§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy that young people on remand are dealt with in such a way as to maximise public protection and minimise serious re-offending while ensuring cost-effectiveness.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyLocal authorities already have a statutory power to take account of the need to protect the public in determining how any child in their care, including those on remand, might most appropriately be accommodated. Under the Children Act 1989, local authorities will additionally be under a duty to take reasonable steps designed to encourage children in their area not to commit criminal offences. Guidance on practical steps which authorities might take in exercise of this new duty was given in "The Children Act 1989: Guidance and Regulations Volume 1 Court Orders" a copy of which is available in the Library.
§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the alternatives to secure accommodation he is currently considering in respect of young people on remand.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyGuidance on how local authorities might exercise their new duty under the Children Act 1989 to take reasonable steps designed to avoid the need for children in their area to be placed in secure accommodation is being given in "The Children Act 1989: Guidance and Regulations Volume 4 Residential Care", to be published this week.
Additionally, the Department has invited a number of bodies, including the local authority associations and the Association of Directors of Social Services, to join a national steering group whose remit will include consideration of further steps which might be taken to develop alternatives to secure accommodation for young people on remand.