Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 13
13
Paragraph: 92
We welcome the Government’s long-term ambition to replace YOIs and STCs with secure schools, but...
Recommendation
We welcome the Government’s long-term ambition to replace YOIs and STCs with secure schools, but we are concerned about the level of commitment demonstrated in achieving this aim, given the length of time it has taken to develop a single secure school. We recommend that the Ministry publish a timetable setting out how, where and when it plans to replace YOIs and STCs with secure schools and what resource has been allocated to ensure this commitment is achievable and is met.
Paragraph Reference:
92
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
Over the last 10 years, we have seen the number of children in custody decline to the relatively low levels seen today. However, the children who do come into custody are often very vulnerable and have a range of significant needs to be addressed. We remain committed to improving the experience and outcomes for the children in our care and secure schools, with a focus on education and healthcare, are a key element of our programme of reform for youth custody. We want children in custody to live in small units that are close to home and our long- term ambition is to replace all YOIs and STCs with secure schools, so the estate consists of secure schools and SCHs only. We continue to work closely with the SCH sector in anticipation of the next round of commissioning, and we are committed to making the most of our SCH provision. With secure schools, we anticipate establishing future schools will be less complex and, therefore, quicker to open than the first one because we will have laid the policy, legislative and operational foundations and can apply our learning from the first school. However, it is an ambition that will take some time to be realised, so we must also maintain our focus on achieving the best possible outcomes for the children in our existing estate. That’s why we are investing significantly in maintaining the current buildings and will continue doing so during 2021/22. We will also continue to make the case in future spending reviews for further investment in the youth secure estate and further secure schools. We will keep the Committee updated when we are able to say more about the timetable for further steps towards our vision.