‘Add human rights to behaviour code’

Human rights have been “forgotten” in the Youth Justice Board’s
draft code of practice on managing the behaviour of children and
young people in the secure estate, campaigners have warned.

In its response to the YJB’s consultation on the code, which
closed last week, the Howard League for Penal Reform expressed
“disappointment” at the omission of the United Nations Convention
on the Rights of the Child.

The league stated: “It is our contention that [the convention]
should always be the starting point for any policies relating to
children, in the community or in custody.”

The British Association of Social Workers also warned that the
human rights of children and young people in custody “were not
being upheld”.

The association stated that current provision in the secure
estate was “woefully inadequate” for safeguarding and promoting the
welfare of children and young people.

The Howard League also called for greater involvement of
children in the management of institutions and said statements of
acceptable behaviour should apply equally to managers, staff and
children.

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