1. Women’s Pathfinder The Diversion Scheme Evaluation
Presenter: Wendy Hyett, South Wales Police
Noddir gan
Sponsored by

2. What is the Women’s Pathfinder Diversion Scheme?
Providing prompt, positive intervention and support to women at the earliest opportunity… diverts away from crime and offending… and enables healthy, positive lives!

3. Who do we work with? Over 1,200 women from across 7 local authorities across South Wales…
44%
34%
27%
26%
16% 9%
Two thirds (63%) had children
2.6 32
Mental Health need
Finance, Benefit &
Debt problems
51%
Average needs
Mean age
Had a child under the age of 5 years
25%
Accommodation problems
39%
Lone parents
Issues with Children & Family matters
Victim of domestic or sexual violence
33%
Some form of Social Service Involvement
63%
Alcohol issues
Drug issues
First time offenders

4. What do we do? PROCESS Woman arrested
Police undertake ‘quick eligibility test’
Referral to women’s specialist provider
Provider undertaken in depth needs assessment with the women
Relevant safeguarding checks if relevant
Provider makes recommendation to Police
Police Custody Sergeant makes decision to offer WP Diversion Scheme
Women needs to consent
Support/ intervention taken up
Flexible in terms of length and focus according to women’s needs

5. What difference does it make?
Evaluation demonstrated…
Increases in
Decreases in
Sense of agency
Feelings of hope
Motivation to change
Resilience
Trust
Wellbeing
Impulsivity
Practical problems:
Mental health
Family situation
Addressing domestic abuse
Offending behaviour
Alcohol use
Housing situation
26% REDUCTION IN REOFFENDING
RE-ARREST RATE IS HALF THAT OF
COMPARRISON AREAS
(17.5% compared with 35%)

6. Over 1200 women diverted to date!! Listen to what they said…
‘It’s just been really useful to be honest and I find it easier to speak to people, which is something obviously I needed to get a job and stuff like that, so it’s done me the world of good to be honest. I was just so depressed but now I’m sort of getting there.’
‘I’m a very bubbly person but since this incident I’ve lost all my confidence and I’m feeling really low, where when I can come here I can talk. They listen, they help, they give me advice. Brilliant service.’
‘...they treat you like a human being and you know. Like a human being and just listening to us, and [are] there for us.’
‘Sometimes people find themselves in a bad situation and without the help of the Women’s Pathfinder, my situation could have spiralled out of control. It’s good to give people a second chance because sometimes a mistake can change your life. So thank you for all your help.’
‘Yes, more because it’s helped me become a more confident parent more than anything, and that has had a knock on impact on the children as well, so it has helped all of us.’