Government accepts all 34 safeguarding recommendations to strengthen protection in youth custody
The UK Government has announced a series of safeguarding reforms designed to strengthen protections for children held in youth custody, following an independent review into safeguarding arrangements across the youth custodial estate. The measures were announced on 7 July 2026 by the Ministry of Justice and Minister for Sentencing and Youth Justice, Jake Richards MP.
The reforms introduce dedicated social workers at every youth custody site, stronger staff vetting procedures, mandatory safeguarding training and enhanced independent oversight of child protection. Ministers said the changes are intended to ensure allegations of abuse are investigated thoroughly and acted upon without delay.
The Government commissioned the review after the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman published findings into the abuse that occurred at Medomsley Detention Centre in County Durham between 1961 and 1987. Isabelle Trowler, Chief Social Worker for Children and Families in England, led the independent review, which examined safeguarding arrangements for children currently held in custody.
The Government has accepted all 34 recommendations from the review in principle, with several already in place. Jake Richards said the abuse at Medomsley represented “a national scandal” and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to ensuring similar failures are never repeated. He said the reforms would introduce independent oversight of abuse allegations, provide every child in custody with access to a dedicated social worker and strengthen staff vetting arrangements to improve safety.
A new safeguarding board will oversee child protection across the youth custodial estate and report directly to ministers. Staff working with children in custody will also complete mandatory safeguarding training, while enhanced criminal record checks will be renewed every three years. Recruitment procedures have been strengthened to help identify unsuitable candidates, and frontline training will be redesigned to better meet the needs of vulnerable children.
The reforms also allow a trusted adult, including a family member, advocate or social worker, to raise complaints on behalf of a child. Information provided to children when they arrive in custody will be redesigned to improve accessibility, particularly for those with reading difficulties or learning differences. The Government also plans to introduce legislation that would give children in custody the same formal protections as children in care. Until then, dedicated social workers will regularly check on children and provide a private space for them to raise concerns.
The announcement builds on the Government’s Youth Justice White Paper, published in May 2026, which outlines broader reforms aimed at early intervention, targeted support and reducing youth offending. Ministers said further details will be included in a Youth Custody Transformation Plan due later this year.