Child and Adolescent Forensic Mental Health

1
Child and Adolescent Forensic Mental Health

• Presented by Dr L. J. Meina
• Principal Child and Adolescent Clinical Forensic
  Psychologist

2
Why have a distinct child adolescent forensic
service?

• Multi-systemic approach is essential
• Need to take account of developmental stage
• Neurodevelopment
• Cognitive development
• Emotional development
• Attachment functioning

3
Secure system for kids

• 10 years is age of criminal responsibility
• 10 13 years LASH
• 13 15 years STC
• 15 18 years YOI
• 18 21 Adult YOI
• 21 Prison
• NB ASBOs at aged 8, this is a civil order but
  breach of it is a criminal matter.

4
Type of work referred

• Competency
• Fitness to plead
• Suggestibility
• Vulnerability if incarcerated
• Psychological formulation regarding offending
• Pervasive developmental disorder
• ICD 10 / DSM IV disorders

5
Adam

• Aged 10 years
• Guilty after trial of 3 x rape (girl 4yrs)
• Lives with mother 2 sisters. Aged 4 14
• Restraining Order against father following
  domestic violence
• No remorse, very calm and perceived as cold when
  found guilty
• No statement of SEN

6
Bob

• Aged 16 years
• Guilty plea, basis of plea GBH Indecent Assault
  8 year old girl
• Lives with both parents and 2 older brothers
• Disclosed that he had been sexually abused at
  aged 8 years by 16 yr old cousin.
• No previous convictions

7
Charlie

• Referral states mental age of 8 year old 14
  yrs old
• Guilty plea, basis of plea indecent assault of 6
  year old girl at his home
• No previous
• Perceived by professionals in L.A.S.H. as odd.
• Tragic case this boy was seriously sexually
  abused himself by an adult four years ago.

8
Multi-systemic thinking

• Strict Muslim boy aged 16 years
• Predicted10 A GCSEs
• Arrested for murder of cousin
• 2 brothers father arrested also
• Vulnerability, therefore STC remanded
• Parents dont speak English
• Sister had been having a relationship with cousin
  pregnant