Funding for social services departments will not be reviewed in light of the High Court ruling that the Children Act 1989 applies to children in prison.

In a written response to a parliamentary question, health minister Jacqui Smith said the Department of Health backed last month's judgement by Mr Justice Munby that local authorities had a statutory duty to care for children in prison.

"The department therefore sees no immediate need to revise existing guidance to councils with social services responsibilities or to review resource allocations," she said.

However, Smith said the DoH and home secretary would "carefully study" the effect the judgement could have on standards in young offenders institutions.

Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Paul Burstow, who tabled the question, was disappointed with the answer. "It shows the government does not realise the scale of violence and suicide occurring in young offenders institutions," he said.

Meanwhile, Home Office minister Hilary Benn said the Prison Service's policy would be amended slightly because of the ruling.

"There is undoubtedly a need for more consistency in the provision for young people across the prison estate and work is under way to ensure that this happens," he said in a written answer to a parliamentary question.

He said the judgement had found it was for local authorities to co-operate with the Prison Service in carrying out their duties.