Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what plans he has to increase the provision of places in secure children’s homes.

Latest published statistics show that there were 550 children and young people (including 18-year olds) in custody at the end of April 2021; historically low numbers. Of this number, 66 were placed in a Secure Children’s Home (SCH). There are almost 70% fewer children in custody than there were ten years ago.

There is currently sufficient capacity for justice beds in SCHs, and we will continue to monitor the situation closely. It remains our long-term position to replace Secure Training Centres and Young Offender Institutions with Secure Schools, supported by SCHs.