Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent progress he has made on recruiting for Heads of Education, Skills and Work roles within the youth secure estate; and whether these roles are graded as equivalent to governors.

The Head of Education, Skills and Work (HoESW) is a new Head of Function (Governor) role, forming part of a prison’s Senior Management Team. Postholders have leadership experience from the education sector, many of whom were senior teachers. They are responsible for leading on the design and delivery of education, skills and work functions to improve prisoner education and employment outcomes on release. We have made great progress recruiting HoESW, with over 100 already in post. This includes all five roles being filled in the Youth Custody Estate.

A comprehensive induction and training programme has been designed to support postholders embed within prisons, improve delivery of education, skills and work services, and maximise related outcomes for prisoners. This includes all the areas highlighted by the hon. Member for Lewisham East. The induction and training programme is being delivered over September and October. This programme is mandatory for all postholders, including those working in the Youth Custody Estate.