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
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
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
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
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
A home for everyone
Our Strategy 2015 -18
• 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
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
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
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.
