Introduction Mental health nursing (MHN) staff in acute settings work with voice hearers at times of crises when they experience high levels of distress. Previous research has focused on community mental health staff's experiences and their service users views on exploring the content of voices. No studies have explored this from an acute mental health service perspective. Aim This study therefore sought to explore the experiences of staff working with voice hearers in an acute mental health service. Method Due to the exploratory nature of the research, a qualitative design was chosen. Three MHNs and five healthcare support workers (HSWs) were interviewed. The data were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results A group analysis elicited three master themes: "It's quite scary really, not unlike a horror movie;" "I can only influence what's in front of me;" and "Just chipping away". Discussion Staff working with voice hearers in acute settings experience feelings of powerlessness and helplessness, as they feel unable to reduce the distress experienced by voice hearers in their care. Staff employ coping strategies to help manage these difficult feelings, including using structured tools in their work with voice hearers and attending reflective practice forums. Implications for Practice Acute mental health services may need to protect time for staff to access regular reflective practice and other supervision forums to help manage their feelings of powerlessness and helplessness arising from their work with voice hearers.

The Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) pathway is a national initiative which co-commissions health and probation to work in partnership to enhance the criminal justice management of high risk offenders with personality disorder. Psychologically informed support is expected to augment the current provision for this client group alongside workforce training. The impact of training offender managers (OM) is uncertain and previous research has indicated training may be limited in its effectiveness. This paper examines the impact of a training and supervision model on the quality of formulations produced by offender managers and suggests that a model which teaches formulation through repeated consultation or the live supervision of practice leads to enhanced competencies in completing case formulations. The paper evaluates the quality of formulations produced by offender managers who have had their practice developed through repeated consultation with the OPD pathway (OPDOMs) in comparison with a generic group of offender managers. OPDOMs who have had the longest period of supervision with the project produced the highest quality formulations. The paper acknowledges a number of limitations but suggests that the model under scrutiny may usefully inform service delivery within the Offender Personality Disorder pathway.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to highlight the findings of a service evaluation project assessing the impact of team consultation to criminal justice staff working with personality disordered offenders. Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative design using content analysis of focus groups and individual semi-structured interviews. Findings – Criminal justice staff report increased awareness and understanding, use of a person-centred approach, development of formulation skills and defensible practice following team consultation. Practical implications – This paper will be of interest to practitioners who offer and/or receive consultation for work with offenders with personality disorder. Suggested changes to team consultation formats may be of interest to services involved with the Offender Personality Disorder Pathway. Originality/value – This paper contributes towards the emerging literature on the role of consultation and formulation on workforce development for individuals with personality disorder. It also contributes to the evaluation of the services offered by this specialist team as they support probation Trusts across Yorkshire/Humber to support the community specification of the national Offender Personality Disorder Pathway.

This article presents an evaluation of an eight week mindfulness group facilitated for men accessing a low secure inpatient service in the north of England. Service user feedback on the group is presented and recommendations for future practice are considered.

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