The court orders depriving vulnerable children of their 'liberty'
Note: This article is about the UK, but things are even worse here, where the only facilities for youth are juvenile detention or (nearly unavailable) mental health centers.
Growing numbers of very vulnerable children in England are being detained in temporary accommodation under special court orders described as "draconian" by one senior judge.
In a rare move, the BBC has been given access to court proceedings and documents, which reveal the everyday impact these orders have on young people.
Holiday lets, caravans and canal boats, are just some of the temporary locations being used to house children - because there aren't enough suitable places in registered children's homes. Not only are these unsuitable, they are now illegal - unless a court rules otherwise.
Since September, any home for under 16s in care - either permanent or temporary - needs to be Ofsted registered. But because there aren't enough registered places available, councils looking for a way to keep the children in unregistered accommodation without breaking the law, are turning to the family courts to issue Deprivation of Liberty orders. These can allow children to be kept behind locked doors and windows, and even permit the use of medication without consent as a means of restraint.
Here are the stories of a number of teenagers.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-59147367
