The Youth Justice Board's decision to cut the number of beds it will commission from the Prison Service has not lifted the threat of closure from local authority secure children's homes.
The board said a fall in the number of young offenders had influenced its decision. It will also cut the number of places available outside young offender institutions for younger and more vulnerable children.
But secure homes are still under threat - a tendering process is under way and the results will be announced in March.
Last week a report from the National Audit Office highlighted pressures on the youth offending and custody system.
- www.nao.gov.uk.
