Service overview
The Health and Justice (H&J) Service supports children and young people between the ages of 10 and 18 who are involved with Youth Justice Services (YJS) across Berkshire.
We're a multidisciplinary team made up of specialist mental health practitioners, physical health nurses and a speech and language therapist (in the West only). We work with children who are involved with the Criminal Justice System and are working with local Youth Justice Teams.
We support young people and the networks around them to help children engage positively in assessments and interventions for their mental health, physical health and communication.
Accessing our service
Referrals are only accepted from Youth Justice Services. Once a referral is received, we'll arrange an initial consultation.
The service supports children and young people under 18 who are working with Youth Justice Services in Berkshire. This includes those on formal or informal plans, and sometimes those over 18 who are finishing their youth justice order.
Young people who are at risk of offending and have been referred to Youth Justice Services for preventative support may also be supported by the Health and Justice service, if appropriate.
Preparing for an assessment
Once a referral is received from the Youth Justice Service, we'll arrange an initial consultation with the Youth Justice Caseworker supporting the child to get a sense on the child’s needs and to build a plan of support.
Support offered takes a holistic and multidisciplinary approach. This may be indirect, coordinated through the caseworker and network, or direct, working directly with the child. If a specialist assessment is indicated it will be offered to the young person.
During the assessment, we'll ask questions to understand the young person’s needs, such as education, social care, offending behaviour, mental and physical health, and risk factors.
You don’t need to bring anything specific, but it can help to think about any questions or worries you'd like to talk about.
Managing your health
NHS guidance for parents
The NHS offers advice on supporting children’s health, including caring for teeth, eyes, and sleep. Guidance covers brushing and fluoride use, dental visits, and preventive treatments; routine eye checks and free sight tests to spot vision problems early, as well as tips for improving sleep and managing sleep issues.
NHS and UKHSA guidance on vaccinations
For advice on when to get vaccinations and which ones your child needs, the NHS provides a full schedule for catching up if any are missed. The UK Health Security Agency also offers tools for healthcare professionals to manage cases where a child’s immunisation status is uncertain, ensuring safe and complete protection.
NICE guidelines
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline covers recognising and managing antisocial behaviour and conduct disorders in children and young people.
Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
Explains how speech and language therapists (SLTs) work in a variety of environments across the justice system. It also highlights how speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) are an invisible disability and provides examples of challenges young people face.
Contact us and FAQs
Erlegh House
CAMHS Health and Justice Service (West)
Contact number: 0118 9046 780 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (excluding bank holidays)
Email: CAMHSHandJadmin@berkshire.nhs.uk
Post Address: RG6 6BZ
Location detailsWokingham Hospital
CAMHS Health and Justice Service (East)
Contact number: 0118 904 3900 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (excluding bank holidays)
Post Address: RG41 2XR
Location detailsFrequently asked questions
How do I refer to this service?
Referrals are only accepted from Youth Justice Services. Once a referral is received, we'll arrange an initial consultation.
We can also help you with
Is there any information for friends, family and carers?
If you’re a family member/carer or you look after someone, there’s practical, financial, and emotional support available to you from a range of local communities and national organisations.
How do I request an interpreter?
We can provide language translation and interpretation support whenever you visit or contact us.
Tell our staff which language you prefer to use, and we will make sure the right communication support is in place for your assessment and treatment. Please let us know as early as possible so we can ensure the appropriate translation or interpreting support is available.
We offer a range of professional services to ensure everyone can understand and be understood:
- telephone interpreting
- video remote interpreting (VRI)
- face‑to‑face interpreting
- written translation
- British Sign Language (BSL) interpreting
How can I get information in an accessible format?
Anyone with a disability, impairment, or sensory loss has the right to receive information in a format that meets their needs. Under the Accessible Information Standard (AIS)—a legal requirement for all health and adult social care providers—we must ensure that people who use our services, including carers and families, can understand the information we provide and communicate effectively with us.
We can offer information in a range of accessible formats, including:
- British Sign Language (BSL)
- large print
- braille
- audio
- easy Read
- text message
- face‑to‑face support with a carer or advocate present
If you need information in any of these formats, please tell a member of our team and we will make sure your communication needs are met.
Are service dogs allowed to my appointment?
Yes. You are welcome to bring your registered service animal, such as a guide dog, hearing dog, medical alert dog, or other trained assistance dog to your appointment.
These animals are recognised as essential support and are permitted in most areas of our services.
To help us prepare, please let the team know before your appointment if you will be attending with a service animal. This allows us to make sure the environment is safe and comfortable for you, your animal, and other patients.
Please note that service animals may not be able to enter certain restricted clinical areas for safety or infection‑control reasons, but we will always work with you to find an appropriate alternative.
Treating our team with respect.
Respect is important.
We will be polite and kind and we expect that you treat our staff in the same way.
Abuse, hate and discrimination against our staff is unacceptable.
We will take strong action against anyone who is verbally, racially, physically, or sexually abusive to them.
This includes contacting the police to prosecute, and stopping future access to our healthcare services.
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