1. Learning Disability Health Network
Changing perspectives Changing lives
London
Learning Disability Health Network
16 July 2012
Alison Giraud-Saunders E: M:
Debbie Robinson Kaleidoscope Social Enterprise Ltd E: M:

2. Developing Person Centered Approaches for Learning Disabled Offenders within HMP Pentonville
Focus on person centred approaches to improve outcomes around health, housing and employment
Developing a partnership approach with the prison health team, local community learning disability team, prison education and day care staff, equality & diversity lead
Process mapping
Reasonable adjustments
Resources to help with support
Learning disability awareness training
Case studies and good practice
Resources
&
Training

3. Proposed project with
Over representation of people with learning disabilities in system that are disadvantaged and made vulnerable with strong evidence of lack of reasonable adjustments.
Strong evidence base and recommendations for change to support this group of offenders to achieve improved outcomes for life
Bradley Report - outlines recommendations at various points along the pathway
This group of offenders can draw on a significant proportion of local learning disability health and social care budgets
There has been some change over the past two years – introduction of screening tools
Not clear what then needs once someone has been identified as having a learning disability
Lack of options in the context of a clear liaison and diversion pathway which can lead to inefficient use of resources
Potential of improved partnership and joined up working across health and social care services
Evidence Base:
No One Knows Prisoners’ Voices – experiences of the criminal justice system by prisoners with learning disabilities and difficulties – Jenny Talbot (2008)
Lord Bradley's review of people with mental health problems or learning disabilities in the criminal justice system – DH (April 2009)
Bradley: pathway - community, police custody, courts, prison and resettlement) identifying key roles, relationships and outcomes.
Outcomes: including better health, housing options and opportunities to live independently with support and to access education and/or paid employment.
Change: Introduction and more widespread use of screening tools to identify people with learning disabilities but it is evident that more work needs to be done.
It’s not clear what needs to be done in order to support people to either continue through the system as appropriate or for individuals to be diverted to more appropriate provision that would better meet their needs and promote options focused on reducing reoffending and increasing levels of independence, choice and control over how people live their lives.
Resources - has become much more of a focus over the past twelve months with the significant reduction of local resources.
services is an emerging area of need that warrants further exploration and targeted action if we are to make an impact on system change and improving the outcomes for this group of offenders
Share learning - We have already seen some of the benefits, both to individuals and the system as a whole from other areas around the country that are trialing new services in this regard. London can access this body of evidence and learn from the experience of others about what works but also understand what is positive and possible.

4. Rationale for proposed project
Maintain the momentum gained to date and to engage London prisons;
To encourage a consistent, outcomes focused approach to be adopted across London;
To provide information on service developments and emerging good practice, to up-skill stakeholders for managing and developing further provision and a range of options;
To ensure that links are made with local community teams, local services and supports;
To support the development of more effective pathways by enabling better informed staff at the appropriate and crucial times within the criminal justice system.
Contribute to supporting reducing reoffending and increasing levels of independence, choice and control.

5. Evidence from elsewhere
West Yorkshire: screening in police custody
Leeds: secondment of learning disability nurse to mental health in-reach team
North East Big Diversion Project: mapping
Cambridge study of factors in offending
W. Yorks: LDSQ acceptable and feasible, but challenges in terms of when/where/who does it. Pointed up need for better arrangements for appropriate adults and ongoing social support
Leeds: people referred had numerous short sentences and unmet needs for housing, support, employment, behaviour management, relationships. Lack of clear pathways
NE mapping: problems over eligibility for learning disability services, no clear pathways. Risk that courts are imposing sentences that offenders can’t comply with
Cambridge: key factors that differentiated offenders from non-offenders (amongst people with learning disabilities) were:
Broken social and emotional relationships
Isolation
Lack structured routines/occupation

6. What next …

7. Our contact details
Alison Giraud-Saunders Mobile:
Debbie Robinson Kaleidoscope Social Enterprise Ltd Cavendish Square | London | W1G 0AN
Mobile: