Juvenile Justice Centre Rules (Northern Ireland) 1999

Part VI Education, Training and Other Activities

Education and training

32.—(1) Full-time education suitable to the age, ability and aptitude of a child of compulsory school age shall insofar as practicable be made available at a centre.

(2) A child of compulsory school age shall be required to attend education classes and attendance at classes shall be recorded.

(3) For a child over compulsory school age training or other activities suitable to his age, ability and aptitude shall be provided.

(4) A child shall be encouraged to develop his potential and skills through attendance at education, training or other classes.

(5) The manager, with the approval of the Secretary of State may grant permission for a child to attend educational, or training, or other facilities outside the centre.

Handicrafts and hobbies

33.  As far as practicable and consistent with the safety interests of both children and staff reasonable facilities for handicrafts and other hobbies shall be provided.

Library

34.  A library shall be provided in a centre and a child shall be allowed to have books or other items borrowed from the library, and to exchange them, under such conditions as the manager may determine.

Exercise and recreation

35.—(1) Subject to Rule 27 a child shall be given the opportunity to associate with other children for not less than one hour each day. Association may be taken as exercise in the open air.

(2) The medical officer shall decide upon the fitness of a child for exercise, sport and physical training and may excuse a child from, or modify, any such activity on medical grounds.

(3) Where necessary, special arrangements shall be made, in consultation with the medical officer, for remedial physical education or therapy.

(4) Where arrangements under paragraph (3) cannot be made within the centre, the manager may, with the approval of the Secretary of State grant permission for a child to attend facilities outside the centre.