Offender Healthcare ‘Insufficient’
Too many young offenders have insufficient access to healthcare, particularly the large proportion needing mental health services, health and probation watchdogs have said. The Healthcare Commission and HM Inspectorate of Probation has published a report examining 50 out of 155 youth offending teams (YOTs) in England and Wales.
{mosimage}It found that one in six YOTs did not have a healthcare worker, even though primary care trusts have a statutory duty to provide one.
A third of YOTs did not have a mental health worker, even though 40% of child and young offenders have emotional or mental health needs.
Healthcare Commission chief executive Anna Walker said: “The consequences of not providing support to these children are dire for the young person and the local community. Children and young people are responsible for 25% of all crimes in the UK and 40% of those who commit crimes have mental health problems.”
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