Scottish government response to "reimagining secure care" report

3. Introduction

The Scottish Government welcomes the opportunity to respond to the "Reimagining Secure Care: A Vision for the Future" (“the RSC report”) published by the Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice (CYCJ) in September 2024.

The report came at a crucial time as Scotland continues its efforts to strengthen the care and justice system for children. We remain committed to keeping The Promise, ensuring that children receive the highest quality of care and support, with a strong emphasis on minimising the conditions that lead to children needing secure accommodation’s specialised care, particularly when some children’s needs can be better met in alternative environments.

This response outlines our ongoing and planned efforts to i) address the challenges within Scotland’s secure accommodation system, ii) enhance the delivery environment and the care provided, and iii) better integrate our services to provide truly holistic, trauma-informed care for children in need.