Mapping transitional care pathways among young people discharged from adolescent forensic medium secure units in England

Abstract

This study tracked young offenders transitioning from national adolescent forensic medium secure units to adult services in the UK within a six-month period. We used a mapping exercise to identify eligible participants moving during the study period from all national adolescent forensic medium secure units in England. Young people older than 17.5 years or those who had turned 18 years (transition boundary) and had been referred to adult and community services were included. Of the 34 patients identified, 53% moved to forensic adult inpatient services. Psychosis was the most prevalent symptom among males (29%), and emerging personality disorder symptomatology was commonly reported among females (18%) followed by learning disability (24%). The mean time for transition to adult mental-health services and community settings was eight months. There were no shared transition or discharge policies, and only two hospitals had discharge guidelines. The findings highlight the need for consistency between policy and practice among services along with the development of individualised care pathways. Future qualitative research is needed to understand and reflect on young people’s and carers’ experiences to improve transition service delivery.