Member

This issue is particularly acute for children with additional needs. Evidence suggests that a significant proportion of children in the youth justice system have speech, language and communication difficulties, and many have special educational needs or mental health challenges. Research presented to the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Children highlights how such difficulties can affect a child’s ability to understand instructions, regulate behaviour and engage with processes. Crucially, many of these children will not ask for clarification because they simply do not understand what they have heard. They may appear compliant but, in reality, be confused and unsupported. If we do not take that into account, we risk further criminalising vulnerability.