FoRUM logo on a white background. Rainbow watercolour style graphic of different silhouettes of people

FoRUM: Forensic mental health

FoRUM conducts research that improves the health and wellbeing of people using forensic and health and justice services, while building research capacity amongst staff and embedding the active participation of individuals with lived experience. 

About FoRUM

FoRUM was established in 2025.  We aim to conduct research that improves the health and wellbeing of people using forensic and health and justice services.  This includes, adult forensic services, adolescent forensic services, prison services, offender personality disorder services  and secure children’s homes. We also aim to build research capacity amongst staff and embed the active participation of individuals with lived experience. The research unit is lead by Dr Charlotte Lennox (Chartered Psychologist and Senior Lecturer in Forensic Psychology and Mental Health at the University of Manchester. 

 

Building research capacity

Dr Charlotte Lennox is co-lead with Dr Sarah Leonard (Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Manchester) of the Health and Justice Research Theme at the University of Manchester.  Within the theme sits the Health and Justice Research Network (HJRN) which is a multi-disciplinary network of academics and clinicians.  The portfolio of research focuses on:

  • The health and social care needs of people in contact with the criminal justice system.
  • Screening and identification of health needs and risks.
  • Pathways of care in the criminal justice system.
  • Implementing and evaluating novel health services and initiatives to improve the health of people in contact with the criminal justice system.

The HJRN hosts the MSc Forensic Psychology and Mental Health. This has a unique focus on mental health and is aimed at graduates who want to pursue a career as a Chartered Psychologist and/or register with the Health and Care Professions Council as a Forensic Psychologist.

FoRUM is keen to support the development of Allied Health Professional colleagues who wish to pursue clinical-academic careers.

 

Our projects:

TBC

 

Building our network in the Trust and across the country 

We build relationships with forensic- and health and justice-focussed organisations, promoting awareness and information about our activities at FoRUM.

This includes links with:

LENSE logo - a yellow background with a black outline of a magnifying glass with an eye peering through it. Underneath:

LENSE Partnership Network 

Hosted by Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

https://www.mpft.nhs.uk/services/lense

 

National Institute for Health and Care ResearchNIHR Prison Research Community of Practice

 

 

PORSCH logo: Prison and Offender Research in Social Care and Health Network Prison and Offender Research in Social Care and Health Network (PORSCH) https://www.offenderhealthporsch.net/

 

 

prisonHEALTH logo: Prisons, health and societies research prison HEALTH https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/research/groups/prisons-health-and-societies/index.aspx

 

 

Providing CPD opportunities on research for everyone

We regularly hold in-person and virtual events to share our research work, and promote getting involved in research. You can watch our Research into Practice webinar at GMMH below or via this YouTube link.

We also connect with a network of academics across the UK who share their research findings with us to continue to improve how we care for our service users.

A photo of Dr Charlotte Lennox, Senior Lecturer in Forensic Psychology & Director of FoRUM

Unit Director: Dr Charlotte Lennox

Senior Lecturer in Forensic Psychology, University of Manchester

As a patient

As a service user, relative or carer using our services, sometimes you may need to turn to someone for help, advice, and support. 

Find resources for carers and service users  Contact the Trust