Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the Annual self-harm incidents 1,2,3,4 by method, England and Wales, 2004-2021, how many self-harm incidents by (a) cutting and scratching, (b) hanging, (c) overdose, self-poisoning or swallowing, (d) Self-strangulation and (e) burning occurred in youth estates in (a) 2022 and (b) since 2010.

The Government is committed to doing everything possible to ensure the safety of children and young people in custody.

Between the quarters ending June 2021 and June 2022, the number of self-harm incidents across the whole of the Children and Young People Secure Estate decreased from 473 to 455, and the number of children and young people self-harming also decreased, from 104 to 79. As the average population during this time fell by 11 per cent – from 550 children and young people to 492 – the annualised rate of self-harm incidents per 100 children and young people per year rose by 8 per cent. As the figures have only recently been compiled and published, it has not yet been possible to make an assessment of the reasons for the increase.

The requested statistics can be found in the table below:

(1)A Self-Harm incident may have included more than one method, so the overall number of incidents will be less than the sum of the methods used.

(2)Reporting of Self-Harm incidents changed in April 2019 from the Behaviour Management Toolkit bespoke return from establishments, to the Assaults and Self-Harm bespoke return for Secure Children’s Homes and Secure Training Centres, and NOMIS data capture for Youth Offender Institutes.

(3)Reporting of Self-Harm incidents changed in April 2019 from the Behaviour Management Toolkit bespoke return from establishments, to the Assaults and Self-Harm bespoke return for Secure Children’s Homes and Secure Training Centres, and NOMIS data capture for Youth Offender Institutes.

(4)Until March 2019, Hanging and Self-Strangulation were grouped together as Asphyxiation.

(5)Until March 2019, Hanging and Self-Strangulation were grouped together as Asphyxiation.

(6)Until March 2019, Burning was not reported separately.

(7)From April 2019, Hanging and Self-Strangulation were reported separately.

We are rolling out psychological interventions for every child that needs it with counselling psychologists, forensic psychologist and family therapists.

We are also working with the NHS to deliver a framework which will ensure every child gets a full needs assessment and support plan encompassing education, health and behavioural problems.  Both of these measures will help protect young people and reduce violence.