Roger Morgan, children's rights director at the Commission for SocialCare Inspection, said: "When this sort of practice takes place, it isunacceptable and cannot be condoned."
There are legal safeguards to prevent those looking after children fromrestricting their liberty unless they have both a licence from theSecretary of State to provide secure accommodation and, for each child,an order granted by a court.
"Whenever such matters have been brought to its attention in the past,the Commission for Social Care Inspection has challenged those involvedand taken any necessary action."
The move comes as the Secure Accommodation Network told Children Now itbelieved some private providers were operating "informal secure units"through the use of heavy staffing levels.
- www.csci.gov.uk.
