A Pilot Programme to Facilitate the Use of Mental Health Treatment Requirements: Professional Stakeholders’ Experiences

• Published in: The British journal of social work 2021-04, Vol.51 (3), p.1041-1059
• Main Authors: Molyneaux, Emma, Vera San Juan, Norha, Brown, Penelope, Lloyd-Evans, Bryn, Oram, Sian
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Criminal sentences; Health problems; Interest groups; Interviews; Mental disorders; Mental health; Mental health services; Motivation; Offenders; Stakeholders
• ISSN: 0045-3102; 1468-263X
• DOI: 10.1093/bjsw/bcaa111

Mental Health Treatment Requirements (MHTRs) have been available in England and Wales since 2005 but are rarely used, despite high rates of mental health problems amongst offenders. In 2018, a new protocol to facilitate the use of MHTRs was piloted in five sites in England. Aims: Understanding the experiences of professional stakeholders and identify barriers to use MHTRs. Methods: Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with thirty-eight professional stakeholders and thematic analysis applied. Results: Interviewees were positive about the content and implementation of the new protocol. Interviewees described key benefits as increasing options in community sentencing, addressing a gap in service provision and facilitating offenders’ access to other services. Challenges described, included multi-agency working, sustainability of funding and the range and complexity of needs of offenders receiving MHTRs and the variation in their motivation to engage. Success factors described were having a strong steering group, staff dedicated to the project and being able to provide a broad range of support to meet offender needs. Conclusion: The MHTR pilot protocol was generally well-received and appeared to address previous barriers to the use of MHTRs. Future work is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of MHTRs and the experience of offenders who receive them.