Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 14
14
Accepted
Secure schools were intended to be located where there is demand.43 As the National Audit...
Conclusion
Secure schools were intended to be located where there is demand.43 As the National Audit Office described in its report, the Taylor review proposed secure schools as small establishments located in the regions they serve. The Ministry originally planned to open one secure school in the South East and another in the North West because of the rates 32 C&AG’s Report, para 3.5 33 Q15, Q18 34 Q92 35 Q79 36 Q89 37 Q79–Q80 38 Q7; C&AG’s Report, para 8, 1.6 39 Q7; C&AG’s Report, para 1.3 40 Q73 41 Q52 42 Q51 43 Q51, Q70 12 Secure training centres and secure schools of reoffending in these areas and lack of provision in the North West.44 Currently, the Ministry only has only started planning one secure school at the former Medway STC site in the South East.45
Government Response Summary
The government states that 60% of children are placed less than 50 miles from home and that YCS placement guidance states that children will be placed into the most appropriate available establishment to meet their needs.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
3.3 In the year ending March 2022, data presenting the average distance from home (where home address was recorded) in the children and young people’s secure estate show that 60% were placed less than 50 miles from home. YCS placement guidance states that children will be placed into the most appropriate available establishment to meet their needs, which may not necessarily be the closest to their home area or court catchment, however, this will always be considered where availability allows. The YCS closely monitors the numbers of children and young people in custody and are confident that there will be continued sufficient overall capacity, whilst considering options to ensure the ability to appropriately place all children in line with their needs, as and when the population increases.