Detention and Training Orders in Youth Justice

This page explains what a Detention and Training Order (DTO) is, how it works, and how it fits within the youth justice system in England and Wales.

What is a Detention and Training Order?

A Detention and Training Order (DTO) is a custodial sentence for children and young people aged 12 to 17. It is used when an offence is serious enough that the court decides custody is necessary.

A DTO aims to balance punishment, public protection, and rehabilitation. The “training” element is central: the order is designed to help the young person develop skills, address their needs, and reduce the risk of further offending.

Who can receive a DTO?

The court may impose a DTO when:

  • The young person is 12 to 17 years old.
  • The offence is serious enough that only custody is appropriate.
  • The court has considered the welfare of the child and the
  • custody threshold has been crossed.

For 12 to 14-year-olds, the court is usually satisfied that they are a persistent offender, unless the offence is extremely serious.

Length of a DTO

DTOs are imposed for fixed periods. The court can choose from the following lengths:

  • 4 months
  • 6 months
  • 8 months
  • 10 months
  • 12 months
  • 18 months
  • 24 months

The court cannot set a length outside these options.

How a DTO is structured

A DTO is divided into two main parts: time in custody and time under supervision in the community.

First half: custody

The young person serves the first half of the DTO in a secure establishment, such as:

  • A Secure Children’s Home (SCH)
  • A Secure Training Centre (STC)
  • A Young Offender Institution (YOI) (usually for older teenagers)

During this time, they may receive:

  • Education and vocational training
  • Programmes to address offending behaviour
  • Support for substance misuse, mental health, or trauma
  • Structured routines and supervision

Second half: community supervision

The second half of the DTO is served in the community, under the supervision of the local Youth Offending Team (YOT).

This phase focuses on:

  • Reintegration into education, training, or employment
  • Continuing work on offending behaviour
  • Regular meetings with YOT workers
  • Compliance with conditions such as curfews or attendance at programmes

Breach of a DTO

If the young person does not comply with the community part of the DTO, the case can be brought back to the Youth Court.

The court may decide to return the young person to custody for part or all of the remaining sentence, depending on the seriousness and frequency of the breaches.

Purpose and principles behind DTOs

DTOs reflect key principles of the youth justice system in England and Wales:

  • Custody as a last resort for children and young people.
  • Rehabilitation over punishment, while still holding the young person to account.
  • Addressing underlying needs, such as education gaps, trauma, exploitation, or mental health difficulties.
  • Reducing reoffending and protecting the public.

The training and support provided during a DTO are intended to help the young person change direction and build a more positive future.

Where DTOs fit in the youth justice system

DTOs sit between community-based sentences and longer, more serious custodial sentences.

They are typically used when:

  • Community sentences (such as Referral Orders or Youth Rehabilitation Orders) are considered insufficient for the seriousness of the offence.
  • A longer custodial sentence (for example, for a grave crime) is not required.