We promote evidence and best practice surrounding pre-court diversion in the youth justice system.
Point of arrest diversion is especially important for children. Formal justice system processing, either prosecution in court or out of court disposals, can result in a criminal record, and can actually increase the likelihood of reoffending. Since 2014, we have been working closely with Youth Offending teams, police and other practitioners within the Youth Justice system across the country, to demonstrate the value and impact of diversion work, and share effective practice.
Please see the below publications to learn more. To keep up to date with our latest work and recent developments in Youth Diversion please click here to subscribe to our quarterly Youth Diversion Bulletin. You can view an archive of previous bulletins here.
If you are interested in setting up or scheme or if you would like support, please email our practice officer Bami at bjolaoso@justiceinnovation.org.
Youth Diversion Effective Practice Award
We have developed in partnership with the Youth Justice Institute an Effective Practice Award, a free online course designed to help practitioners understand the key principles of diversion from the formal criminal justice system, and the implications in everyday practice with children and young people who have been arrested for relatively low-level offences.
This briefing brings attention to the particular damaging impact that contact with the youth justice system has on the over children with Special Educational Needs and Disability, and provides practical ideas about what can be done to address this harm.
This briefing provides background to youth diversion, and summarises a discussion held with leading figures from the justice system, on how to put youth diversion on a more mainstream footing.
This literature review summarises the international evidence base on racial disparities in accessing youth diversion schemes, in advance of the release of the Centre's research paper in the spring.
