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<p>The Department for Education collects data on the reasons for which children have
been placed in secure children’s homes. There are three categories: those that have
been detained or sentenced by the criminal courts; those placed in a criminal justice
context and those placed on ‘welfare grounds’ under the Children Act 1989 (the Act).
On 31 March 2014 there were 104 children placed in Secure Children’s Homes across
England and Wales on welfare grounds. Within this latter category, we do not hold
data that allows us to determine whether each child has been convicted of a crime.</p><p>Restricting
the liberty of a child outside of the criminal justice context is a serious step.
Section 25 of the Act sets out the criteria which must be considered before placing
a young person in secure accommodation.</p>
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