Neurodiversity evidence review round-table event

UKABIF were pleased to have been invited to a virtual ‘Neurodiversity evidence review; round-table event' organised by HM Inspectorate of Prisons on 11th February 2021 in their capacity as secretariat for the Criminal Justice Acquired Brain Injury Interest Group (CJABIIG). Chloe Hayward attended the meeting and was joined by Professor Huw Williams of Exeter University who co chairs CJABIIG and Charlie Taylor the Chief Inspector of Prisons together with those involved in training and delivery of prison service. Other members of CJABIIG including Dr Ivan Pitman of The Disabilities Trust were invited to other meetings in this series.

The meeting took the form of a discussion which focused on good practice, gaps in provision and urgent need in relation to:

• Screening to identify neurodiversity among those involved with the CJS
• Adjustments that have been made to existing provision to support service users with neurodiverse needs
• Programmes and interventions which have been specifically designed or adapted for neurodiverse needs
• Training and support available to staff to help them support service users with neurodiverse needs
• Lessons learned and obstacles encountered during the COVID-19 pandemic

Research shows that Brain Injury in men, women and adolescents within Criminal Justice System is up to five times higher than the general population.

UKABIF have been campaigning for improved recognition and understanding of ABI across the criminal justice system since the publication of the APPG report in 2018.  https://cdn.ymaws.com/ukabif.org.uk/resource/resmgr/campaigns/appg-abi_report_time-for-cha.pdf

The report stated that

• Criminal justice procedures, practices and processes need to be reformed to take into account the needs of individuals with Acquired Brain Injury
• Training and information about Acquired Brain Injury is required across all services including the police, court, probation and prison services
•  Brain injury screening for children, young people and adults is required on entry to the criminal justice system and, if identified, an assessment of the effects, deficits, severity and impact is required with the appropriate interventions planned and implemented by a trained team
• All agencies working with young people in the criminal justice system, schools, psychologists, psychiatrists, general practitioners and youth offending teams should work together to ensure that all the needs of the individual are addressed

Chloe Hayward, UKABIF’s Executive Director said: ‘We are really pleased that neurodiversity is being seriously addressed. There is a strong evidence base published by The Disabilities Trust, Professor Huw Williams and others and we are pleased that our lobbying efforts have brought these into focus.

The Criminal Justice ABI Interest Group meets quarterly and includes representatives from all parts of the criminal justice system, academics, service providers and third sector organisations.