The government has announced major safeguarding reforms for children in youth custody settings, prompted by the horrific historical abuse at Medomsley Detention Centre in Durham. The Prison and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) found last year that physical, sexual, and psychological abuse continued "unchallenged" throughout the centre's 26-year operation from 1961 to 1987.
Background of the Abuse
Medomsley Detention Centre held young male offenders aged 17 to 21 for offences ranging from shoplifting to robbery. The PPO report, published in November 2025, concluded that young men were abused from the moment they arrived and that "the effects of the trauma they suffered effectively became a life sentence." In response, the government commissioned an independent review into youth custody safeguarding arrangements, published today.
Key Reforms Announced
Isabelle Trowler, Chief Social Worker for Children and Families in England, made 34 recommendations in her review, all of which have been accepted by ministers. Central to the reforms is a requirement for every site in the youth estate to have access to a dedicated social worker with extensive child protection expertise. This ensures no serious concern can be ignored or handled only internally, and gives each child a trusted, independent person to turn to.
Other measures include stronger staff training, tougher vetting for anyone working directly with children, and overhauled safeguarding processes to ensure all allegations are investigated robustly and acted upon swiftly. Enhanced criminal record checks will be renewed every three years, and recruitment processes have been strengthened to root out unsuitable candidates.
Government and Official Responses
Minister for Sentencing and Youth Justice, Jake Richards, said: "The abuse that took place at Medomsley is a national scandal and it is right that the Government has apologised. While we cannot undo the pain suffered by victims, we can make sure nothing like it ever happens again." He added that the reforms include independent oversight of every abuse allegation and strengthening staff vetting to keep children safe.
Isabelle Trowler stated: "Following on from the Ombudsman’s important report last year into the Medomsley Detention Centre, my review examined the safeguarding challenges that persist across the youth custodial estate. I make a number of recommendations which make clear the urgent action required to better protect some of our most vulnerable children." She emphasised that while there have been improvements, more must be done to ensure every child in custody is safe, listened to, and treated with dignity.
Adrian Usher from the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman said: "My investigative report revealed the full scale and horror of what happened to thousands of victims at Medomsley Detention Centre. The abuse that took place there was a profound failure by those responsible for the care and protection of children and young people in custody." He welcomed the government's commitment to implementing the recommendations.
New Safeguarding Board and Future Plans
A new safeguarding board has been set up to monitor child protection across all youth custody sites, reporting directly to ministers. All staff working with children in custody must now complete mandatory safeguarding training. The reforms build on the government's Youth Justice White Paper published in May, which seeks earlier intervention and targeted support to tackle root causes of youth crime. A Youth Custody Transformation Plan is expected later this year, setting out a long-term vision for a safer system that rehabilitates children, reduces crime, and protects communities.
