Blackpool named as court hears child concerns

Sir James Munby president of the Family Division of the High Court, said in October 2016 that the problem had led to social services bosses at councils in England trying to place children in their care in secure accommodation units in Scotland.

He highlighted the issue in a written analysis of cases involving two children.

Sir James did not identify the two children, but said the cases involved Cumbria County Council and Blackpool Council.

He said: “These particular issues arise because of the shortage of places in secure accommodation units in England, so that local authorities and courts in England, particularly in the north of England ... look to making use of available places in secure accommodation units in Scotland.

“Precise data are not available, but such material (including anecdotal material) as exists suggests that there have been at least five such cases.”

A number of lower-ranking judges in England have also raised concerns about the shortage of secure accommodation for children.