Ed Cornmell, YCS Executive Director, highlights the events on offer from the Youth Custody Service as part of Insights23.

I’m really proud to lead the Youth Custody Service and to see our staff supporting Insights23 this year. It’s a great opportunity for colleagues in HMPPS and the wider criminal justice sector to hear, learn and understand more about the important work we do.  

What is YCS? 

The Youth Custody Service is made up of five Young Offender Institutions (YOIs), one Secure Training Centre (STC) and eight Secure Children’s Homes (SCHs). 

We provide child-centred services and provide safe, secure and decent care for our children and young people. 

Opportunities to learn about YCS  

This year, we are offering several events where you can hear from staff working with some of society’s most complex and vulnerable children. This will be an opportunity to find out what makes the children and young people’s estate unique and to hear first-hand from our frontline staff supporting children towards positive change. 

In-person events include: 

• Take part in a Parkrun with young offenders from HMYOI Feltham 
• See all aspects of a youth custodial environment at HMYOI Werrington in the Midlands 
• Tour the first secure school site in Kent 
• Shadow the busy role of a Deputy Governor for the day at HMYOI Cookham Wood 

• Visit the only Secure Training Centre in the UK for children in custody, Oakhill 
• Learn from Heads of Business Assurance how a Young Offenders Institute is run and why the youth justice system works differently to the adult estate at HMYOI Werrington 

Online events include: 

• Join a call discussing inclusion and wellbeing in the Youth Custody Service 
• Take a virtual tour of the first secure school 
• Learn how YCS is reducing reoffending and improving outcomes for children leading up to and after their release 

Already in the YCS? 

Insights23 is an excellent chance to learn more from colleagues in the adult prison and probation environments, and from partners working in the community, including some of our youth justice partners. I’d encourage you all to get involved and support your teams to attend. 

For more information on the Youth Custody Service, visit the GOV.UK website.