What collaborative efforts are being made between the Ministry of Justice and the Welsh Government to develop a coordinated strategy for managing the health and wellbeing of children in custodial settings during future pandemics, as recommended by research at the University of Manchester?
Learning from the pandemic, including recommendations from the ongoing UK Covid-19 Inquiry and from academic research, supports our pandemic planning. We are taking a collaborative approach across Welsh Government and with key partners to ensure we take account of wider harms caused by a pandemic.
A cross-government Pandemic Preparedness Board has been established to consider what policies and capabilities are required in Wales to respond to a future pandemic. The remit includes ensuring future policy design mitigates against inequalities and protects the vulnerable, including children and young people.
The operational running of the youth custodial estate is reserved to the UK Government. The healthcare of children in custodial settings in Wales is managed by health boards. The Welsh Government works closely with HM Prison and Probation Service and the Youth Custody Service to promote better outcomes for children in custody. The Welsh Government also engages with local authorities and health boards on children’s health and social care in custodial settings due to the devolved and non-devolved crossovers for children in this area. Our cross-government Pandemic Preparedness Board ensures that engagement and collaboration between Welsh Government and UK Government departments is reflected in our pandemic planning.