Criminal Justice Liaison & Diversion An Overview

Claire CairnsOffender Health Collaborative9 October 2015

Overview• A process to identify, screen and assess individuals

who have vulnerabilities who come into contact with the criminal justice system

• Criminal Justice diversion is not new (Reed report 1992). Liaison broadens this out (Bradley report 2009)

• National Programme of L&D commenced April 2014 (10 trial sites) and a further wave of trial sites started in April 2015, of which South Yorkshire is one

• Business case for national roll-out of L&D with NHS England as lead commissioner

Why is Liaison & Diversion Needed?

Vulnerability

Substance Misuse

Alcohol Misuse

Offending

Imprisonment

Social Isolation

Commissioning & Support for L&D

NHS England

Service ProvidersOHC

National Operating Model for Liaison & Diversion

• A service for all ages (children and adults)• A service covering key points of the criminal

justice system (police stations and courts) with an emphasis on early identification

• A 24/7 service• Catering for all vulnerabilities (beyond just

mental health)• Core team and extended team

Liaison and Diversion

CORE TEAM

Police

Courts

Social Care

Housing

Mental HealthLearning Disability

Education

Substance Misuse

YOTs / Probation

Liaison and DiversionStages of Operation

IdentificationCriminal justice agencies, such as police and courts, are trained to identify signs that an offender may have a learning disability, mental health issue, drug and substance misuse or other vulnerability.

ScreeningSpecialist L&D practitioners with range of skills (eg, learning disability expertise, children and young people) carry out screening to identify need and if they should be referred onwards for further assessment, treatment or further support.

Assessment L&D services can also complete or refer for further assessment including specialist assessment.

ReferralOffenders needing further support and treatment will be referred into appropriate services, such as learning disability services.

Case Identification

Screening/TriageAssessment

including

specialist

assessment

COMPONENTS

Liaison and Diversion Points of Operation

• Community settings, including schools and restorative justice, where police engage with children and young people

• Police custody suites• Police stations (or other prosecuting authorities) where

voluntary attendance occurs • Magistrates’ courts• Youth courts and referral order panels• The Crown Court• Probation to assist with the production of PSR • Youth offending teams (YOTs)