Member

Amendment 127 seeks to place a legal duty on local authorities to provide therapeutic treatment for children placed in secure accommodation—that is, a secure children’s home. There are a number of existing legal duties and requirements on local authorities in relation to appropriate care provision. These include ensuring that looked-after children have access to necessary physical and mental health care, including therapeutic treatment, where appropriate. I note the point made by the noble Baroness, Lady Spielman, about the availability of appropriate provision. In addition, NHS England has statutory responsibility for the commissioning of health services or facilities for children in secure accommodation. The duty means that children in secure settings can access high-quality healthcare services.