This report is published today by the Michael Sieff Foundation, a charity based in East Sheen, which has been working in the child welfare field for forty years. The Foundation does not do face to face work with children but seeks to improve policy and practice.

Eighty per cent of children cautioned or sentenced in the youth justice system have special education needs or disabilities. The Foundation convened an expert working group to consider what reforms would enable these children to avoid contact with the justice system, and if they do enter the system, what would help them to lead well-functioning, fulfilled and productive lives.

The Report makes a number of recommendations to improve the system. Expert economic analysis reports that the cost of implementation would be in the region of £16m per year, with economic benefits of £191m.

The full report is available at https://www.michaelsieff-foundation.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/SEND-Neurodivergence-and-Youth-Justice-Report-Sieff-Foundation-2025.pdf