Evaluation of Offender Liaison and Diversion Trial Schemes
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Evaluation of the implementation and development of the Department of Health/Ministry of Justice Offender Liaison and Diversion (L&D) Trial Schemes in England
IRAS ID
154739
Contact name
Jennifer Rubin
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
RAND Europe
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
IRAS Project ID, 154739
Research summary
Over a period of 15 months up to August 2015, this study will evaluate the Department of Health’s new model for Liaison and Diversion (L&D) Schemes, being trialled in 10 areas of England. L&D services aim to assess people as they pass through the criminal justice system to ensure their health needs are identified and they are referred to appropriate interventions. The evaluation will examine how the new model of L&D is implemented, its impacts on organisations and on people in contact with L&D services, and its costs and benefits.
We will conduct interviews with key individuals working within the L&D service, in health/social care and criminal justice services that will be impacted by the L&D service, and individuals using the L&D service. We will also conduct interviews in non-trial sites. This will give us a broad understanding of how services have been set up and run, how these contrast with locally-developed L&D services, as well as the impact of the different types of services on organisations and individuals.
We will collect data to compare similar individuals who have and have not been involved with L&D services, allowing us to assess whether L&D services being trialled offer benefits over locally developed services or areas that do not have L&D services.
As evaluation findings will inform future planning and the business case for roll-out of L&D services, we will ensure ongoing dialogue with the commissioning team and policy stakeholders. We will share learning widely (including through an evaluation website) and try to ensure the evaluation timing matches decision points. We will collaborate with those working locally and nationally to design and implement the new L&D model and ensure service users are able to provide insights into the service.
REC name
East of England - Essex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/EE/1122
Date of REC Opinion
31 Oct 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion