CAT/OP/GBR/CSPRO/1 224. The new PECS contract specification introduced the requirement for suppliers to conduct a holistic risk assessment of each Detained Person at the point of arrival in custody at Courts which should be updated periodically as and when any further significant information becomes available. The individual risk assessment process considers suitability for cell sharing, risk of self-harm or suicide as well as use of restraints and searching that are proportionate and justified to the individual’s assessment. “c) staff receive training to meet the individual needs of detainees, particularly children.” England and Wales 225. The PECS contract specification requires contractors to deliver specific training around the care and welfare of all custodies, with suppliers delivering modules in addition to the requirements to further enhance understanding. In relation to children and young people, both suppliers have a specifically trained cohort of staff who receive enhanced child/youth specific training with elements that are endorsed by external bodies to aid the delivery of the required care for this complex, vulnerable cohort whilst also assisting in the de-escalation of issues that could have otherwise presented themselves. Northern Ireland 226. In Northern Ireland, PECCS staff are aware of their responsibilities in the transport/supervision and care of children being escorted and placed in the court setting. Staff have also received training in Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) to assist them in meeting the needs of children placed in our care. 227. Staff within PECCS have, in conjunction with our partners in the Juvenile Justice Centre (JJC), received training in Minimising and Managing Physical Restraint (MMPR). There is a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in place to ensure compliance. V. Additional information Recent developments relating to the treatment of persons deprived of their liberty England and Wales: Reforming the Mental Health Act 228. The Government published its White Paper, Reforming the Mental Health Act on 13 January. At the same time, we launched a formal 14-week consultation, which will run until April 2021. 229. The White Paper contains a full response to the Independent Review of the Mental Health Act carried out in 2018 and considers each of the Review’s recommendations in turn. The Government welcomed the Independent Review’s final report and accepts the vast majority of these recommendations. 230. We will publish a response to this consultation this year and bring forward a new Mental Health Bill when parliamentary time allows. 231. The White Paper includes proposals to limit the scope to detain people with a learning disability or autistic people under the Act, so that neither autism nor a learning disability are grounds for detention in and of themselves. 232. We do not however propose to change the detention criteria for patients in contact with the criminal justice system. We want to ensure these patients can continue to be diverted away from prison, which is not able, or indeed intended, to cater for their needs. 233. When individuals with a learning disability, autism or both, are detained, Care and Treatment Reviews (CTRs) will be given statutory force. 234. The Mental Health Units (Use of Force) Act, also known as Seni’s Law received Royal Assent in November 2018. The purpose of the Act is to increase the oversight, management and accountability of the use of force (restraint) in mental health units so that 34