136 Diversion Work has recently begun in Senior Mental Health The impact of using the developing a similar agreement Practitioners, Consultant protocol in a to that held in Wiltshire Child and Adolescent neighbouring area has between the local police force Psychiatrist, Team been to provide a and CAMHS. This is a formal Manager, Service supported service to the agreement whereby OHFT Managers, Police officers police force in the CAMHS provide front line management of young officers with direct contact to a people with mental Duty Clinician within CAMHS. health issues in an This is available both in and out effective and of hours whereby officers can appropriate way and contact the duty person for has seen a significant advice when a young person is reduction in the number picked up in a state of distress of Section 136s in the and presenting with apparent county. mental health issues. It is anticipated that a Following discussion on the similar working protocol an appropriate course of being agreed in the action between the Mental Banes area will also Health clinician and the officer support police officers can be agreed. This may be a and help to reduce the recommendation to take the inappropriate use of young person to a safe place S136 with those young for a mental health assessment people under the age of which the Duty person can 18. arrange or may require a Place of Safety whereby a Mental Health Act Assessment will take place (if it is thought the young person needs to be detained for mental health reasons).
136 Diversion Work has recently begun in developing a similar agreement to that held in Wiltshire between the local police force and CAMHS. This is a formal agreement whereby OHFT CAMHS provide front line officers with direct contact to a Duty Clinician within CAMHS. This is available both in and out of hours whereby officers can contact the duty person for advice when a young person is picked up in a state of distress and presenting with apparent mental health issues. Following discussion on the an appropriate course of action between the Mental Health clinician and the officer can be agreed. This may be a recommendation to take the young person to a safe place for a mental health assessment which the Duty person can arrange or may require a Place of Safety whereby a Mental Health Act Assessment will take place (if it is thought the young person needs to be detained for mental health reasons). Senior Mental Health Practitioners, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Team Manager, Service Managers, Police officers The impact of using the protocol in a neighbouring area has been to provide a supported service to the police force in the management of young people with mental health issues in an effective and appropriate way and has seen a significant reduction in the number of Section 136s in the county. It is anticipated that a similar working protocol being agreed in the Banes area will also support police officers and help to reduce the inappropriate use of S136 with those young people under the age of 18.
BNES-MH-Crisis-Concordat-Review-and-Action-Plan-Master-FINAL.docx