Liaison and Diversion Services (Cornwall)

Liaison and Diversion (L&D) identifies individuals who have mental health, neuro diverse conditions, learning disability, substance misuse or other vulnerabilities when they first come into contact with the criminal justice system (CJS) as suspects, defendants or offenders, usually in Police Custody Suites, through Voluntary Attendance or at Court. L&D works with the Police, The Probation Service, youth offending teams, defence lawyers or court staff to identify those vulnerabilities to ensure that the right support can be put in place as soon as possible to reduce the likelihood that people will reach a crisis-point. The L&D function will provide information, guidance and signposting to appropriate health or social care settings. L&D also acts as a point of referral and assertive follow up for individuals to ensure they can access, and are supported to attend, treatment and rehabilitation appointments. L&D will also provide critical information on those individuals to decision-makers in the justice system, in real time, for consideration when it comes to charging and sentencing. L&D aims to improve overall health outcomes for people and to support a reduction in re-offending.