Official Statistics

Safety in the Children and Young People Secure Estate: Update to March 2026

Published 30 July 2026

Applies to England and Wales

Main Points

1,926 assault incidents Apr 2025 to Mar 2026, of which 110 were serious 723 different children and young people involved as assailants or fighters

The rate of assault incidents per 100 children and young people was 423.9 in the 12 months to March 2026, an increase of 11% compared to the previous 12 months. The number of unique children and young people involved in incidents as assailants or fighters decreased by 7% in the 12 months to March 2026 compared to the previous 12 months, from 780 to 723.

952 assault incidents on staff Apr 2025 to Mar 2026, of which 52 were serious

The rate of assault incidents on staff per 100 children and young people was 209.5 in the 12 months to March 2026, an increase of 15% compared to the previous 12 months.

1,474 self-harm incidents Apr 2025 to Mar 2026 221 different children and young people self-harmed Apr 2025 to Mar 2026

The rate of self-harm incidents per 100 children and young people was 324.4 in the 12 months to March 2026, a decrease of 1% compared to the previous 12 months. The number of unique children and young people self-harming decreased by 5% in the 12 months to March 2026 compared to the previous 12 months, from 233 to 221.

4,329 use of force incidents Apr 2025 to Mar 2026 780 different children and young people involved in use of force incidents Apr 2025 to Mar 2026

The rate of use of force incidents per 100 children and young people was 952.8 in the 12 months April 2025 to March 2026, an increase of 5% compared to previous 12 months. The number of unique children and young people involved in use of force incidents decreased by 10% in the 12 months April 2025 to March 2026 compared to the previous 12 months, from 863 to 780.

402 separations in Secure Children’s Homes Apr 2025 to Mar 2026 121 different children and young people separated in Secure Children’s Homes Apr 2025 to Mar 2026

The rate of separations in Secure Children’s Homes per 100 children and young people was 489.7 in the 12 months April 2025 to March 2026, a decrease of 33% compared to the previous 12 months. The number of unique children and young people being separated in Secure Children’s Homes decreased by 10% in the 12 months April 2025 to March 2026 compared to the previous 12 months, from 135 to 121.

269 separations in the Secure Training Centre Apr 2025 to Mar 2026 85 different children and young people separated in the Secure Training Centre Apr 2025 to Mar 2026

The rate of separations in the Secure Training Centre per 100 children and young people was 449.7 in the 12 months April 2025 to March 2026, showing no change compared to the previous 12 months. The number of unique children and young people being separated in the Secure Training Centre decreased by 14% in the 12 months April 2025 to March 2026 compared to the previous 12 months, from 99 to 85.

948 separations in Young Offender Institutions Apr 2025 to Mar 2026 390 different children and young people separated in Young Offender Institutions Apr 2025 to Mar 2026

The rate of separations in Young Offender Institutions per 100 children and young people was 303.4 in the 12 months April 2025 to March 2026, an increase of 4% compared to the previous 12 months. The number of unique children and young people being separated in Young Offender Institutions was 390 in the 12 months April 2025 to March 2026, a decrease of 15% compared to the previous 12 months, from 459 to 390.

No deaths reported in the year to Mar 2026

Prior to the end of March 2026, 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 2026. 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. Statistician’s Comment

These statistics present data up until March 2026 across each sector of the CYPSE excluding the Secure School. Throughout these statistics, the latest reporting 12-month period is compared to the previous 12-month period.

The CYPSE comprises the distinct sectors of Young Offender Institutions (YOIs), a Secure Training Centre (STC), Secure Children’s Homes (SCHs) and a Secure School. Each sector is operated under a different model which is 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 SCHs where site populations are lowest, however it can also be seen across the larger sites.

Girls can be placed in all sectors other than YOIs. 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. The decision to no longer place girls in the YOI sector was made permanent in March 2025.

In this document it is shown that there has been an increase of 11% in the rate per 100 CYP in assault incidents when comparing the 12 months to March 2026 to the previous 12 months and a decrease of 21% in the rate of serious assault incidents per 100 CYP.

Assault incidents where a staff member is assaulted have seen the largest rise in the SCHs where the rate of assaults on staff for the 12 months to March 2026 increased by 152% when compared to the previous 12 months, 257 assaults up from 110. The YOI sector saw a decrease of 15% in the rate of assaults on staff over the same period, whilst the STC sector saw an increase of 26%.

The rate of self-harm incidents has decreased by 1% when comparing the 12 months to March 2026 to the previous 12 months. The largest sector increase has been seen in the SCH sector, with the rate of self-harm for the 12 months to March 2026 increasing by 111% when compared to the same period last year, 296 incidents up from 151.

The rate of self-harm incidents is heavily influenced by very 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 overall rate of use of force incidents increased by 5% for the 12 months to March 2026 when compared to the previous 12 months, with decreases seen in the YOI sector, and increases in the STC and SCH sectors. The rate of use of force incidents in the STC sector for the 12 months to March 2026 has increased by 26% when compared to the previous 12 months, 751 incidents up from 669, and in the SCH sector has increased by 37% when compared to the previous 12 months, 629 incidents up from 496.

Separations in each sector are operated under different rules and comparisons between the sectors should not be made. It is shown that there has been a 33% decrease in the rate of separations per 100 CYP in the SCH sector for the 12 months to March 2026 when compared to the previous 12 months. In the STC sector the rate of separations per 100 CYP remains unchanged and there is a 4% increase in the YOI sector. Preventing harm to a third party remains by far the most common reason for separations across all sectors.

In addition to the statistics in this document, in the period April to August 2025 (when it was fully decanted), Oasis Restore Secure School (ORSS) had an average population of 9.0 CYP. There were 26 assault incidents of which 8 were an assault on another CYP and 18 assault incidents in which a staff member was assaulted. There were between 1 and 5 self-harm incidents. There were 34 separations of which 9 were to prevent harm to a third party, and 88 use of force incidents of which 49 were to prevent harm to a third party.

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. Comparisons to the same period last year for ORSS cannot be made as the school did not open until August 2024.

2. Assaults: April 2019 to March 2026

Assault incident rate increased compared to previous 12 months

In the 12 months to March 2026, there were 1,926 assault incidents in the CYPSE involving 723 different Children and Young People (CYP) as assailants or fighters. The rate of assault incidents was 423.9 per 100 CYP, an increase of 11% compared to the previous 12 months when the rate was 382.5 incidents per 100 CYP.

Assault incidents on staff rate increased compared to previous 12 months

In the 12 months to March 2026, there were 952 incidents in the CYPSE where staff were assaulted. The rate of assault incidents on staff was 209.5 per 100 CYP, an increase of 15% compared to the previous 12 months when the rate was 182.0 incidents per 100 CYP.

Figure 1: Rate of assault incidents from April 2019 to March 2026

The rate of assault incidents fell substantially at the outset the Covid-19 pandemic.

For the 12 months to March 2026 the rate of assaults was 423.9 incidents per 100 CYP which is an increase of 11% in comparison to the previous 12 months.

In the 12 months to March 2026 there were 952 assault incidents on staff at a rate of 209.5 incidents per 100 CYP, a 15% increase compared to the previous 12 months where the rate was 182.0 incidents per 100 CYP and 950 assault incidents on staff.

The rate of serious assaults in the 12 months to March 2026 was 24.2 incidents per 100 CYP, which is a decrease of 21% in comparison to the previous 12 months where the rate was 30.5 incidents per 100 CYP.

During the 12 months to March 2026 there were 723 unique assailants and fighters compared to 780 over the previous 12 months.

During the 12 months to March 2026 there were 377 unique CYP victims compared to 391 over the previous 12 months.

Figure 2: Rate of assault incidents per 100 CYP from April 2024 to March 2025 and from April 2025 to March 2026

The CYPSE-wide rate of assault incidents increased during the 12 months to March 2026 and increased in all sectors when compared to the previous 12 months. The lowest assault rates in the 12 months to March 2026 were recorded in YOIs.

In the 12 months to March 2026, the comparative rate of assaults across the sectors were 377.4 incidents per 100 CYP in YOIs, an increase of 1%; 668.6 incidents per 100 CYP in the STC, an increase of 18%; and 422.7 incidents per 100 CYP in SCHs, an increase of 48% when compared to the previous 12 months.

The rate of assaults on staff in the 12 months to March 2026 was highest within the STC at 414.6 incidents per 100 CYP, a 26% increase compared to the previous 12 months. For SCHs the rate was 313.1 incidents per 100 CYP, a 152% increase compared to the previous 12 months. In YOIs the rate for the 12 months to March 2026 was 143.1 incidents per 100 CYP, a decrease of 15% from the previous 12 months.

In terms of protected characteristics, the rates of involvement as an assailant or fighter over the 12 months to March 2026 were higher than other groups for girls at 1,433.5 incidents per 100 CYP, for CYP aged 10 to 14 years at 1,192.6 incidents per 100 CYP, for CYP from a Black background at 852.0 incidents per 100 CYP, and for Muslims at 743.0 incidents per CYP (where ethnicity and religion have been stated).

The groups with the highest rate of involvement as a victim were boys at 116.7 incidents per 100 CYP, CYP aged 16 years, at 128.9 incidents per 100 CYP, for “Other” ethnicities at 150.6 incidents per 100 CYP and for Muslims at 119.0 incidents per 100 CYP in comparison to others in the group (where ethnicity and religion have been stated).

3. Self-Harm: April 2019 to March 2026

Self-harm incident rate decreased compared to previous 12 months

In the 12 months to March 2026 there were 1,474 incidents of self-harm involving 221 different CYP. The rate was 324.4 incidents per 100 CYP, a decrease of 1% compared to the previous 12 months.

Figure 3: Rate of self-harm incidents per 100 CYP from April 2019 to March 2026

The self-harm rate for the 12 months to March 2026 was 324.4 incidents per 100 CYP, a decrease of 1% compared to the previous 12 months.

The number of unique children and young people self-harming in the 12 months to March 2026 was 221, compared to 233 unique children and young people who self-harmed in the 12 months to March 2025.

Figure 4: Rate of self-harm incidents per 100 CYP from April 2024 to March 2025 and from April 2025 to March 2026

The CYPSE-wide rate of self-harm incidents decreased during the 12 months to March 2026; decreasing in the YOI sector and increasing in the STC and SCH sectors when compared to the previous 12 months. The lowest self-harm rates in the 12 months to March 2026 were recorded in YOIs.

In the 12 months to March 2026, the comparative rate of self-harm incidents across the sectors were 250.6 incidents per 100 CYP in YOIs, a decrease of 29%; 660.3 incidents per 100 CYP in the STC, an increase of 64%; and 360.6 incidents per 100 CYP in SCHs, an increase of 111% when compared to the previous 12 months.

The rate of self-harm incidents is heavily influenced by very 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 12 months to March 2026 was in the STC (35 different self-harmers from an average population of 59.8), followed by the SCH sector (48 different self-harmers from an average population of 82.1), and then the YOI sector (148 different self-harmers from an average population of 312.4).

The number of self-harm incidents that resulted in an injury requiring treatment in the 12 months to March 2026 was 430, representing 29% of self-harm incidents. The number of self-harm incidents that required hospital attendance in the 12 months to March 2026 was 42, representing 3% of self-harm incidents.

Despite making up 3.5% of the total average population over the 12 months ending March 2026 (an average of 15.7 girls out of a total average population of 454.3), girls were responsible for over 30% of all self-harm incidents (455 incidents out of a total 1,453).

Within protected characteristic groupings, self-harming was most common over the 12 months to March 2026 among girls at 2,898.8 incidents per 100 CYP, for CYP aged 10 to 14 years old at 1,175.7 incidents per 100 CYP, for CYP from a white background at 447.9 incidents per 100 CYP and for those with no religion at 507.8 incidents per 100 CYP in comparison to others in the group (where ethnicity and religion have been stated).

4. Use of Force: April 2020 to March 2026

Use of force incident rate increase compared to previous 12 months

In the 12 months to March 2026 there were 4,329 use of force incidents involving 780 different CYP. The rate was 952.8 incidents per 100 CYP, an increase of 5% when compared to the previous 12 months.

Figure 5: Rate of use of force incidents by reason per 100 CYP from April 2020 to March 2026

Force was used on 4,329 occasions in the 12 months to March 2026, at a rate of 952.8 incidents per 100 CYP, showing an increase of 5% when compared to the previous 12 months.

When used to prevent harm to a third party, force was used on 3,648 occasions, representing a decrease of 12% compared to the previous 12 months, on 1,405 occasions to prevent harm to the child or young person themselves, representing a decrease of 8% compared to the previous 12 months, and for other reasons on 886 occasions, representing a decrease of 6% when compared to the previous 12 months. 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 12 months to March 2026 was 780, compared to 863 unique children and young people involved in a use of force incident in the previous 12 months, a decrease of 10%.

Figure 6: Rate of use of force incidents per 100 CYP from April 2024 to March 2025 and from April 2025 to March 2026

The rate of use of force incidents during the 12 months to March 2026 decreased overall when compared to the previous 12 months, with decreases in the YOI sectors and increases in both the STC and SCH sectors. The lowest rate of use of force incidents in the 12 months to March 2026 was recorded in SCHs.

In the 12 months to March 2026, the comparative rates of use of force across the sectors were 943.9 incidents per 100 CYP in YOIs, a decrease of 3%, 1,255.4 incidents per 100 CYP in the STC, an increase of 26%, and 766.3 incidents per 100 CYP in SCHs, an increase of 37% when compared to the previous 12 months.

Within protected characteristic groupings, use of force was most common over the 12 months to March 2026 for girls at 2,535.7 incidents per 100 CYP, for CYP aged 10 to 14 years at 1,978.3 incidents per 100 CYP, for CYP from a black background at 1,192.4 incidents per 100 CYP and for CYP with an “Other” religion at 975.4 incidents per 100 CYP in comparison to others in the group (where ethnicity and religion have been stated).

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 12 months to March 2026, MMPR techniques up to a medium severity level were applied in 70% of MMPR and ESM incidents in YOIs and around 86% of MMPR and ESM incidents in 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.

A pilot of the use of Pelargonic Acid Vanillyamide (PAVA) spray in the three public YOIs began in August and September 2025. A limited number of operational staff in public sector YOIs have been specially trained and issued with PAVA for use when proportionate to the seriousness of the circumstance to prevent serious harm to children, staff or others. As this is a time-limited pilot, this publication does not contain any specific statistics on its use, however the use of PAVA is considered a subset of use of force.

5. Separations in Secure Children s Homes: April 2020 to March 2026

Separation rate in SCHs decreased compared to previous 12 months

In the 12 months to March 2026 there were 402 separations involving 121 different CYP in SCHs. The rate was 489.7 separations per 100 CYP, a decrease of 33% compared to the same period last year.

Separations in SCHs are operated under different rules to those in the STC and YOI sectors 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 from April 2020 to March 2026

The rate of separations in SCHs for the 12 months to March 2026 was 489.7 separations per 100 CYP, a decrease of 33% compared to the previous 12 months.

Children and young people were separated in SCHs in the 12 months to March 2026 on 319 occasions to prevent harm to a third party, representing a decrease of 46% compared to the previous 12 months, and on 87 occasions to prevent harm to themselves or for another reason.

The number of unique children and young people separated in SCHs in the 12 months to March 2026 was 121, a decrease of 10% compared to the previous 12 months.

In the 12 months to March 2026 the average duration per day for a separated child or young person in SCHs was 2 hours and 48 minutes, a decrease of 29% compared to the previous 12 months.

Within protected characteristic groupings, separations in SCHs were most common over the 12 months to March 2026 among boys at 490.2 separations per 100 CYP, CYP aged 15 years at 576.9 separations per 100 CYP in comparison to others in the group. Due to the low number of CYP within the estate over the 12 months to March 2026, it is not possible to draw comparisons on rate between ethnicity and religion.

6. Separations in the Secure Training Centre: April 2020 to March 2026

Separation rate in the STC showed no change from the previous 12 months

In the 12 months to March 2026 there were 269 separations involving 85 different CYP in the STC. The rate was 449.7 separations per 100 CYP, showing no change from the previous 12 months.

Separations in the STC are operated under different rules to those in the SCH and YOI sectors 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 2026

The rate of separations in the STC for the 12 months to March 2026 was 449.7 separations per 100 CYP, showing no change from the previous 12 months.

Children and young people were separated in the STC in the 12 months to March 2026 on 257 occasions to prevent harm to a third party, representing a decrease of 10% compared to the previous 12 months, and on 15 occasions to prevent harm to themselves or for another reason.

The number of unique children and young people separated in the STC in the 12 months to March 2026 was 85, compared to 99 unique children and young people separated in the previous 12 months.

In the 12 months to March 2026 the average duration per day for a separated child or young person in the STC was 2 hours 37 minutes, an increase of 11% from the previous 12 months.

Due to the low number of children and young people within the STC sector over the 12 months to March 2026, it is not possible to draw comparisons on rate between protected characteristics.

7. Separations in Young Offender Institutions: April 2022 to March 2026

Separation rate in YOIs increased compared to previous 12 months

In the 12 months to March 2026 there were 948 separations involving 390 different CYP in YOIs. The rate was 303.4 separations per 100 CYP, an increase of 4% compared to the previous 12 months.

Separations in YOIs are operated under different rules to those in the STC and SCH sectors 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 2026

The rate of separations in YOIs for the 12 months to March 2026 was 303.4 incidents per 100 CYP, an increase of 4% compared to the previous 12 months.

Children and young people were separated in YOIs in the 12 months to March 2026 on 503 occasions to prevent harm to a third party, 69 occasions to prevent harm to themselves, and 232 occasions for another reason. Children and young people chose to separate themselves on 179 occasions.

The number of unique children and young people separated in YOIs in the 12 months to March 2026 decrease by 15% to 390, compared to 459 unique children and young period separated in the previous 12 months.

In the 12 months to March 2026, the average duration of a separation in YOIs was 13.3 days, which represents a decrease of 2% when compared to the previous 12 months where the average duration was 13.7 days.

Within protected characteristic groupings, separations in YOIs were most common over the 12 months to March 2026 among CYP aged 15 at 402.6 separations per 100 CYP, CYP from a white background at 346.3 separations per 100 CYP and for CYP with no religion at 342.0 separations per 100 CYP in comparison to others in the group (where ethnicity and religion have been stated).

8. Deaths: April 2014 to March 2026

No deaths were reported in the CYPSE in the 12 months ending March 2026

Deaths of children and young people are rare and there were no deaths in the 12 months ending March 2026. Between April 2014 and March 2026 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: 29th October 2026 (assaults, self-harm, deaths)

Next update: 29th July 2027 (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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