Section one Context from home. The CCE stated that the current system in place to support those with learning disabilities and/or autism is letting down vulnerable children in England. They also highlighted evidence of restrictive practices and the use of sedation. The CCE stated that some children described how their stays in mental health hospitals had been traumatic. The CCE recommended a cross-government plan to provide community support for children and new funding for the right support in the community to enable children to stay with their families.157 The CCE was also concerned about the number of children remanded into custody. As of October 2020, youth justice monthly statistics show that children on remand now account for 33% of the entire youth custody population.158 The proportion of children on remand has been steadily increasing over the last four years. Of the children remanded to youth detention accommodation, using all courts data in 2019, 34% received a noncustodial sentence, 32% were acquitted and 34% were sentenced to immediate custody.159 In 2018–19, a higher proportion of children from all ethnic groups other than white compared to white children in custody were there on remand (33% compared to 24%), raising serious concerns about a particularly stark disproportionality.160 HMICFRS began to identify some small improvements to be made for the welfare of children in police custody in England and Wales, and has continued to focus on how quickly children are moved through custody. However, when children are charged and refused bail they continue to remain in custody for too long and are rarely moved to local authority accommodation as they should be. HMI Prisons found varied progress during seven inspections of five YOIs across England and Wales in the reporting period. Standards of care for children at risk of self-harm had improved in all YOIs except HMYOI Feltham A, where self-harm had risen dramatically. However, inspectors found good practice at HMYOI Werrington, where a database recorded significant triggers for self-harm, such as bereavements, and staff were sent reminders to enhance their observations and awareness of any concerning behaviour. While children had reasonably good time out of cell on weekdays at HMYOI Parc and HMYOI Werrington, elsewhere they did not have enough time outside their cells to access everyday basics, including association, showers and telephone calls and, in many cases, education. At HMYOI Feltham A, children were unlocked on average for only 4.2 hours on a weekday and much less at weekends. 157 CCE, May 2019, Far less than they deserve, https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/report/far-less-than-they-deserve/ [accessed 24/08/2020] 158 UK Government, October 2020, Youth custody data, https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/youth-custodydata#history [accessed 30/10/2020] 159 UK Government, January 2020, Youth justice statistics: 2018-19, https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/youth-justicestatistics-2018-to-2019 [accessed 01/12/2020] 160 UK Government, May 2020, Ethnicity facts and figures: Young people in custody, https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service. gov.uk/crime-justice-and-the-law/courts-sentencing-and-tribunals/young-people-in-custody/latest [accessed 10/11/2020] 51