DIVERT – Police custody intervention

BGP are pleased to have provided a further Custody Intervention training course for the DIVERT programme. The five-day training course included custody legislation, emergency first aid, understanding emotional intelligence with practical interviewing exercises. The course concluded with a visit to a police custody suite. The feedback from all the delegates was outstanding and prepares the Custody Intervention Coaches to perform their role in police custody suites.

Divert is a unique police custody programme designed for 18-25-year olds to promote pathways to education, apprenticeships, employment and to stop re-offending.

An 18-25-year-old who has been taken into custody will be approached by a Divert Custody Intervention Coach to identify their interests and skills for employment. They are informed that Divert along with its strategic partners may help them achieve their passion and goal.

Once released from custody the youth will be re-contacted by a Divert facilitator advising of educational, training and employment opportunities being offered by the key strategic partners.

The progress of each youth is monitored through the programme and mentoring is also provided where necessary.

Divert is now running in the London Boroughs of Lambeth, Haringey, Lewisham, Tower Hamlets and Hackney with outstanding results.

Wilf Pickles, BGP director, and a trustee of Divert said “I am proud to be involved with this ground-breaking project which engages with young offenders, diverting them from crime and into employment and education. The project has dramatically reduced re-offending rates.

For more information on the Divert programme please contact info@divert-partnership.com.