Purpose

The Greater Manchester Justice Devolution programme is implementing a Whole System Approach to Diversion to reduce harm and reoffending. The Wigan Pilot focuses on individuals within the criminal justice system, particularly Persistent, Prolific and Problematic Offenders and those at risk of offending.
Approval of this funding will enable the programme to continue for a further 12 months, supporting the ongoing development and refinement of the model within Wigan. The extended period will allow continued testing of delivery approaches, strengthening of multi-agency working, and embedding of local system leadership.
The extension will support the continued delivery of reducing reoffending activity and provide further evidence of impact, value for money, and operational effectiveness. This will inform future decisions regarding rollout across other Local Authority areas in Greater Manchester.
The funding will:
• Support continued delivery of a Whole System Approach to Diversion, targeting repeat offenders and those at risk of entering the criminal justice system
• Enable the Reducing Reoffending Reform Lead to provide strategic oversight, coordination and system leadership across partners
• Strengthen multi-agency working across probation, policing, local authorities, health and VCSE partners
• Further develop and refine a local delivery model, including locality-based reducing reoffending boards
Build the evidence base to support scalability and future implementation across Greater Manchester.

Decision

To approve the award of £60,000 to Wigan Community Safety & Partnerships, within Wigan Council, to continue funding for the Reducing Reoffending Reform Lead.

This will enable the continuation of the Wigan Pilot for a further 12 months to support delivery and development of the Whole System Approach to Diversion.

Contract period: 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027.