Written question asked by Baroness Morris of Bolton (Conservative), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Adonis (Labour) on Monday, 29 September 2008.

Children: Secure Training Centres

Question: asked Her Majesty's Government:How many professional visits by (a) local authority social workers, (b) youth offending team workers, (c) counsellors and therapists, (d) lawyers, (e) independent advocates, (f) Youth Justice Board monitors, and (g) Ofsted inspectors to children detained in secure training centres in the last 12 months were held in private.

Answer: The Youth Justice Board does not collate statistics on this issue, but the board informs me that, in most cases, professional visits are held privately in rooms specifically designated for this purpose. Custody officers are positioned outside the room. Occasionally—if, for example, the professional has concerns about meeting the young person alone—the director of the centre may arrange for a suitable member of staff also to attend the meeting. Such an arrangement would be planned and agreed in advance.

Secondary information