volunteering with a criminal record

8/3/2019 Volunteering With a Criminal Record

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SuccessstoriesfromGreaterManchester


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Contents

3 Introduction

4 Success stories

Leon

Jenny

Mohammed

Martin

12 Useul tips

Getting started

Disclosing your oences

Tips or organisations

18 Useul contacts

Finding a volunteer opportunity

Training and employment

Advice on managing volunteers

Acknowledgements


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Introduction

The aim of this booklet is to share the stories of ex-offenders fromGreater Manchester who have made a success of volunteering.We hope it provides inspiration and useul contacts or:

potentialvolunteers

organisationsthatinvolvevolunteers

adviceandsupportagencies.

Many dierent people can help make the volunteering journey a success.This includes riends and amily, support/advice workers, as well as thosewho recruit and manage volunteers.

About one quarter o the working age population in the UK has somekind o criminal record. Many have the ability, experience and enthusiasmto be star-quality volunteers. The biggest barrier to volunteering ormany is embarrassment about a situation where they have to disclosetheir oences. This booklet aims to give inspiration and inormation to

overcome hurdles like this.

Volunteering has many benefts or the volunteer. It helps provide apositive routine, its sociable, and it gives a great sense o achievement.It also oers useul work experience, development o skills, an up-to-datereerence, and huge leaps orward in condence and ambition. Volunteering is a brilliant way to explore a new career and to make a good impression.

Volunteering also has massive benefts or the community. Volunteer-

involving organisations know that they need keen, motivated volunteersto be successul. An increasing number o organisations in GreaterManchester are recognising the benets o a diverse volunteer workorcewhich includes ex-oenders. Ex-oenders oten have a great deal olie experience, which can be invaluable to help others who are struggling.

Special thanks to the volunteers who have agreed or their stories to bepublished in this booklet as an inspiration to others. We think they shouldbe proud o their contribution to the community and the positive waysthey have moved their lives orward.

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Aftervolunteeringonthe

Y.E.S.projectforacouple

ofmonthsImanagedtogeta

aidjo


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Success Stories: Leon

Ater prison, I had a rough idea that I wanted to work withyoung people. But the fact that I had a criminal record,no work experience and no qualifcations in that area meantI was really struggling to get anywhere.

One aternoon I picked up a leafet at a jobs air whilst onprobation, about volunteering. I met up with an adviceworker anddiscussed with her that I did kickboxing andsport andwould really like to do some youth work. Shewas upront and said that it would be difcult but notimpossible to get into youth work with a recent criminalrecord, and that I may need to be patient and dedicated.

Within a couple o weeks I had an interview with theY.E.S. project. It really helped me to know that theywere already aware o my criminal record, so on the daythey were just judging me on my abilities rather thanmy past. Because I had been in trouble but had worked my way through it, they elt that I had something reallyvaluable to give the kids and I got a position on the ootballscheme. Ater volunteering on the Y.E.S. project or a

couple o months I managed to get a paid job as a youngpersons mentor on a music project.

Its been just under a year since I started and Im stillvolunteering. Im now completing application ormsor university, to do either social work or youth andcommunity work. I am determined that the negativeexperiences Ive had can be used or positive.

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Id encourage others

NOTto give up


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There are so many

to volunteeringewards


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Success Stories: Mohammed

In prison I got qualifcations and gained a passion or art.I also edited the prison magazine and was a mentor tonew prisoners. When I came out o prison the world as Ihad known it had completely changed and I didnt know

what to do with mysel.

A riend o the amily put me in touch with Spearfsh,an employment agency or artists, who gave me avolunteering position helping out with some admin. Itwas the only place I had been since my release where theyknew about my convictions but didnt treat me like I wasa three headed monster. Ater getting the experience at

Spearfsh, I moved on to get some volunteering work atALL FM, a local radio station, editing programmes.

Its been really good or me because it gives me a chanceto be creative and do something Im really good at. Thereare so many rewards to volunteering like getting to socialise, gaining new skills, keeping you active, and your lie movingorward instead o regretting the past.

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what I wasGOOD atI never really knew

until I volunteered


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Success Stories: Martin

I ended up on a probation order ater getting in troublewith fghting. I was working in night clubs at the timeand it was a bit o a negative liestyle, being surroundedby alcohol and lots o people who were drunk and

aggressive. To be honest, the probation order was ablessing in disguise as it enabled me to make the positivechanges that Im making in my lie now.

Through my time at probation, I got onto a PrincesTrust course and went on a volunteering placement atthe Wythenshawe Gardening Project. I helped peoplewith disabilities to make public areas into areas or

therapeutic activities. I did painting, planting andclearing and gained loads o skills, but the main thingthat I took away was how much I enjoyed helping others.

Having gained the confdence to try new things Ivestarted a course doing a Level 2 Diploma in Cateringand Food hygiene. I really like the hands-on, creativeside o it, which I never really knew I was good at untilI volunteered. Im building a new career and a trouble-

ree lie or mysel.

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Useul tips getting started

Here are some o the dierent steps on the journey to volunteering.See the Useul contacts section or where to get inormation and support.

Get inspired

Think about what youre good at and what youve enjoyed doing in the past. Who has really inspired you in the past? What kind o work wouldreally interest you? What kind o experience would help move your careerin the right direction?

Encouragement

We all need a bit o help and encouragement to try something new.Maybe an adviser, a support worker or a riend or amily member canhelp you stay motivated.

Get inormation

There are lots o opportunities out there. Browse local voluntary jobson the website www.do-it.org.uk. Or tap into the advice available atyour local Volunteer Centre.

Make contact

The frst phone call can be scary maybe theres someone who can helpyou see it through. Some organisations oer a taster day when you can come and have a go without any pressure.

Application process

This might involve an inormation session, an application orm or aninterview its dierent or every organisation. Both you and theorganisation need to decide i this is the right opportunity or you.

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Disclosing?

You might not need to disclose any past convictions, or you might need

to disclose everything - this depends on the position or which you areapplying. Remember that organisations should consider lots o actorswhen appointing volunteers not just a criminal record.

Induction

You should have an induction rom the organisation to let you know whatis expected and what support is available all to help you make a good

start on volunteering.

Feedback

I somethings not working out, dont sit on it its important to let theorganisation know. They may also have some eedback or you!

TrainingAny new experience is an opportunity to learn. Get the most out o anytraining that the organisation can oer. There may be other training that can help!

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Useul tips - disclosing your oences

Do you need to disclose?

You may not need to disclose your oences to the organisation where you

want to volunteer. It may be that any oending history is not relevant to the volunteering role. The organisation should make it clear.

Spent and unspent convictions

The organisation may ask you to disclose i you have any unspentconvictions. These will be recent convictions, although very seriousoences are never spent.

In some specialist roles (working with children or vulnerable adultsin certain roles), the organisation may also ask you to declare allconvictions both spent and unspent. I this is the case, you will alsoneed to declare any cautions or warnings you have received rom thepolice, no matter how long ago they took place.

For inormation about spent convictions and other issues, contact theNACRO Resettlement Plus helpline on 020 7840 6464.

How to disclose your oence

I the organisation has asked you to disclose convictions, its useul toattach a covering letter with inormation about the oence and yourcurrent attitude towards it. Make sure that any explanation you giveor your past oending does not sound like an excuse.

Explain how you have changed your lie since the oence occurredand show that you will be trustworthy and reliable in the role. Forexample, you might have taken on commitments (such as your own fator undertaking a training course) which show that you have too muchto lose by getting into trouble again.

I you are having an interview, remember that it does take courage todiscuss past oences and you might want to practice discussing thiswith someone you trust beorehand.

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How does a CRB check work

The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) can provide inormation to

organisations about criminal records and convictions. Organisationsthat wish to run CRB checks must stick to the CRBs Code o Practice,which includes treating the disclosure inormation confdentially.

The initial stage o a CRB check is to ll out a orm (with someone romthe organisation) giving details about yoursel and providing evidenceo your ID and address. This inormation is then sent o by theorganisation to the CRB Bureau, who conduct a search o the records

held. A report (with any convictions listed) is printed out by the CRB,and they send one copy to you and one copy to the organisation.

The organisation should make its own decision about your suitability,taking lots o actors into account.

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Useul tips or organisations

The Useful contacts section of the booklet gives information on whocan provide urther advice.

Policy and procedures

It is good practice or volunteer-involving organisations to have a policyand agreed procedures about the recruitment o ex-oenders. Thesepolicies and procedures should seek to exclude the minority who mightcause harm rom the opportunity to do so, but not exclude those whoseoences are irrelevant.

Do we need a CRB check?

CRB checks can only be justifed by the nature o the role in question.You have to be consistent to all applicants you cant take up a CRBcheck just because you know or suspect someone is an ex-oender. Itsillegal or organisations to request a CRB check i it is not really needed so you need to be sure you are getting it right!

Types o CRB check

Basic CRB check - usually used to check or deception oences relatedto a position o trust (e.g. handling cash). It only shows up unspentconvictions.

Enhanced CRB check - can be taken up only i the volunteering roleinvolves working in a supervisory capacity with children or vulnerable

adults. It shows up unspent and spent convictions and cautions,reprimands and warnings.

Keep the applicant inormed

Give potential volunteers an opportunity to declare any relevant oences(and then discuss this with them) beore conducting a CRB check.

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CRB administration

It is usually easiest to register with an umbrella body and pay them an

administration ee to conduct the check. Contact your local VolunteerCentre or inormation about umbrella bodies. I you conduct CRB checks,you are legally bound by the Disclosure Code o Good Practice, which requires you to have certain policies in place and to keep disclosureinormation confdential.

Making a decision

A CRB check is not an eective tool on its own. Interviews, reerences,trial periods, and ongoing supervision all help to determine whethersomeone is suitable or a role.

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Useul contacts fnding a volunteer opportunity

DO-IT websitewww.do-it.org.uk

Do-it is a national website o volunteer opportunities rom across thecountry. Its like a job centre or volunteer positions. You can look upvolunteer opportunities by postcode, geographical area, or type o work.

Local Volunteer Centres

Volunteer Centres act as a central point or advertising or volunteers.Some Volunteer Centres can book a one-to-one appointment with an

individual to discuss their interests and help match them up to somethingrelevant. Its important to phone frst to book an appointment.

There is a volunteer centre in most boroughs o Greater Manchester,though this depends on local unding. At the time o publication, thelocal centres are:,

Bolton Tel: 01204 546060

Bury Tel: 0161 797 1968

Oldham Tel: 0161 633 6222

Rochdale Tel: 01706 631291

Salord Tel: 0161 707 7067

Tameside Tel: 0161 339 2345

Traord Tel: 0161 976 2448

Wigan and Leigh Tel: 01942 514234

You can check or the latest contact details or your local centre romVolunteering Greater Manchester at www.volunteering-gm.org.uk

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Contacts training and employment

Nextstep

The England-wide careers guidance service or those aged 20 and over.

Nextstep runs a phone line and one-to-one advice sessions about nding work or a training course.www.nextstep.direct.gov.uk Freephone: 0800 100 900

Connexions

The careers and advice service or young people up to 19. There is a Connexions service in each o the 10 districts o Greater Manchester.

www.gmconnexions.co.uk Tel: 0800 032 2727

Training and qualifcations

Your local urther education college will oer courses or young peopleand adults. In addition, there are a number o training centres andemployment support schemes in Greater Manchester.

learndirect

A national scheme providing a range o training courses in local centres,and inormation about other training providers in your local area.www.learndirect.co.uk Freephone: 0800 101 901

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Useul contacts advice on managing volunteers

Volunteering England

Provides actsheets (e.g. CRB checks, volunteering and benets, insurance),

a ree advice line, and example policies and procedures which you can adapt.www.volunteering.org.uk Freephone: 0800 028 3304

Local Volunteer Centres

Your local volunteer centre (see Contacts section) will provide advice andsupport or organisations which involve volunteers. Many o the volunteer

centres also provide training, special projects, and volunteer recognitionschemes. Volunteering Greater Manchester can provide inormationand contacts.www.volunteering-gm.org.uk Tel: 0161 277 1027

Criminal Records Bureau

The CRB is responsible or the disclosure service and can provide

inormation about its administration.www.crb.gov.uk Tel: 0870 909 0811

Independent Saeguarding Authority

The ISA was set up to administer the Vetting and Barring Scheme alongsidethe CRB check system. Following a review in 2011, the ISA registrationpart o the proposed scheme has been put on hold. In 2011, the ISA willmerge with the CRB and the new body will oversee both CRB checksand the barring system.www.isa-gov.org.uk

Involving Ex-oenders in Volunteering

This useul 20 page booklet (produced by Volunteering England and

NACRO in 2006) contains tips or organisations. It can be downloadedor ree rom the Volunteering England website.www.volunteering.org.uk Freephone: 0800 028 3304

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Useul contacts criminal justice

NACRO resettlement helpline

NACRO is a national charity working to reduce crime and provide a resh

start or oenders, by running projects and undertaking research.The Resettlement helpline provides inormation about issues relatingto ex-oenders.www.nacro.org.uk Tel: 020 7840 6464

Greater Manchester Probation Trust

The Probation service is a statutory agency. It oversees the supervision o oenders in the community. There are 40 probation sites acrossGreater Manchester.www.gm-probation.org.uk Tel: 0161 872 4802

Youth Oending Teams

There is a Youth Oending Team in each o the 10 districts o Greater

Manchester, providing services to young people aged 10-17 who have comeinto contact with the criminal justice system or are at risk o doing so.www.yjb.gov.uk

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Acknowledgements

This booklet was produced by Back on Track, and is based on theexperiences o ex-oenders rom Greater Manchester who have madea success o volunteering. Many thanks to over 50 ex-oenders whoshared their story in order to help us understand what makes volunteering

work. Thanks to those who have agreed or their stories to be published- we think they should be proud o their contribution to the community,and the positive ways they have moved their lives orward.

The booklet was produced in conjunction with Greater ManchesterVolunteering Project and Manchester City Council Crime and DisorderReduction Partnership. Thanks also to Salord Foundation and GreaterManchester Probation Trust.

Back on Track is a Greater Manchester charity. Each year Back on Trackhelps around 500 adults move rom a disrupted past towards a positiveuture, through our training, mentoring and guidance services. All ourstudents have low levels o confdence and skills, and many have hadsome kind o trouble with the law. With the right encouragement andtraining they are able to move on to a positive outcome such as a college course, voluntary work, or employment. Back on Track benefts romthe support o around 40 volunteers each year, and seeks to set a good

example as a workplace where volunteers and sta with a criminalrecord can ulfl their potential.

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Published March 2011 by Back on Track, in conjunctionwith Volunteering Greater Manchester and ManchesterCity Council Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership.

Back on Track Manchester

4th Floor, Swan Buildings

20 Swan StreetManchester M4 5JWtel 0161 834 1661fax 0161 834 0041email [email protected]

www.backontrackmanchester.org.ukBack on Track Manchester Ltd

volunteering with a criminal record

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