Ofsted and Prisons Inspectorate join forces to conduct secure training centre inspections

The news follows claims from chief inspector of prisons Nick Hardwick earlier this month that the current regime, in which Ofsted has sole responsibility for inspecting the settings, "misunderstands the nature of STCs".

He said the Prisons Inspectorate's involvement in monitoring STCs would be valuable because the current process focuses on the educational element of the settings and not enough on the fact that they are primarily "prisons for young people in which some education takes place".

Ofsted has confirmed that the two inspectorates have been in discussions and are due to publish proposals for a joint approach for consultation this summer, with the aim of beginning joint inspections in April 2012.

An Ofsted spokeswoman said: "The legislation places the primary duty for STC inspection on Ofsted. It is, of course, correct that STCs are secure settings for young offenders. However, these are also vulnerable children and young people and it is important we inspect their care and educational provision. We very much welcome the working partnership with Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons, and believe they have much to offer from their expertise in the inspection of a wide range of custodial settings."

Geoff Monaghan, head of policy and public affairs at the Children's Rights Alliance for England said: "The Prisons Inspectorate has an excellent record of highlighting conditions and treatment that fail to properly safeguard children."

He criticised Ofsted's record in STCs in seeking out children's views of their treatment and needs, adding: "It is odd that the Prisons Inspectorate's framework for inspecting YOIs is more comprehensive than Ofsted's equivalent for STCs. There is an urgent need to bring the two together, with the YJB, to seek the most penetrating inspection arrangements, joint or not."