Custody Transitions Workshop: Going For Gold For Children and Young People Transitioning from CYPSE into the Adult Secure Estate
This month we brought together practitioners, policymakers, researchers and those with lived experience to explore how transitions from the children and young people secure estate (CYPSE) to the adult estate can be improved. We explored what ‘best practice’ looks and feels like, where it is happening, identified barriers within current policy and process guidance and developed detailed action plans within the ‘now’ while shaping guidance for ‘big picture’ transformation of transitions.
Read Aisosa Egharevba's, SHiFT Bexley Guide, reflections on the day:
It was highly insightful to attend this workshop, which explored both the challenges and opportunities for young people transitioning from CYPSE into the adult secure estate. Hearing from a range of professionals, through presentations and roundtable discussions with youth custody officers, offered valuable insight into current conditions, while also highlighting examples of innovative practice and potential for change.
I was particularly struck by the shared commitment in the room to finding better solutions for young people. Key challenges discussed included entering adult custody without prior knowledge of key professionals, “cliff-edge” endings to support from youth custody, and a lack of preparation for the significant context shift involved.
It was especially powerful to hear practical examples of support in action, such as custody officers arranging video calls between young people and their future case managers weeks in advance. This early connection helped young people feel more prepared, able to ask questions, and less anxious about the transition. Similarly, efforts to maintain family relationships and community connections were shown to have a meaningful impact on emotional wellbeing during this period of change.
As a SHiFT Guide working primarily in the community, it was valuable to gain insight into this “other side of the wall.” This will directly inform my work with young people who may experience transitions within custody.
— Aisosa Egharevba, Guide (SHiFT Bexley)