Revolving Doors welcomes Government announcement to prevent criminalisation of children in care
Revolving Doors warmly welcomes the Government’s announcement that they are to review and strengthen the National Protocol to prevent the criminalisation of children in care. This commitment is firmly in line with what our care-experienced members tell us every day: that too many children in care are punished for behaviours that would never be criminalised in a family home, and that behaviour linked to early trauma is too often met with enforcement instead of support.
“We can all understand that all children going into care have experience trauma. A trauma-informed approach is needed.” – Revolving Doors lived experience member
Our members with experience of both the care system and the criminal justice system consistently describe being treated as a “problem to be managed” rather than a child in need of understanding. Many recall being criminalised for low-level incidents that stemmed from fear, instability, and a lack of trusted adults. They tell us that these early interventions set them on a path towards deeper contact with the justice system that could have been avoided with care, compassion and genuinely trauma-informed support.
Crucially, our care-experienced members also tell us how these early experiences of criminalisation can push young people into the very “revolving door” our organisation seeks to break. The instability of childhood, repeated placement moves, and inconsistent support mean that many enter adulthood without the secure foundations needed to thrive. Instead, they encounter the justice system faster than they encounter genuine help, entrenching patterns of crisis, custody, release, and recall that can follow them for years.
“We need more accountability to support those who have lived, breathed, and experienced the pipeline from care experience to the revolving door – ending the preventable cycles of crisis and crime that too often result.” – Lived experience member
The Government’s commitment to ensuring that children in care are “treated as children, rather than criminals” echoes what our members have been calling for:
- Responses grounded in care, not criminalisation
- Early help that addresses trauma, instability and exploitation
- Agencies working together to identify risk early and provide real support, not punitive sanctions
- Peer mentoring and trusted relationships with adults who understand their experiences
- Consistency and accountability across schools, local authorities, police and health services
We particularly welcome the recognition that young people leaving care face disproportionately high risks of entering prison. Last year our members met with Children’s Commissioner, Dame Rachel DeSouza and told her of their experiences. Many describe turning 18 as the moment the bottom drops out of the support system. Others described grooming and exploitation that happened to them because of failings in the care system which then led to them finding themselves with criminal records. A strengthened protocol, coupled with better accommodation and wrap-around support for care leavers, is essential to preventing that sharp cliff edge and, ultimately, stopping young people being pulled into the revolving door.
“People who have been in care are used to people speaking for them, they don’t know how to advocate for themselves. You need to help people with their problems. We know where we need to put cement in, to stop people falling through the cracks.” – Lived experience member
Our care-experienced members tell us that, as children, they wanted what every young person deserves: to be met with dignity, understanding and opportunity. Today’s announcement is an important step towards a system that protects them from criminalisation, prevents cycles of crisis and crime, and supports them to thrive.
