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Two out of three young offenders with mental health problems have no contact with a social worker, according to a new Revolving Doors Agency survey, writes Clare Jerrom.

Despite clear social need, 65 per cent said they had experienced no contact with a social worker before the age of 22, and 81 per cent felt that having a social worker would not have helped to resolve their problems anyway.

"Social workers do not appear to rate highly in their estimation," according to the agency, which surveyed its older clients to identify their levels of need between 16 and 22.

But 56 per cent said that "having someone to talk to about their problems, issues and lives" would have helped.

The agency found high rates of refusal for help, yet the most popular request was for access to housing services by 55 per cent of offenders recalling they needed help with this issue. Between the ages of 16 and 18, 29 per cent had been homeless.

"Housing poses a variety of hurdles which young offenders must overcome," author Nick O’Shea said. Generally they are not able to claim housing benefit, yet high levels of domestic abuse, single parenthood and poverty means the family home may not be a viable alternative.

Offenders viewed mental health professionals similarly to social workers. "Befrienders are much more likely to be requested than a social worker or mental health professional," the report said.

Seventy six per cent would have declined the offer to see a mental health professional. Despite showing high levels of risk throughout their youth, just 23 per cent had been given a mental health diagnosis before the age of 22.

The result, according to the report, is a group of young offenders with mental health problems that have remained unresolved into adult life.

Yet those vulnerable young offenders, who were in contact with a variety of agencies, often had a transition from children’s to adult services that was "neither consistent or predictable".

The agency calls for services to be developed in a new way to offer a co-ordinated response to young offenders with mental health problems. It is now setting up schemes which can develop and test new approaches for services to improve their work together.

Joe Levenson, policy officer at the Prison Reform Trust, said: "There is clear evidence that too many young people with mental health problems end up in prison, and that the experience of prison can further damage their mental health.

"This important report highlights the overwhelming need for a co-ordinated response when addressing the mental health problems of offenders," he said.

The report is available from 020 7242 9222.