Meet the team: Jessica Baker, Senior Liaison and Diversion Practitioner

L&D is not in itself a treatment service, but it is an identification, assessment, and referral service. It uses assessments to then make appropriate referrals for treatment and support. The role ensures criminal justice practitioners are aware of specific health requirements and vulnerabilities of an individual, which can be taken into account when decisions about charging and sentencing are made. The role is really important because L&D services aim to improve overall health outcomes for people and to support people in the reduction of re-offending. It also aims to identify vulnerabilities in people earlier on which reduces the likelihood that people will reach a crisis-point and helps to ensure the right support can be put in place from the start.

I’m a Senior L&D Practitioner within Acton and Hammersmith police custodies. We also have court diversion teams within Westminster Magistrates court and Isleworth crown court, and Youth teams covering Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham and Hounslow. 

The key principle of the service is that where identified, people of all ages in contact with the youth and criminal justice systems are screened under the all age vulnerability model; and where appropriate assessed or referred for specialist assessment. This helps those with mental health problems, neuro-diversity, learning disabilities, cognitive disorders, substance misuse problems, and many other vulnerabilities are identified as soon as possible in the justice pathway.  

A L&D practitioner will carry out an assessment and, depending upon the outcome, the person will either be; referred to other services that will provide support or care, admitted as an inpatient, or supported or cared for as they continue to be dealt with by the criminal justice system - all the way to the courts and the prison service.

I wasn’t aware of the Liaison and Diversion role before applying, but I had an interest in working within custody since starting my nurse training. It’s a great example of how nurses can branch out into different and unexpected roles where we get to showcase our adaptable skillset.

I previously worked within a male psychiatric intensive care unit (PICU) and Psychiatric Liaison where I enjoyed the complex, acute decision-making, whilst supporting individuals at a time of crisis. So when I came across the L&D role, this seemed to be an interesting area to go and try out.

I love that every single day is different. You meet individuals in very different situations, whilst working with a wide range of professionals and services to support individuals with vulnerabilities, reducing the likelihood of them reaching crisis point and having the right support for them put in place from the start.

It can be an intense job. It can be upsetting, stressful and incredibly emotive. There are times where you work under intense demands and have to be able to prioritise your workload and remain unbiased with individuals - who in some cases are alleged to be the perpetrator of very serious/violent offences. But all of that responsibility does come with many rewarding and satisfying moments as well.

For this role, having previous experience and self-confidence in making complex clinical decisions under pressure within an acute setting is helpful.

It’s good to be aware that you’ll be working within a non-healthcare based environment and together with non-healthcare professions (such as the police) and other health-care professionals (HCPs) like custody HCPs who are working under different remits, constraints, and procedures.

Our liaison and diversion services are delivered within police liaison teams in Acton and Hammersmith police stations and court diversion teams within Westminster Magistrates Court, and Isleworth Crown Court.