News

Since its launch in September 2025, the Neurodiversity in the Criminal Justice System in Merseyside project has reached significant milestones, exceeding expectations in both reach and impact.

Commissioned by the PCC and the Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership (MVRP), the project was developed to address a critical gap: the lack of appropriate, accessible support for neurodivergent people, who are disproportionately represented in the criminal justice system as victims, witnesses, and defendants.

Working in partnership with clinical specialists Sinclair Strong Consultants, Warrington based, national social care charity, Making Space has played a central role in shaping and delivering the project - bringing its social care expertise and strong commitment to lived experience to the forefront.

As a result, the project has grown into a pioneering initiative, transforming how neurodivergent individuals are understood and supported across the criminal justice system.

Merseyside Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell said: “Neurodivergence is not a flaw to be fixed, it is a valuable and important part of human diversity. By adapting the way we work across our services, we can improve outcomes for individuals while also reducing demand and pressure on the wider system.

“This project is a strong example of how partnership working, lived experience and evidence-based practice can come together to create meaningful change. By equipping professionals with the tools, knowledge and confidence to better understand neurodivergent needs, we are helping to build a more inclusive and responsive criminal justice system across Merseyside.

“I am proud that Merseyside is leading the way with an approach that is already gaining national recognition. This work is not only improving experiences for neurodivergent people as victims, witnesses, and defendants, but is also helping to create fairer processes and better long-term outcomes for our communities.”

At the heart of this work is a comprehensive Neurodiversity Toolkit, co-developed through extensive consultation led by Making Space with neurodivergent individuals and professionals. The toolkit includes more than 60 bespoke resources and signposts to over 200 additional materials, supporting both individuals and frontline staff across policing, probation, courts, custody, and victim services.

A key strength of the project has been its commitment to lived experience. A lived-experience focus group was delivered as part of the evaluation in partnership with Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), designed to be both empowering and trauma-informed.

A co-researcher with lived experience of both neurodivergence and the criminal justice system played a central role in shaping the evaluation. This approach has proven so valuable that it is now being considered as a model for future projects.

A draft evaluation report is due to be published in the coming weeks, with a final report anticipated in Summer 2026.

A bespoke and sustainable training package has been developed, ensuring the project’s impact will continue long after the funded period ends.

Large-scale online workshops reached approximately 150 criminal justice staff in a single session; alongside additional sessions delivered to professionals working with the National Autistic Society and Independent Custody Visitors (ICVs).

The Neurodiversity Toolkit is now live on the Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership (VRP) website and is freely accessible to criminal justice services and the wider community. You can find it here: www.merseysidevrp.com/resources/neurodiversity-toolkit/

Tailored workshops and engagement sessions were delivered across Merseyside criminal justice services, engaging a wide range of partners including Women’s Probation, Youth Justice Services across all five Merseyside boroughs, police custody suites, Approved Premises, Victim Support, RASA Merseyside, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), and Career Connect.

What began as a Merseyside-based initiative has developed into a project with genuine national reach. Professionals across England and Wales have engaged with the toolkit, with interest extending beyond the criminal justice system into health, social care, education, and the voluntary sector, demonstrating that the resource is meeting a far wider need than originally anticipated.

Feedback from professionals shows the toolkit and training have sparked meaningful conversations within teams about how neurodivergent individuals are supported. Neurodivergent professionals have also reported that the resources are accessible and useful, highlighting the inclusive and thoughtful design of the materials.

In April 2026, the Making Space team received formal recognition from Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Jeanie Bell: “Your expertise was evident throughout, and the clarity with which you explained both the practical applications and the underlying principles made the session incredibly valuable. Your contribution significantly enhanced the ICVs’ understanding of how neurodiversity can influence communication, behaviour, and engagement within custody settings. We are sincerely grateful for the time, knowledge, and thoughtful perspectives you brought to this session.”

The team also received individual certificates of appreciation, recognising their commitment to improving awareness and outcomes for neurodivergent individuals within custody settings.

Reflecting on the project, Making Space CEO Rachel Peacock said: “At Making Space we are proud to be part of this pioneering partnership. By putting the voices of neurodivergent people with lived experience at the heart of the project, we have co-created a toolkit that is both practical and meaningful. This work demonstrates the impact of true collaboration and the difference it can make in building a more inclusive criminal justice system where everyone is recognised, supported and given the chance of better outcomes.”

With the toolkit publicly hosted on the VRP website, a comprehensive pre-recorded training offer in place, and the evaluation with LJMU completed, the project has created a strong and sustainable foundation for a more neuroinclusive criminal justice system.

Daryhl Lewis, Wellbeing Services Lead, said: "This project shows what can happen when passionate people come together. Embedding co-production has been the foundation of this work, and Liam Rhodes' lived experience contribution to the report has been a key part of bringing this to life. We're proud to be standing alongside Merseyside in championing neurodiversity and making positive steps towards inclusion. A huge thank you to everyone who has supported our work."