STORY
The Government has said it will implement all 34 recommendations from an independent review into abuse and safeguarding failures affecting children in custody. Measures will include independent oversight of abuse allegations and access to dedicated social workers for every child held in the youth estate.
Ministers said staff vetting would also be strengthened and complaints investigated more consistently. The announcement follows the Government’s apology over abuse at Medomsley detention centre and wider concerns about whether children in custody have been adequately protected.
The Ministry of Justice said the reforms were intended to ensure allegations could not be ignored or handled solely within the institution concerned. Campaigners and survivors have argued that independent scrutiny is essential if confidence in the youth custody system is to be restored.