Working in Liaison and Diversion Services
Liaison and Diversion (L&D) is a consent-based service. We work with people of all ages from ten years plus, whose individual circumstances may have led them to be in contact with the criminal justice system. We work with people under investigation for a criminal offence who can be subject to voluntary attendance/interview or who have been arrested. We work with people until the point of sentence or disposal by the police or courts.
Anyone can be referred to L&D who appears to live with a vulnerability relating to their mental health, experience of trauma, learning disability, neurodiversity, addiction, or in need of safeguarding or social support to address homelessness, benefits and community support. Our team strives to assess and identify areas of need and support people accordingly to improve their wellbeing and circumstances and hopefully keep them away from the criminal justice system in future.
Our Greater Manchester L&D service is part of a national network of L&D services commissioned by NHS England.
Working In Liaison and Diversion Services
Working In Liaison and Diversion Services
Working In Liaison and Diversion Services
Working In Liaison and Diversion Services
What is Liaison and Diversion (L&D)?
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L&D is a process whereby people of all ages passing through the criminal justice system are assessed and those with mental health concerns, learning disabilities, addiction and other vulnerabilities are identified as soon as possible in the justice pathway.
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Identified individuals are provided with and supported to access appropriate services including, but not limited to, mental and physical health care, social care, substance use treatment and safeguarding.
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Where individuals are already accessing such services, L&D services can facilitate cross-service communications to ensure that any additional needs are identified, and services are working together to address the needs of individuals.
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Information gained from assessments is shared with relevant youth and criminal justice agencies to enable key decision makers to make more informed decisions on diversion, charging, case-management, effective participation in criminal justice proceedings, remand and sentencing.
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Diversion should be interpreted in its wider sense, referring to both diversion ’out of’ and ‘within’ the youth and criminal justice systems.
Discover the different roles
Find out more about the different career pathways, and qualifications needed, to join our team!
L&D areas
The team works across the Greater Manchester (GM) regions of Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan.
The G reater M anchester Police Custody Suites are based in Ashton-under-Lyne, Bolton, Bury, Cheadle, North Manchester, Pendleton, Swinton and Wigan.
The Courts are based in Bolton, Manchester, Stockport, Tameside and Wigan.
You could also be based within the community!
How would I be supported?
In each custody suite and court building we have designated L&D offices for our staff.
As many of our colleagues may be the only L&D staff member working on site or from home, we recognise the need for co-ordinated remote support. We have a safety huddle meeting every morning at 10am, and another one in the afternoon at 4pm via Microsoft Teams. Furthermore, we also have a duty system based in Lance Burn Medical Centre, Salford. Clinical Leads of Team Managers co-ordinate throughout operational hours to provide advice and support.
You can expect a unique four-week induction, individual and group supervision, regular team meetings, access to a buddy or mentor and bespoke training.
What roles are available in the team?
Peer Mentor Volunteers — For this role, we are looking for people with lived experience of the criminal justice systems and vulnerabilities.
Community Engagement Workers (CEW) — For this role, we are looking for people with lived experience and/or experience of providing high quality health and social care in community settings.
Liaison and Diversion Facilitators — For this role, we are looking for people with experience of providing high quality health and social care, with additional training to work in the criminal justice system with people who have vulnerabilities.
Senior Practitioners — For this role, we are looking for registered professionals. This could be Mental Health or Learning Disability Nurses, Occupational Therapists or Social Workers.
Lead Practitioners — For this role, we are looking for registered professionals with experience of clinical and leadership responsibilities.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
We are proud to work alongside people who have used our services and we are working hard to further develop our co-production and co-deliver learning and development opportunities for people who are working in and/or used our service.
We view diversity as an asset, valuing difference and where everyone consciously takes accountability for inclusivity.
We strive for a culture where we enable all to feel psychologically safe, where we recognise that we can all learn from each other and where we value collaboration that supports everyone to reach their full potential.
What our staff say
"During my time working with the L&D team I have experienced:
regular supervision
there's always a senior on duty for support/advice
systems were set up for me upon starting
four-week induction was a good length of time to allow me to adjust into the role
fully supported whilst off sick for over three weeks
managers supportive of my promotion
able to talk about concerns openly"
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