Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
A national, professional body responsible for those involved in management and development of people at work. Provides courses, advice and factsheets and presents research findings on employing ex-offenders, including ‘Employing Ex-offenders: a Practical Guide’, produced jointly with the Criminal Records Bureau.
www.cipd.co.uk
Exit to Work
A programme that provides pre and post-placement support for employers in relation to the recruitment of disadvantaged people, working through the network of job developers and the Ministry of Justice’s Corporate Alliance. It seeks to secure employment for those with a criminal record. Through its database, employers can access the CVs of job-ready potential employees. Contact your local Job Developer (see below) or visit: www.exittowork.co.uk
Job Developers
Employers who engage with Job Developers are introduced to opportunities for engaging in the reducing re-offending agenda. Using sophisticated web-based software designed in partnership with IMPACT and University College London (UCL), Job Developers work with employers to provide them with the guidance and strategy necessary to facilitate recruiting from this labour pool. There are currently Job Developers working in six locations: Birmingham, Doncaster (South Yorkshire), Merseyside, Greater Manchester, London, and Tees Valley (North East).
Currently in the northwest there are two Job Developers, for more information contact:
Ann-Marie Hopkins (Greater Manchester)
ann-marie.hopkins@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk
Elizabeth O’Connor (Merseyside) liz.oconnor@liverpoolchamber.org.uk
Jobcentre Plus
Jobcentre Plus works with several partner organisations in the delivery of services to ex-offenders. These include the LSC, NOMS, the Prison Service and the Probation Service, along with a number of providers who deliver our contracted provision through Progress2Work/Link Up. They may be able to offer additional support for employing offenders and ex-offenders.
To find your local Jobcentre Plus, visit: www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
NACRO (National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders)
Since 1966, the crime reduction charity has worked to make society safer by finding practical solutions to reducing crime, including promoting and supporting the employment of offenders and ex-offenders. It can support employers in two main ways:
- by offering information and advice though a helpline service 020 7840 6464 and downloadable publications: www.nacro.org.uk
- by providing training and consultancy for individual employers
– Contact Mervyn Barrett: 020 7840 6432 or mervyn.barrett@nacro.org.uk
Probation Service
Your local area Probation Service will have a manager responsible for promoting and developing the employment of offenders who will be able to give you information on projects and services they have running.
Chris Bennett (Cheshire): Chris.Bennett@cheshire.probation.gsi.gov.uk
Mike Quille (Cumbria): Mike.Quille@cumbia.probation.gsi.gov.uk
Barbara Bate Greater Manchester): Barbara.Bate@manchester.probation.gsi.gov.uk
Wendy Buchanan (Lancashire): Wendy.Buchanan@lancashire.probation.gsi.gov.uk
Dave Christian (Lancashire): Dave.Christian@merseyside.probation.gsi.gov.uk
Working Ventures UK
Sponsored by the Department of Work and Pensions, this organisation works through a network of employer coalitions and job developers in England and Scotland to open up jobs for people from disadvantaged communities.
www.wvuk.co.uk
