The future of secure care and the single point of contact (SPOC) for victims in the Children's Hearings System

The ‘Reimagining Secure Care’ report suggests creating community-based hubs. These would be local centres offering early help, crisis support, and ongoing care close to where the child lives. They would provide services like mental health support, education, family work, and emergency help, aiming to prevent issues from escalating to the point where secure accommodation is required. Many local authorities have already implemented versions of this approach.

The ‘Reimagining Secure Care’ report suggests creating multi-disciplinary teams, which some local authorities and health boards already have. These teams bring together professionals with a range of different skills to give children, young people, and families joined-up support. The model aims to provide coordinated care tailored to each child, to reduce gaps between services, and spot risks early so the right help can be given quickly.