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<p /> <p>When sentencing a child or young person under the age 18, courts have a duty
to have regard to the welfare of the offender, which includes their mental health.</p><p>
</p><p>Youth Offending Teams provide courts with a pre-sentence report for each young
person, including information about their mental health and any self-harming or risk
taking behaviour. Where emotional and mental health issues have been identified, a
referral to the mental health specialist worker should be made for completion of a
Comprehensive Health Assessment Tool which will provide details about the support
and type of intervention programme needed, tailored to their needs. The pre-sentence
report should assess the potential impact of any custodial sentence imposed by the
court (including the impact on mental health).</p><p> </p><p>In January 2014, the
Government announced £25 million of funding for the Liaison and Diversion Programme,
which will join up police and courts with mental health services and to fund the provision
of mental health professionals to give prompt and appropriate treatment.</p><p> </p><p>
</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>This Programme, commissioned by NHS England, identifies, assesses
and refers people of all ages with a wide range of mental health and other issues
on first contact with the criminal justice system. A person assessed with single or
multiple vulnerabilities will be referred to the appropriate treatment or support
service and care and/or support will be instigated.</p>
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