Secure children’s homes – how do we know if they work?

Purpose
This paper aims to examine the need for outcome research in secure children’s homes, explaining the problems for young people and how we can remedy this.

Design/methodology/approach
This is a discussion paper raising issues of importance as to who these children are, what is provided and how well they work in providing what is a very expensive service.

Findings
There is a great need to investigate the efficacy of secure children’s homes by assessing outcomes.

Originality/value
As far as the authors are aware, this topic has not been previously discussed in academic journals.