consequences of answers and how the information shared during interactions with the police may be utilised; Young people may be unable to express clearly or coherently their version of events, and have difficulties with recalling or describing specific details such as times, dates, locations, people and timelines; Young people may require more time in order to process information and build relationships, which is not always available; Community officers may in some cases have a better knowledge of young people and be more understanding of their needs but availability of such individuals is perceived to have reduced; Appropriate adults role is not always clear or consistent; time pressures can constrain this role; SLCNs related skills, training and support varies; and confusion remains between this and the responsible adult role for under 16s; The prevalence of SLCNs are also higher in victims and therefore likely to have implications for witnesses. rude, disrespectful or uncooperative if they do not communicate in the way that is expected of them. This can impact on the support which is provided and potentially police views on their motives, feelings and responsibility for an offence; SLCNs and strengths left unrecognised, unrecorded and unmet at this stage, represent a missed opportunity to gather reliable evidence; The of frustration for young people can continue when methods to support communication are not put in place, which could result in further charges. Early and effective intervention (or equivalent) Awareness of SLCN impacts and capacity to identify and respond effectively to SLCN among those delivering early intervention supports and programmes is not known and may warrant further examination; Health professionals such as S&LTs, are not consistently involved in such processes and interventions; Referral to S&LT is not one of the commonly considered disposals (either as single agency or part of multi-agency support); and strengths left unrecognised, unrecorded and unmet at this stage, represent a missed opportunity for a route out of offending; No adaptation of early and effective intervention supports and programmes leading to: Communication exclusion and/or drop out from early and effective interventions, and thus often the opportunity to
Language used and court process is inaccessible and often poorly understood; Use of specialist communication support and/or special measures to support vulnerable people in court is inconsistent and more likely to be available to those with severe and profound difficulties, despite those with more subtle and hidden difficulties also being greatly disadvantaged; Difficulties in understanding possible court disposals and the requirements these place on the young person, with significant consequences of non-compliance with the requirements of disposals, including programmes and interventions. Young people in secure care/custody Young people with severe communication needs may become involved in violence because they are unable to negotiate their way through a challenging situation; Staff need training and tools to support young people with SLCN. people less able to participate fully in planning processes for their time in custody and beyond; Young people may find it more difficult to access learning and other opportunities and support because of their needs. Transitions between services Difficulties in young people understanding the different expectations of systems (e.g. Children’s Hearings System and adult court) and services (child and adult services); Gaps in the availability of S&LT provision for young people and young adults; Information about SLCNs and required supports, where it exists, may not be formally recorded and so may be lost in transition. Young people can go through multiple systems, services and processes all with different demands, thresholds and language, which further compounds difficulties and lack of understanding; This can result in poor engagement with and/or dropping out of service that the young person is unfamiliar with; Ultimately this will result in avoidable ineffectiveness or reduced impact of services.