16th Report - Children and young people in custody

The government acknowledges the need to collect and publish data on separation in YOIs, stating it has been capturing data since December 2019 and expects to begin publishing this data quarterly from the 2022/23 financial year onwards, pending a policy review.

The government details immediate actions already taken by the YCS, including introducing a national single point of contact and publishing an action plan in January 2020, and states that a taskforce was established to review the separation model, with work progressing on a new framework.

The government expects the new consistent policy framework for separation across the youth secure estate to be published by August, with immediate implementation to follow.

The government outlines existing partnerships and mechanisms with NHSE&I to ensure appropriate placement and states that a revised procedure for transfers under the Mental Health Act will be published by NHSE&I in spring 2021, while committing to continued collaborative work.

The government describes its existing multi-disciplinary approach within the Framework for Integrated Care, ongoing efforts to build staff skills, and monthly review of self-harm data using central management information to understand trends and prevent self-harm.

The government agrees to understand why self-harm reduced and states it has commissioned a Covid-19 Research and Evaluation Programme, with the final report due in late spring 2021, to better understand these lessons.

The government acknowledges the increase in restrictive physical intervention, particularly for complex girls, and outlines ongoing efforts including a forthcoming Girls Strategy, improved data capture, the planned removal of pain-inducing techniques from the MMPR syllabus, and an independent review panel to scrutinise use of force.

The government explains the rise in use of force is partly due to complex girls and outlines steps including developing a Girls Strategy, improving data capture for different levels of force, planning the removal of pain-inducing techniques, and establishing an independent review panel for monthly scrutiny.

The government states it committed to removing pain-inducing techniques from the MMPR syllabus and aims to achieve this by the summer, supported by staff training for full implementation across all sites.

The government commits to removing pain-inducing techniques from the MMPR syllabus by the summer, stating that a review has concluded and mandatory refresher training has been updated to focus on de-escalation and behaviour management.

The government highlights its commitment to the Lammy Review, detailing updates and launching the Race Action Programme with a 20-strong team and £100,000 in funding for BAME-led organizations, but does not provide the requested full and detailed timetable for implementation or a comprehensive outline of resources for broader disproportionality reduction.

The government explains delays are due to complex legal and regulatory issues for this innovative model, and outlines ongoing work like appointing a constructor and commencing renovation by the end of the year, but only states they "continue to work towards" the late 2022 opening rather than guaranteeing it.

The government maintains its long-term ambition to replace YOIs and STCs with secure schools but states this will take time, and they will update the Committee on a timetable and further investment when more information is available.

The government details reforms since the Taylor Review, including the introduction of Youth Justice Specialist roles with 201 officers qualified, ongoing refurbishments with in-room showers and technology, and £7m secured for youth secure estate maintenance in 2021/22.

The government outlines its workforce strategy, highlighting the Youth Justice Specialist role with 201 qualified officers, and confirms an ongoing internal review into staff turnover in the youth secure estate, with a provisional reporting date of June 30, 2021.

The government welcomes the recommendation and commits to continuing multi-agency working with the YCS and YJB, stating it is also working towards commissioning a new educational service for under-18 YOIs to improve learning outcomes.

The government acknowledges duplication and states they will foster multi-agency working and co-produce single, coordinated resettlement plans with children and young people following their Formulation, which is currently in the development stage.

The government acknowledges the importance of suitable accommodation and the need for collaborative work, stating it is currently exploring policy options through stakeholder engagement to address these issues.

The government confirms the Youth Custody Service is producing a 'Transitions of young people from youth to adult custody' Policy Framework, aiming to publish it later this year, and HMPPS is collaborating to improve the national transition process, with an ongoing pilot and interim oversight model in place.

The government is producing a ‘Transitions of young people from youth to adult custody’ Policy Framework, aiming to publish it later this year with implementation details. It also details ongoing work with HMPPS, including a pilot program, and interim central oversight to support young people during transitions.