About us

SAN's role is to both develop and share good practice and to ensure that its range of expertise and knowledge influences the development of policies and legislation in respect of secure accommodation. At the heart of this is the aim to further develop and improve the quality of care offered to young people whose liberty is restricted.

To this end, SAN places great value upon quality - the quality of education provided, the quality of interventions available to ensure that the range of needs of young people are met.To achieve this, the quality of staff working in secure care is another high priority. Here too SAN campaigns to ensure that this is an area where there are improved standards and expectations.

SAN has developed a reputation for the promotion of secure care and in doing so works closely with the Department of Health, DfES, Commission for Social Care Inspectorate (including the National Care Standards Commission and the Social Services Inspectorate) and the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales. SAN has also developed contacts with colleagues working in secure care in Scotland and Northern Ireland.