Women’s Pathfinder Whole System Approach and 18-25 Early Intervention Service

In October 2019 the Police and Crime Commissioners for Gwent and South Wales joined together with the Welsh Government and Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service in Wales to commission two new services: The Women’s Pathfinder Whole System Approach and 18-25 Early Intervention Service, to support women and young people and help to prevent them from entering the criminal justice system.

The services have been established as part of the wider Ministry of Justice and Welsh Government Female Offending Blueprint for Wales and are delivered by the Future 4 Consortium of G4S, Safer Wales, Include and Llamau.

They provide targeted support for issues such as alcohol and substance misuse and mental health problems while helping to improving family relationships, curb the cycle of adverse childhood experiences and improve community cohesion through a reduction in reoffending. The services work to divert individuals from criminality by creating a support network and helping them to live safer, healthier lives.

The Whole Service Approach is delivered via three pathways:
1. Early Intervention and Prevention: Working with women at risk of offending as well as those who have committed low level offences.
2. Statutory Pathway: From arrest or voluntary attendance with the police through the criminal justice processes and beyond.
3. Reducing Re-offending: Supporting women and continuing to ensure their needs are being met, including accessing community and statutory services if needed.
The 18-25 Early Intervention Service supports a young person at point of arrest in Gwent or South Wales. If they are not to be charged with an offence, they are encouraged to take up the opportunity to avoid a criminal record in the future.

The Women’s Pathfinder Whole System Approach and 18-25 Early Intervention Service have been endorsed by Wales Deputy Minister and Chief Whip, Jane Hutt and the Victims Commissioner, Dame Vera Baird QC.

*Hayley’s life has been revitalized by the support from WSA:

“When I was arrested it just felt my life was over, it was absolutely awful. It was only after I had contact with WSA that I felt like I was not alone. They have given me new horizons.

“They have put me in touch with foodbanks, I’ve been on courses for mindfulness. I didn’t realise there were so many opportunities out there.

“If it wasn’t for WSA, I wouldn’t have known anything about it. I’ve got the best support worker I’ve ever had.”
*Not her real name

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