Part 2: Prevention, investigation and prosecution of crime Chapter 1: Functions relating to serious violence Section 18: Directions
Subsections (1) and (2) gives the Secretary of State a power to issue directions to a specified authority or educational, prison or youth custody authority for the purpose of securing compliance where it has failed to discharge specified duties under Chapter 1 of Part 2. Directions given under this Section may require the relevant specified authority to take such steps as in the opinion of the Secretary of State are necessary, for the purpose of securing compliance with the duty.
	Subsection (3) provides for a direction under subsection (1) to be enforced by a mandatory order, that is an order granted on application to the Administrative Court in England and Wales, to compel a public body to comply with a legal duty.
	Subsection (4) provides that the Secretary of State must consult the Welsh Ministers before giving a direction under subsection (1)s to a devolved Welsh authority.
	Subsection (5) provides that the direction power does not apply in relation to probation services provided by the Secretary of State or publicly run prisons, young offender institutions, secure training centres or secure colleges.