We are aware that children coming into contact with the criminal justice system may not meet the criteria for generic child and adolescent mental health services, despite presenting with multiple needs. We recommend that the Ministry of Justice increase access to mental health support for all children and young people who need it. The Ministry should set out how this will be achieved and resourced. (Paragraph 54) Minimum age of criminal responsibility

We are aware that children coming into contact with the criminal justice system may not meet the criteria for generic child and adolescent mental health services, despite presenting with multiple needs. We recommend that the Ministry of Justice increase access to mental health support for all children and young people who need it. The Ministry should set out how this will be achieved and resourced. (Paragraph 54) Minimum age of criminal responsibility Type: recommendation | Number: 8 | Response status: under_consideration Government response: 23. We recognise that children who offend are some of the most vulnerable in our society and a significant proportion who enter the youth justice system do so with concerns relating to their mental health. We are clear that addressing the needs of these children is of key importance in improving the