MK Dons Sports and Education Trust aims to DIVERT young adults between 18-25 years away from crime.
DIVERT is a custody Intervention programme which is designed to reduce reoffending and has been funded by the Thames Valley Police Violence Reduction Unit.
It will be delivered in the custody suites across Thames Valley by The New Era Foundation. The DIVERT custody Intervention coaches are not Police officers or staff and will instead work for the Football Club within the custody suites.
Conversations are confidential between the coach and the client. It will not interfere with the Criminal Justice process. They are fully trained and ready to listen in a non judgemental way.
DIVERT is totally voluntary for the young adult. The coaches will meet the young adult whilst in custody and seek to start a conversation and get some meaningful engagement.
They will complete a needs assessment with the client and then identify some effective interventions to make some positive changes in their lives.
DIVERT is there to offer hope and an opportunity to make positive change. Interventions will include access to employment, education and training opportunities.
DIVERT addresses a gap in the statutory provision for young people and is already successfully embedded in custody suites in Berkshire and across the Metropolitan and Lancashire Police Services.
