Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 40
40
Accepted
Young Offender Institutions routinely fail to meet minimum education hours for children
Conclusion
Article 28 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child affirms that all children have the right to education, including those in detention. Yet Young Offender Institutions are routinely failing to meet the statutory minimum of 15 hours of education per week—a failure that appears to be tolerated by the Government. Children should never be deprived of education as a means of managing behaviour, particularly when education is so critical to reducing reoffending and supporting rehabilitation. (Conclusion, Paragraph 176)
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the findings, acknowledging failings in meeting education minimums in YOIs. It is addressing these through 'Roadmaps to Effective Practice in Education' and plans to vary existing seven-year contracts to drive improvements and support a comprehensive, individualised learning journey for children.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
Accept. The YCS recognises these failings and is addressing them through the Roadmaps to Effective Practice in Education outlined in paragraph 76-77. Many children and young people in custody have a disrupted education before coming into the YCS and may have spent years out of school prior to their admission. A significant percentage of children spend a very short time in custody, limiting what we can help them achieve. Creating a varied and broad curriculum with a tailored education service is also a challenge due to the variation in learning needs, high levels of violence, gang affiliation and management of this through ‘keep-apart’. In 2022, sites began seven-year contracts, and it is evident after three years of operation that these contracts need some variation to drive improvements. The contracts in place provide a minimum 15 hours of education delivery, but these assume a class size of 8, which in practice is not achievable due to the levels of violence and ‘keep-aparts’. Evidence from alternative education recommends a 1 to 4 ratio which requires higher staffing levels. We know that to ensure success, each child’s learning journey should be supported by a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary plan that addresses their holistic needs – academic, social, emotional, and personal. Learning should be seen as part of a broader cultural shift within YOIs, focusing on how each site can enable high-quality, individualised delivery that is trauma informed. Each site’s local roadmap will serve as a strategic framework to guide the delivery of learning, safety, and overall outcomes. By fostering this collaborative and trauma-sensitive environment, we can help children achieve better educational outcomes and equip them with the skills they need for the future.