Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask Her Majesty's Government how they intend to safeguard the well-being and rehabilitation of young offenders in custody

The safety and wellbeing of the children and young people in custody remains our priority during this unprecedented period. The Youth Custody Service (YCS) has been adapting its approach to delivery in order to meet the needs of children whilst complying with wider guidance around physical distancing. There is a focus on delivering essential activities and ensuring that children remain engaged and stimulated. This includes regular phone calls (additional phone credit has been allocated), access to showers and education materials and time in the fresh air. Establishments are working to create activities that children can undertake in small groups or in their rooms, including workouts and greater access to television, entertainment and in room activity material.

‘Secure Stairs’ is the framework for integrated care jointly led by NHS England, NHS Improvement and the YCS, which provides the foundations as to how youth secure establishments work with children. An enhanced ‘Secure Stairs’ team has come together to support staff and children, focusing on an approach that encourages interaction and protects the physical and mental health of young people whilst ensuring compliance with physical distancing requirements.

HM Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) recently published a report following short scrutiny visits to Cookham Wood, Parc and Wetherby Young Offender Institutions on 21 April. The report was acknowledged by HMIP as being generally positive, referencing the ‘swift actions taken to keep children safe, as well as the creativity of staff and managers in providing opportunities for children to receive meaningful interaction’. They also noted that all the sites were calm and well ordered, with self-harm reduced at Parc and Wetherby and stable at Cookham Wood.

Separately, the YCS conducted the internal review of safeguarding across youth custody, ‘Youth Custody Service Safeguarding Review’ which was published on Gov.uk last October. The recommendations of this report are being considered and taken forward by the newly-created ‘YCS National Head of Safeguarding’ to further enhance safeguarding of children within secure settings.