Popular but Poorly Defined: A Scoping Review of Youth Diversion Schemes

ABSTRACT This scoping review describes youth diversion schemes, with a key focus on how diversion is defined, implemented, and evaluated. We provide a narrative synthesis of 68 studies and examine key components of each diversion scheme, including: eligibility and exclusion criteria, timing of diversion, the mechanism of intervention, outcome measures and key findings. We identify which schemes appear most promising, while highlighting methodological limitations and gaps in the evidence base. Our analysis revealed that although diversion is widely endorsed as a way to reduce recidivism and to avoid the harmful effects of justice system contact, substantial variation still exists in how the concept is applied. Schemes differ not only in timing and intensity but also in their underlying aims—ranging from minimising justice system contact to addressing offending behaviour through to the provision of intensive interventions. This definitional ambiguity hinders evaluation and policy development. We recommend improvement across four key areas: (1) clarifying how diversion is defined and operationalised; (2) reconsidering the restrictiveness of eligibility criteria; (3) broadening outcome measures beyond recidivism; and (4) analysing program effects by diversion type and timing. Without greater consistency and transparency, it remains difficult for decision‐makers to identify and invest in effective diversion approaches.