We're choosing between care and justice for vulnerable young people; to change that we must invest

Scotland is running dangerously low on secure unit spaces for vulnerable under-18s. According to the Herald there are only two available spots throughout the country and that the consequence of running at full capacity would include many young adults having to stay in harmful situations or move to alternative placements that might be unsuitable.

As it stands those two places are in a charity-run secure unit in Montrose, so by only having one unit available it could mean young adults moving hours away from any steady and positive features in their life. Furthermore, the problem has been exacerbated by another unit pausing admissions due to a poor review by the care inspectorate.

Units like these are, for some, the last-stop shop to get stability and space away from a harmful situation, or an opportunity to be removed from a chaotic lifestyle that might be sending an individual down the wrong path. For many this is the last intervention before the situation gets more serious.

The issues that are causing this unfortunate situation are well documented and have impacted on many different aspects of care in Scotland. The overwhelming lack of social workers has increased the need for secure units. Common Weal has long campaigned for both an increase in the number of social workers in Scotland, but also the autonomy of the social worker. This profession is the lifeline in care for children and young adults, and the failure to acknowledge this puts more in harms way.

The introduction of the Children (Care and Justice) Act ensured that young adults would no longer be placed in Young Offenders units which is an overall positive move for the wellbeing of children, especially due to the increase of suicides in these units. Yet, this has had a knock-on effect, not least because there seems to have been no significant increase in the number of secure units available.

So a young adult who could really benefit from gaining a place in a secure unit will be second-in-line to someone who is going through the justice system. Which in the long run just allows the spiral to continue, because perhaps getting someone into a secure unit in order to stop a chaotic lifestyle would stop them traversing into the justice system. Not only is this the right thing to do for the young adult and morally, but in the long-term it saves us money.

Although the Children (Care and Justice) Act is a significant piece of legislation, it needed to be implemented alongside investment. Investment to expand the units’ young adults were to be sent to, and to expand social work provision. The decision to pivot from a justice- to care-based response for young adults who are in trouble is an excellent policy decision but that means the care system in Scotland needs to be bolstered.

Common Weal believes in the significance of removing a child from a potentially harmful environment and giving them a calm and secure place to live. To reset, learn and receive the care and intervention that they may need in order to grow into a functioning adult, and this should be provided to anyone who needs it.

An expansion in this kind of care is urgent, as it can’t just be afforded to those in the justice system, which ultimately cannot take place without several hundred more social workers in Scotland. Care and justice should be more closely linked but can’t without further investment.

To find out more read Common Weal's Caring for All, a vision for the future of social care in Scotland.