Decision details

GMCA’s Justice and Rehabilitation Executive has agreed to develop a policy ambition to deliver a Whole-System Approach to Diversion from the Criminal Justice System (WSA2D).

This initiative aims to increase diversionary opportunities and reduce repeat offending in Greater Manchester. One of the key diversionary pathways is through the Greater Manchester Integrated Rehabilitative Services (GMIRS) provision.

GMIRS enables Greater Manchester to commission rehabilitative and resettlement services tailored to local needs, as per the agreement between HMPPS and GMCA under the local devolution agreement.

The Whole-System ambition will build on the current services provided by the GMIRS programme. With GMIRS set to be recommissioned by April 2027, GMCA has the opportunity to redesign these services and potentially establish a 'single front door' for referral, triage, and case management.

Our goal is to establish a 'prime model' facilitated by the creation of a 'single front door' for referral triage and case management. This will enhance service coordination, improve evidence-based practices by tracking data to identify effective strategies, and reduce the demand on the broader criminal justice system. This initiative is strategically aligned with the ongoing Sentencing and Criminal Court Reviews conducted by the Government.

The proposal aims to support GMCA in executing a high-level technical design phase for a 'single front door' for diversion, with GMIRS as a central element of the overall objective.

This will build on the Wellbeing Service as a universal offer. In the longer term, Greater Manchester wants to explore whether a GM service could provide a system-wide Assessment and Referral approach that includes arrest, disposal, sentencing, and release.

Accenture's team will contribute a blend of advanced technical design expertise and extensive criminal justice industry knowledge.

Accenture will conduct a high-level technical design phase for a 'single front door' for diversion, with a particular emphasis on GMIRS as a crucial element of the overall goal, at a cost of £90,000.