There have been growing levels of awareness of harmful sexual behaviour among children and young people. This conference aims to look at an issue that can be very challenging for professionals and families alike.

About the day

The ACAMH Avon Branch present a full-day conference in sexually harmful behaviour in children and young people. The conference is the equivalent of 6 hours CPD, and is suitable for those that work with, or have an interest in harmful sexual behaviour among children and young people, both in clinical and non-clinical roles. The conference will offer attendees opportunities to hear from speakers who are key experts in their field. There will also be an opportunity for discussions during the interactive workshops.

Learning outcomes

• Having an overview of SHB in children and young people
• Looking at the evidence for assessment and treatment
• Understanding the impact on the parents with children who have SHB
• Learning about use of mentalizing in work with children and young people who have SHB

About the speakers

Professor Kieran McCartan, Professor of Criminology, University West of England – ‘The evidence for assessment and intervention with children and young people who have engaged in harmful sexual behaviour’

Professor Kieran McCartan is a Professor in Criminology at UWE, an Adjunct Associate Professor in Criminology at Queensland University of Technology and a Visiting Research fellow at the University of Huddersfield. Kieran is currently the also the leader of the Social Science Research Group (2013 – ongoing) and joint coordinator of the Sexual Violence Research Network (2014 – ongoing) at UWE. Professor McCartan has a track record of researching, publishing and presenting on the sex offender register, sex offender disclosure, Public Health Approaches to preventing sexual abuse, sex offender reintegration and management as well as the related public/practitioner/policy debates on these issues. He is the international Member of the ATSA executive board and Communications and media representative on the NOTA executive board.

Dr Elisabeth Archer, Clinical Psychologist – ‘The impact on parents of children and young people who have harmed sexually’

Dr Nick Hindley, Consultant Child and Adolescent Forensic Psychiatrist, Oxford Health Lead Named Doctor for Children’s Safeguarding, NHS England National Clinical Lead for FCAMHS

Dr Hindley is clinical lead for the new South Central Community Forensic CAMH Service which covers the Thames Valley, Hampshire/Isle of Wight and Dorset. He is involved locally and nationally in the development of support for, and meeting the needs of, high risk young people and those with complex needs. He has experience of working in custodial, secure and community settings and, in addition to the FCAMHS service he has been involved in development of commissioned services for young people addressing harmful sexual behaviour, experience of sexual harm and identifying need at point of contact with the youth justice system (Liaison and Diversion). He is lead named doctor for safeguarding children in a large health trust (Oxford Health NHS FT), and NHS England clinical lead for the national implementation of community forensic CAMHS. He is also a member of the NHS England CAMHS Clinical Reference Group for specialised services.

Dr Anna Markham, Forensic Psychologist, Acting Clinical Lead for the Child and Adolescent Harmful Behaviour Service (CAHBS) – ‘Systemic and clinical considerations in the provision of a service for harmful sexual behaviour in young people’

Dr Anna Markham is a Forensic Psychologist specialising in the assessment and treatment of children and their families. Anna is currently the Acting Clinical Lead for an NHS service for children who display harmful sexual behaviour and her clinical experience has been in CAMHS services across a range of settings including youth custody services, alternative education settings, community parenting programmes for children who are at risk of care or custody and those who are in contact with the youth justice system. Anna is also a Teaching Fellow and Placement Coordinator on the Forensic Psychology Practice Doctorate at the University of Birmingham involving teaching and examining student clinical practice. Anna undertakes independent research; most recently publishing a systematic review of Multi Systemic Therapy and is currently involved in a 3 year evaluation of the Circles of Support and Accountability Youth Project. Anna is an active member of the Workforce Development Council at the Youth Justice Board.

Programme:

9:30 – Introduction: Stephen Barry, AWP Be Safe Service Clinical Team Manager and Lead Clinician

9:40-10:40 Prof Kieran McCartan

10:40 – 11:15 Dr Elisabeth Archer

11:15 – 11:45 Break

11:45 – 12:45 Dr Nick Hindley and Dr Anna Markham

12:45 – 13:00 Q & A time for all 3 speakers

13.00 – 14:00 Lunch

14:00 – 15:00 WORKSHOPS round 1

15:00 – 15:15 Break

15:15 – 16:15 WORKSHOPS round 2

16:20 Final gathering and reflections

Titles of the workshops:

1) Working with technology assisted harmful sexual behaviour”
2) Family Therapy Approaches in the context of PSB/HSB: Exploring relational and systemic ideas
3) “Keep Safe – How to make an accessible and fun group programme for YP with LD with HSB
4) “Mentalisation and young people who have harmed sexually”