Section 2. Background Section 2. Background Children in custody 2.1 Children in custody are held in one of three types of setting: a secure training centre (STC), a young offender institution (YOI), or a secure children’s home (SCH). STCs were originally intended to hold boys and girls aged between 12 and 15, but following the introduction of detention and training orders (DTOs) in 2000, the age range was raised to 18 years. YOIs hold only boys aged between 15 and 18. Before 2013, there were specialist YOI units for girls aged 17 but after the closure of these specialist units, all girls under 18 are now held in either STCs or SCHs. SCHs are run by local authorities or other providers and can hold children aged between 10 and 17. As well as those held on youth justice grounds, SCHs can also hold those detained for welfare reasons under Section 25 of the Children Act. 2.2 The number of children in custody, while fluctuating slightly, has remained relatively stable in recent years. In March 2019 the total number of children (including 18-year-olds) held in YOIs, STCs and SCHs stood at 920.4, 5 Figure 1: Number of children in custody over the past four years and numbers held in each type of accommodation6 2.3 4 5 6 7 This report focuses on survey responses from children held in YOIs and STCs only, as HM Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) has no remit to inspect in SCHs.7 Note: Some children are detained in YOIs, STCs and SCHs past their 18th birthday. This report will continue to refer to all people held in YOIs and STCs, regardless of age, as children. Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (2019) Youth custody report: September 2019. London: HMPPS. Ibid. The statutory responsibilities for these inspections rest with Ofsted in England, and with the Care Inspectorate Wales and Estyn in Wales. Children in Custody 2018–19 15