Childrens Services - Being Locked Up

Summary

Children under the age of 13 cannot be locked up in secure units, or in a Youth Treatment Centre, unless special permission is first given by the government. In all other cases, you can be locked up for up to three days if Social Services decide that:

• you have a history of running away, that you are likely to run away again, and that you are likely to be at risk of serious harm; or
• if you are not locked up, you are likely to hurt yourself or other people.

If you are living in any of the places listed below

• A national health service or NHS trust hospital unit such as an adolescent unit
• A state boarding school
• A private boarding school

A residential care home, nursing home or mental nursing homeyou can be locked up for up to three days if those looking after you decide that:

• you have a history of running away, that you are likely to run away again, and that you are likely to be at risk of serious harm; or
• if you are not locked up, you are likely to hurt yourself or other people.

You cannot be locked up anywhere for more than three days unless a court makes an order saying that those looking after you can do so. At court, you will have a solicitor to speak on your behalf. If placed in secure accommodation, you have the same rights as any other child who is looked after by a local authority.