Independent services for reviews
“The Independent Person (IP) raised issues from the young person and was very clear in her recommendations with detailed reasons.”
“[The IP was] child focused, promoting a decision to achieve the best outcome for the child.”
"The IP was helpful, spent time with the young person beforehand and participated in the meeting very constructively."
Young people who are looked after by their Local Authority may be locked up in secure accommodation if they are likely to run away from any other accommodation they are in and will suffer significant harm as a result of running away, or if they are likely to injure themselves or anyone else by staying in other accommodation. It is unlawful for a young person to be kept in a secure placement if they no longer meet the criteria. Therefore, a review must be held within one month of the start of their placement and thereafter at intervals not exceeding three months.
The purpose of the review is to decide whether the young person should remain locked up. We provide an Independent Person, who offers expertise to the panel and in the process ensures that the young person’s wishes and feelings are represented at the meeting.
Voice is the main provider of Independent Persons for Secure Reviews in England and Wales. We have been specifically recommended in Volume 4 of the Children Act Regulations and Guidance. All our Independent Persons have been selected, trained and CRB checked in accordance with Voice's rigorous procedures. They receive supervision and the support of a professional system, including our Learning & Development and Legal & Policy teams.
Click here to download a copy of our Annual Review of Voice's Independent Persons for Secure Accommodation Reviews service.
For further information, please contact:
Linda Andrew (Independent Services Manager) at Linda.andrew@voiceyp.org, tel: 020 7520 3787
Carly Maguire (Independent Services Administrator) at carly.maguire@voiceyp.org, tel: 020 7520 3773.
STOP PRESS! We have recently revised our useful resource: ‘Secure Accommodation Reviews: A Practical Guide’ (2012). This guide is written in plain English, is easy to read and sets out clearly how to prepare for reviews and how they should be managed and effectively run. It also includes all relevant information, legislation and regulations that you will need to understand and follow. Please visit our publications page for more information.