Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 17
17
Accepted
A key reason for the delay was that the Ministry did not foresee the need...
Recommendation
A key reason for the delay was that the Ministry did not foresee the need for new legislation to underpin the secure school model which relied on established as a 16–19 academy, but also approved as a SCH. HMPPS appointed a charitable provider— Oasis Charitable Trust (Oasis)—in July 2019 before there was the legislation to allow for secure schools as proposed to be run by charities.54 Oasis runs 52 academies in England and works with homeless or vulnerably-houses young adults, but has not previously provided secure accommodation for children.55 However as an education provider, HMPPS told us it is confident that it will be able to provide specialist education for children with special educational needs or behavioural difficulties.56 HMPPS told us that it purposely appointed the provider early as it wanted them to be involved in creating the secure school model.57 The Ministry subsequently included clauses in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts (PCSC) Bill to permit a secure school to be registered as a charity.58 The PCSC Bill received Royal Assent on 28th April 2022.59
Government Response Summary
The government agreed to provide an update on the timetable in January 2023, confirming arrangements are in place to control costs and timelines, and formal governance structures are in place.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
4. PAC conclusion: The first secure school has not yet opened, more than six years after it was recommended, and costs have spiralled. 4. PAC recommendation: The Ministry and HMPPS should provide assurance that they now have firm control over the remaining timetable and costs to delivering the first secure school. They should also provide an update to the Committee on progress against the timetable in six months’ time. 4.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: January 2023 4.2 Arrangements are in place to exert firm control over the timetable and costs for opening the first secure school. The full business case, which has received all necessary approvals, set out the revised funding profile (including risk contingency and optimism bias elements) and opening date range for the secure school. As with all major projects, the Ministry and HMPPS have in place formal governance structures to ensure the project remains on track to deliver within these parameters. Layers of assurance and guidance are also in place in relation to the operating model to ensure progress is maintained and is informed by best practice. 4.3 The project reports to Oasis Restore Project Board, the YCS Transformation Board (chaired by the Senior Responsible Owner for the Project – the Executive Director of the YCS), and the Ministry’s Investment Committee (chaired by the Chief Operating Officer), with a focus on ensuring delivery within time and cost tolerances. 4.4 The government commits to providing the Committee with an update on progress against the timetable in January 2023.