Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of implementing a strategy for the health, welfare, education and rehabilitation of girls within the youth custodial estate in England and Wales.

There are relatively few girls in the youth secure estate, however it is important to ensure that their needs do not get overlooked as these girls tend to have a range of complex needs.

This is why the Youth Custody Service (YCS) is undertaking a specific programme of work to improve the way establishments support girls. This is implemented through a Girls Delivery Plan which outlines key activity to further improve services.

The YCS is also in the process of developing an evidence-based Girls Strategy in partnership with NHS England. The Centre for Mental Health has been commissioned to build an evidence base on the needs of girls in youth custody and how they can best be met. This will include consultation with service users, staff and key stakeholders. Their recommendations will be used to develop a YCS Girls Strategy which will shape activity over the coming years.