@article{ref1,
title="A Pilot Programme to Facilitate the Use of Mental Health Treatment Requirements: Professional Stakeholders' Experiences",
journal="British journal of social work",
year="2021",
author="Molyneaux, Emma and Vera San Juan, Norha and Brown, Penelope and Lloyd-Evans, Bryn and Oram, Siân",
volume="51",
number="3",
pages="1041-1059",
abstract="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. <br><br>METHODS: Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with thirty-eight professional stakeholders and thematic analysis applied. <br><br>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. <br><br>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.<p />",
language="en",
issn="0045-3102",
doi="10.1093/bjsw/bcaa111",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcaa111"
}