#IGOffender17

John WisemanProbation Director

South West Community

Rehabilitation

Companies

Probation Director

South West Community Rehabilitation Companies

Working Links

John Wiseman

Tackling reoffending through

Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs)

In 2014 we were awarded three contracts to

deliver rehabilitation and offender management

services through Community Rehabilitation

Companies in Wales; Bristol, Gloucestershire,

Somerset and Wiltshire; and Dorset, Devon and

Cornwall

We have extensive experience of enabling

offenders to change their lives whilst maximising

the safety of local communities

We work with over 21,000 service users annually

both in custody and in the community to support

them into leading law abiding lives and enabling

them to fulfil their true potential as members of

their local communities

We deliver a range of interventions to meet the

needs of our service users and to help reduce

reoffending.

Transforming Rehabilitation

Improving lives,

reducing

reoffending and

transforming

communities.

There are a number of outcomes we need

to achieve for rehabilitation - health and

wellbeing, skills, resources focusing on the

strengths:

Health and Wellbeing:

including mental health; reduction in

substance abuse; self-respect

Skills:

including education; problem solving;

independent living

Resource:

including employment; accommodation;

access to community services.

Better outcomes by better measures

A new operating model with new ways of

working:

a new case management model

including the development of

Operational Hubs

a new interventions team model

a new Community Payback model

a new Through the Gate resettlement

service

a range of newly commissioned services

– womens’ services, accommodation

support services, mentoring provision

a network of Community Hubs.

The journey so far: what have we achieved

Key to connect our service users with

their community

Around 60 Community Hubs by the end

of 2017

A multi-agency approach recognises

the complex issues which need

resolution to reduce reoffending

Wrapping services around our

customers supports wider requirements

such as housing, drug and alcohol

treatment without stigma

Building on service users strengths.

Community Hubs

The informal

environment helps

service users to be more

relaxed and this results

in better conversations

which are less guarded

and more open, with

some helpful

disclosures.

“

”

Multi-agency, joint funded hub

Around 25 agencies and organisations

co-located

Health and Wellbeing (including GP

Surgery)

Easy ‘customer-focused’ linkage between

agencies, rather than formal referral

routes

Informal, non-labelling, supportive

environment

Nationally recognised for innovation and

response to austerity

Community Justice Pathway Coordinator

Delivering a Community Engagement

RAR

Meaningful activity – precursor to

employment

Discharge Grant supplement.

Wat Tyler Community Hub: Exeter

Multi-agency

Wrap around one-stop-shop support

services

Crisis support: meals, foodbank,

showers, clothing and so on

Support with: housing, debt,

employability, addictions, health and

wellbeing

Gym and personal trainer

Linked housing project, with increasing

number of properties managed locally,

to house and support service users

Access to computers, volunteering

opportunities and wider support.

Freedom Centre Community Hub: Barnstaple

Multi-agency in partnership with

Shekinah Mission

Town Centre - easy access

Piloting contracting out some of the

support and services

Access to:

o Housing advice

o Debt support

o Employability (Job Club)

o Addiction Services

o Restorative Justice services

o Meaningful Activity (Occombe

Farm - Horticulture).

Endeavour House Community Hub: Torquay

Multi-agency in partnership with

Restore Trust, PACT et al

In the grounds of HMP Bristol, deals

effectively with risk on day of

release

Confirms accommodation and other

key services e.g. rapid prescribing,

family support, emergency wash kit

and food

Local community involvement e.g.

free bread from Joe's Bakery; coats

supplied from local charity shops

Departure lounge to provide space

for families reforming on day of

release.

Resettlement Hub: Bristol

Delivered in line with 7 priority needs

identified in NOMS Better Outcomes for

Women Offenders (Sept 2015)

Partnership with statutory and voluntary

services to offer ‘One-stop-shop’.

Modelled on strength based approach

in a trauma informed environment.

Access for all statutory women in

Bristol and South Gloucestershire.

Crèche facilities, engagement groups,

ETE, Counselling, Dual diagnosis

worker, RAR activities

Collaboration with Avon and Somerset

Police on Court Diversion scheme

Transport initiative.

Women only CP

Eden House Women’s Centre and

female only Community Hub: Bristol

Collaborative approach

Multi-agency

Shared purpose, goals and objectives

Accessible and non-threatening

Meets multiple needs in one location

Improves compliance and supports

effective resettlement and reintegration

into the community

Strength based – what interests,

motivates and excites you…

Community engagement – building

bridges/trust/support/connection

Beyond sentence…

Service users prefer it

Critical success factors

The Probation System Review

A stable and sustainable business

A new, improved offer re Through the Gate

Services

A new improved offer re services for female

offenders

Improved outcomes re employment and

accommodation

New commissioning opportunities

Where do we go from here?