To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what proportion of children in young offender institutions has (a) special educational needs and (b) a special educational needs statement; and if he will make a statement. (207502)

The information is as follows.

(a) The Department does not collect information centrally on the numbers of children in young offender institutions (YOIs) who have special educational needs (SEN).

However, an analysis by the Youth Justice Board (YJB) of 2006 ASSET data—the individual assessment tool for young offenders used by Youth Offending Teams—found that 25 per cent. of young offenders had special needs identified. This figure covers young offenders both in custody and the community.

(b) The Department does not collect information centrally on the numbers of children in YOIs who have a SEN statement. Local authorities do not have a duty to maintain SEN statements for young people in custody. Instead support is provided within the custodial institution by special educational needs coordinators and learning support assistants. However, the YJB analysis of 2006 data showed that of the 25 per cent. of young offenders (in custody or in the community) who had SEN, just over 60 per cent. had a statement.