Community transition planning for children and young people accommodated in secure children’s homes in England: by multi-agency letters of concern

Purpose Secure Children’s Homes (SCHs) within the Children and Young Person’s Secure Estate (CYPSE) accommodate children and young people (CYP) on either welfare or justice grounds. Effective transition planning for CYP leaving secure settings, managed by Local Authorities, has a crucial role in ensuring positive experiences and outcomes for CYP. However, several barriers to effective transition planning and subsequent transition concerns have been identified. This study aims to investigate transition planning from SCH’s specifically, focussing on two SCHs in the North East of England. Design/methodology/approach The two SCHs circulate a multi-agency “Letter of Concern” (MALoCs) to Local Authorities on behalf of admissions where transition planning concerns are present 6, 4 and 2 weeks prior to discharge. MALoCs circulated on behalf of CYP discharged between 1st December 2022 and 30th November 2023 and admission demographic data were gathered via inspection of clinical records to identify whether transition concerns were present. Transition concerns and number of MALoCs were descriptively and statistically analysed alongside demographic characteristics. Findings MALoCs were circulated for more than half of all admissions with a frequent need for escalation. Number of MALoCs circulated was significantly higher for welfare admissions. No significant association was found between transition concerns and CYPs’ age, sex, neurodiversity diagnostic status, ethnicity or length of admission. Originality/value The study provides the first quantitative overview of transition planning concerns from staff teams within SCH’s specifically. It is hoped that this will help inform future policy and improve outcomes for CYP.