§ Mr. AllanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what statutory authority outreach workers will be employed at the Rebound Secure Training Centre; and if he will make a statement. [35343]
§ Mr. MichaelUnder the terms of its contract with the Home Office, the operator of Medway Secure Training Centre, ECD Ltd, will provide outreach workers, who will be social workers employed at the Secure Training Centre. The workers will be employed under contract rather than statutory authority. The statutory authority for making the contractual arrangements rests with the Home Secretary and in the provisions of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994. The outreach workers will play a key role in developing the two week induction programme in which each trainee will take part. They will consult the trainee's family or carer for views on their strengths and weaknesses. These views will be taken into account when the Training at the end of the induction period. Along with the supervising officer, the outreach worker will provide the main focus for maintaining links between the trainee and his or her home community during the custodial part of the Order.