Wayward lot — and bars — once seen here? (7)
I believe the answer is:
borstal
'once seen here?' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot see how one could define the other.
'wayward lot and bars' is the wordplay.
'wayward' is an anagram indicator.
'and' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'lot' put after 'bars' is 'barslot'.
'barslot' with letters rearranged gives 'BORSTAL'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for borstal that I've seen before include "Detention centre" , "Former reform school" , "offenders used to be confined here" , "Former institute of correction for youngsters" , "Former detention establishment" .)