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 are 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.
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.
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 (Redwoods Hospital, 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 to 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 shrops.landd@nhs.net
The team consists of Social Workers, Registered Mental Health Nurses, Support Time & Recovery workers (STR) and Peer Support Workers. The team assess vulnerable individuals with complex needs who are in the Criminal Justice System having been accused of criminal activity. These needs include, but are not limited to, mental health and learning disabilities needs, alcohol and substance misuse, homelessness, and financial needs.
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 can include hospital admission via Mental Health Act Assessment in custody, Crisis Team referral, primary and secondary mental health services, prison in-reach.
We can also look at support through the criminal justice system where, if consent is given, we can share the court report with the court if they are to be seen at court and also support them on the day with someone being there with them from the team.
Who uses our service?
The liaison and diversion service can be used by any individual who has been referred to the team by the police; has asked to speak to the team whilst in custody; anyone who is under 18; or is a female who comes through the criminal justice system (through police custody and the courts). Our qualified practitioners assess individuals in order to determine any areas of support and make referrals where necessary.
We also accept referrals from out of area Liaison and Diversion services, and can refer individuals to their local Liaison and Diversion services if they consent to this.
What support can we offer?
We can support people through the court process and offer help and guidance. We can also help with access to drug and alcohol support services, housing and financial advice, or support with other social issues.
Accessing our service
Our service can be accessed in custody Monday to Friday 9am-8pm and Saturday / Sunday / Bank Holidays 9am-5pm.
Our community support can be accessed 9am-5pm Monday to Friday except bank holidays.
The team can be contacted on 07814831231 and mpft.southstaffs.liaisondiversion@nhs.net
New access to a package of digital resources to support mental wellbeing
Silvercloud activities and videos can be used independently or with feedback from an online supporter. People using Forensic inpatient, Liaison and Diversion, Offender Personality Disorder; Integrated Offender Management and Mental Health Treatment Requirement services at MPFT can speak to someone involved in their care to find out how to access the programme.
Useful Links
NHS England - Liaison and Diversion
NHS England - L&D operating model