CYCJ has published the 2025 Secure care census report entitled ‘Changing faces and heightened ACEs: results from the 2025 secure care census’. This important report helps paint a picture of what the current needs and challenges are for children with the greatest levels of needs and risks in Scotland today.
This newly published research from the Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice (CYCJ) demonstrates that 74% of children accommodated in secure care had faced four or more adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), with over one-third (36%) experiencing between seven and 10 ACEs.
The secure care census, which was undertaken by Ross Gibson, Practice Development Advisor at the CYCJ, is a snapshot of the profile of all children living in secure care on a specific day in 2025. This important report helps paint a picture of what the current needs and challenges are for children with the greatest levels of needs and risks in Scotland today.