Criminal Justice Liaison and Diversion Service (CJLDS)

The CJLDS team provides early identification, screening and assessment of vulnerable people of all ages within the criminal justice system. We provide a service within Kent Police custody suites, Magistrates and Crown Court environments. There is also a community support function.

The service screens for all health and social vulnerabilities that may be contributing to a person’s ill-health or increased contact with the criminal justice system. The team, where appropriate, can provide follow up in the community to support access to other services and wider resources to meet a person’s needs.

The team can make referrals to appropriate care providers and link in with existing care providers to ensure clear pathways for follow up.

Based on screening/assessment outcomes, CJLDS practitioners can offer advice and guidance to police officers, judiciary and other colleagues within the criminal justice system, to assist informed decision-making.

The team consists of Team managers, liaison and diversion practitioners, mental health nurses, social workers, a women’s co-ordinator, a youth co-ordinator, peer support workers and an apprentice support worker.

CJLDS offer a service in Kent Police custody Monday to Sunday, between the hours of 8am – 8pm at:

Canterbury
Folkestone
Margate
Maidstone
Tonbridge
Medway
North Kent

CJLDS also offers a service to all Kent Magistrates courts. If you would like to make a referral for Magistrates Court please call us on 0800 197 5542 or via email to kmpt.cjlds@nhs.net.

In addition, we are also pleased to share that from January 2023 we have an Advanced Liaison Diversion Practitioner providing a service to both Maidstone and Canterbury Crown Court, Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm.

Professionals (Judiciary, solicitors, probation, HMP services or community health and social care providers) can complete the Crown Court referral form and email it to kmpt.cjldscrowncourt@nhs.net.

Alternatively, verbal referrals to the on-site practitioners can be made.

New CJLDS model

The Criminal Justice Liaison and Diversion Service (CJLDS) new model launch event was staged at the Ashford International Hotel on Friday 29 March 2019.

The team was joined by partners from the police, the courts, housing and a multitude of both national and community organisations who are working together in Kent and Medway to identify vulnerabilities and offer help at the earliest opportunity so a person gains access to the right support services, making positive changes to lives including breaking the offending cycle.

Thank you to all those who were able to attend and help make it such a successful event and to everyone involved who is committed to the service. Click here to view the presentation from the day presentation is available

Meet the manager

Your feedback is important to the team so that we can continue to improve our services. If you would like to arrange an appointment to meet the manager or would like to share your thoughts or comments, please email: