West Yorkshire Liaison and Diversion has a well-established female pathway which is nationally recognised, as an example of good working practice. Our service has a team of dedicated female specialist practitioners, with a representative in each of the locality teams.
Our female practitioners also use the local Women’s Centres as an outreach basis to ensure women are seen in a safe, women only, environment and use a trauma informed approach when assessing the holistic needs of women. This also gives them the opportunity to introduce women to the interventions available within the Centres to help divert them away from the criminal justice system.
A gender specific pathway to support women referred into the service was developed in response to results from research highlighted in the Corston report, and our experience to date. The research stated that women in contact with the criminal justice system respond better within female focused environments, and that the nature of the offences committed by females – and the reasons behind these offences – are often quite different to those of males.
Working in partnership with Women Centres across West Yorkshire
“I would just like to say thank you and that I appreciate everything you have done to help me during these past months,for helping and supporting me. I am grateful.”
“Thank you for all your help, you’ve been a great help right from the start right through to now.”
“They went above and beyond in supporting me, she has made such a difference and I really dont know what I would have done, or where I would be now is she hadnt been there.”
“I just want to say how much better I already feel after that conversation, you have such a calming tone and nature and you have given me some clarity and direction.”