ReRoute works with young adults, where an individual is often presenting with some of the most prolific vulnerabilities.
ReRoute is a voluntary programme that reaches out to 17–25-year-olds who are suspected of having committed the following offences (with a home address in Southend, Essex and Thurrock):
- Possession of a bladed article
- Possession of class A with intent to supply.
- Possession of class B with intent to supply.
- Grievous bodily harm
- Robbery
- Violent disorder
- Affray
The ReRoute programme is based on the logic that engaging with young adult’s post arrest who are either released under investigation (RUI) or on bail and providing individualised, targeted support at this key teachable time, leads to improved outcomes for the individual and potentially reduced harm to communities.
The average time between a young persons’ arrest/first contact with the justice system and appearance at Crown Court can be up to two years. This means there is a significant gap between the time someone is suspected of committing an offence and the point they typically receive an intervention – if they are found guilty at court.
During this time the person may find it hard to deal with the uncertainty of their situation, little support by way of interventions may be in place and the persons’ vulnerability around environmental, behavioural, wellbeing and criminogenic factors is exacerbated.
Early Intervention
ReRoute recognises the importance of engaging with young adults at the earliest opportunity following arrest. There is a solid evidence base which supports the theory that early intervention at key moments increases the opportunity for purposeful and motivated engagement from a young person supporting desistence from offending behaviours.
ReRoute workers introduce as many protective factors as possible to a young adult’s life, taking a holistic approach and considering their situation, needs and motivations.
They offer help and support for housing, finances, education, training, employment, future plans, lifestyle and health and wellbeing.
ReRoute workers provide consistency in their engagement and persistence with young adults. This includes understanding when is not the right time to engage but equally they don’t ‘disappear’ and will continue to make contact as and when it is appropriate.
The ReRoute workers don’t focus on the offending behaviour/arrest but use their experience to build trust and a relationship with the young person in order to support them to make positive changes to their individual situations.
Positive outcomes through ReRoute include young people returning to education, finding employment, starting training courses or making positive life changes.
If you are a police officer dealing with a young adult at the point of arrest for a ReRoute trigger offence, or a professional working with young people and are working with someone due to a ReRoute trigger offence then making a referral to ReRoute could change their life.
If you have a young person that meets the referral criteria, please email [email protected]
Our ReRoute YouTube video explains more.
