Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many registered social workers with a background in (a) child protection and (b) children’s residential care are employed in the Youth Justice Board.

The Youth Justice Board (YJB) does not hold any posts that require its employees to have registered social work status, and so this information is not recorded. However, the YJB is committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of children impacted by its work, the staff who work for the organisation, and members of the public.

For employees, this is evidenced by a recruitment and a selection policy that demonstrates safer recruitment procedures; a child protection policy that guides and supports staff to act in the best interests of children; a code of conduct for staff; a whistle blowing policy; and clear governance that provides accountability on how the organisation addresses issues of safeguarding throughout its work.

In addition, the YJB’s Board contains two qualified social workers and a wealth of experience across teaching, medicine, police, probation, local government and youth work.