Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 11
11
Accepted
The Ministry and HMPPS accepted the weaknesses in current provision and told us that it...
Conclusion
The Ministry and HMPPS accepted the weaknesses in current provision and told us that it is trying to address the need for more and better provision. They told us that they are using the four principles of the Taylor Review—smaller units; well-trained staff; a child-first approach; and strong leadership—to inform its approach.29 Firstly it is trialling a first secure school as a ‘pathfinder’. Secondly it is seeking to improve existing STC and YOI provision, for example by considering the use of specialist units in YOIs for more vulnerable children.30 It highlighted that 73% of children in custody are held in YOIs, which is why it wants to focus on improving and developing this provision.31 The National Audit Office report noted that the Ministry is considering a range of proposals, but it does not have a coherent or agreed overall strategy. Its proposals include opening the first secure school, making “swift and tangible” improvements to YOIs and STCs to make them more rehabilitative; and reopening Rainsbrook STC at reduced capacity and with 21 Q11; C&AG’s Report, paras 9, 2.13 22 C&AG’s Report, para 9 23 Q57 24 C&AG’s Report, para 3.5 25 C&AG’s Report, paras 8, 1.8 26 C&AG’s Report, para 3.5 27 C&AG’s Report, paras 2.14–2.16, 3.5 28 Q34, Q39; C&AG’s Report, para 3.13 29 Q16 30 Q68, Q69, Q75–Q76 31 Q80 Secure training centres and secure schools 11 increased staff-to-child ratios.32 It is also reviewing and actively monitoring performance of Oakhill STC33 and HMPPS mentioned it planned some medium-term alternative provision for girls.34
Government Response Summary
The government is seeking to improve all parts of the youth custodial estate by embedding ‘SECURE STAIRS’, skilling the workforce, using smaller units with higher staff-to-child ratios, and piloting new approaches to the resettlement of children leaving custody.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
2.7 But ahead of this, the government is seeking to improve all parts of the youth custodial estate by: • embedding ‘SECURE STAIRS’ (a trauma-informed approach to care, co-designed with NHS England) to all establishments and staff training, • making the workforce even more skilled in working with children (as of May 2022, 239 had completed a foundation degree in youth justice), • using smaller units with higher staff-to-child ratios to provide more tailored and 1-2-1 support, and • piloting new approaches to the resettlement of children leaving custody.