If the youth custody standards are not met
What can I do if these standards are not met?
If you think these standards have not been met, you should tell the person named in the standard, or any adult who supports you can tell them for you.
If you do not want to do this or are unhappy with the response you get, you can make a complaint.
There are different ways to complain, and you can choose which way you prefer.
The type of placement you’re in affects who you should complain to.
If you do not agree with the placement decision
If you, your parents or carers, or your lawyer are unhappy about where the Youth Custody Service (YCS) have placed you, any of you can appeal the decision. This means that the decision will be looked at again.
To place an appeal, you must write out your reasons in an email to: YCSTransfers@justice.gov.uk.
In all placements
You can speak to:
- your key worker
- any staff member that you trust
- your health worker
- the chaplain
- your YJS case manager
- an independent advocate
- your social worker, personal advisor or independent reviewing officer if you have one
You can contact the Children’s Commissioner. The number is 0800 528 0731. If you’re in Wales, contact the Children’s Commissioner for Wales. The number is 0808 801 1000.
If your complaint is about something to do with your health care, you can complain to the health team. If you’re in England, you can also complain to NHS England. Their number is 0300 311 2233. If you’re in Wales, you can complain to Public Health Wales. Their number is 0300 003 0383.
You can complain about your lawyer to the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
If you’re in a young offender institution (YOI)
You can contact your Independent Monitoring Board, or you can speak to them when they visit. They check whether YOIs are safe and that you’re being treated fairly there.
You can complain to the Independent Prisoner Complaints Investigations team (part of the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman). You can ask an independent advocate to help you.
You can write down your complaint and put it in a box. There are different coloured boxes for different types of complaint.
Barnardo’s can provide an advocate to support you. You can call Barnardo’s on 0808 168 2694.
If you’re in a secure training centre (STC)
You can complain to the Independent Prisoner Complaints Investigations team (part of the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman). You can ask an independent advocate to help you.
Barnardo’s can provide an advocate to support you. You can call Barnardo’s on 0808 168 2694.
If you’re in a secure children’s home (SCH)
You can complain to the manager of the home. You can ask for someone independent (this means someone who does not work for the home) to look at your complaint.
You can also make a complaint to your local authority.
Barnardo’s can provide an advocate to support you. The phone number is different to the number for YOIs and STCs. A member of staff will give you the number if you ask.
If you’re in a secure school
You can complain to any member of staff. You can ask an independent advocate to help you.
If you’re unhappy with the outcome of your complaint you can appeal to either the Manager or the Principal Director.
If you’re still unhappy with the outcome, staff will support you with the next steps.
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