National Preventive Mechanism Second Annual Report 2010–11 regime. The most cited reason for young people’s dislike of restraint was that they thought that too much force was being used; young people wanted to move from a culture of coercion to one of cooperation. As a result of this research, the OCC made several recommendations, including that: • young people with experience of custody be actively involved in reviewing and evaluating policy and practice • the deliberate use of pain to enforce order and control be prohibited • international human rights standards should inform how and when restraint is used on young people and that these standards should be applied consistently between institutions. The OCC also published research on safeguarding in the secure estate.31 This focused on accessible and effective complaint processes, helplines for young people, searches and the use of separation. The majority of young people participating in the research knew how to use complaint systems but rarely did so. Generally, they did not feel that the secure estate attached importance to their complaints, although young people in STCs and secure children’s homes were more positive than those in young offender institutions. The young people’s views on helplines were mixed: some reported a high level of satisfaction but others viewed them as ineffective. Full searches were viewed by the young people as a necessary part of the regime, to ensure safety. Girls were likely to feel intimidated by searches and reported feeling anxious, powerless and embarrassed. Boys were less concerned by full searches but still felt that they were a breach of dignity. The young people suggested using screens for undressing or dressing gowns, or electronic equipment such as scanners or wands. Young people also understood why separation was necessary, although disliked the experience. Some saw it as punishment, rather than a management technique, and were unhappy at being cut off from normally supportive relationships. The OCC will continue to visit institutions where young people are detained and, in 2011–12, will focus on seeking the implementation of the recommendations made as a result of its work on the emotional wellbeing and mental health of young people in the youth justice system. It will also carry out more detailed work on complaint systems in the children’s secure estate. Wales Hillside Secure Children’s Centre, the secure children’s home in Wales, is inspected every year by CSSIW. Its inspections cover a range of themes, including quality of care and treatment, the physical environment, quality of life and planning for individual needs and preferences. This year, CSSIW found no significant concerns about the care being given to young people at Hillside. In its assessment of the quality of care and treatment, for example, CSSIW noted that since its previous inspection, a psychologist had been employed at the centre full-time, which was beneficial for the young people. However, it also noted that some of the work undertaken by the psychologist was limited because of the short period that some of the young people spent at Hillside. 31 Office of the Children’s Commissioner, Young people’s views on safeguarding in the secure estate (March 2011). This research also included the views of young people held in young offender institutions, as well as STCs and secure children’s homes. 34