Police officers’ awareness of the speech, language and communication needs of young offenders

Annemarie Macrae,Ann Clark

doi:10.1177/0032258x20968591

Abstract

Around 60% of young people in conflict with the law experience speech, language and communication needs (SLCN). This study investigates Police Scotland officers’ awareness of the SLCN of young offenders, strategies officers use to support SLCN and their interest in further training on SLCN. A majority had worked with young offenders with SLCN and were fairly confident in recognising these needs. The most common support strategy was to involve outside agencies, specifically Appropriate Adults. Increased speech and language therapy services are needed to train Police Officers to recognise and support SLCN without reliance on other agencies.

Highlights

A substantial body of international research demonstrates speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) are significantly and disproportionately over-represented in youth justice populations (Anderson et al, 2016)
A high level of discretionary authority coupled with a duty to administer the welfare principles that recognise young offenders as young people in need mean that police must be able to recognise and support young offenders with SLCN
There is a substantial body of evidence which identifies a higher prevalence of SLCN in young offender populations

Summary

Introduction

A substantial body of international research demonstrates speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) are significantly and disproportionately over-represented in youth justice populations (Anderson et al, 2016). More than half of young offenders in Scotland are likely to experience SLCN. Of those with SLCN, less than a quarter will have been referred to speech and language therapy (SLT) services (Hughes et al, 2017). Police Scotland officers, as gate keepers to the justice system in Scotland (McAra and McVie, 2010), will routinely encounter young people with SLCN. If police officers are unaware of or fail to recognise and support SLCN, there is a high risk of unmet needs significantly impacting on the quality of justice for Scotland’s young people. This study explores Police Scotland officers’ perceptions of SLCN in young offenders and their confidence recognising and supporting these needs

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Conclusion