As part of the NHS response to Coronavirus (COVID-19), we have made changes to the services we provide
The team consists of Registered Nurses, Support Time & Recovery workers (STR) and Administrative staff, who assess vulnerable individuals with complex needs who are being brought into the Criminal Justice System having been accused of criminal activity. These needs include, but is not limited to, support with mental health, a learning disability, substance misuse, homelessness, financial needs or social difficulties.
We also aim to improve liaison between the criminal justice system and health and social care agencies.
Why are L&D services needed?
There are well-documented high levels of health and care needs within youth and adult offender populations, with the prevalence higher than in the general population.
By addressing people’s mental health, learning disability and/or substance misuse vulnerabilities when they first come into contact with the youth and adult justice systems, it is expected that offending behaviours will be addressed, contributing to reductions in future arrests and in the use of police and court time.
Who uses our service?
The liaison and diversion service can be used by any individual within a criminal justice system – most commonly police custody and the courts. Some of those people we see in court and custody are also supported by our outreach service.
How can we help?
Our qualified practitioners can assess people in order to determine any areas of support and make referrals where necessary. We cover all areas of vulnerabilities which include mental health, learning disability, learning difficulty, homelessness, drug and alcohol abuse etc.
The team
The team consists of Registered Nurses, Support Time & Recovery workers (STR) and Administrative staff who are based at a number of locations, Malinsgate Custody Suite (Telford), Monkmoor Custody Suite (Shrewsbury), Clee Building (Shrewsbury) and Telford Magistrates Court.
How to access our service?
Our referrals are received from professionals who work within the criminal justice agency setting. This includes custody staff, custody healthcare professionals, substance misuse services, concerned or interested persons and self-referral. We also accept referrals for assessment from outside agencies that maybe involved in the care of the person in custody and are aware of them being in the custody setting.
Anyone is able to access our service, there is no age restriction. The individual to be assessed must be in police custody/court or attend one of our assessment clinics as arranged whilst in custody/court.
All individuals who are assessed and found to be in need of further specialist intervention will be referred to the appropriate services. This is done by using existing pathways for those particular services. This includes hospital admission, Crisis Team, primary and secondary mental health services, substance misuse services, prison in-reach services, GP and relevant third sector or voluntary agency services.
Our service can be accessed Mon – Fri 9am-7pm and Sat/Sun 9am-5pm.
An individual can access our service by self-referral whilst in police custody by making staff aware they wish to speak to a practitioner.
The team can be contacted on 01743 210080 or email ShropsLandd@nhs.net
Useful Links:
NHS England Liaison and Diversion
NHS England L&D operating model
The Centre for Mental Health on Liaison and Diversion
Liaison and Diversion services were expanded on the recommendations of the Bradley Report