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Liaison and Diversion Service

If you have been arrested or charged and need extra support because of your mental health, disability, or other vulnerability our Liaison and Diversion service could help. We can also help you if you’ve just left prison and are approaching release.

We can assess your needs, inform criminal justice decision-making and help you access the right health and social care support for your needs. 

We can also support your family or carers.

Our team of professionals can assess you while you are in police custody, at crown or magistrates’ courts or in a Thames Valley or Hampshire prison.

We can also arrange to speak to you outside court, custody or once released from prison.

Our clinicians can assess your needs, and refer you to our Support Time and Recovery Workers. They will guide you and suggest the right health and care support for you. 

The recommendations we make may improve your wellbeing, and address the underlying needs that may contribute to your involvement with the criminal justice system.

With your consent, we may share your health information with the criminal justice system to help decision makers choose the most appropriate justice option for you.

Our service is open to people of all ages who come into contact with the criminal justice system (police, court or prison) across Thames Valley, Hampshire and Isle of Wight, including:

  • Berkshire
  • Oxfordshire
  • Buckinghamshire
  • Hampshire
  • Isle of Wight

Referrals

You can self-refer or access our service by request at any custody suite, court or by using our contact details. You can also request support once you have left custody or court, as long as you have not been sentenced.

Any professional including police, court staff, and detention officers make a referral on your behalf.  

For services across Thames Valley  

Call 0300 365 5555

Email for Berkshire LiaisonandDiversionBerks@berkshire.nhs.uk

Email for Oxfordshire LiaisonandDiversionOX@berkshire.nhs.uk

Email for Buckinghamshire LiaisonandDiversionBucks@berkshire.nhs.uk

For Hampshire and Isle of Wight

Call 0300 123 5066

Email for Hampshire LiaisonandDiversionHampshire@berkshire.nhs.uk

Email for Isle of Wight LiaisonandDiversionIOW@berkshire.nhs.uk

We respond to referrals within 3 working days or immediately where the service is present within courts and custody suites.

We have different contact and working times across each region.

Our teams are generally available between 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

If you contact us outside of these times, please leave a message and we’ll reply accordingly.

Abingdon, High Wycombe and Loddon Valley custody suites

Day of the week Time
Monday 7am to 8pm
Tuesday 7am to 8pm
Wednesday  7am to 8pm
Thursday 7am to 8pm
Friday 7am to 8pm
Saturday 7am to 8pm
Sunday 7am to 8pm

Call 0300 365 5555 

Aylesbury, Banbury and Maidenhead custody suites

Day of the week Time
Monday 8am to 4pm
Tuesday 8am to 4pm
Wednesday 8am to 4pm
Thursday 8am to 4pm
Friday 8am to 4pm
Saturday 8am to 4pm
Sunday 8am to 4pm

Call 0300 365 5555

Basingstoke, Portsmouth and Southampton Police custody suites

Day of the week Time
Monday 9am to 9pm
Tuesday 9am to 9pm
Wednesday 9am to 9pm
Thursday 9am to 9pm
Friday 9am to 9pm
Saturday 9am to 8pm
Sunday 9am to 9pm

Call 0300 123 5066 

Newport (Isle of Wight) custody suites 

Day of the week Time
Monday 9am to 5pm
Tuesday 9am to 5pm
Wednesday 9am to 5pm
Thursday 9am to 5pm
Friday 9am to 5pm
Saturday 10am to 2pm
Sunday 10am to 2pm

Call 0300 123 5066 

Contact information for different counties

We have different contact and working times across each region.

Our teams are generally available between 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

If you contact us outside of these times, please leave a message.

Oxford, Banbury, High Wycombe, Slough, Reading and Reading Crown Court 

Day of the week Time
Monday 9am to 5pm
Tuesday 9am to 5pm
Tuesday 9am to 5pm
Wednesday 9am to 5pm
Thursday 9am to 5pm
Friday 9am to 5pm

Call 0300 365 5555 

Basingstoke, Southampton, Portsmouth and Newport (Isle of Wight) Magistrate courts and Winchester Crown Court

Day of the week Time
Monday 9am to 5pm
Tuesday 9am to 5pm
Tuesday 9am to 5pm
Wednesday 9am to 5pm
Thursday 9am to 5pm
Friday 9am to 5pm

Call 0300 123 5066 

Contact information for different counties

Our mental health teams and services, including Talking Therapies, are available if you need support. 

Find out how to access mental health support 

You can also find resources and guides on our website to help you if you need more advice.  

Resources to help with your mental health wellbeing

Our other services

We also provide a selection of services if you need specialist support.

Find out more below and contact us.

Our teams work alongside liaison and diversion practitioners to support people going through the criminal justice system.

Find out more about our Peer Support and STR service (opens new browser tab)

Our Liaison and Diversion team provides support to UK veterans, regular and reserve, including those who have served in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, involved in the judicial system, either with the police or the courts. 

Find out more about our Veteran's support service (opens new browser tab)

If you’re a woman who has had contact with the police or courts our liaison and diversion team could help you.

Women in custody have different needs to men. We offer all women in custody or court an assessment to see how we can support their mental, physical and personal health and wellbeing as they make their way through the justice system.

Find out more about our Women's support service (opens a new browser tab)

If you’re aged under-18 and have had contact with the police or courts, the Liaison and Diversion service can support you. We’re an NHS team who work in custody and court. We do not work for the police or courts.

We help people who have been in contact with the police.

Find out more about our Youth support service (opens new browser tab)

Our RECONNECT service supports vulnerable prisoners as they prepare to leave prison.

Vulnerable prisoners can include those suspected of having a mental health condition, such as:

  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Autism
  • Past trauma
  • Other mental health difficulties

You can also access our service if you’re a veteran due to leave prison.

Find out more about our RECONNECT service (opens new browser tab)