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<p>We recognise that children in care are more likely than their peers in the general
population to have contact with the criminal justice system. That is why we published
a joint national protocol with the Home Office and the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) in
2018 on reducing the unnecessary criminalisation of looked after children and care
leavers: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-protocol-on-reducing-criminalisation-of-looked-after-children"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-protocol-on-reducing-criminalisation-of-looked-after-children</a>.
The protocol was produced with the input of local authority representatives, and other
partners. Since the publication of the protocol, the proportion of children in care
aged 10-17 who are charged with an offence or receive a caution has reduced from 3%
in 2019 to 2% in 2023. Latest data for year ending March 2023 also show that 3% of
care leavers age 19-21 were in custody. This figure has remained the same for the
last 5 years.</p><p>We are also taking action on risk factors that can lead to criminal
behaviour including through our work to improve school attendance.</p><p>Through the
care leaver Ministerial Board, we are working closely with MoJ to improve support
and outcomes of care-experienced people in the criminal justice system.</p><p>The
MoJ is currently updating its strategy for people with care experience in the criminal
justice system, to ensure that their time in the criminal justice system is used to
support them to lead crime-free lives. The strategy will include a focus on race and
its role in shaping the experiences and outcomes of those with care experience, and
will link to wider departmental efforts to address racial disproportionality in the
criminal justice system. The MoJ are aiming to publish this strategy in 2024.</p><p>
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