Launch of Wakefield young people’s forensic service

Date:

The Trust has officially launching its young people’s forensic service at an event at Fieldhead, Wakefield. The team, which recently joined the Trust, is commissioned to provide support for young people who have mental health problems who are in contact with the criminal justice system and/or who display serious offending behaviour across the Wakefield region.

Although the team have been operating for a few months now, the event marked its official opening and an opportunity for staff from across the Trust to find out more about the new service.

The young people’s forensic service is made up of a variety of professionals who will assess an individual’s risk and needs. This in the context of the difficulties the young person is experiencing together with evidence based mental health treatments/interventions on an individual, patient-orientated and time limited basis.

The team has an in-reach service at the all female Rivendell Unit at HMP New Hall and works alongside youth offending teams and teams within the children and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) to provide specialist consultation and advice.

This approach ensures the young person, their family and carers, find the most appropriate service to meet their needs and provides education, training and advice to a variety of professionals working with young people.

The team is made up of five clinical members and vital support is provided by an admin worker. Having joined the Trust in April as part of Transforming Community Services the team hopes to be able to advantage of links with the adult forensic service already provided by the Trust.

Speaking about the launch team leader Paula Phillips said, "This is an extremely important service that helps young people and families across the Wakefield region. We know it is important to offer specialist support early on when young people display signs of mental health difficulties, and that it is vital that parents and carers know who they can turn to if they have concerns.

"We are committed to improving mental health services for young people in touch with the criminal justice system and to ensure that the service is accessible and responsive to people’s needs."

Launch of Wakefield young people’s forensic service

time to read: 1 min