A NEW service to give vulnerable people the right support in the right place at the right time within the criminal justice system has officially launched in Greater Manchester today.

At set points within the criminal justice system – in police custody, at court, or when preparing to return to the community – detainees are assessed by liaison and diversion staff, and vulnerable individuals affected by issues such as mental ill health, homelessness, or learning disabilities, are helped to access appropriate support as soon as possible.

Jointly commissioned by Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership, the service aims to divert vulnerable people away from the criminal justice system and into the hands of services better able to tackle the root causes of their behaviour.

Available for both adult and young offenders, the integrated service supports people affected by a wide range of issues, including physical and mental ill health, learning disabilities, debt, homelessness, drug addiction, and PTSD, providing interventions and support to people from the moment their additional needs are first identified.

Providing the detainee has given them consent, staff screen and assess the individual, sharing relevant information with criminal justice agencies to inform charging and sentencing decisions. The person is also helped to access appropriate services, such as mental and physical health care, social care, substance misuse services and safeguarding support.

Baroness Beverley Hughes, the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, said: “While keeping the public safe is the number one priority, it’s clear that a custody cell or prison is not always the right place for vulnerable people, such as veterans, homeless people, or people with learning disabilities.

“The criminal justice system doesn’t solve their problems and doesn’t put a stop their behaviour. Too often their actions are directly linked to problems in other areas of their life – a disruption in taking prescribed medication, problems managing debt, alcohol addiction, housing problems. These are the issues that need resolving.”

Commissioned in February 2017 and developed over the last year, the Healthcare in Custody and Wider Liaison and Diversion Service is now fully operational. The service is delivered by Mitie Care and Custody, North West Boroughs Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, and Cheshire and Greater Manchester Community Rehabilitation Company.

Jon Rouse, Chief Officer of Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “Devolution in Greater Manchester gives us an opportunity to do things differently. This service is the result of organisations from across our region working together to expand on existing provision, in a way that was simply not possible two years ago.

“We’re committed to improving the health and wellbeing of Greater Manchester residents. This means stepping outside those environments traditionally associated with the NHS, such as hospitals or local health centres, to ensure vulnerable people have the support they need.”