Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 4
4
Paragraph: 37
A significant proportion of children in custody have a mental health need.
Recommendation
A significant proportion of children in custody have a mental health need. The Secure Stairs model is a welcome development, but we are disappointed to hear that children are sometimes held in custody because of an absence of appropriate mental health treatment beds. In cases where the mental health of offenders is a substantial factor in their self-harm or their level of risk to staff or fellow offenders, we recommend that the Ministry work with the Department of Health and Social Care to identify mechanisms to ensure appropriate placement for individuals who require treatment and to make sure that young offenders are in the right place to receive the treatment they need.
Paragraph Reference:
37
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) recognises the need to ensure all children and young people are placed appropriately, either in the Criminal Justice System or within other appropriate placements for children and young people. To ensure appropriate placement, the YCS has strengthened its partnership with NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSE&I) through improved information sharing, thus helping to identify the small number of children who present a complex mix of characteristics and whose needs are more suitably met outside of youth custody. Children and young people whose health needs will be more appropriately met outside youth custody are transferred to a secure hospital under the Mental Health Act 1983 Part III. Last year, on average, this amounted to 10 children or young people each year, who in most cases, are transferred within appropriate timescales. However, there are some limited instances either where the child or young person’s characteristics are more complicated or sensitive and require an extended assessment period, or they do not meet the criteria for admission to a secure hospital and/or custody. We have recently seen a rise in the small number of children who identified as extremely ‘high harm high risk’. To better understand their needs, NHSE&I have commissioned a clinical review of the cohort to support future policy and commissioning work and will be reviewing the evidence and recommendations with HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) to determine next steps. To further improve the appropriate placement of children, a revised procedure for the transfer or re-admission of children under the Mental Health Act 1983 will be published by the NHSE&I in spring 2021. In addition, the YCS continues to work collaboratively with NHSE&I to identify and appropriately support children and young people with mental health concerns in custody. The Critical Case Pathway, jointly led by a lead psychologist and NHSE&I is the current mechanism for oversight and escalation of cases where a child or young person may be awaiting assessment or accommodation in a hospital. We will continue to work closely with the Department of Health and Social Care to ensure these children and young people are accommodated appropriately so they can receive the treatment they need.