We are excited to announce a new Touchstone partnership with Wakefield Youth Offending Team. Along with Together Women Project, Leeds Police and Leeds Youth Offending Service, we are expanding the already successful Wakefield service into Leeds. Funded by NHS England, this will be an innovative support service for people who have contact with the criminal justice system; the team are based at Elland Road Police Station. The Liaison and Diversion Service is a multi-disciplinary team that works with people of all ages, including children and young people. The service supports individuals who have contact with police stations, the course, prisons and probation who are experiencing vulnerabilities such as mental health and learning disabilities, substance misuse and other complex needs. Touchstone is providing mental health nurses, support workers, peer and volunteer support as well as management support to the service.
The team is working collaboratively with individuals and services to reduce risk factors associated with offending through providing short-term support and signposting service users to longer term support. We focus on the causes of individual behaviours, identifying needs, providing holistic person-centred support and supporting individuals to move into education and employment opportunities.
This model of support has already been highly successful in Wakefield, where the Liaison and Diversion team were nationally recognised by the Howard League for Penal Reform as the “Best Liaison and Diversion Service” in the country. It is hoped that the expansion into Leeds will lead to better outcomes for individuals experiencing vulnerabilities who are in contact with the criminal justice system, and lead to an overall reduction in offending.
If you’re interested in finding out more please contact Jessica Parker, Business Development Director on 0113 271 8277.
