Making Space helps launch pioneering neurodiversity toolkit for the criminal justice system

Published 22 September 2025

We were proud to be part of the recent launch (Friday, 19 September) of a pioneering suite of resources designed to improve support for neurodivergent people across the Liverpool City Region’s (LCR) criminal justice system.

The new toolkit features more than 60 bespoke, accessible documents – including easy-read guides and worksheets – for people who come into contact with the justice system, such as victims, witnesses and defendants, and their families and carers. It also includes tailored tools for frontline professionals including police, probation, custody, courts and victims’ services, and signposts to more than 200 additional resources, making it one of the most comprehensive neurodiversity toolkits in the criminal justice landscape.

At the event in Liverpool city centre, we joined community safety partners including the LCR Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, the Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership, and Sinclair-Strong Consultants. The presentation was delivered by our Wellbeing Service Manager, Daryhl Lewis, alongside Project Development Workers, Rebecca Horridge and Emily Reece. We were also proud to be represented by our CEO, Rachel Peacock, and Deputy CEO, Phil Orton.

Curated by Sinclair-Strong Consultants – led by a senior forensic psychologist and clinical team – the resources were developed in collaboration with Making Space, who led in-depth consultation with professionals and neurodivergent people with lived experience of the criminal justice system, as well as engaging with practitioners and individuals from the probation service and regional prisons.

Evidence shows neurodivergent people are disproportionately represented across the criminal justice system, often due to unmet needs and a lack of appropriate support. This toolkit aims to address that gap by giving practitioners practical tools to help individuals navigate the system more effectively, access the right support at the right time, improve outcomes and reduce reoffending.

Rachel Peacock, Chief Executive of Making Space, said:

At Making Space we are proud to be part of this pioneering partnership, working alongside Sinclair-Strong Consultants, the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Merseyside Violence Reduction 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.

Daryhl Lewis, Wellbeing Service Manager at Making Space, said:

Leading this project on behalf of Making Space has been a privilege. From the beginning, our focus has been on hearing the voice of neurodivergent people and their families and working closely with professionals across the system to understand the challenges they face. The result is a toolkit shaped by lived experience and professional insight, giving practitioners the resources they need to offer effective support, while ensuring individuals and communities feel understood, respected and empowered. 

A big thank you to the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, Jeanie Bell, for supporting us at the launch and driving this work in Merseyside, and to our guest speakers Jack Fitzpatrick and Charley Wilson for sharing their expertise and insights.”

Partners added:

“Neurodivergence is not a flaw to be fixed, it’s a valuable part of human diversity. “I hope by launching this toolkit today and showcasing the suite of bespoke resources to professionals working across the criminal justice sector will mark a turning point in how neurodiversity is understood and responded to in our region. By adapting our systems to meet people’s needs, we can ensure better outcomes for the individual involved and their family, while also easing the pressure on the police and our criminal justice partners and building safer, more inclusive communities.”
Merseyside’s Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, Cllr Jeanie Bell

“At the Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership, we are committed to tackling the root causes of crime and supporting those most at risk. Neurodivergent individuals often face unique challenges that can increase their vulnerability within the criminal justice system. By funding and supporting this toolkit, we are helping to ensure that professionals have the right resources to recognise and respond to those needs early - preventing harm, reducing reoffending, and ultimately building safer, more inclusive communities.”
Director of the Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership, Supt Georgie Garvey

“On behalf of Sinclair-Strong Consultants Ltd, I am incredibly proud to speak about the remarkable journey and achievement represented by the Merseyside Neurodiversity Toolkit Project - a truly collaborative endeavour that reflects the dedication, expertise, and compassion of so many individuals and organisations. It’s an opportunity to celebrate partnerships, innovation and impact. This project stands as a testament to what can be achieved when lived experience is placed at the centre and when organisations work together towards a common goal. By equipping practitioners with the right tools and knowledge, we are helping to address systemic gaps, reduce disparities, and ultimately improve outcomes for neurodivergent people—whether they are victims, witnesses, or those accused of offences. As we look ahead, SSC is excited to continue this journey, supporting the implementation and ongoing development of the toolkit, and ensuring that neurodiversity is recognised as a vital aspect of human diversity that enriches our communities.”
Michelle Snook, Director of Operations at Sinclair-Strong Consultants

The project continues until March 2026, with lived experience focus groups guiding future resources, the trial of a Neurodivergent Passport, and work to embed the toolkit across the criminal justice system. The Public Health Institute at Liverpool John Moores University is evaluating the project’s impact.

For access to the resources or to learn more, please contact Daryhl.Lewis@makingspace.co.uk.

Photographs from the launch event can be found here.