Ofsted has urged the YJB to review the number of secure accommodation placements so young people can be held in settings closer to their families.
John Drew, Chief Executive of the YJB, said:
“We welcome the very positive comments made by children and young people and their families on the supportive work undertaken by custody centres, highlighted in the Admission and discharge from secure accommodation report [opens in new window], published by Ofsted today.
“While the YJB always considers closeness to home as important, the overriding priority must always be to meet the complex needs of some of the most vulnerable and damaged children and young people in our society.
“To accommodate these unique needs, every youth custody centre in England and Wales now provides a different range of specialist therapeutic and remedial help, offering children and young people the best opportunities for training and education, resettlement and rehabilitation.
“The YJB has overseen a fall in the numbers of custody places in recent years and keeps commissioning under constant review to ensure it best meets the needs of young people while ensuring value for money.
“Ultimately, the YJB believes custody should be a last resort. But for those young people who are in custody we are committed to improving resettlement provision to give them the best chance of reducing reoffending, leading to more productive lives.”
