Summary
The Youth Endowment Fund (YEF) are looking to commission one or more policing consultants to work alongside their Whole Area Model (WAM) sites to strengthen and develop key aspects of diversion practice.
Evidence shows that diverting children away from the criminal justice system reduces reoffending and violence, but delivery of diversion across England and Wales is inconsistent.
In response, YEF launched the Whole Area Model (WAM) in July 2025, a change programme designed to improve and embed evidence-informed diversion practices. Four police forces and their aligned Youth Justice Services are currently participating, receiving practical, on-the-ground support to reform their policies, processes and practices.
Project Goals
We are looking to commission one or more policing consultants to work alongside our WAM sites to develop specific areas. Key objectives include:
- Strengthening child-centred policing practices
- Supporting diversion policy and practice improvements
- Embedding robust decision making
- Reducing unnecessary use of custody
- Improving operational pathways into diversion and support
- Ensuring relevance of wider WAM activity to policing
- Sharing learning and supporting sustainability
How to Apply
Proposals should clearly set out expertise in policing, experience of working within or with police forces to drive evidence-based practice, and a proposed approach to working with our four WAM sites.
Applicants should submit a proposal by Friday 27th February to change.yef@youthendowmentfund.org.uk
Questions will be accepted until Monday 23rd February, please email change.yef@youthendowmentfund.org.uk