Together Wellbeing Pathway
The Together Wellbeing Pathway (TWP) is commissioned as a part of the Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) pathway in London. The OPD Pathway is part of the Integrated Community Service (ICS), managed by the London Pathways Partnership (LPP) and the National Probation Service (NPS). It is jointly funded, commissioned and delivered by HMPPS and NHS England.
The aim of the OPD Pathway is to improve the management of people who have offended and who are likely to meet the criteria for a diagnosis of personality disorder. The OPD Pathway takes place predominantly within the criminal justice system (CJS) and takes a Biopsychosocial approach. The four high level outcomes for the OPD pathway are:
- Improved public protection
- Improved psychological health, wellbeing, pro-social behaviour and relational outcomes
- Improved competence, confidence and attitudes of staff working with people who have offended, and who are likely to meet the diagnostic criteria for ‘personality disorder’
- Increased efficiency, cost effectiveness and quality of OPD pathway services
The TWP operates an integrated model of care and demonstrates effective communication methods, involving health, criminal justice and social care professionals, as well as non-statutory partners. The model is underpinned by the concept of relational security and a clear understanding of the importance of boundaries.
The TWP service supports people who identify as male and who are impacted by personality difficulties and are screened on the Offender Personality Disorder Pathway. The service focuses predominantly, but not exclusively, on young people of 18-30 years old and individuals from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds (BAME).
The support offered is independent, flexible, needs-led and highly individualised; aiming to help service-users increase their levels of overall engagement and improve their ability to form and maintain stronger relationships. The TWP service aims to support people for up to 12-18 months to:
- Increase and sustain their engagement to support networks
- Build stronger relationships (e.g. family, friends, community-based groups)
Service users have the opportunity to access one or a combination of the following options of support concurrently or consecutively:
- The Forensic Mental Health Practitioner (FMHP) offers one-to-one emotional support sessions. These often involve low-Intensity CBT-based interventions, Motivational Interviewing and Brief Solution Focused Interventions.
- The person can be matched with a Peer Supporter in accordance with their preferences where possible. Peer Supporters are volunteers at Together and they have lived experience of personality disorder and the criminal justice system. They use their lived experience and relational skills to help the person feel more empowered, motivated, confident and able to build better relationships.
- The FMHP can match the person with a Practical Supporter. Practical Supporters are volunteers at Together who primarily support service users with practical matters, such as accompany them to medical appointments, or help them to make a grant application. Practical Supporters also can act as befrienders in order to help the person feel socially active and increase their sense of companionship.
Enquiries
For more information about The Together Wellbeing Pathway, please contact Matina Marougka.
