The use of such placements, including special schools and children's homes, for those on Detention and Training Orders was first mooted by the government in its secure estate for young people strategy in 2005.
The subsequent Offender Management Act 2007 does allow for such placements. However, the secondary legislation from the Ministry of Justice needed to enact this has yet to happen.
In response to an enquiry by CYP Now under the Freedom of Information Act, the YJB has confirmed that it is "looking at the options for possible additional types of placements, and the Ministry of Justice will bring forward a draft order once all the issues around alternative accommodation have been resolved".
Tim Bateman, senior policy development officer at crime reduction charity Nacro, said: "That response tells me this is no longer a priority. It is four years since the idea was put forward, and nearly two years since legislation to make it possible. I think it is just seen as too difficult to implement."
The YJB and government are also struggling to resolve practical difficulties in placing offenders alongside non-offenders in accommodation such as special schools, he claimed.
The YJB's corporate plan for the next three years has no target for reducing custody levels.
