Official Statistics

Safety in the Children and Young People Secure Estate: Update to March 2025

Published 31 July 2025

Applies to England and Wales

Main Points

445 assault incidents Jan to Mar 2025, of which 19 were serious 348 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 362.2 in the 3 months January to March 2025, a decrease of 4% compared to the same period last year. The number of unique children and young people involved in incidents as assailants or fighters decreased by 10% in the 3 months January to March 2025 compared to the same period last year, from 386 to 348.

194 assault incidents on staff Jan to Mar 2025, of which 11 were serious

The annualised rate of assault incidents on staff per 100 children and young people per year was 157.9 in the 3 months January to March 2025, a decrease of 5% compared to the same period last year.

231 self-harm incidents Jan to Mar 2025 80 different children and young people self-harmed Jan to Mar 2025

The annualised rate of self-harm incidents per 100 children and young people per year was 188.0 in the 3 months January to March 2025, a decrease of 54% compared to the same period last year. The number of unique children and young people self-harming decreased by 10% in the 3 months January to March 2025 compared to the same period last year, from 89 to 80.

1,123 use of force incidents Jan to Mar 2025 377 different children and young people involved in use of force incidents Jan to Mar 2025

The annualised rate of use of force incidents per 100 children and young people per year was 913.9 in the 3 months January to March 2025, an increase of 6% compared to the same period last year. The number of unique children and young people involved in use of force incidents decreased by 6% in the 3 months January to March 2025 compared to the same period last year, from 403 to 377.

144 separations in Secure Children’s Homes Jan to Mar 2025 49 different children and young people separated in Secure Children’s Homes Jan to Mar 2025

The annualised rate of separations in Secure Children’s Homes per 100 children and young people per year was 640.6 in the 3 months January to March 2025, a decrease of 7% compared to the same period last year. The number of unique children and young people being separated in Secure Children’s Homes remained the same in the 3 months January to March 2025 compared to the same period last year, at 49.

96 separations in the Secure Training Centre Jan to Mar 2025 35 different children and young people separated in the Secure Training Centre Jan to Mar 2025

The annualised rate of separations in the Secure Training Centre per 100 children and young people per year was 583.6 in the 3 months January to March 2025, a decrease of 22% compared to the same period last year. The number of unique children and young people being separated in the Secure Training Centre decreased by 22% in the 3 months January to March 2025 compared to the same period last year, from 46 to 35.

304 separations in Young Offender Institutions Jan to Mar 2025 190 different children and young people separated in Young Offender Institutions Jan to Mar 2025

The annualised rate of separations in Young Offender Institutions per 100 children and young people per year was 362.1 in the 3 months January to March 2025, an increase of 27% compared to the same period last year. The number of unique children and young people being separated in Young Offender Institutions was 190 in the 3 months January to March 2025, a decrease of 4% compared to the same period last year, from 197 to 190.

No deaths reported in the year to Mar 2025

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

This Safety in the Children and Young People Secure Estate (CYPSE) Bulletin publishes statistics across all CYPSE sectors for assaults, self-harm, separations, use of force and deaths from April 2014 to March 2025. Oasis Restore Secure School are not included in the accompanying tables nor overarching statistics.

Assaults, 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. Changes in this Publication

Minimising and Managing Physical Restraint techniques that may induce pain and those that are pain-inducing are reported separately from April 2024 in accompanying tables 3.1.2, 3.2.2, 3.3.2 and 3.4.2. See the accompanying guide to this bulletin for details.

There has been a change in how separations in YOIs that occur within a few days of each other are counted. This change has been applied retrospectively from April 2022. See the accompanying guide to this bulletin for details.

From September 2024, all separations in the STC (other than where a child or young person elects to separate themselves) are counted, regardless of if they have been separated from only their peers, or if they have been separated from their peers and staff. Prior to September 2024, only separations where the child or young person has been separated from their peers and staff have been counted which must be considered and accounted for when comparing time periods. See the accompanying guide to this bulletin for details.

2. Statistician’s Comment

These statistics present data up until March 2025 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. Unless otherwise stated, within this annual publication data has been refreshed back to April 2024.

The CYPSE is built up of distinct sectors; Young Offender Institutions, a Secure Training Centre, Secure Children’s Homes and a Secure School, which had its first placement in August 2024.

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.

Due to Oasis Restore Secure School accepting its first child or young person part-way through this reporting year it has been excluded from the accompanying tables in this publication and all the quoted statistics in this document unless explicitly stated otherwise. Small numbers are suppressed to prevent disclosure in accordance with data protection principles. See the section on Disclosure in the accompanying guide for more information.

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 can be placed in Secure Children’s Homes and at Oakhill STC since November 2022 and Oasis Restore Secure School since August 2024. The impact of these placements can often be seen clearly within these statistics.

There have been no girls in the YOI sector since November 2024, which is within this reporting period. The decision to no longer place girls in the YOI Sector was made permanent in March 2025.

There has been an overall decrease in the rate per 100 CYP per year in assault incidents, self-harm incidents, and separations in the SCHs and STC, with rises in the rate of use of force and separations in the YOIs when comparing the 3 months January to March 2025 to the same period from last year. Deaths of children and young people are fortunately rare and there have been no deaths since 2019, in the CYPSE.

The rate of serious assault incidents per 100 CYP per year are shown to have decreased by 45%, with serious assaults on staff also showing a decrease of 56% when comparing the 3 months January to March 2025 to the same period from last year.

The rate of self-harm incidents has decreased by 54% when comparing the 3 months January to March 2025 to the same period from last year and this rate is now the lowest since the 3 months October to December 2020.

Although the rate of the use of force has risen by 6% when comparing the 3 months January to March 2025 to the same period from last year, the volume of incidents has decreased by 4% over the same period.

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 addition to the statistics in this document Oasis Restore Secure School had an average population of 15.5 children and young people, 13 assault incidents, 7 self-harm incidents, 19 separations and 39 use of force incidents in the 3 months January to March 2025. Comparisons to the same period last year cannot be made as the school did not open until August 2024.

3. Assaults: April 2014 to March 2025

Assault incident rate decreased compared to same period last year

In the 3 months January to March 2025, there were 445 assault incidents in the CYPSE involving 348 different Children and Young People (CYP) as assailants or fighters. The annualised rate of assault incidents was 362.2 per 100 CYP per year, a decrease of 4% compared to the same period in 2024 when the rate was 377.6 incidents per 100 CYP per year.

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

In the 3 months January to March 2025, there were 194 incidents in the CYPSE where staff were assaulted. The annualised rate of assault incidents on staff was 157.9 per 100 CYP per year, a decrease of 5% compared to the same period in 2024 when the rate was 166.6 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 2025

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 2025, the rate of assault was 362.2 incidents per 100 CYP per year which is a decrease of 4% in comparison to the same period last year, the 3 months January to March 2024.

In the latest 3 months January to March 2025 there were 194 assault incidents on staff at a rate of 157.9 incidents per 100 CYP per year, a 5% decrease compared to the same 3 months last year where the rate was 166.6 incidents per 100 CYP per year and 225 assault incidents on staff.

The rate of serious assaults in the 3 months January to March 2025 was 15.5 incidents per 100 CYP per year, which is a decrease of 45% in comparison to the same period last year where the rate was 28.1 incidents per 100 CYP per year.

During the 3 months January to March 2025 there were 348 unique assailants / fighters compared to 386 over the same period in 2024.

During the 3 months January to March 2025 there were 119 unique CYP victims compared to 120 over the same period in 2024.

Figure 2: Rate of assault incidents per 100 CYP per year from January 2024 to March 2024 and from January 2025 to March 2025

The CYPSE-wide rate of assault incidents decreased during the 3 months January to March 2025, increased in the YOI sector, decreasing in the STC sector and was about the same in the SCH sector when compared to the same period last year. The lowest assault rates in the 3 months January to March 2025 were recorded in SCHs.

In the 3 months January to March 2025, the comparative rate of assaults across the sectors were 364.5 incidents per 100 CYP per year in YOIs, an increase of 7%; 425.6 incidents per 100 CYP per year in the STC, a decrease of 37%; and 307.0 incidents per 100 CYP per year in SCHs.

The rate of assaults on staff in the 3 months January to March 2025 was highest within the STC at 249.3 incidents per 100 CYP per year, a 26% decrease compared to the same period last year. For SCHs the rate was 111.2 incidents per 100 CYP per year, a 19% decrease compared to the same period last year. In YOIs the rate for the 3 months January to March 2025 was 152.5 incidents per 100 CYP per year, an increase of 7% 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 2025 were higher than other groups for CYP aged 16 at 718.8 incidents per 100 CYP per year, for CYP from a Black background at 814.4 incidents per 100 CYP per year, and for Muslims at 804.0 incidents per CYP per year. Due to the low number of girls within the estate over the 12 months to March 2025, 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 149.2 incidents per 100 CYP per year and for Muslims at 132.7 incidents per 100 CYP per year. Due to the low number of girls within the estate over the 12 months to March 2025, it is not possible to draw comparisons on rate between sexes.

4. Self-Harm: April 2014 to March 2025

Self-harm incident rate decreased compared to same period last year

In the 3 months January to March 2025 there were 231 incidents of self-harm involving 80 different CYP. The annualised rate was 188.0 incidents per 100 CYP per year, a decrease of 54% compared to the same period last year.

Figure 3: Rate of self-harm incidents per 100 CYP per year from April 2014 to March 2025

The self-harm rate for the 3 months January to March 2025 was 188.0 incidents per 100 CYP per year, a decrease of 54% compared to the same period last year.

The number of unique children and young people self-harming in the 3 months January to March 2025 was 80, compared to 89 unique children and young people who self-harmed in the 3 months January to March 2024.

Figure 4: Rate of self-harm incidents per 100 CYP per year from January 2024 to March 2024 and from January 2025 to March 2025

The rate of self-harm incidents during the 3 months January to March 2025 decreased across all sectors when compared to the same period last year. The lowest self-harm rates in the 3 months January to March 2025 were recorded in the STC.

In the 3 months January to March 2025, the comparative rates of self-harm across the sectors were 201.3 incidents per 100 CYP per year in YOIs, a decrease of 38%; 127.7 incidents per 100 CYP per year in the STC, a decrease of 88%; and 182.4 incidents per 100 CYP per year in SCHs, a decrease of 33% 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 2025 was in the YOI sector (55 different self-harmers from an average population of 340.7), followed by the SCH sector (18 different self-harmers from an average population of 91.2) and then the STC (8 different self-harmers from an average population of 66.8).

The number of self-harm incidents that resulted in an injury requiring treatment in the 3 months January to March 2025 was 62, representing 27% of self-harm incidents. The number of self-harm incidents that required hospital attendance in the 3 months January to March 2025 was between 1 and 5 incidents. Low numbers are suppressed to prevent identification of individuals. See the accompanying guide for details.

Despite making up less than 2% of the total average population over the 12 months ending March 2025 (an average of 10.0 girls out of a total average population of 522.1), girls were responsible for over 40% of all self-harm incidents (713 incidents out of a total 1,703).

Within protected characteristic groupings, self-harming was most common over the 12 months to March 2025 among 17-year-olds (452.3 incidents per 100 CYP per year) and white CYP (560.9 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 2025, it is not possible to draw comparisons on rate between sexes.

5. Use of Force: April 2020 to March 2025

Use of force incident rate increased compared to same period last year

In the 3 months January to March 2025 there were 1,123 use of force incidents involving 377 different CYP. The annualised rate was 913.9 incidents per 100 CYP per year, an increase of 6% 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 2025

Force was used on 1,010 occasions in the 3 months January to March 2025 to prevent harm to a third party, representing no change compared to the same period last year, and on 452 occasions to prevent harm to the child or young person themselves, representing an increase of 32% 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 2025 was 377, compared to 403 unique children and young people involved in a use of force incident in the same period last year, a decrease of 6% when compared to the same period last year.

Figure 6: Rate of use of force incidents per 100 CYP per year from January 2024 to March 2024 and from January 2025 to March 2025

The rate of use of force incidents during the 3 months January to March 2025 increased overall, with increases in both the YOI and SCH sectors and a decrease in the STC sector when compared to the same period last year. The lowest rate of use of force incidents in the 3 months January to March 2025 was recorded in SCHs.

In the 3 months January to March 2025, the comparative rates of use of force across the sectors were 1,018.5 incidents per 100 CYP per year in YOIs, an increase of 19%, 802.5 incidents per 100 CYP per year in the STC, a decrease of 39%, and 605.0 incidents per 100 CYP per year in SCHs, an increase of 12% when compared to the same period last year.

Within protected characteristic groupings, use of force was most common over the 12 months to March 2025 for CYP aged 15 at 1,064.7 incidents per 100 CYP per year; for CYP from a Black background at 1,168.4 incidents per 100 CYP per year; and for Muslims at 998.7 incidents per 100 CYP per year in comparison to others in the groups. Due to the low number of girls within the estate over the 12 months to March 2025, it is not possible to draw comparisons on rate between sexes.

Within the YOI and STC sectors, use of force is governed by the Minimising and Managing Physical Restraint (MMPR) framework and the Exceptional Safety Measure (ESM) framework. In the 3 months January to March 2025, MMPR techniques up to a medium severity level were applied in around 70% of MMPR and ESM 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. Lincolnshire SCH does not operate the ESM framework.

Use of force involving an ESM 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 4 incidents in YOIs during the 3 months January to March 2025. The number of pain-inducing techniques used in the STC during the 3 months January to March 2025 has been suppressed due to small numbers.

From April 2024, ESM techniques up to a level that may induce pain but are not themselves pain-inducing techniques are counted separately. Prior to April 2024, these incidents were counted at high-level techniques. During the 3 months January to March 2025, techniques up to the level that may induce pain were used in 192 incidents in the YOIs and 23 incidents in the STC.

6. Separations in Secure Children s Homes: April 2020 to March 2025

Separation rate in SCHs decreased compared to same period last year

In the 3 months January to March 2025 there were 144 separations involving 49 different CYP in SCHs. The annualised rate was 640.6 separations per 100 CYP per year, a decrease of 7% 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 2025

The rate of separations in SCHs for the 3 months January to March 2025 was 640.6 incidents per 100 CYP per year, a decrease of 7% compared to the same period last year.

Children and young people were separated in SCHs in the 3 months January to March 2025 on 133 occasions to prevent harm to a third party, representing an increase of 20% compared to the same period last year, and on 11 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 2025 was 49, which is the same number of unique children and young people separated in the same period last year.

In the 3 months January to March 2025 the average duration per day for a separated child or young person in SCHs was 4 hours and 34 minutes, which represents an increase of 40% when compared to the same period last year where the average duration per day was 3 hours and 15 minutes.

Within protected characteristic groupings, separations in SCHs were most common over the 12 months to March 2025 among those aged between 10 and 14 years (920.3 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 2025, it is not possible to draw comparisons on rate between sexes.

7. Separations in the Secure Training Centre: April 2020 to March 2025

Separation rate in the STC decreased compared to same period last year

In the 3 months January to March 2025 there were 96 separations involving 35 different CYP in the STC. The annualised rate was 583.6 separations per 100 CYP per year, a decrease of 22% 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 type of separations that are counted changed from April 2024. 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 2025

The rate of separations in the STC for the 3 months January to March 2025 was 583.6 incidents per 100 CYP per year, a decrease of 22% compared to the same period last year.

Children and young people were separated in the STC in the 3 months January to March 2025 on 90 occasions to prevent harm to a third party, representing a decrease of 27% 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 2025 was 35, compared to 46 unique children and young people separated in the same period last year.

In the 3 months January to March 2025 the average duration per day for a separated child or young person in the STC was 4 hours 26 minutes.

Due to the low number of children and young people within the STC sector over the 12 months to March 2025, it is not possible to draw comparisons on rate between protected characteristics.

8. Separations in Young Offender Institutions: April 2022 to March 2025

Separation rate in YOIs increased compared to same period last year

In the 3 months January to March 2025 there were 304 separations involving 190 different CYP in YOIs. The annualised rate was 362.1 separations per 100 CYP per year, an increase of 27% 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.

Figure 9: Rate of YOI separation incidents by reason per 100 CYP per year from April 2022 to March 2025

The rate of separations in YOIs for the 3 months January to March 2025 was 362.1 incidents per 100 CYP per year, an increase of 27% compared to the same period last year.

Children and young people were separated in YOIs in the 3 months January to March 2025 on 183 occasions to prevent harm to a third party, 22 occasions to prevent harm to themselves, and 57 occasions for another reason. Children and young people chose to separate themselves on 54 occasions.

The number of unique children and young people separated in YOIs in the 3 months January to March 2025 decrease by 4% to 190, compared to 197 unique children and young period separated in the same period last year.

In the 3 months January to March 2025, the average duration of a separation in YOIs was 15.3 days, which represents a decrease of 10% when compared to the same period last year where the average duration was 17.0 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 (387.5 separations per 100 CYP per year), CYP with a Black background (353.1 separations per 100 CYP per year) and for children and young people with no religion (321.3 separations per 100 CYP per year) in comparison to others in the group.

9. Oasis Restore Secure School: October 2024 to March 2025

Oasis Restore Secure School accepted its first placement in August 2024

Due to Oasis Restore Secure School receiving their first placement part-way through this reporting year and the small number of incidents occurring, it has been excluded from the accompanying tables in this publication and all the quoted statistics in this document.

In the 3 months January to March 2025, the average population at Oasis Restore Secure School was 15.5 CYP.

There were 13 assault incidents, 7 self-harm incidents, 19 separations and 39 use of force incidents reported in the three months January to March 2025.

Further breakdowns of the number of incidents are not possible due to small numbers. Small numbers are suppressed to prevent disclosure in accordance with data protection principles and hence further breakdown of these headline statistics is not possible. See the section on Disclosure in the accompanying guide for more information.

10. Deaths: April 2014 to March 2025

No deaths were reported in the CYPSE in the 12 months ending March 2025

Deaths of children and young people are rare and there were no deaths in the 12 months ending March 2025. 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: 30th October 2025 (assaults, self-harm, deaths)

Next update: 30th July 2026 (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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