Children suffering from eating disorders and severe mental health issues are being placed in Scotland’s secure units alongside violent teenage offenders, raising serious concerns among welfare experts.
Scotland’s four secure units — Kibble in Paisley, St Mary’s Kenmure in Bishopbriggs, the Good Shepherd Centre in Bishopton, and Rossie Young People’s Trust near Montrose — are increasingly housing both vulnerable children and young offenders who have committed violent or sexual crimes.
The trend has intensified following a 2024 Scottish Government decision banning the transfer of under-18s to Young Offenders Institutions, resulting in a growing number of young offenders being placed in secure care.
Child welfare groups have condemned the practice as entirely inappropriate, calling for urgent government intervention.
Callie Thomson, 17, from Fraserburgh, spent time in all four units. She was first admitted at age 14 after a family tragedy triggered severe trauma and an eating disorder. During her time in care, Callie reports being threatened with sexual assault and driven to self-harm.
“Being locked up beside people who have committed the most awful crimes is terrifying,” she said. “I’ve never felt safe in any secure unit. I’ve been threatened with rape and sexual assault multiple times. I knew I was a target for the offenders locked up beside me.”
A former staff member at Rossie described witnessing neglect and mistreatment. “I had to give up working there because the way vulnerable children were being treated was too distressing,” the care worker said. “I heard staff calling Callie a monster and laughing at her distress. She was clearly a very vulnerable girl who should never have been placed there.”
Maggie Mellon, a senior social worker who has advised both the Scottish and UK governments, condemned the practice. “It is entirely inappropriate to house children with eating disorders, mental health issues, or special needs alongside those responsible for serious crimes, yet this is happening increasingly across Scotland,” she said.
Mary Glasgow, chief executive of Children First, called the situation “horrifying” and urged the Scottish Government to investigate. “We are deeply concerned about the levels of care provided in secure units for children with acute mental health needs,” she said.
Scotland’s Children and Young People’s Commissioner, Nicola Killean, emphasized the need for early mental health intervention. “Children consistently tell us they need support before reaching crisis point,” she said, advocating for greater investment in child mental health services to prevent unnecessary secure placements.
Meanwhile, Scottish Conservative Shadow Education Minister Miles Briggs has called for a formal investigation, labeling the situation “frankly scandalous.” “The entire system needs radical change,” he said. “Everyone knows it’s failing, yet the government refuses to acknowledge it while children suffer across Scotland.”
Rossie CEO Kevin Northcott defended the organization, stating that placements are made in accordance with government policy. “Young people are referred for a variety of reasons, not solely through the criminal justice system. Rossie remains committed to providing safe, compassionate, and high-quality care for every young person,” he said.
The Care Inspectorate added that the decision to admit children to secure care is complex and rests with care services, which must assess whether each placement meets the individual needs of the young person.
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