Secure School Assurance Handbook
Guidance on operational assurance arrangements for commissioners of secure schools and secure academy trusts.
Applies to England and Wales
Documents
Details
The assurance framework for secure schools has set out the partnership approach to assurance between YCS and NHS England as “co-commissioners” of secure schools.
The guidance sets out the operational assurance arrangements for these co-commissioners and secure academy trusts. It describes their respective roles and responsibilities in ensuring the secure schools are safe, compliant, and achieving their intended outcomes.
This document summarises the key requirements of running a secure school provision as they pertain to assuring performance; and the processes by which secure academy trusts can access support and commissioners can intervene. It seeks to balance the need for effective assurance of child welfare and outcomes with the freedoms that secure schools need over their day-to-day business.
Secure academy trusts should expect a higher degree of scrutiny – both from government commissioners and the wider public sphere – than can be found in mainstream education.