Secure care: joint progress report between Scottish Government and COSLA

3. Background

Secure accommodation is a critical part of Scotland’s child welfare and justice systems. It is among the most intensive and restrictive forms of child care available in Scotland, whereby children up to age 18 are placed in a locked specialised child care setting, which is registered by the Care Inspectorate and approved by the Scottish Ministers. The need for a child to access secure care arises due to the level of concern about the risks, or actual significant harm, which a child's behaviour or needs may pose to themselves and/or others. Admission to secure accommodation can occur through an emergency placement by the Chief Social Work Officer of a local authority, through the children's hearings system or criminal justice system.

Demand for secure accommodation is inherently complex and volatile, with capacity often shifting on a daily basis. Over the past year, a range of factors have contributed to significant pressure and constraints on the availability and accessibility of secure care in Scotland. Responding to these challenges has required close collaboration between local and national government to identify and implement actions that address immediate pressures while supporting longer-term sustainability.

At the time of writing, there are 82 contracted secure places provided by four independent charitable organisations in Scotland - Rossie Secure Accommodation Services, Good Shepherd Centre, Kibble Education and Care Centre, and St. Mary's Kenmure.

The Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice (CYCJ) published the ‘Reimagining Secure Care’ report in September 2024. The report came at a pivotal moment in Scotland’s journey to strengthen care and justice for children. This work aligns closely with the ambitions of the Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Act 2024 and The Promise, which seeks to deliver a rights-based, child-centred approach to care and protection.

In June 2025, the Scottish Government published its formal response to the ‘Reimagining Secure Care’ report, setting out a series of actions designed to address both immediate and future needs. These include short-term measures to restore and stabilise capacity, alongside longer-term commitments aimed at strengthening the resilience and sustainability of Scotland’s secure care system.

Local Government has been clear that meeting the individual needs of children and young people should be the priority, regardless of the reasons why they require secure care or the pathway from which they enter secure care. In recognising the ongoing challenges, the 2026 COSLA manifesto calls for the nationalisation of secure care in Scotland:

“Nationalising the provision of high-quality secure care for children. The current model relying on four independent providers is precarious, and availability of places is unreliable. Creating a national approach should also incorporate the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) inpatient and secure mental health provision.”

COSLA and Scottish Government will continue to work with wider partners to address immediate needs and gaps, while also progressing the longer-term reforms required for children with the highest levels of need. This progress report sets out some of the actions taken to date and outlines the ongoing joint priorities. Informed by consultation, engagement, and research, progress with the work will continue to be reported through both Scottish Government and COSLA governance structures.