The Ministry of Justice has today released its latest statistics on safety in prisons. In relation to boys and girls (aged 15 to 17), the data shows: There were 393 self-harming incidents in 2015 Of the children who self-harmed, 171 were boys and 1 was a girl 712 children were victims of assault in prison … Read more
Today’s inspection report on Wetherby juvenile young offender institution, which includes a specialist unit for children who find it impossible to cope in a mainstream prison, raises a catalogue of child protection concerns. There were 272 boys in the prison at the time of the inspection. In the main prison, 29% of boys had formerly … Read more
Kent Police announced today that a former G4S custody officer has been charged with the common assault of an imprisoned child. The officer worked at Medway secure training centre when it was managed by security firm G4S. Nine other officers have been bailed pending further investigation. Two more officers were arrested for offences against children … Read more
Clause 15 of the Children and Social Work Bill was debated in the House of Lords last night (11 July), and received strong opposition. This part of the controversial Bill introduces a fast-track procedure for the removal of the majority of primary and secondary legislation, passed since 1933, related to children’s social care. Lord Watson … Read more
Article 39 congratulated our friends at Every Child Leaving Care Matters yesterday, when their sustained lobbying for Staying Put for 18 year-olds leaving children’s homes was officially recognised by Sir Martin Narey’s review into residential care. Staying Put is the term given to young people’s right to stay in their foster home until the age … Read more