At West Yorkshire Liaison and Diversion, Practitioners specialised in working with young people are positioned across all of our teams aiming to produce the best possible outcomes and better futures for young people who come into contact with the Criminal Justice System.
Young people can present with complex needs that can contribute to their offending behaviour, for example; breakdown of family relationships, emotional health needs, learning difficulties, substance misuse, problems in school and peer influences.
When a young person commits an offence or is referred to us, a Youth Practitioner will complete a holistic assessment in a safe environment utilising a signs of safety approach, a support plan will be agreed, and referrals to appropriate services will be made.
Custody Diversion Project
Additional funding provided by the West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit enables the Liaison and Diversion Service to deliver a Custody Diversion Project, focusing on criminal exploitation and knife crime. The project approach uses professional workers with lived experience of the criminal justice system to equip young people with the skills to think critically, assess risk and make better life choices, making them more resilient to the risks of becoming involved in gangs, exploitation and violence.
Emotional Health and Wellbeing
Working in partnership with Invictus Wellbeing, we have developed a pathway to support young people with their emotional health and wellbeing providing therapeutic counselling sessions. Therapeutic Practitioners are seconded into our Calderdale and Kirklees Liaison and Diversion Teams to create a fast track pathway into support for young people.
Working in partnership with services dedicated to supporting young people
“I have felt like no one has ever listened to me and you have given me no judgement. Using henna and breathing techniques helped me control my anger and put me in a good place.”
“Since my child has been working with your service, his behaviour and attendance to school has improved massively, his actions and his language to others has changed dramatically. I appreciate all the work completed and all the time spent with my son.”
“We would all like to say a big thank you for your support and listening to us it is really good to know we aren’t alone when these things happen, and it really helped us stay positive and focused.”
“I cant thank you enough for what you have done for the family, we couldn’t have got through it without your support. I didnt know a service like this existed and we are so thankful that you have been there to support us.”