Prisons: Child Suicides

Lord Patel of Bradford Excerpts

Monday 29th July 2013 Lords Chamber

[Lord McNally]

Every inclination I have is in that direction. Carrying on the policy of the previous Administration, we have tried to make sure that order and discipline in young people’s institutions of various kinds are maintained with the minimum of physical intervention and with the maximum attention on trying to manage difficult situations. A lot of the training addresses how the staff themselves are able to manage down situations before they become violent. However, we also have a duty of care to our staff and a duty of care to other inmates in these institutions, who may become victims of uncontrolled violence.

[Lord Patel of Bradford]

My Lords, what mental health and therapeutic services are available not only to assess but to support young children and others at risk of suicide and self-harm?