I think I must have been born bad : emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people in the youth justice system

Abstract

This report by the Children’s Commissioner makes 19 recommendations, the main one being that children in custody should be placed in units of no more than 150. Other recommendations involve ensuring child-to-staff ratios are small enough to allow meaningful relationships with key workers. It also calls for all children to have a health screening assessment on entering custody and resettlement plans that ensure children are well supported when they leave custody. The Children’s Commissioner says that while progress has been made, troubled offenders, who may have been abused, abandoned and/or suffer from learning difficulties, need more support.