Magistrates have raised fears that legislation in the offender management bill could put young people in children's homes at risk from young offenders.
The Youth Courts Committee of the Magistrates' Association is to push for an amendment to the bill to clarify a clause that allows young offenders to be placed in open accommodation.
It is concerned that the move to allow young offenders to be placed in open children's homes could endanger other occupants.
John Fassenfelt, the chair of the committee, said: "We think the clause is too widely worded and it gives too broad powers to the Secretary of State."
The committee wants peers to bring forward an amendment to tighten the wording of the clause when the bill reaches the House of Lords.
