Official Statistics

Safety in the Children and Young People Secure Estate: Update to March 2024

Published 25 July 2024

Applies to England and Wales

Main Points

510 assault incidents Jan to Mar 2024, of which 38 were serious 386 different children and young people involved as assailants or fighters

The annualised rate of assault incidents per 100 children and young people per year was 384.7 in the 3 months January to March 2024, an increase of 10% compared to the same period last year. The number of unique children and young people involved in incidents as assailants or fighters increased by 14% in the 3 months January to March 2024 compared to the same period last year, from 339 to 386.

224 assault incidents on staff Jan to Mar 2024, of which 25 were serious

The annualised rate of assault incidents on staff per 100 children and young people per year was 169.0 in the 3 months January to March 2024, an increase of 6% compared to the same period last year.

558 self-harm incidents Jan to Mar 2024 89 different children and young people self-harmed Jan to Mar 2024

The annualised rate of self-harm incidents per 100 children and young people per year was 420.9 in the 3 months January to March 2024, an increase of 119% compared to the same period last year. The number of unique children and young people self-harming increased by 7% in the 3 months January to March 2024 compared to the same period last year, from 83 to 89.

1,170 use of force incidents Jan to Mar 2024 403 different children and young people involved in use of force incidents Jan to Mar 2024

The annualised rate of use of force incidents per 100 children and young people per year was 882.6 in the 3 months January to March 2024, an increase of 16% compared to the same period last year. The number of unique children and young people involved in use of force incidents increased by 6% in the 3 months January to March 2024 compared to the same period last year, from 381 to 403.

141 separations in Secure Children’s Homes Jan to Mar 2024 49 different children and young people separated in Secure Children’s Homes Jan to Mar 2024

The annualised rate of separations in Secure Children’s Homes per 100 children and young people per year was 691.1 in the 3 months January to March 2024, an increase of 25% compared to the same period last year. The number of unique children and young people being separated in Secure Children’s Homes increased by 69% in the 3 months January to March 2025 compared to the same period last year, from 29 to 49.

128 separations in the Secure Training Centre Jan to Mar 2024 46 different children and young people separated in the Secure Training Centre Jan to Mar 2024

The annualised rate of separations in the Secure Training Centre per 100 children and young people per year was 748.4 in the 3 months January to March 2024, an increase of 34% compared to the same period last year. The number of unique children and young people being separated in the Secure Training Centre increased by 31% in the 3 months January to March 2024 compared to the same period last year, from 35 to 46.

297 separations in Young Offender Institutions Jan to Mar 2024 197 different children and young people separated in Young Offender Institutions Jan to Mar 2024

The annualised rate of separations in Young Offender Institutions per 100 children and young people per year was 312.4 in the 3 months January to March 2024, an increase of 11% compared to the same period last year. The number of unique children and young people being separated in Young Offender Institutions was 197 in the 3 months January to March 2024, which is about the same when compared to the same period last year where it was 195.

No deaths reported in the year to Mar 2024

The last death in the Children and Young People Secure Estate was in June 2019.

The Safety in the Children and Young People Secure Estate (CYPSE) Bulletin publishes statistics across all CYPSE sectors for the following periods:

• Assaults and self-harm incidents and deaths from April 2014 to March 2024

• Separations across Secure Children’s Homes (SCHs) and Secure Training Centres (STCs) from April 2014 to March 2024

• Separations in Young Offender Institutions (YOIs) from April 2022 to March 2024

• Use of force incidents in YOIs and STCs from April 2014 to March 2024

• Use of force incidents in SCHs from April 2020 to March 2024

Assault and self-harm incidents and deaths are refreshed quarterly, with use of force incidents and separations in all sectors being refreshed annually in July. Where the presented statistics cover the period of the Covid-19 pandemic, it must be considered and accounted for when comparing time periods.

1. Statistician’s Comment

These statistics present data up until March 2024 across each sector of the CYPSE. Throughout these statistics, the latest reporting quarter is annualised and compared to the same annualised period from the previous year.

The CYPSE is built up of distinct sectors; Young Offender Institutions, a Secure Training Centre and Secure Children’s Homes. Each sector is operated under different models which are governed by different rules. Caution should be taken when comparing sectors to each other. More information can be found in the accompanying guide to the bulletin.

Given the CYPSE’s small population size, individual children and young people (CYP) can significantly impact statistics. This is particularly apparent within Secure Children’s Homes where site populations are the lowest within the CYPSE, however it can also be seen across the larger sites.

Girls have been placed at Wetherby YOI since July 2021, and Oakhill STC since November 2022, and the impact of these placements can often be seen clearly within these statistics. The average number of girls within the CYPSE was below 10 for the 12 months to March 2024, so no rates have been calculated for girls throughout these statistics and it is not possible to draw comparisons on rates between sexes of children and young people.

It is shown that there has been an overall increase in the rate of incidents per 100 CYP per year across all safety areas other than deaths, where there have been none since 2019, in the CYPSE when comparing the 3 months January to March 2024 to the same period from last year.

Self-harm incidents in particular have shown a substantial increase of 119% in the rate of incidents per 100 CYP per year for the 3 months January to March 2024 when compared to the same period last year, and an increase of 20% when compared to the previous 3 months October to December 2023.

It was announced on 21st March 2024 that CYP located in Cookham Wood YOI would be transferred to other establishments and the site repurposed as an adult prison.

In previous issues of this publication Wetherby Keppel Unit and Wetherby Main Site have been reported separately where appropriate. From this issue Wetherby YOI is reported as a single unified site.

Following the opening of a Secure School in 2024, which will be a new CYPSE sector type, additional statistics will be included in this publication from January 2025, subject to data quality standards being met.

2. Assaults: April 2014 to March 2024

Assault incident rate increased compared to same period last year

In the 3 months January to March 2024, there were 510 assault incidents in the CYPSE involving 386 different Children and Young People (CYP) as assailants or fighters. The annualised rate of assault incidents was 384.7 per 100 CYP per year, an increase of 10% compared to the same period in 2023 when the rate was 349.2 incidents per 100 CYP per year.

Assault incidents on staff rate increased compared to same period last year

In the 3 months January to March 2024, there were 224 incidents in the CYPSE where staff were assaulted. The annualised rate of assault incidents on staff was 169.0 per 100 CYP per year, an increase of 6% compared to the same period in 2023 when the rate was 159.7 incidents per 100 CYP per year.

Figure 1: Rate of assaults and fights by quarter from April 2014 to March 2018 and assault incidents from April 2019 to March 2024

The definition and counting rules of assaults changed from April 2019 (April 2018 for YOIs) and hence no long-term trends are available and there was no estate-wide figure in 2018/19. Figure 1 illustrates the trends before and after the break.

The rate of assault incidents fell substantially at the outset the Covid-19 pandemic. In the last full quarter prior to the pandemic, the 3 months October to December 2019, the assault rate per 100 CYP per year was 466.4.

For the most recent quarter, the 3 months January to March 2024, the rate of assault was 384.7 incidents per 100 CYP per year which is an increase of 10% in comparison to the same period last year, the 3 months January to March 2023.

In the latest 3 months January to March 2024 there were 224 assault incidents on staff at a rate of 169.0 incidents per 100 CYP per year, a 6% increase compared to the same 3 months last year where the rate was 159.7 incidents per 100 CYP per year and 209 assault incidents on staff.

The rate of serious assaults in the 3 months January to March 2024 was 28.7 incidents per 100 CYP per year, which is an increase of 21% in comparison to the same period last year where the rate was 23.7 incidents per 100 CYP per year.

During the 3 months January to March 2024 there were 386 unique assailants / fighters compared to 339 over the same period in 2023.

During the 3 months January to March 2024 there were 120 unique CYP victims compared to 131 over the same period in 2023.

Figure 2: Rate of assault incidents per 100 CYP per year from January 2023 to March 2023 and from January 2024 to March 2024

The CYPSE-wide rate of assault incidents increased during the 3 months January to March 2024, increasing in the YOI and SCH sectors, and remaining about the same in the STC sector when compared to the same period last year. The lowest assault rates in the 3 months January to March 2024 were recorded in SCHs.

In the 3 months January to March 2024, the comparative rate of assaults across the sectors were 348.2 incidents per 100 CYP per year in YOIs, an increase of 7%; 678.2 incidents per 100 CYP per year in the STC, and 308.8 incidents per 100 CYP per year in SCHs, an increase of 31% when compared to the same period last year.

The rate of assaults on staff in the 3 months January to March 2024 was highest within the STC at 339.1 incidents per 100 CYP per year, a 5% increase compared to the same period last year. For SCHs the rate was 132.3 incidents per 100 CYP per year, a 9% increase compared to the same period last year. In YOIs the rate for the 3 months January to March 2024 was 146.2 incidents per 100 CYP per year, a slight increase of 1% on the same period last year.

In terms of protected characteristics, the rates of involvement as an assailant or fighter over the 12 months to March 2024 were higher than other groups for CYP aged 15 at 885.6 incidents per 100 CYP, for CYP from a Black background at 736.2 incidents per 100 CYP, and for Muslims at 700.8 incidents per CYP per year. Due to the low number of girls within the estate over the 12 months to March 2024, it is not possible to draw comparisons on rate between sexes.

The groups with the highest rate of involvement as a victim were CYP aged 10 to 14 years, at 177.9 incidents per 100 CYP per year and for CYP who are non-Christian and non-Muslim at 124.8 incidents per 100 CYP per year. Due to the low number of girls within the estate over the 12 months to March 2024, it is not possible to draw comparisons on rate between sexes.

3. Self-Harm: April 2014 to March 2024

Self-harm incidents increased compared to same period last year

In the 3 months January to March 2024 there were 558 incidents of self-harm involving 89 different CYP. The annualised rate was 420.9 incidents per 100 CYP per year, an increase of 119% compared to the same period last year.

Figure 3: Rate of self-harm incidents per 100 CYP per year from April 2014 to March 2024

The self-harm rate for the 3 months January to March 2024 was 420.9 incidents per 100 CYP per year, an increase of 119% compared to the same period last year, and a decrease of 29% from the peak of 589.7 incidents per 100 CYP per year for the 3 months October to December 2022.

The number of unique children and young people self-harming in the 3 months January to March 2024 was 89, compared to 83 unique children and young people who self-harmed in the 3 months January to March 2023.

Figure 4: Rate of self-harm incidents per 100 CYP per year from January 2023 to March 2023 and from January 2024 to March 2024

The rate of self-harm incidents during the 3 months January to March 2024 increased overall, with increases in YOI and STC sectors, and decreases in the SCH sector, when compared to the same period last year. The lowest self-harm rates in the 3 months January to March 2024 were recorded in SCHs.

In the 3 months January to March 2024, the comparative rates of self-harm across the sectors were 335.6 incidents per 100 CYP per year in YOIs, an increase of 148%; 1070.0 incidents per 100 CYP per year in the STC, an increase of 118%; and 274.5 incidents per 100 CYP per year in SCHs, a decrease of 9% when compared to the same period last year.

The rate of self-harm incidents is influenced by small numbers of individuals self-harming multiple times, so it is important to consider the number of different individuals self-harming as well as the overall count of incidents. The highest rate of unique CYP self-harming over the 3 months January to March 2024 was in the SCH sector (18 different self-harmers from an average population of 81.9), followed by the STC (14 different self-harmers from an average population of 68.6) and then the YOI sector (58 different self-harmers from an average population of 381.5).

The number of self-harm incidents that resulted in an injury requiring treatment in the 3 months January to March 2024 was 127, representing 22.8% of self-harm incidents. The number of self-harm incidents that required hospital attendance in the 3 months January to March 2024 was 24, representing 4.3% of incidents.

Despite making up less than 2% of the total average population over the 12 months ending March 2024 (an average of 9.6 girls out of a total average population of 568.4), girls were responsible for almost 60% of all self-harm incidents (1,231 incidents out of a total 2,105).

Within protected characteristic groupings, self-harming was most common over the 12 months to March 2024 among 15-year-olds (801.7 incidents per 100 CYP per year) and white CYP (665.2 incidents per 100 CYP per year) in comparison to others in the group. Due to the low number of girls within the estate over the 12 months to March 2024, it is not possible to draw comparisons on rate between sexes.

4. Use of Force: April 2020 to March 2024

Use of force incidents increased compared to same period last year

In the 3 months January to March 2024 there were 1,170 use of force incidents involving 403 different CYP. The annualised rate was 882.6 incidents per 100 CYP per year, an increase of 16% compared to the same period last year.

Figure 5: Rate of use of force incidents by reason per 100 CYP per year from April 2020 to March 2024

Force was used on 1,002 occasions in the 3 months January to March 2024 to prevent harm to a third party and on 339 occasions to prevent harm to the child or young person themselves, representing increases of 12% and 68% respectively compared to the same period last year. A use of force incident could have more than one reason.

The number of unique children and young people involved in a use of force incident in the 3 months January to March 2024 was 403, compared to 381 unique children and young people involved in a use of force incident in the same period last year.

Figure 6: Rate of use of force incidents per 100 CYP per year from January 2023 to March 2023 and from January 2024 to March 2024

The rate of use of force incidents during the 3 months January to March 2024 increased overall, with increases in both the YOI and STC sectors and a decrease in the SCH sector when compared to the same period last year. The lowest rate of use of force incidents in the 3 months January to March 2024 was recorded in SCHs.

In the 3 months January to March 2024, the comparative rates of use of force across the sectors were 878.4 incidents per 100 CYP per year in YOIs, an increase of 22%, 1,309.7 incidents per 100 CYP per year in the STC, an increase of 3%, and 544.1 incidents per 100 CYP per year in SCHs, a decrease of 14% when compared to the same period last year.

Within protected characteristic groupings, use of force was most common over the 12 months to March 2024 among Black CYP (973.7 incidents per 100 CYP per year) in comparison to others in the group. Due to the low number of girls within the estate over the 12 months to March 2024, it is not possible to draw comparisons on rate between sexes.

Within the YOI and STC sectors only, use of force is governed by the Minimising and Managing Physical Restraint (MMPR) framework. In the 3 months January to March 2024, MMPR techniques up to a medium severity level were applied between 60% and 65% of MMPR incidents in YOIs and the STC.

Lincolnshire SCH began using the MMPR framework from February 2024. They are included in the overall use of force statistics but excluded from counts involving MMPR.

Use of force involving an MMPR technique designed to induce pain should never be used where a non-painful alternative can safely achieve the same objective and staff must be able to justify their reasons for when they are used. Pain inducing techniques were used in 6 incidents in YOIs during the 3 months January to March 2024, this has remained static when compared to the same period last year. In the STC there were no pain-inducing techniques used in the 3 months January to March 2024, which compares to less than 5 incidents in the same period last year.

5. Separations in Secure Children’s Homes: April 2020 to March 2024

Separations in SCHs increased compared to same period last year

In the 3 months January to March 2024 there were 141 separations involving 49 different CYP in SCHs. The annualised rate was 691.1 separations per 100 CYP per year, an increase of 25% compared to the same period last year.

Separations in SCHs are operated under different rules to those in the STC and YOIs and so comparisons between the sectors should not be made. The accompanying guide to this bulletin has more information.

Figure 7: Rate of SCH separation incidents by reason per 100 CYP per year from April 2020 to March 2024

The rate of separations in SCHs for the 3 months January to March 2024 was 691.1 incidents per 100 CYP per year, an increase of 25% compared to the same period last year.

Children and young people were separated in SCHs in the 3 months January to March 2024 on 111 occasions to prevent harm to a third party, representing an increase of 34% compared to the same period last year, and on 30 occasions to prevent harm to themselves or for another reason.

The number of unique children and young people separated in SCHs in the 3 months January to March 2024 was 49, compared to 29 unique children and young people separated in the same period last year. In the 3 months January to March 2024 the average duration per day for a separated child or young person in SCHs was 3 hours and 15 minutes, which represents a decrease of 15% when compared to the same period last year where the average duration per day was 3 hours and 48 minutes.

Within protected characteristic groupings, separations in SCHs were most common over the 12 months to March 2024 among those aged between 10 and 14 years (893.2 separations per 100 CYP per year) and White CYP (735.0 separations per 100 CYP per year) in comparison to others in the group. Due to the low number of girls within the estate over the 12 months to March 2024, it is not possible to draw comparisons on rate between sexes.

6. Separations in the Secure Training Centre: April 2020 to March 2024

Separations in the STC increased compared to same period last year

In the 3 months January to March 2024 there were 128 separations involving 46 different CYP in the STC. The annualised rate was 748.4 separations per 100 CYP per year, an increase of 34% compared to the same period last year.

Separations in the STC are operated under different rules to those in the SCHs and YOIs and so comparisons between the sectors should not be made. The accompanying guide to this bulletin has more information.

Figure 8: Rate of STC separation incidents by reason per 100 CYP per year from April 2020 to March 2024

The rate of separations in the STC for the 3 months January to March 2024 was 748.4 incidents per 100 CYP per year, an increase of 34% compared to the same period last year.

Children and young people were separated in the STC in the 3 months January to March 2024 on 124 occasions to prevent harm to a third party, representing an increase of 72% compared to the same period last year.

The number of unique children and young people separated in the STC in the 3 months January to March 2024 was 46, compared to 35 unique children and young people separated in the same period last year.

In the 3 months January to March 2024 the average duration per day for a separated child or young person in the STC was 39 minutes, which represents a decrease of 23% when compared to the same period last year where the average duration per day was 51 minutes.

Due to the low number of children and young people within the STC sector over the 12 months to March 2024, it is not possible to draw comparisons on rate between protected characteristics.

7. Separations in Young Offender Institutions: April 2022 to March 2024

Separations in YOIs increased compared to same period last year

In the 3 months January to March 2024 there were 297 separations involving 197 different CYP in YOIs. The annualised rate was 312.4 separations per 100 CYP per year, an increase of 11% compared to the same period last year.

Separations in YOIs are operated under different rules to those in the STC and SCHs and so comparisons between the sectors should not be made. The accompanying guide to this bulletin has more information.

The rate of separations in YOIs for the 3 months January to March 2024 was 312.4 incidents per 100 CYP per year, an increase of 11% compared to the same period last year.

Children and young people were separated in YOIs in the 3 months January to March 2024 on 155 occasions to prevent harm to a third party, 37 occasions to prevent harm to themselves, and 42 occasions for another reason. Children and young people chose to separate themselves on 63 occasions.

The number of unique children and young people separated in YOIs in the 3 months January to March 2024 remained stable at 197, compared to 195 unique children and young period separated in the same period last year.

In the 3 months January to March 2024, the average duration of a separation in YOIs was 17.0 days, which represents an increase of 5% when compared to the same period last year where the average duration was 16.2 days

Within protected characteristic groupings, separations in YOIs were most common over the 12 months to March 2024 among children and young people aged 15 (338.4 separations per 100 CYP per year), mixed ethnicity children and young people (312.2 separations per 100 CYP per year) and for children and young people with no religion (284.7 separations per 100 CYP per year) in comparison to others in the group. Due to the low number of girls within the YOI sector over the 12 months to March 2024, it is not possible to draw comparisons on rate between sexes.

8. Deaths: April 2014 to March 2024

No deaths were reported in the CYPSE in the 12 months ending March 2024

Deaths of children and young people are fortunately rare and there were no deaths in the 12 months ending March 2024. Since April 2014 there have been three deaths of children and young people within the CYPSE.

• Two at Cookham Wood YOI, in July 2015 and June 2019

• One at Hillside SCH, in February 2017

• All deaths were due to natural causes

Further Information

Accompanying files

As well as this bulletin, the following products are published as part of this release:

• A guide providing further information on how the data are collected and processed, as well as an assessment of data quality. The revisions policy, other statistical issues and a glossary of terms used are also covered in the guide.

• A set of summary tables covering both the latest quarter and annual summaries of the data back to 2014/15.

Contact

Press enquiries should be directed to the Ministry of Justice press office:

Tel: 020 3334 3536

Email: newsdesk@justice.gov.uk

Other enquiries about these statistics should be directed to:

Katherine Tatlock

Youth Custody Service

HM Prison and Probation Service

1 Ruskin Square

Ruskin Road

Croydon

CR0 2WF

Email: YCSInformationAndPerformance@justice.gov.uk

Next update: 31st October 2024 (assaults, self-harm, deaths)

Next update: 31st July 2025 (assaults, self-harm, separations, use of force, deaths)

URL: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/youth-justice-statistics#youth-secure-estate-statistics-

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