To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what educational provision is in force for young people under 18 years remanded in custody at young offender institutions prior to court disposal. (234142)

[holding answer 10 November 2008]: Education, training and personal development activities for all young people in custody are delivered as part of a package of placement services funded by the Youth Justice Board (YJB) and prescribed by a joint YJB/DCSF/MOJ/Learning and Skills Council specification “The Offender Learning Journey for Juveniles”. All young people in custody should receive full-time education and personal development activities, which are based on the national curriculum but with flexibilities to take account of prior learning and other needs such as substance misuse, and behaviour management needs etc which young people may have. The YJB sets requirements for education in Young Offender Institutions (YOIs) and require that 90 per cent. of young people receive 25 hours or more education, training and personal development activity per week.