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Home Office

Answer

Mr. Dawson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has held following the Munby Judgment with (a) the Minister for Children, (b) local authority associations and (c) local authorities about the application of the Children Act 1989 to young people in custody. [154427] Paul Goggins :[holding answer 11 February 2004]: My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and I met the Minister for Children on 27 October 2003 to discuss the report of an official working group on the application of the Children Act 1989 to young people in custody. The working group comprised representatives of the Youth Justice Board, the Local Government Association and the Association of Directors of Social Services. The Home Office and the Department for Education and Skills had observer status. The group met a number of times between February and August 2003 and produced its report in September. I am placing a copy in the Library. Following the meeting on 27 October, it was agreed that the Youth Justice Board would provide an additional £1 million to fund extra social worker places at Young Offender Institutions. The new staff will be responsible for ensuring that the duties placed on local authorities by the Children Act are fulfilled.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

418 c720-1W;418 c740-1W; 154427

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Custodial treatment Judgements Local government Protection Young offenders Social workers

Legislation

Children Act 1989

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk