Release on temporary licence in youth custody policy framework
Requirements and guidance on children and young people in custody being released on temporary licence.
Applies to England and Wales
Documents
Details
This Policy Framework sets out the mandatory requirements and guidance for staff in the children and young people’s secure estate so that more children can be considered eligible for release on temporary licence (ROTL).
It includes:
- background on ROTL, its benefits and use with children and young people
- the criteria for a child to be eligible for ROTL
- introducing ROTL assessments to an earlier point in children’s time in custody
- guidance to support sufficient time for effective decision-making in ROTL assessments
Pilot period
This policy framework is being piloted from 1 May 2025 and only applies to HMYOI Wetherby; HMYOI Parc; Oakhill Secure Training Centre; Barton Moss Secure Children’s Home, and Vinney Green Secure Children’s Home.
For the pilot sites, this Policy Framework introduces a standardised eligibility criteria for children serving custodial sentences and provides guidance to support a general presumption in favour of ROTL, subject to individual suitability and risk assessments.
After learning from the pilot, we will review this policy ahead of full implementation across the entire youth estate.