§ Baroness Hilton of Eggardonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will report on the inspection of Medway Secure Training Centre. [HL521]
§ The Minister of State, Home Office (Lord Williams of Mostyn)The report has been published by the Social Services Inspectorate today, and copies of the report have been put in the Library. The report identifies shortcomings in the management of the Secure Training Centre and makes 32 key recommendations for improving the standard of service being provided by the contractor. All the recommendations have been accepted, and Rebound are taking urgent action to implement these recommendations. The Home Office will be monitoring progress in conjunction with the Social Services Inspectorate.
82WAThe report made a number of recommendations which required immediate action to strengthen management at the centre, and to improve operational procedures and monitoring. The Director at Medway has been working closely with Social Services Inspectorate to implement these recommendations, and to introduce more effective strategies for dealing with difficult young people. A stronger management structure has been put in place to support the staff, who were praised in the Report for their enthusiasm and commitment. More staff are being recruited, and a programme of repair work has been completed.
The Government remain committed to the public/private partnership approach, and to making a positive difference to the lives of persistent young offenders who, despite repeated efforts by the Youth Justice system, continue to offend. Secure Training Centres are a new and challenging initiative, and Medway as the first centre of its kind has had a difficult beginning, but action is now being taken to introduce the positive regime we require. I will be monitoring closely the position at Medway, and a further inspection will be undertaken by the Social Services Inspectorate later this year.