The leaving rates of staff who work in prisons currently part of the Youth Custody Service are given in the table below.<\/p>
We are looking into the increase in attrition via the retention oversight and exit interview processes so that appropriate interventions can be put in place. The retention oversight process was introduced in August 2022 to target priority sites, these include establishments with the highest attrition rates and those that are a cause for concern due to increasing attrition.<\/p>
In late 2021, HM Prison Service launched a retention tool kit to help Governors to tackle the main drivers of attrition in their prisons. We are using the data from this and enhanced exit interviews to better understand why employees are leaving.<\/p>
HM Prison Service made a significant investment in pay for prison staff through the 2023/24 pay awards. This delivered an increase in base pay of at least 4% for all staff between bands 2 to 11, alongside further targeted pay rises for our lowest paid staff of up to £2,500 which we hope will help in reducing leaving rates.<\/p>
Since April 2022, HM Prison Service have invested in several new initiatives to improve the experience of our new joiners and increase retention of our employees. These include a new peer-to-peer learning scheme, the introduction of mentors for new staff, a supervision pilot in two prisons, and new leadership training in prisons facing retention challenges.<\/p>
Table 1: Underlying leaving rate of permanent staff in Youth Custody Estate, for 12 months to 31 March each year since 2010, and latest position as at 30 September 2023 <\/strong><\/p> 12 Months to<\/p><\/td> Leavers<\/p><\/td> Average staff in post<\/p><\/td> Leaving rate<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 31/03/2010<\/p><\/td> 74<\/p><\/td> 1,510<\/p><\/td> 4.9%<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 31/03/2011<\/p><\/td> 80<\/p><\/td> 1,505<\/p><\/td> 5.3%<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 31/03/2012<\/p><\/td> 68<\/p><\/td> 1,505<\/p><\/td> 4.5%<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 31/03/2013<\/p><\/td> 101<\/p><\/td> 1,451<\/p><\/td> 7.0%<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 31/03/2014<\/p><\/td> 111<\/p><\/td> 1,351<\/p><\/td> 8.2%<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 31/03/2015<\/p><\/td> 139<\/p><\/td> 1,253<\/p><\/td> 11.1%<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 31/03/2016<\/p><\/td> 134<\/p><\/td> 1,266<\/p><\/td> 10.6%<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 31/03/2017<\/p><\/td> 146<\/p><\/td> 1,333<\/p><\/td> 11.0%<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 31/03/2018<\/p><\/td> 148<\/p><\/td> 1,416<\/p><\/td> 10.5%<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 31/03/2019<\/p><\/td> 158<\/p><\/td> 1,684<\/p><\/td> 9.4%<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 31/03/2020<\/p><\/td> 198<\/p><\/td> 1,730<\/p><\/td> 11.4%<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 31/03/2021<\/p><\/td> 121<\/p><\/td> 1,558<\/p><\/td> 7.8%<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 31/03/2022<\/p><\/td> 196<\/p><\/td> 1,604<\/p><\/td> 12.2%<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 31/03/2023<\/p><\/td> 275<\/p><\/td> 1,621<\/p><\/td> 17.0%<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 30/09/2023(p)<\/p><\/td> 294<\/p><\/td> 1,645<\/p><\/td> 17.9%<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table> Notes<\/p> 1. Leaving rate is calculated as number of leavers by as a proportion of an average of all permanent staff in post.<\/p> 2. The leavers figures do not include voluntary early departure or redundancy.<\/p> 3. Permanent staff are those with a permanent contract of employment with HMPPS.<\/p> 4. The Youth Custody Service (YCS), created in April 2017 to oversee day-to-day management of young people up to 18 years of age in the young people\u2019s estate. Youth Custody Estate includes the following prisons: Cookham Wood, Feltham, Werrington, Wetherby and Medway Secure Training Centre (which closed in March 2020)<\/p> 5. Internal transfers within HMPPS are not included.<\/p> (p) Figures relating to current financial year are provisional and may be subject to change in future.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4362", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Edward Argar"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Charnwood"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Edward Argar"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-12-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-12-07T15:17:01.007Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2023-11-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Youth Custody: Staff"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the attrition rate was for staff in the youth custody service in each reporting year since 2010.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4698", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Janet Daby"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Lewisham East"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Janet Daby"}
], "uin" : "4262"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1606839", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1606839/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Youth Custody Service\u2019s first priority is the safety and well-being of the young people in its care. In the current challenging circumstances, that requirement continues to be paramount. Staff retention and recruitment is a challenge in all parts of HMPPS, not only within the youth secure estate. We are actively working to reduce high turnover of staff in the Young Offender Institutions. In addition to changes to national pay progression arrangements, we are focusing on action to improve retention. Exit interviews are made available to every leaver, to help us understand and address the reasons why staff may decide to leave.<\/p> <\/p> Since December 2022, there has been a reduction in resignations by frontline staff across the Young Offender Institution sector. Whilst staffing is challenging in the Secure Training Centre too, this has not affected the levels of regime for education or enrichment available to children.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3969", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Damian Hinds"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Hampshire"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Damian Hinds"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-03-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-03-28T16:37:18.753Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2023-03-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Youth Custody: Staff"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of staffing levels across the youth estate.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4632", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Anna McMorrin"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Cardiff North"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Anna McMorrin"}
], "uin" : "172488"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1359136", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1359136/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Youth Custody Service (YCS) has bespoke recruitment material that aligns with our vision of delivering outstanding children\u2019s services in secure settings and further professionalising the workforce. Over 150 new entrant youth justice workers (YJW) in a young adult setting have commenced employment in the YCS so far this year, with a further 70 to start prior to April 2022.<\/p> Since introducing the youth justice specialist role, we have provided funding for every prison officer in the youth secure estate to take up a qualification in youth justice. As of August, there were 249 youth justice specialist officers already in post, having completed the qualification. A further 260 staff are signed up or undertaking the learning, with the next cohort due to start in October 2022, with up to 110 more frontline staff participating. We have continuously reviewed this development offer and have recently introduced a new apprenticeship for our newly recruited YJW officers.<\/p> We have reviewed staff turnover in public sites in the youth secure estate, focussing on frontline positions from entry grade YJWs to custodial managers, with an emphasis on resignations. Improvements to inductions and support for new entrants is now in place to help ensure a supported, resilient, and effective workforce.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4399", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Victoria Atkins"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Louth and Horncastle"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Victoria Atkins"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2021-10-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2021-10-25T16:13:18.253Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2021-10-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Youth Custody: Staff"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to (a) recruit and (b) retain prison officers and support staff in youth custody settings.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4632", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Anna McMorrin"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Cardiff North"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Anna McMorrin"}
], "uin" : "56180"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/446034", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/446034/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " This information could only be obtained at disproportionate costs.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1453", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Selous"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South West Bedfordshire"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Andrew Selous"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-01-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "23221"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-01-22T14:56:34.093Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2016-01-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Youth Custody: Staff"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
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], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what proportion of staff employed in each (a) young offender institution and (b) secure training centre are (i) qualified social workers and (ii) registered with the Mental Health and Care Professions Council.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1516", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andy Slaughter"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hammersmith"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Andy Slaughter"}
], "uin" : "23060"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/446042", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/446042/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " This information could only be obtained at disproportionate costs.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1453", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Selous"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South West Bedfordshire"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Andrew Selous"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-01-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "23060"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-01-22T14:56:33.987Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2016-01-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Youth Custody: Staff"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what proportion of staff employed in each young offender institution, secure training centre and secure children's home (a) are qualified speech and language therapists and (b) are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1516", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andy Slaughter"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hammersmith"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Andy Slaughter"}
], "uin" : "23221"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/348989", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/348989/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The youth secure estate comprises under 18 Young Offender Institutions (YOIs), Secure Training Centres (STCs) and Secure Children\u2019s Homes. These three sectors have a range of staffing ratios in order to meet the wide ranging needs of young people in custody. Young people are placed in establishments that can most effectively manage their individual needs.<\/p> <\/p> The information set out in Table 1 refers to the number of young people per prison officer in each public sector YOI establishment that holds under 18s. Where an establishment accommodates different age groups the ratios reflect staffing in the entire establishment. For this reason the ratios shown may not reflect actual staffing levels in the under 18 units.<\/p> <\/p> Table 1: The number of young people per prison officer (including specialists)<\/strong><\/p> in public sector YOIs holding young people aged under 18, 2010 to 2015<\/strong><\/p> Establishment<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2010<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2011<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2012<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2013<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2014<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2015<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr> Cookham Wood<\/p><\/td> 1.4<\/p><\/td> 0.9<\/p><\/td> 1.1<\/p><\/td> 1.0<\/p><\/td> 1.5<\/p><\/td> 1.8<\/p><\/td><\/tr> Downview<\/p><\/td> 3.7<\/p><\/td> 2.9<\/p><\/td> 3.9<\/p><\/td> 3.6<\/p><\/td> -<\/p><\/td> -<\/p><\/td><\/tr> Eastwood Park<\/p><\/td> 2.7<\/p><\/td> 2.7<\/p><\/td> 2.8<\/p><\/td> 2.1<\/p><\/td> -<\/p><\/td> -<\/p><\/td><\/tr> Feltham<\/p><\/td> 2.1<\/p><\/td> 2.2<\/p><\/td> 2.2<\/p><\/td> 2.0<\/p><\/td> 2.1<\/p><\/td> 2.2<\/p><\/td><\/tr> Foston Hall<\/p><\/td> 2.1<\/p><\/td> -<\/p><\/td> -<\/p><\/td> -<\/p><\/td> -<\/p><\/td> -<\/p><\/td><\/tr> Hindley<\/p><\/td> 1.6<\/p><\/td> 1.6<\/p><\/td> 1.5<\/p><\/td> 0.9<\/p><\/td> 1.9<\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> Huntercombe<\/p><\/td> 1.3<\/p><\/td> -<\/p><\/td> -<\/p><\/td> -<\/p><\/td> -<\/p><\/td> -<\/p><\/td><\/tr> Stoke Heath<\/p><\/td> 3.2<\/p><\/td> -<\/p><\/td> -<\/p><\/td> -<\/p><\/td> -<\/p><\/td> -<\/p><\/td><\/tr> Warren Hill<\/p><\/td> 1.3<\/p><\/td> 1.1<\/p><\/td> 1.3<\/p><\/td> 1.0<\/p><\/td> -<\/p><\/td> -<\/p><\/td><\/tr> Werrington<\/p><\/td> 2.0<\/p><\/td> 2.3<\/p><\/td> 1.8<\/p><\/td> 1.8<\/p><\/td> 1.8<\/p><\/td> 1.3<\/p><\/td><\/tr> Wetherby<\/p><\/td> 1.9<\/p><\/td> 1.7<\/p><\/td> 1.8<\/p><\/td> 1.2<\/p><\/td> 1.3<\/p><\/td> 1.6<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table> <\/p> Notes:<\/p> 1. \u2018-\u2018indicates that the establishment was not holding under 18s at the date in question.<\/p> 2. Staff to young person ratios in public sector Prison Service establishments is reported as the number of prisoners held in an establishment divided by the number prison officers (including specialists) employed. Ratios do not reflect the number of officers on duty at any particular moment.<\/p> 3. Data presented relates to monthly snapshots taken in each year since 2010.<\/p> <\/p> STCs provide a secure environment where young people can be educated and rehabilitated. They differ from YOIs in that they have a higher staff to young people ratio and are smaller in size.<\/p> <\/p> STCs are required to operate above minimum staffing levels specified by the YJB for different times of day. These are monitored by the YJB and have not changed since 2010. Minimum staffing levels for the normal operating model are illustrated in Table 2, which also indicates unit sizes at each of the four establishments.<\/p> <\/p> Table 2: Minimum staffing levels for STCs by unit size<\/strong><\/p> Unit size<\/strong><\/p><\/td> Minimum staffing levels<\/strong><\/p><\/td> Establishment<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr> 5 bed<\/p><\/td> 2 custodial staff:5 young people<\/p><\/td> Medway, Rainsbrook<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 6 bed<\/p><\/td> 2 custodial staff:6 young people<\/p><\/td> Medway, Rainsbrook<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 7 bed<\/p><\/td> 2 custodial staff:7 young people<\/p><\/td> Hassockfield<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 8 bed<\/p><\/td> 3 custodial staff:8 young people<\/p><\/td> Medway, Oakhill, Rainsbrook<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table> <\/strong><\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1453", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Selous"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South West Bedfordshire"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Andrew Selous"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-06-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-06-11T12:59:25.04Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2015-06-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Youth Custody: Staff"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate he has made of the ratio of staff to young person in each (a) young offender institution and (b) secure training centre in each year since 2010.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4243", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dan Jarvis"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Barnsley Central"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dan Jarvis"}
], "uin" : "1481"}
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