self-report methods size study, namely, small with experience were able participate, build existing knowledge base around residential provide new insights how best children.