This page is here for archive purposes, to showcase CFO and European Social Fund (ESF) achievements between 2009 - 2015. For information on the latest ESF funded National Offender Management Service (NOMS) programme, please click here

Research

Projects aimed at improving employability are seen as key to changing offender's lives and reducing reoffending. Since January 2010, the NOMS European Social Fund (ESF) Co-financing programme has been working with participants who would benefit from additional employment and skills provision.

The NOMS ESF Programme aims to complement existing provision, particularly the Offender Learning and Skills Service (OLASS) in prisons as well as other existing employment and skills services.

Provider Report - North East – Offenders Sentenced to Life

The prime provider, Pertemps People Development Group (PPDG), offers a warm, sympathetic and non-judgemental service to participants and to take measured steps to removing barriers so as not to overwhelm them. The Lifers sub-project is incorporated in to the main North East CFO programme so that participants have access to the exact same support. Lifers do benefit from a more intensive level of provision, and the lifers who start in custody will also receive ‘Through-the-Gate’ support when they are released to community supervision. When on the project, participants are assigned an ‘Employment Coach’ who will address whatever needs they present with; be it signposting to one of their many sub-contracted specialist organisations, enrolment on an employability or Information Technology (I.T.) course or motivational support or mentoring.

The findings from this research showed how the help the Provider offers is designed to supplement the process of adapting to life outside prison; this process entails encouraging participants to gradually become independent, dealing with any resettlement needs that arise and then bringing them to a point where they are confident enough to enter stable, full-time employment. Delivery staff are warm and understanding of the challenges participants face adjusting to outside life. The support is provided in a manner that ensures that participants see the same person in custody and community settings to promote familiarity and a sense of comfort.

The report is available to read or download here: CFO Provider Report - North East

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