Through the Gate - an overview

Transcription

1 Manchester Evening Seminar Through the Gate - an overview Donna Yates Assistant Chief Executive, Cheshire & Gtr Manchester CRC and Sarah Cooke Transforming Rehabilitation NW Contracts Manager, Shelter 9 June, 2015

2 Introduction The Offender Rehabilitation Act 2014 (ORA 14) and the new Community Rehabilitation Company (CRC) contracts mean there are a number of positive changes being made to those who are sentenced to custody and this presentation details what these changes are and how as Cheshire & Greater Manchester CRC (C&GM CRC) we have prepared for tem.

3 ORA 14 What does this mean? Enables statutory involvement with those revolving door cases. Enables a more coordinated approach to addressing risk and needs. Increases expectations in terms of compliance and engagement with relevant services/interventions. Provides a 12 month period in the community to monitor, address and support change; thereby reducing reoffending. For example: An individual sentenced to 6 months custody will serve: [Total 12 months community provision] 3 months custody 3 months licence 9 months post sentence supervision

4 Expectations/Implications Licence recalls Breach of post sentence supervision 50,000 new offenders to work with Nationally Annually, approximately 2,101 each year in C&GM CRC 362 already in our system some in custody and some already on licence/pss Gradual build up of cases as only those sentenced for offences committed on or after 1 st February 2015 eligible

5 Resettlement and the CRC? Resettlement planning for ALL prisoners Crisis intervention at commencement of incarceration in relation to accommodation, debt and finance, ETE, support for sex workers and support for domestic abuse victims Referral/signposting to relevant in-custody provision Liaison with prison and Offender Manager Ownership of plan by the prisoner 5

6 Resettlement and the CRC? Resettlement plan review 12 weeks pre-release Preparation for release through delivery of interventions in the 5 areas identified previously (where relevant) Coordinated approach to release Involvement of relevant others, including family and friends Confirmation of expectations upon release The in-custody work will be delivered by Shelter on behalf of Purple Futures and contract managed by 3SC

7 A home for everyone Our Strategy Shelter helps millions of people a year struggling with bad housing or homelessness and we campaign to prevent it in the first place We re here so no one has to fight bad housing or homelessness on their own Our values are: Bold, Passionate, Focused and Together Which were formatted in partnership with everyone we work with We will strive every day to give people the help they need and campaign relentlessly to achieve our vision of a home for everyone

8 Who we are We employ over 1300 staff and have a network of more than 1200 volunteers who all play a vital role in making sure no one fights bad housing or homelessness on their own. Shelter - Fundraising Scotland Campaigns, Policy & Communications Shelter Trading Limited Operations inc. Services Finance & Resources

9 Transforming Rehabilitation Under the new TR contract we mobilised in 5 CPAs and 19 Resettlement establishments working with Purple Futures and Sodexo. Key elements of Resettlement Service are: Completion of Stage Two Basic Custody Screening Tool (BCST Part 2) Crisis Intervention Resettlement Plan Signposting and Engagement Pre-Release Peers Adviser Service

10 Model

11 EMPLOYMENT Interventions ACCOMMODATION FINANCE / BENEFIT AND DEBT 1) Engagement Accept referrals and engage offenders in custody (or community) Carry out Initial assessment of need. Carry out skills audit, review prior learning and produce Action plan. Support is provided on a one to one basis 2) Intervention Delivery of specific interventions or support to improve the skills, qualification and employment opportunities of an individual. This can be delivered either on a one to one or group basis and could include: o Time Keeping o Communication skills in the work place o Appropriate dress o Resilience o Managing emotions o Employee rights in the work place Pre work support as required for example CV writing / job search skills/ application support/ interview techniques/ disclosure support. Identify and secure suitable new accommodation options via liaison with existing housing provider. Facilitate access to housing benefit by making contact with benefit departments. Assess eligibility for statutory homelessness status and progress statutory homelessness applications Advise each Referred Offender on rent or mortgage arrears and possession action across all tenures. Advise each Referred Offender on housing rights following relationship breakdown. Assist in the preparation of housing applications to private landlords, social housing providers and other housing providers. Negotiate housing arrears on behalf of the Referred Offender and establish arrears payment schemes. Support and assist in facilitating visits to establishments by housing support staff to interview Referred Offenders. Provide supporting letters in support of any applications for rehousing from the Referred Offender. Refer to Legal Advice where clients is eligible for Legal Aid. At pre-release stage, confirm and record pre-release housing option to be taken and confirm future contact points. Shelter Resettlement Workers will assess each Referred Offender s financial situation, stability and accrued debts and an agreed plan detailing agreed actions on how to manage this, and appropriate referral to specialist agencies. Provide guidance and advocacy support to referred Offenders in accessing benefits and managing benefit claims processes. Support each Referred Offender in contacting creditors and/or financial providers through direct advocacy, coaching and supervision of contact. The Service may link closely to peer or volunteer mentoring to support more joined up delivery. Source appropriate training in budgeting and other financial matter, make Bank Account applications as appropriate. Negotiate with creditors and apply for DRO and Debt resolution systems.

12 537 BCST P2s completed Progress So Far Week Pre-release Resettlement plans (Not inclusive of SSOs) Full staff teams Launch of new systems and structures across large Geographical areas Engagement of HMP staff and Senior management. Improved relationships and information sharing between Pathways HMP Forest Bank resettlement services are currently being delivered by C&GM CRC all Part 2s are up to date and the co-ordination of the pre-release work is currently underway

13 Go-Live Resettlement services launched on Friday 1 May 2015! Collaborative working key to success of the continued development of the model moving forward Clear Governance and Communications structure agreed and in place Open and honest approach to avoid duplication, overcome barriers and identify gaps in provision Effective partnerships and accurate and up-to-date supply chain/directory of Service key to accessing and securing relevant support for offenders

14 Questions?