Are children in unregulated children's homes more likely to offend?

• In Event: Contested concepts of 'care' in contemporary juvenile justice

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between unregulated care placements and youth offending, an area that remains significantly under-researched. As the number of children placed in unregulated homes continues to rise across England, concerns have emerged regarding both the location and conditions of these placements. Frequently situated in socioeconomically deprived and high-crime areas, such environments may hinder positive developmental outcomes during a critical stage in young people’s lives. In some cases, the physical conditions of these placements are highly unsuitable, with reports of children residing in makeshift accommodations such as boats and caravans (Marsh & Walker, 2019). The lack of regulatory oversight allows providers to operate with minimal accountability, often at the expense of vulnerable children who may have no alternative options. This research aims to address these gaps by surveying Child Protection Practitioners (CPPs) to better understand the behaviours of children placed in unregulated settings and to explore potential causal factors. The findings will inform recommendations for policy and practice, with the goal of improving care standards and safeguarding outcomes for young people in unregulated placements.

Author

• Paul John Nelson, Anglia Ruskin University