Alternatives to Custodial Remand for Children and Young People
Alternatives to Custodial Remand for Children and Young People
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Summary
In this joint webinar between the Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice (CYCJ) based within the University of Strathclyde, and the Centre for Crime and Youth Justice Research (CCYJR) at Manchester Metropolitan University we will consider approaches that can be used to avoid the use of remand. CCYJR will highlight work undertaken within Greater Manchester that provides alternatives to custodial remand while on trial and/or awaiting sentence, whilst CYCJ will summarise the recent increase of Section 51 powers that provides opportunities for creative steps that reduces unnecessary deprivation of liberty. The webinar will provide opportunities for attendees to reflect on the findings provided, and to ask questions of those presenting.
Speakers
Professor Hannah Smithson, Chair of Youth Justice, Centre for Crime and Youth Justice Research, Manchester Metropolitan University
I have worked within the field of criminology for over 25 years and I specialise in the area of youth justice. I specialise in working with children and young people who are in contact with the youth justice system. I use participatory and creative research methods to produce youth-informed and youth-led research outputs. My research has been instrumental in shaping national and international agendas in research and policy across the interconnected areas of: children’s participation in youth justice systems, serious violence, children’s rights and children in custody.
Dr Kate Westwood, Senior Research Associate, Institute for Children’s Futures, Manchester Metropolitan University
I am an outward-facing, cross-disciplinary, methodologically-curious researcher with expertise in school exclusion, Youth Justice, participatory and multimodal methodologies, and critical approaches to language. I have been working with children in alternative provision schools, the youth justice system, and in communities across Greater Manchester for over 10 years. I am committed to maintaining sustainable trusting relationships with young people and organisations in and beyond Greater Manchester, to understand how their collective knowledges can lead the social change they want to see.
Thomas Lang, Head of Service, Manchester Youth Justice Services
With over 20 years in Manchester Youth Justice, I have progressed from Interventions Practitioner to Officer, Manager, and now Head of Service for the past four and a half years. I am driven by a commitment to improving outcomes for children, families, and communities through relationship‑focused, research‑informed practice. I lead a forward‑thinking service that prioritises victim support, community safety, and strength‑based approaches for vulnerable and underserved children. I have championed the development of a trauma‑responsive workforce and worked closely with Centre for Crime and Youth Justice Research (CCYJR) to embed innovative, participatory practice. I also represent the region nationally through the Association of Youth Justice Managers.
Georgia Bamford, Project Manager, Youth Justice, Manchester City Council
Georgia Bamford holds a BA in Linguistics and an MA in Applied Linguistics. She started her professional career at Manchester City Council in 2023 as a graduate and later became the full‑time Project Manager for the Greater Manchester Remand Pilot and received the Council’s Rising Star Award in 2025. In her current role, she manages operational delivery, data development, and cross‑agency coordination for the remand pilot. Her work has supported strategic change across youth justice partners and contributed evidence to ongoing national policy discussions on remand reform.
Andrew Rogers , Business Manager, Youth Justice, Manchester City Council
Andy is a business manager with Manchester’s Youth Justice team. Having previously worked in the private sector, he joined Manchester City Council in 2010 and fulfilled various finance roles within the local authority. He has since found a home managing the people, resources, and systems in the YJ partnership. Providing support for the Greater Manchester Remand pilot and Hub has given him the opportunity to work in a wider collaborative role, where innovative practice can influence wider change outside of the region. Outside of work he enjoys travel and spending time with his family.
Related Links:
- https://ccyjr.mmu.ac.uk/evaluation-of-the-greater-manchester-remand-pilot/
- https://usercontent.one/wp/www.yjib.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Alternatives-to-depriving-children-of-their-liberty-March-2025.pdf?media=1629890533
- https://www.cycj.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Section-17-Depriving-Children-of-their-Liberties-and-Alternative-Measures.pdf
- https://www.cycj.org.uk/resource/cycj-webinar-shifts-in-secure-results-from-the-2025-secure-care-census/
Important Info:
This webinar will be recorded and shared on the CYCJ and the Manchester Metropolitan University websites. Cameras and mics will be switched off to all attendees, only the speakers and organisers of the event will have their cameras on. If you have any questions throughout the webinar you will be able to add them into the chat and the speakers will try to answer as many as possible at the end.
All registered attendees will be contacted with team's link 24 hours before each session. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact cycj@strath.ac.uk.
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