Purpose The SECURE STAIRS framework has promoted young person involvement as a key feature of innovative service provision. In the North East of England, Secure Children’s Homes (SCHs) have pioneered young person involvement in team formulation. Young people have also led on the development of formulation materials through a young person involvement project. Young people’s attendance at team formulation meetings has become embedded. These service developments have also begun to expand across broader SCHs, Secure Training Centres (STCs) and Young Offender Institutions (YOIs) and reflect the national impact of such pioneering developments. There is a notable lack of research examining the impact of young person involvement in formulation. The purpose of this study is to elucidate this area. Design/methodology/approach Between April and August 2019, there were 86 staff attendances at formulation meetings where young people were present across two SCHs in the North East of England. Findings Paired samples t-tests indicated staff-reported significant post-formulation improvements across all domains measured including knowledge [t(85) = 11.38, p < 0.001]; confidence working with the young person [t(85) = 5.87, p < 0.001]; motivation [t(85) = 3.58, p < 0.001]; understanding [t(85) = 9.03, p < 0.001]; and satisfaction with the treatment plan [t(85) = 8.63, p < 0.001]. Research limitations/implications Implications of findings are discussed and further developments outlined. Practical implications Young people attending team formulation is a new and evolving area, and to the best of the authors’ knowledge, there is no existing research evaluating this area. The current findings suggest that staff knowledge, motivation, confidence and satisfaction with the treatment plan is improved following attendance at team formulation where the young person is present and actively participating. Young people’s participation and involvement is central to planning, developing and progressing meaningful provision within children and young people secure provision. Social implications Involving children and young people in decision-making, service development and evaluation are also key components of ensuring the voice of young people is central in our minds. It also supports empowering the young people we work with. Young people and their journey should always be at the heart of what we do. Originality/value Young people attending team formulation is a new and evolving area, and to the best of the authors’ knowledge, there is no existing research evaluating this area. This is the first study of its type evaluating formulation directions within the SECURE STAIRS framework.

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Evidence is limited on the positive impact of staff training in challenging behavior of service users with ID; and the link between staff training and service user outcomes remains unclear. This review identified studies that investigate challenging behavior training for staff working with adults with ID within residential care settings to explore factors promoting transfer of training into practice. A mixed-method review was adopted, and a systematic search identified 19 papers meeting the criteria for inclusion. The implicit themes involved in the transfer of training into practice were extracted from the literature and discussed in relation to: setting conditions; cognitive and emotional aspects; and organizational systems. As a first step toward moving forward with research in this relatively neglected area, key constructs were identified and a preliminary model of the transfer process proposed. Limitations of the review model were considered, and recommendations for future research discussed.

The SECURE STAIRS Framework for Integrated Care was developed by NHS England as a way to promote a trauma-informed, evidence-based and whole system approach to children and young people accommodated in the Secure Estate. A pilot ‘Attachment and Developmental Trauma’ training module was developed by the Atkinson Secure Children’s Home in conjunction with members of the SECURE STAIRS Professional Collaboration Network (PCN). Fifty-six staff members working within a Secure Children’s Home in the North East of England completed the 2 day training. A pre and post evaluation method was utilised to analyse the results.The data indicated increased staff knowledge, understanding and confidence in attachment theory, developmental trauma, brain development and working with guilt and shame. The data also demonstrated the importance of safety and containment in the training environment in fostering opportunities to learn and grow. The need for ongoing training, supervision and reflective practice within the SECURE STAIRS Framework for Integrated Care is considered in order to consolidate knowledge and implement learning into practice.