Title: A Realist Process Evaluation of Liaison and Diversion Services for Children and Young People
Funder: Department of Health and Social Care

Abstract: Aims To clearly describe how Liaison and Diversion (L&D) for children and young people (CYP) works in referring them to health or social care services or enabling them to be diverted away from the criminal justice system. We then want to test to see if L&D for CYP works in the way we think it does in seven L&D services. Background L&D support people when they first have contact the criminal justice system e.g., when they are arrested and taken to the police station. L&D support adults and CYP in a comparable way. Some research has already looked to see if L&D works, but this hasn t always included CYP. When research has looked at CYP s L&D, they have found that there are many differences to adult L&D. An example is that CYP might not be arrested and come into the police station as often as adults. We would like to understand more about how L&D for CYP works, why it works and if there are circumstances it works best. Design and methods We have split this study into two parts. In part one we undertake a Rapid Realist Review. This will review all the literature on L&D, we will interview experts in L&D and talk to stakeholders (professionals and CYP). This will help us to clearly describe how L&D for CYP is believed to work to refer them to appropriate services and away from the criminal justice system. In part two we will undertake a mixed-methods realist process evaluation. We will collect a range of quantitative data from the L&D services e.g., numbers referred by the police. We also collect a range of qualitative data from reviewing each L&D service policy and procedure documents, interviewing staff, CYP and parents/carers and observing each L&D service over a few days. This will help us understand (1) what parts of L&D are delivered (quantitative), (2) whether these parts are working and for which CYP do they work for (quantitative and qualitative), and (3) and for which CYP they are working under which circumstances (qualitative). This will help us refine how we think L&D works and make recommendations on how to improve L&D services. Patient and public involvement Our PPI co-applicant with lived experience of the youth justice system and L&D services will lead our PPI work. We will establish a PPI advisory group and together they will ensure PPI is included in all aspects of the research e.g., our PPI group will co-produce all CYP facing information and dissemination materials. Dissemination At the end we will share what we find with the help of the CYP and L&D staff. This will be by writing reports and telling people at meetings.

Lay abstract: Aims To clearly describe how Liaison and Diversion (L&D) for children and young people (CYP) works in referring them to health or social care services or enabling them to be diverted away from the criminal justice system. We then want to test to see if L&D for CYP works in the way we think it does in seven L&D services. Background L&D support people when they first have contact the criminal justice system e.g., when they are arrested and taken to the police station. L&D support adults and CYP in a comparable way. Some research has already looked to see if L&D works, but this hasn t always included CYP. When research has looked at CYP s L&D, they have found that there are many differences to adult L&D. An example is that CYP might not be arrested and come into the police station as often as adults. We would like to understand more about how L&D for CYP works, why it works and if there are circumstances it works best. Design and methods We have split this study into two parts. In part one we undertake a Rapid Realist Review. This will review all the literature on L&D, we will interview experts in L&D and talk to stakeholders (professionals and CYP). This will help us to clearly describe how L&D for CYP is believed to work to refer them to appropriate services and away from the criminal justice system. In part two we will undertake a mixed-methods realist process evaluation. We will collect a range of quantitative data from the L&D services e.g., numbers referred by the police. We also collect a range of qualitative data from reviewing each L&D service policy and procedure documents, interviewing staff, CYP and parents/carers and observing each L&D service over a few days. This will help us understand (1) what parts of L&D are delivered (quantitative), (2) whether these parts are working and for which CYP do they work for (quantitative and qualitative), and (3) and for which CYP they are working under which circumstances (qualitative). This will help us refine how we think L&D works and make recommendations on how to improve L&D services. Patient and public involvement Our PPI co-applicant with lived experience of the youth justice system and L&D services will lead our PPI work. We will establish a PPI advisory group and together they will ensure PPI is included in all aspects of the research e.g., our PPI group will co-produce all CYP facing information and dissemination materials. Dissemination At the end we will share what we find with the help of the CYP and L&D staff. This will be by writing reports and telling people at meetings.

Research activity codes: 8.1 ORGANISATION AND DELIVERY OF SERVICES
Health categories: DISPUTED AETIOLOGY AND OTHER