Service Manager, Neighbourhoods, Regeneration and Sustainability (NRS)
In last year’s Annual Reporter (2020-21) we (Neighbourhoods and Regeneration Services Youth Intervention Team) in the article ‘Testing Times – A Restorative Approach to Diversion from Prosecution’ reported on a test of change programme to deliver a Restorative based Diversion from Prosecution Programme for 16 & 17 year olds on behalf of Glasgow Health & Social Care Partnership Youth Justice Services. The purpose of the programme is to provide an opportunity for people who have been diverted from the Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) to make more positive life choices and move away from offending behaviour.
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You can find out more about Youth Diversion in previous articles in the Community Justice Glasgow Annual Reporters such as ‘Youth Justice at a Glance – Service Highlights’ (2019-20) or ‘Updating Diversion’ (2020-21). Our programme is one of a number available to the Youth Justice Team to make a referral to, ensuring that there is a robust breadth of services available to meet the particular needs and offending patterns of individuals.
This restorative based programme is tailored to each client’s needs, reflecting on referral offence and any other factors that may be having an impact on their behaviour, for example, alcohol, drugs, social media.
The delivery of the programme is also tailored to suit the clients – so can be delivered in a way which they feel most comfortable. This could be 1-2-1 or in a group setting, over the phone or at a convenient location, at a suitable time. Should issues that require further support arise during the course of the programme, onward referrals can be made to other public or 3rd Sector services, for further/additional longer-term support.
Building trust, good relationships and a safe environment is a key factor in being able to guide clients effectively through the diversion programme. The clients are more likely to be honest, be open to being challenged and take on board the aims and messages where a good relationship has been established.
A recent young person through Diversion was going through a job application process at the same time as completing the diversion programme. He was much more confident going into his interview knowing that the mistake he had made in the past, would not have to be mentioned or have an impact on his future opportunities. In addition to attending Diversion sessions, he was able to get advice and reassurance about the disclosure process. This is one of the key benefits of Diversion from Prosecution for young people. We know that if we put additional barriers to a more positive future (such as disclosure for employment) in front of a young person, then there is a higher risk they will re-offend. Having structure (such as that provided by having a job) on the other hand is evidenced to be one of the protective factors against re-offending. If we want to reduce the risk that a young person will re-offend then we need to be smart about how we address that offending, DfP programmes, such as this, will always address that behaviour and ensure that the young person accepts responsibility and accountability for their actions. The restorative approach also helps them to understand the impact that their actions have had on others.
We were delighted to have the initial test of change period extended to the 2021-2022 year to allow for time to evidence its impact and said that we would update on how the programme has performed.
For the period 01/04/21 – 31/03/22:
- Youth Justice Services have made 15 referrals (2 were repeat i.e. 13 individuals)
- Cases closed: 15 (at Sept 22)
- Successfully completed: 14 (93.3%),
- Unable to engage for other reasons: 1 (6.7%)
Since Nov 2020:
- Youth Justice Services have made 32 referrals (2 were repeat i.e. 30 individuals)
- Cases closed: 29 (at September 2022)
- Successfully completed: 26 (89.7%)
- Failed to engage: 2 (6.9%)
- Unable to engage for other reasons: 1 (3.4%)
