From a Crossroads to a Career and Education with DIVERT Support
“If it wasn’t for the DIVERT team my grandson wouldn’t be where he is now, they helped him when he needed it most.” – Grandmother of participant
In June 2023, a 15-year-old from North London was referred to the DIVERT programme via its new digital early intervention tool the DIVERT App. Concerned about the young person’s wellbeing, the referral was submitted following the teenager’s arrest for serious drugs and weapons related offences.
Designed to help frontline police officers in Camden & Islington connect vulnerable young people to timely support, the App enabled an officer based in one of the schools to make a direct referral to the DIVERT team. DIVERT is a Metropolitan Police initiative funded by London’s Violence Reduction Unit and delivered in partnership with the Bounce Back Project.
The officer, who had built a rapport with the young person through school engagement work, believed he was at a crucial crossroads. The behaviour that led to the arrest was reportedly out of character, and there were growing concerns around potential exploitation and gang association.
His DIVERT coach, Matt, arranged a visit with the young person and his grandmother, who had long been his primary carer. It was clear that she was providing a stable home environment and was deeply worried about the sudden changes in his behaviour. She feared that he had become vulnerable to manipulation by others and was relieved that support was being offered early.
When approached by the DIVERT team, the young person was honest about his mistakes and expressed remorse for his actions and a willingness to change. He was not seeking to avoid responsibility, but to take meaningful steps forward and away from the levels of risk he had become involved in. He had ambitions to work in a practical field, with a particular interest in construction and a long-term goal of becoming self-employed.
Court Involvement and Accountability
In Spring 2025 the young person attended court after being charged with possession with intent to supply (PWITS) Class A drugs, an offence for which he had been arrested in Summer 2022. To support the young person at his Court hearing, his DIVERT coach, Matt, submitted a testimony outlining the positive steps he had taken since his arrest and provided the court with a fuller picture of his efforts to rehabilitate. It underlined how structured intervention had assisted him and how his own personal commitment had led to meaningful change.
Entering Employment and Education
With the guidance of DIVERT and their delivery partners, the young person gradually began to reform himself. With the support of his DIVERT coach, Matt, and his family, he enrolled in a Level 1 Electrical Installation course at a local college and attended a pre-employment programme to build workplace confidence and learn basic life skills. Recognising the value of structure and routine, he also began looking for part-time work to support his studies and personal growth.
By September 2023, he had secured a role through Pret a Manger’s Rising Stars programme, which supports young people facing barriers into employment. The work offered not only financial stability, but also a sense of responsibility and community. Over time, he became a trusted and valued team member and after passing his probation, he was offered a position at a high-profile branch. Due to his commitment and ability, later the following year he was invited to join a leadership programme, which included a week-long teambuilding retreat in Austria.
Now 17, this young person is preparing to begin a Level 3 Electrical Installation course, with the support of his DIVERT coach, Matt, to transition into an apprenticeship. He remains committed to building a stable, positive future and recognises the opportunity he has been given to make a lasting change.
