The main goal of this study was to gain a better insight into efforts made to provide optimum education to juveniles in young offender institutions and in secure youth care institutions, and into barriers with which educators are confronted in this process. Results show that for a substantial number of juveniles insufficient information is available about their educational background and specific learning difficulties when being placed in these institutions. This complicates the process of determining which type of education would best suit their educational needs. Several other barriers have been identified that impede the provision of adequate education to these young people. These include frequent changes in class composition, limited possibilities for practical training, and difficulties in finding a mainstream school willing to enrol a juvenile after leaving a young offender institution or a secure youth care institution.