Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 8 of 8
Learning disability, autism and the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act
- Authors:
- WILLIAMS Fionnuala, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities, 14(5), 2020, pp.149-167.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This paper aims to investigate the use of Part VI of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 (CPSA) for people with Learning Disability (LD) and/or Autism. This is in the context of a recent review commissioned by the Scottish Government into whether the provisions in the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 (MHA) meet the needs of these groups which would also affect associated legislation such as CPSA.Design/methodology/approach: All CPSA orders active on the 3 January 2018 were identified and analysed for a number of variables including diagnoses, detention length, level of hospital security and medication use. Findings: Of the 580 people on CPSA orders, 69 (11.9%) had LD and 27 (4.7%) had possible/definite Autism. Most people with LD (56.5%) did not have a mental illness or personality disorder. Most (81.2%) had mild LD. There were two patients whose only diagnosis was Autism. Mean duration of detention was longer for those with LD than for those without. Most patients with LD alone were prescribed medication (61.5%) and, if in hospital, were managed in low secure units (59%). Originality/value: The results indicate that people with LD or Autism are differently affected by the application of the CPSA from other people with mental disorders, and that this is potentially discriminatory, if it is not objectively justified . It supports the stance from the recent review that to reduce the potential for discrimination, substantial changes to MHA and CPSA should be considered in the wider review of the MHA in Scotland. (Edited publisher abstract)
People with a learning disability, autism or both: Liaison and Diversion managers and practitioner resources
- Authors:
- NHS ENGLAND, NHS IMPROVEMENT
- Publishers:
- NHS England, NHS Improvement
- Publication year:
- 2019
- Pagination:
- 22
- Place of publication:
- London
Guidance for practitioners in Liaison and Diversion services who are working with people with learning disability, autism or both. It aims to support practitioners to anticipate and prevent discrimination against people with learning disabilities, which could put them at a significant disadvantage when trying to navigate the youth or criminal justice system. The guidance includes information on identifying and screening people with learning disability or autism and providing relevant support. It also lists recommended actions in relation to service development and how best to supporting the needs of people with a learning disability. Case studies of individuals illustrate the practical impact of effective Liaison and Diversion interventions. A list of relevant resources is also included. (Edited publisher abstract)
Autism, sexual offending, and the criminal justice system
- Author:
- MOGAVERO Melanie Clark
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities and Offending Behaviour, 7(3), 2016, pp.116-126.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: There has been growing concern among stakeholders about individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and sex offending as research supports an indirect association. The purpose of this paper is threefold. First, bring more awareness of the sexuality and deviant/criminal sexual behaviour among those with ASD to stakeholders in the criminal justice system (CJS). Second, demonstrate that much of the deviant or sexual offending behaviour exhibited among those with ASD is often a manifestation of their ASD symptoms and not malice. Third, demonstrate the necessity to address specific needs of individuals with ASD who enter the CJS due to criminal sexual behaviour. Design/methodology/approach: This paper provides an overview of the ASD symptomology, including the diagnostic changes, a review of the literature on ASD and sexuality, which includes deviant sexual behaviour and sexual offending. Findings: The author linked examples of deviant or sexual behavior in the research literature to the ASD symptomology and described how the symptomology explains such behaviour. Originality/value: Sexual offending among those with ASD has received little research outside the mental health field. This review is of particular importance to those in the CJS unfamiliar with ASD, as they should handle them differently with regard to formal interviewing, measures of competency, capacity, and sentencing. (Edited publisher abstract)
People with learning disabilities in the criminal justice system: a guide for carers and learning disability services
- Author:
- ARC England
- Publisher:
- ARC England
- Publication year:
- 2016
- Pagination:
- 28
- Place of publication:
- Chesterfield
A practical guide providing information for people who support someone with a learning disability, or someone with autism, who comes into contact with the criminal justice system. The guide explains: what happens when people get into trouble, what you can expect, what rights people have, and where to go to for help. The guide looks at all stages of the criminal justice system, from police custody through to courts, prison and probation. (Edited publisher abstract)
Development and implementation of autism standards for prisons
- Authors:
- LEWIS Alexandra, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities and Offending Behaviour, 6(2), 2015, pp.68-80.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to describe the experience of a southern English young offenders institution in developing and implementing standards to improve awareness and care of prisoners with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD). Design/methodology/approach: Some contextual factors driving the project are discussed, the multi-agency process involved in the development and implementation of the standards is described and recommendations are made regarding implementation of the standards in other settings. Findings: It is expected that successful implementation of the standards will reduce the level of distress and difficulty experienced by people with ASD who find themselves in custody, it will also improve the prison’s ability to meet the needs of prisoners with ASD and thereby improve rehabilitation and reduce any adverse impact on everyday operational processes. Demonstrating success in meeting the standards will enable the prison to achieve accreditation by the National Autistic Society. In March 2015 the prisons minister encouraged all prisons to follow this approach and this will have practice and resource implications. Originality/value: This paper describes a clear framework which prisons can use to work systematically towards achieving good practice in addressing the needs of prisoners with ASD. It will enable prisons to meet the duties imposed on them by the Autism Act, 2009 and the Equalities Act, 2010. (Publisher abstract)
The Government response to the consultation on revised statutory guidance to implement the Strategy for Adults with Autism in England
- Author:
- GREAT BRITAIN. Department of Health
- Publisher:
- Great Britain. Department of Health
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 29
- Place of publication:
- London
This document is a summary of the responses received during the consultation on revised statutory guidance to implement the Strategy for Adults with Autism in England. It highlights the key themes and common issues from the consultation responses and sets out the Government’s response that has shaped the statutory guidance. Areas that were repeatedly mentioned included the: importance of using more directive and proactive language; value of co-production and consultation with people with autism and carers; need for good initial and refresher training across organisations and sectors; need to allocate dedicated local funding to support service developments; need for health and social services to work together and to work with partners; importance of involving the voluntary sector; need to set up monitoring processes to assess progress; and importance of cross-referencing to other guidance, legislation and resources. The document details the government’s response on: training staff; identification and diagnosis; planning for transitions; local planning and leadership; preventative support and safeguarding; reasonable adjustments; supporting people with complex needs; employment; and working with the criminal justice system. (Edited publisher abstract)
The independent review of learning disability and autism in the Mental Health Act: final report
- Authors:
- ROME Andrew, EVANS Catherine, WEBSTER Simon
- Publisher:
- Independent Review of the Mental Health Act Scotland
- Publication year:
- 2019
- Pagination:
- 176
- Place of publication:
- Edinburgh
The final report of an independent review into the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003, which was commissioned by the Scottish Government. The review covered: the operation of the 2003 Act and whether it was serving people with autism and intellectual disability well; the increasing the role of psychologists in relation to the Act; the definition of mental disorder under the 2003 Act in relation to learning disabilities and autism; how the Act interacted with the criminal justice system, and the use of psychotropic medication. The review heard from a wide range of people and aimed to give equal value to the views and evidence of people with lived experience and professionals. The report recommends legal and practical changes which can reduce or remove the discrimination that autistic people and people with intellectual disability have experienced under the current Mental Health Act. These included for the Scottish parliament to introduce new legislation and to establish a new commissioner to safeguard the rights of people with autism or learning difficulties. (Edited publisher abstract)
A pilot evaluation of using symbol-based information in police custody
- Authors:
- PARSONS Sarah, SHERWOOD Gina
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 44(3), 2016, p.213–224.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
At least 20–30% of offenders within the criminal justice system (CJS) have learning disabilities or difficulties. This creates significant challenges in relation to meeting their information needs about rights, entitlements, processes and procedures. The authors report a pilot project where widgit Symbols were used to create more accessible information about rights and entitlements for people entering custody. The widgit Symbol custody sheets were used in two Hampshire Constabulary custody centres for a 4-week period and feedback gathered from 14 custody officers and inspectors. The views of 27 other important stakeholders, including young people with autism and their families, appropriate adults, and senior personnel within the CJS, were gathered about the sheets through interviews and focus groups. The reaction to the sheets was overwhelmingly positive with many participants suggesting that symbol-based information in custody could be rolled out nationally and also extended more widely to include other parts of the CJS. (Edited publisher abstract)