A pioneering shift: Revolving Doors supports launch of integrated non-custodial services in the South West
Over the past 18 months, Revolving Doors and our members have been supporting the set-up of integrated non-custodial care services (IN-CS) in the South West, including RECONNECT (a service that supports continuity of care for people leaving prison), Liaison and Diversion, and mental health treatment requirements.
Our involvement in IN-CS has been a truly groundbreaking opportunity to bring lived experience voices into the heart of non-custodial services in the South West. It represents a pioneering shift, where non-custodial care services work together to ensure that people in the criminal justice system with unmet health needs can access the holistic cross-service support they need to break the cycle of crisis and crime.
IN-CS was launched in March and went live in April after months of hard work from South West NHS teams and providers, and the Revolving Doors coproduction panel. Here, panellist and lived experience member Rebecca reflects on the launch of IN-CS and what it means for joined-up support for people in the cycle of crisis and crime:
The Integrated Non-Custodial service went live on 1 April 2025, after a successful, well attended launch event in March. An exciting moment for the commissioners in the NHS, and Revolving Doors South-West coproduction panel who have worked together on parts of the service design since 2023.
Gail, one of the NHS commissioners had an idea that a more integrated service could better serve people who are in touch with the criminal justice system. The vision was one of better health outcomes for certain populations, an offer of an alternative, to a custodial sentence which would address unmet health needs, if appropriate, and reduced re-offending, by providing a more joined up service tailored to five specific populations.
We were made to feel that it was an equal partnership.
The South-West coproduction panel offered a different perspective and insight to the process, through a lived experience lens, to help shape the service specification and key performance indicators of the new service. We met regularly with Gail, Martin and Shannon, we were always warmly welcomed with the all-important biscuits, and our time, energy and thoughts were clearly appreciated and valued.
We helped evaluate the bidders’ answers and presentations and were also part of the moderation process.
Towards the end of the mobilisation phase in March, the NHS commissioners hosted the IN-CS launch event which was attended by representatives from the organisations that won the bids for the five different lots in the South-West, and the partner organisations who are also providing the service. It was an exciting and informative day; brilliant to hear people speaking passionately about the difference the service will make to individuals in touch with the criminal justice system who may previously have experienced barriers to engagement or fallen through the net. The South-West coproduction panel were fully involved in the launch event, with one panel member compering and others involved in a question-and-answer panel, sharing their experiences of being involved with the project.
Everyone was there with the common purpose of improving health outcomes and lives for marginalised groups. Fantastic to be part of this brilliant project.
Senior Involvement Manager Lucy Woods is Revolving Doors’ lead on the IN-CS project. She said:
The relationships built between the Coproduction Panel and the NHS SW Commissioners have been central to the success of this project.
We have worked as a team on an equal footing, the knowledge of the commissioning team has broadened the perspectives from our team, and the insights from our team have created vital depth in understanding for the commissioners redesigning the non-custodial services in the South West.
I am really excited to see how the integration of these services benefits communities over the coming months and years.
