Children and young people in custody

The government welcomes the recommendation, stating a whole-system approach for vulnerable children is already embedded in the youth justice system through multi-agency working and frameworks like SECURE STAIRS. The Ministry of Justice and YJB will continue to work with partners to build on this system.

The government agrees more data collection is needed and states the YJB has been collecting data on Community Resolutions and other informal outcomes with YOT intervention since April 2020. They will explore publishing this data once a full year of quality data has been collated, …

The government states that statutory guidance for youth out-of-court disposals already exists and is kept under review. The YJB has also published additional guidance, which is currently undergoing revision, and hosts a resource hub with best practice examples.

The government recognizes the importance of this issue and references the NHS Long Term Plan, which aims to expand mental health services to an additional 345,000 children and young people by 2023/24. The Ministry of Justice will work with partners to ensure children have access …

The government agrees more data collection is needed and states the YJB has been collecting data on Community Resolutions and informal outcomes, including age, sex, and ethnicity, since April 2020. They will explore publishing this data once a full year of quality data is collated.

The government provides details on its ongoing review into the use of custodial remand for children, outlining an initial suite of recommendations focusing on data, practice, community provision, and disproportionality. Publication of the final report is planned for spring 2021.

The government provided a table of outstanding youth cases in magistrates’ and Crown Courts from January to June 2020. They also detailed steps being taken, including a Youth Justice Working Group and recovery plans, which have led to youth courts concluding more cases than received …

The government highlights existing guidance and arrangements for remote hearings to support parties. It confirms that the Ministry of Justice and HMCTS are conducting an evaluation of remote hearing impacts, with findings due in spring 2021, and are working to address COVID-19 backlogs in youth …

The government details immediate actions already taken by the YCS, including introducing a national single point of contact and publishing an action plan in January 2020, and states that a taskforce was established to review the separation model, with work progressing on a new framework.

The government expects the new consistent policy framework for separation across the youth secure estate to be published by August, with immediate implementation to follow.

The government outlines existing partnerships and mechanisms with NHSE&I to ensure appropriate placement and states that a revised procedure for transfers under the Mental Health Act will be published by NHSE&I in spring 2021, while committing to continued collaborative work.

The government describes its existing multi-disciplinary approach within the Framework for Integrated Care, ongoing efforts to build staff skills, and monthly review of self-harm data using central management information to understand trends and prevent self-harm.

The government agrees to understand why self-harm reduced and states it has commissioned a Covid-19 Research and Evaluation Programme, with the final report due in late spring 2021, to better understand these lessons.

The government explains the rise in use of force is partly due to complex girls and outlines steps including developing a Girls Strategy, improving data capture for different levels of force, planning the removal of pain-inducing techniques, and establishing an independent review panel for monthly …

The government states it committed to removing pain-inducing techniques from the MMPR syllabus and aims to achieve this by the summer, supported by staff training for full implementation across all sites.

The government commits to removing pain-inducing techniques from the MMPR syllabus by the summer, stating that a review has concluded and mandatory refresher training has been updated to focus on de-escalation and behaviour management.

The government details reforms since the Taylor Review, including the introduction of Youth Justice Specialist roles with 201 officers qualified, ongoing refurbishments with in-room showers and technology, and £7m secured for youth secure estate maintenance in 2021/22.

The government outlines its workforce strategy, highlighting the Youth Justice Specialist role with 201 qualified officers, and confirms an ongoing internal review into staff turnover in the youth secure estate, with a provisional reporting date of June 30, 2021.

The government acknowledges duplication and states they will foster multi-agency working and co-produce single, coordinated resettlement plans with children and young people following their Formulation, which is currently in the development stage.

The government confirms the Youth Custody Service is producing a 'Transitions of young people from youth to adult custody' Policy Framework, aiming to publish it later this year, and HMPPS is collaborating to improve the national transition process, with an ongoing pilot and interim oversight …

The government is producing a ‘Transitions of young people from youth to adult custody’ Policy Framework, aiming to publish it later this year with implementation details. It also details ongoing work with HMPPS, including a pilot program, and interim central oversight to support young people …