Hidden from Help: Interview Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Hidden from help: Inequalities in Forensic Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services: what are the barriers to accessing forensic mental health services for young people from marginalised groups?
IRAS ID
354377
Contact name
Heather Law
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Greater Manchester Mental Health Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 31 days
Research summary
We know that young people who have mental health difficulties benefit from early support. We also know that young people with high-risk presentations (such as behaving violently or setting fires) often have mental health difficulties, so it is important that they, too, are offered early support.
Forensic Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services(FCAMHS), were set up to support these young people. However, when we look at young people who are supported by these services, very few young people from certain groups (such as those from diverse ethnic backgrounds, those who are neurodivergent and those under the care of social services) are referred to FCAMHS for help. Yet people from these marginalised groups are over-represented in prisons and adult secure services.
This study aims to understand why early support is not reaching marginalised groups of young people.
In this study, we will interview
• Young people and adults who identify as being part of a marginalised group and have had contact with forensic mental health services.
•Parents/carers of young people and adults who identify as being part of a marginalised group and have had contact with forensic mental health services.
•Professionals who have experience in referring to or accepting young people into FCAMHSWe will focus on young people, parents/carers, and professionals with experiences linked to Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH NHS FT) forensic mental health services.
During face-to-face, telephone or video interviews, we will explore
•What should be considered as a ‘marginalised group’ in the context of forensic services
•What are the unique experiences of young people from marginalised groups when accessing specialist forensic mental health care?
•What are the barriers to accessing support?
•What are the current pathways through forensic mental health services?We will use this information to help us understand how to improve forensic mental health services for young people.
REC name
East of England - Cambridge East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/EE/0170
Date of REC Opinion
28 Jul 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion