Youth Justice Liaison and Diversion:
Kensington and Chelsea

Operational since September 2009, the YJLD team consists of a full-time Family Therapist Band 8 Nurse (employed by the NHS) and one part time agency worker, who assists the nurse in screening young people three evenings a week. The team are line-managed by the YOT operational manager, who is responsible for arranging commissioning, establishing the terms of reference and working protocols, and securing support from relevant stakeholders, particularly the police and the CPS.

Referrals

Referrals are made to the YJLD scheme from the police or from court. Police distribute a leaflet to low gravity offenders, explaining what the YJLD scheme is and offering an appointment with a YJLD practitioner. They agree to delay decisions about charge for 28 days, giving the young person the opportunity to engage in YJLD. If young people choose to engage, the police cancel bail and take no further action.

Interventions

YJLD staff provide intervention every Thursday, when a number of slots are available for appointments. With the consent of the young person, parent and / or carer, a screening takes place, using the SQIfA tool. Young people are then referred to relevant agencies and / or therapeutic work is provided by the YJLD team.

Achievements in Kensington and Chelsea

RBKC has managed to establish a good working relationship with the police and the courts and secured an effective referral pathway from the police to YJLD.

When first establishing the scheme, YJLD workers visited court every Monday to increase the court staff awareness of the scheme. These visits are no longer needed as there is sufficient knowledge about the YJLD programme amongst court staff, and referrals are coming through from this route.

Contact the team

Elaine Weldon
elaine.weldon@rbkc.gov.uk
020 7598 4605 (temporary number)

Simone Marsh-Henry
simone.marsh-henry@rbkc.gov.uk
020 7598 4665 (temporary number)