Surrey and Sussex Probation Trust Offenders and Employment

Surrey and Sussex Probation Trust Offenders and Employment Mary D’Arcy Director East Sussex Local Delivery Unit & John Lindford Job Deal Team Manager Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire NACRO “Inspiring public confidence by cutting crime”

• Offenders who gain employment are 30 -50% less likely to offend • 1 in 3 men has a criminal conviction “Inspiring public confidence by cutting crime”

East Sussex • 734 offenders are currently being supervised in the community • 57% report that they have an employment, training or education need (2011 -12 figures). • The highest area of need was in Lewes District 64% the lowest in Wealdon 44% • The East Sussex figures are slightly higher than the SSPT average, but lower than the national average of 61% • In 2012 -13 approximately 18% of those reporting such need, gained employment whilst under our supervision. (The employment gained measure does not capture all casual or intermittent employment). • Of those, 72% sustained employment (for 4 weeks or more) “Inspiring public confidence by cutting crime”

Barriers to Employment for Offenders • Poor school record and lack of basic skills – Unable to complete application forms • Low levels of accredited work skills • Low self esteem and levels of expectation – Inability to perform well in interview or identify transferable skills • Intermittent work record • Homelessness • Substance misuse • Health (including mental health issues) • Type of offence – violent, sexual, breach of trust • Employer attitudes - stigma and competition for jobs means employers are more likely to offer jobs to those they believe have not offended “Inspiring public confidence by cutting crime”

Partnership Working One way to improve outcomes • • • National Careers Service Job Centre Plus NACRO Buck Project Integrated Offender Management Local Offender Strategic Employment Partnership • Housing Options and Advice • Home Works floating support • PACT Volunteer service “Inspiring public confidence by cutting crime”

NACRO & NOMS ESF JOB DEAL John Lindford “Inspiring public confidence by cutting crime”

Nacro • National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders. • Nacro is the largest crime reduction charity in the UK • 1, 400 staff in 200 communities across England Wales • The Nacro Job Deal project in Surrey and Sussex has worked with 498 participants since November 2011 of which 119 have secured employment, including voluntary and self employment. “Inspiring public confidence by cutting crime”

Nacro • Work in partnership with Probation and Prison services. • Nacro case workers work one to one with offenders, offering Information, Advice and Guidance to access education, training and employment • Participants develop a SMART (Specific, Measureable, Achievable, Realistic and Time bound) action plan. • Once in employment Nacro continue to provide In Work Support, fund PPE, travel & additional training. • Common practical themes – CV, disclosure, training, work related qualifications e. g. CSCS & food hygiene, employment taster sessions and job search. • Common attitudinal themes – Self esteem & motivation “Inspiring public confidence by cutting crime”

Nacro – case study • Miss C signed up for Job Deal whilst in custody, • Areas addressed included: CV development, disclosure of offences and interview skills using an employability course. • Returned to Eastbourne on release. Interested in voluntary work to rebuild trust and gain new skills. Job search completed, accompanied to local voluntary bureau. • Assisted to find two voluntary positions which enabled her to build confidence and gain structure in her life post custody. • Miss C has been volunteering for six months, engages well with Nacro and continues to search for full time paid employment. “Inspiring public confidence by cutting crime”

The Future • ‘Transforming Rehabilitation’ – – ‘National Probation Service’ and 21 Community Rehabilitation Companies. – Contracts to be based on Payment by Results – Employment outcomes will be key to reducing re-offending. • Improve Employer Engagement • Increase the number of placements for offenders where they can develop skills • Work with local colleges to increase accessibility for offenders • Work with Job Centre Plus to utilise partnership spaces to increase access for offenders to main stream provision “Inspiring public confidence by cutting crime”

Questions? & Thank you “Inspiring public confidence by cutting crime”