- Action Plan published directing urgent changes
- Increased monitoring to ensure improvements are
swiftly and fully implemented
- Senior leadership bolstered and required to spend
more time on the frontline
The Action Plan he has set out stipulates a swathe of
measures MTC must take to improve conditions for children
there and increased oversight by the Youth Custody
Service. He has also demanded an end to a culture where
senior staff are not visible to children and frontline
staff – and don’t sufficiently understand what’s
happening on the ground.
Many of these, including temporarily limiting the
population of the centre, have already begun. The Youth
Custody Service immediately halted the placement of all
boys into Rainsbrook in December, with girls only placed
there when no appropriate alternatives are available.
This will remain the case until MTC guarantees all new
arrivals will be appropriately supported.
Any children in the reverse cohorting unit – used to
prevent children that have spent time out of the centre
from spreading coronavirus to others upon their return -
will be offered an increased programme of activity to
ensure they have sufficient meaningful social interaction
and time outside their room.
The Youth Custody Service has also increased its
monitoring of the centre, with an experienced Youth
Custody Service manager appointed to provide additional
support and oversight. Extra Youth Custody Service staff
will also be on-site for at least the first quarter of
2021 to ensure improvements are being implemented fully.
Barnardo’s has also significantly increased its presence
on site, at the request of the Youth Custody Service, to
provide independent assurances and give children an
additional outlet to raise concerns.
Lord Chancellor QC
MP said:
What happened at Rainsbrook was simply unacceptable; it
is MTC’s duty to ensure all the young people at the
centre are properly cared for and they have failed to
do that.
This Action Plan will drive MTC to make the vital,
urgent improvements needed to turn things around and I
am demanding they do that urgently.
Responding to Ofsted’s concerns about a lack of
leadership, MTC has appointed a new Managing Director for
Rainsbrook. Ian Mullholland has been recruited to drive
improvement and has a wealth of experience overseeing
change at a number of public sector services, including
prisons.
The Action Plan also sets out measures to increase the
visibility of senior management and ensure they are more
approachable for both children and staff. The Duty
Director will be required to carry out daily tours of the
centre and senior leadership will now be based directly
on residential units.
A new Head of Education is reviewing the curriculum to
increase both the hours and quality of the education that
the children receive.
The Ministry of Justice will carefully monitor progress
against the Action Plan and can apply contractual levers
including financial penalties if needed.
