There are a range of organisations and projects across the North West that help offenders and ex-offenders into work. If you are serving a Community Sentence, your starting point will be in your local Probation Office.
OLASS
The Offender Learning and Skills Service operates in prisons and in the community. It provides education, advice, training and support specifically for offenders. OLASS staff will also be able to point you to any particular projects that may be suited to you. Ask your Offender Manger to refer you. www.olass.lsc.gov.uk
Progress 2 Work
Provides a voluntary programme, individually designed to support ex drug users and those who have committed to a treatment programme to gain the skills and confidence you require to access employment and/or government funded employment or training opportunities. Ask in your Probation Office or at your local Jobcentre Plus.
Progress 2 Work Link-up
Provides one to one support for people with an offending background, accommodation issues or alcohol issues. It aims to help you to address these barriers, so that you are able to access employment and training opportunities. Ask in your Probation Office or at your local Jobcentre Plus.
Jobcentre Plus
Jobcentre Plus offices have information on a wide range of programmes available to help people back into work and many of these include offenders and ex-offenders as a priority group. For example, offenders and ex-offenders are eligible for access to all Jobcentre Plus provision support immediately (normally a customer would be unemployed for between six and 18 months dependant on age before becoming eligible for New Deal support). Early entry does depend on the disclosure of a criminal record. www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
APEX Trust
Apex Charitable Trust helps people with criminal records to obtain appropriate jobs or self-employment by providing them with the skills they need in the labour market, including information and advice, assessment and guidance and employability training. A National Telephone Helpline JobCheck provides consistent, easily accessed information on
0870 608 456. www.apextrust.com
NACRO
NACRO works to give ex-offenders, disadvantaged people and deprived communities the help they need to build a better future. Their dedicated Resettlement Plus Helpline offers information and advice to offenders/ex-offenders and their families on dealing with a criminal record, how to find work and somewhere to live. Email helpline@nacro.org.uk
There is also a freephone helpline (for offenders, ex-offenders and families). 08000 181 259. www.nacro.org.uk
