Children in Custody Education 2023-11-21
2023-11-21
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the education provision for children in custody, specifically mentioning a visit to Feltham young offenders institution and noting that conditions are challenging.
What steps he is taking to improve the provision of education for children in custody. I visited Feltham young offenders institution and witnessed at first hand the very challenging conditions in which dedicated professionals work with young people who have committed serious crimes and had a difficult start in life.
We work closely with education providers to drive up standards of teaching and improve academic outcomes. The curriculum offered is needs-led and determined by individual aspirations, literacy and numeracy levels, interests and sentence length. Where provision is inadequate, we hold providers accountable.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about witnessing challenging conditions at Feltham was not directly addressed.
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the lack of progress in implementing secure schools as recommended by the Charlie Taylor review. The Government accepted the vision but no secure school has opened yet.
Earlier this year, I visited Feltham young offenders institution and witnessed at first hand the very challenging conditions in which dedicated professionals work with young people who have committed serious crimes and had a very difficult start in life. In 2016, Charlie Taylor recommended moving away from young offenders institutions to secure schools. The Government fully accepted his vision, yet seven years on not a single secure school has opened. One has been built but it has not admitted any pupils. If the Government are serious about rehabilitating young offenders and cutting reoffending, when will they finally roll out secure schools for those pupils?
In 2018-19, I had youth justice in my portfolio and visited Feltham. I worked with Charlie Taylor on delivering recommendations into practice. We anticipate the first secure school opening in 2024.
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Assessment & feedback
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Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about rising violence on youth estates, noting that assaults on staff have increased by 33% since last year.
Thank you, Mr Speaker. Education is vital to reduce violence, especially on the youth estate. However, violence on the youth estate is skyrocketing. Since last year, assaults on staff have increased by 33%. That puts prison staff at risk in their workplace and increases trauma experienced by children and young people. It can also prolong rehabilitation. How will the Minister use education and other methods available to him to reduce that violence?
We continue to work hard across all sites to address challenges of violence. Each child receives a full needs assessment, covering education, psychology, resettlement, health and behavioural support. Education plays a vital part in helping children get their lives back on course within a secure environment.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about reducing violence using education was not fully addressed with concrete measures.
Response accuracy