Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what information, if any, they collect from the National Deprivation of Liberty Court on increases in (1) 'inherent jurisdiction' unregulated placements, and (2) non-legally compliant 'secure accommodation' placements; and whether they can provide a breakdown of this information by (1) age, (2) gender, and (3) race.

The department does not collect information from the National Deprivation of Liberty Court on the number or characteristics of children subject to a Deprivation of Liberty Order.

The Nuffield Family Justice Observatory are collecting data from the national court over a pilot period and publishing monthly to improve our understanding of the cases that are being heard by the court. Further information can be accessed here: https://www.nuffieldfjo.org.uk/news/nuffield-family-justice-observatory-to-monitor-data-from-new-national-dols-deprivation-of-liberty-court.

It is important to note that a setting that provides care and accommodation is subject to regulation and must be registered as a children’s home. Where a deprivation of liberty order involves a setting that is not registered as a children's home, guidance issued by the President of the Family Division is clear that an application to register the provision with Ofsted must be made within seven working days from the date of the deprivation of liberty order. Further information can be accessed here: https://www.judiciary.uk/guidance-and-resources/addendum-to-practice-guidance-placements-in-unregistered-childrens-homes-in-england-or-unregistered-care-home-services-in-wales/.