The following themed briefings develop the campaign's key topics. They explain some of the foundational principles that are linked to designing effective resettlement solutions for young people.

The briefings aim to unpack what have been deeply entrenched barriers to progress, and they outline some of the more fundamental imperatives that need to be understood if strategic change is to occur and current practice is to improve.

The Leaving Care - Leaving Custody Campaign seeks to transform the resettlement of 15-18 year old custody leavers.

The Government's own research in recent years suggests that if young people in custody were assessed under s.17 of the Children Act 1989, many would be found to qualify for services under that Act...

Justice has been described as: 'the concept of moral rightness based on ethics, rationality and law along with the punishment of the breach of those ethics'.

Regarding young people in the youth justice system, only 7% who breach that 'moral rightness' are sent to a custodial establishment as punishment. Our current judicial system determines that the custodial sentence given is one indication that justice is being served...

History concludes that there are times when local authorities require corrective guidance and support from Government to ensure that children and young people's rights are protected, and that local authority duties and responsibilities are fulfilled.

This briefing outlines the need for local authorities to commission suitable accommodation for young custody leavers, if their broader post-custodial issues are also to be effectively addressed...

Achieving improved long-term post-custodial outcomes for young people are implicit within legislation and particularly through the changes that were introduced by the Children Act 2004, and more recently the Children and Young Persons Act 2008.

Other requirements are specifically highlighted within Government guidance documents and a local authority's performance framework...

Research confirms that young people who become persistent offenders tend to grow up with negative family and school experiences such as: 'Being born into a family in relative poverty and inadequate housing; being brought up with inconsistent and uncaring parenting...

The Social Exclusion Unit stated that, 'effective resettlement practice requires a co-ordinated multi-agency response across the crucial transitions between community and custody that is sustained long after release'. The Government's position has not changed.

Resettlement UK aims to keep you up-to-date with resettlement news and comment. We plan to keep you informed of developments in the resettlement policy and practice arena as they occur....

Visit the library resource for access to key publications...

The 'must attend' training event for all who work with 15-18 year olds sent to a YOI...

Designed to provide practitioners with a comprehensive overview of Children Act legislation, Resettlement UK will be hosting this event throughout 2012...

The campaign aims to increase the knowledge and use of relevant Children Act and Housing Act legislation, so that all 16-18 year old custody leavers are better able to access the necessary post-custodial support services...

Clear parallels exist between the needs of care leavers and those of young custody leavers, but with one striking difference: Local authorities have always placed the needs of care leavers above custody leavers ...

The degree to which we understand an issue determines the effectiveness of our response. The parallels between the needs of young care leavers and young custody leavers are staggeringly obvious. To improve outcomes for the latter, we may need to study the efforts that have been made developing services for the first group.