Written question asked by Baroness Tonge (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 20 January 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 27 January 2004. It was answered by Baroness Hughes of Stretford (Labour) on Tuesday, 27 January 2004 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment is made of the needs of children before they go to detention centres.

Answer: Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment is made of the needs of children before they go to detention centres. [149823] Beverley Hughes: The general needs of children are considered when a decision to detain a family is made and when the family is taken into detention. Once detained, rule 11(3) of the Detention Centre Rules 2001 requires removal centre operators to provide everything reasonably necessary for detained persons' protection, safety and well-being and for the maintenance and care of infants and children. Families with children are currently detained at either Dungavel or Tinsley House Removal Centres or Oakington Reception Centre. In all cases they are accommodated in dedicated family rooms within the centre so as to ensure that family members are not separated and, so far as practicable within the constraints of detention, are able to maintain family life. These centres are well equipped and the staff that work there are well qualified to recognise children's needs and where necessary ensure special provision is made. At Dungavel, where there is a well-established education provision for school-age children, all children are assessed when they arrive to establish their learning needs. We have recently announced our intention to enhance these assessments and introduce contingency curriculum arrangements for children in longer term detention.

Secondary information