Assessment and treatment to support youth involved in the criminal justice system: a practicum report on youth forensic psychiatric services

Abstract

This practicum report explores a social work role at the Ministry of Children and Family Development's Youth Forensic Psychiatric Services (YFPS), located at the North Region Outpatient Clinic in Prince George, British Columbia. YFPS receives referrals through court orders and probation officers to offer comprehensive assessment and treatment services to youth who are involved with the youth criminal justice system.Youth may become involved with the justice system for various reasons and, once involved with the justice system, have multiple options for treatment and/ or rehabilitation. This report explores some of the resources youth may become involved with and how social workers through YFPS play a role in supporting youth in the justice system.The main goal of my graduate practicum was to broaden my social work skills by exposing myself to a new social work field and client population. Within this larger goal, my learning objectives focused on increasing knowledge and skills in conducting and writing assessments and broadening my clinical knowledge, as well as focusing on how my work at YFPS fit into Trauma-Informed and Anti-Oppressive lenses. Overall, I was able to develop new skills and work collaboratively to offer comprehensive services to youth who were involved in the justice system. ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT WITH YOUTH IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEMii ACKNOWEDGEMENTS My MSW opportunity was made possible first and foremost through the generosity of Youth Forensic Psychiatric Services Prince George Outpatient Clinic. To my direct supervisor, Alan Huggett, thank you for offering knowledge and wisdom in a field I was new to, and for allowing me to learn from you in so many ways. I appreciated your ongoing support and encouragement which allowed me to be a valued member of the YFPS team. To the rest of the YFPS staff, especially the YFPS Regional Manager, Erica Moore, I so appreciated you welcoming me to learn from, and alongside, you.My MSW journey was also supported by the UNBC faculty and social work program. I would like to thank my academic supervisor, Dr. Nancy Jokinen, for the ongoing support and encouragement to stay on track and work efficiently through my MSW process. I would like to thank my committee member, Dr. Susan Burke, for bringing her perspective to my practicum experience to ensure I was staying reflective in my practice.Additionally, this MSW opportunity would not have come to fruition without the dedication and sacrifices of my family. First, my husband, Brent, encouraged and supported me to take this opportunity to learn and grow and for that I am forever thankful. I appreciate the ongoing support from my parents and my sister to continue my learning journey and for encouraging continued education in my life. It has been a great experience; one that I will look back on with fond memories.