REPORT- DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION- Children accommodated in secure children's homes

Children accommodated in secure children's homes in England and Wales including approved places, availability, occupancy, sex, age, ethnicity, length of stay.

Headline facts and figures

Number of children accommodated

139

Down 18% from 170 last year

Children accommodated

Percentage of approved places occupied (occupancy rate)

64%

Down from 72% last year

Occupancy rate

Number of children placed by YCS

63

Down from 83 children last year

Placed by Youth Custody Service

Number of approved places decreases

The number of places that were approved for use was 218, down 17 places on last year. Between 2015 and 2022 the figure remained fairly stable around 250 places, then was just over 230 places between 2023 and 2025 and has decreased further this year.

Number of children accommodated in secure children's homes decreases

The number of children accommodated in secure children's homes in 2026 decreased by 18% (31 children) compared to 2025. Between 2010 and 2023 there was an overall gradual decline in children accommodated in secure children's homes to 139 children in 2023, after rising slightly in the last two years, the number has fallen back to 139 in 2026.

Occupancy rate decreases

The occupancy rate decreased to 64% - down from 72% last year.

Children placed by the Youth Custody Service (YCS) decreases

63 children were placed by the Youth Custody Service (YCS), down by 20 children. Between 2012 and 2021 there was a longer-term trend of fewer children being placed in secure children's homes by the YCS. Since 2021 the number has remained fairly stable around 60 children (with the exception of last year when 83 were placed). 

Read the report here