Speech therapists fear lack of offender support
Janaki Mahadevan
Monday, February 21, 2011
Community healthcare trusts are being urged not to drop speech and language therapist services for young offenders after the first young offender institution (YOI) to introduce the provision has scrapped its only full-time post.
The speech and language therapist position at HMP Hindley is to be abolished from 31 March. It was the first YOI in England and Wales to employ a full-time therapist after evidence revealed that more than two-thirds of young offenders suffer difficulties with speech, language and communication.
Now experts are warning that further cuts to provision in the youth secure estate could obstruct efforts to reduce reoffending rates.
Kamini Gadhok, chief executive of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, said: "News of cuts being made to speech and language therapy services in YOIs is a deeply disturbing and regressive policy. Communication is an essential skill that is vital for the rehabilitation of offenders.
"The delivery of speech and language therapy has been shown to reduce reoffending rates by as much as 50 per cent, which in turn reduces costs to the taxpayer."
She added that such cuts would undermine Justice Secretary Ken Clarke's promises of a "rehabilitation revolution".
In July 2008, John Bercow published his report into speech, language and communication needs, which highlighted the problems faced by young offenders.
Communication champion Jean Gross believes councils should consider the long-term impact of losing speech and language provision when considering their healthcare budgets.
"If appropriate help is given to young offenders so that they don't go on to reoffend and can get back into employment, the economic impact on local budgets and national budgets is huge.
"I absolutely appreciate the pressure on people's budgets but hope that they can look at the long-term costs of not investing as well as the immediate savings that they need to make.
"Speech and language is an essential part of rehabilitating young offenders, getting them back on track and making sure they have the skills they need to make life work for them."
Ashton, Leigh and Wigan Community Healthcare, the trust behind the post, was unavailable to comment as CYP Now went to press.
