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<p>The average number of children in custody has fallen by 73% between 2010/11 and
2020/21 and their reoffending rate fell from 73.8% to 65.2% between 2008 and 2018
(most recent data).</p><p>Many of the children sentenced to custody have committed
very serious crimes. However, they are also often very vulnerable, with complex needs,
and require significant levels of support to enable them to positive, crime-free lives.
The government is determined to reduce their reoffending further. We are providing
all prison officers in the youth estate with the opportunity to receive a degree-level
qualification to become youth justice specialists; in partnership with the NHS, we
are rolling out a new approach to care that provides children in custody with greater
psychological support; and we are trialling secure schools, a new form of youth custody
that puts education and healthcare at the centre of the custodial experience for children.</p>
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