Transitional Support SchemeSOUTH WALES AND GWENT AREA

Workshop Presentationfor

The Howard League for Penal Reform Community Sentences Cut Crime Conference

11th July 2006

This project has received funding from the Welsh Assembly Government

What is the Transitional Support Scheme?

A mentoring support service available to prisoners who have substance misuse (including alcohol) issues who are resettling in Wales following release from prison.

Aimed at those serving less than 12 months.

Focus is on practical resettlement needs via motivational encouragement / empowerment, ie

Access to drug treatment. Homelessness. Employment/Training/Education. Relationship problems. Benefits/financial issues etc.

G4S Transitional Support SchemeSOUTH WALES AND GWENT AREA

Mission Statement 

To enhance an offender’s motivation to change in order to assist him or her with

community re-integration. To do this by way of planning, connecting and encouraging

interaction with those who can best provide the appropriate level and type of support as

determined by a mutual assessment of need.

Mentors:

Referral Matching mentor / participant and flexibility to change

Health & Safety Risk Assessment (Task & Participant) RAC Breakdown & Recovery Cover

Personal Protection Equipment PDA First Aid Kits Personal Alarms

Contact Reporting

Operational Function

Casework:

Prison Contacts – Experience of What Works Participant motivation issues Managing transfers

Community / Home Visits Working with families Wide range of contact type

Trends in Intensity of Support Individualised approach Developing knowledge

Operational Function cont…..

Our Team

TSS Operational Manager

Head of Resettlement HMP/YOI Parc

Director of Custody and Rehabilitation Services

Volunteer Mentors

Participants

Peer Group Mentor Lead Mentor

Participants

Volunteer Mentors

Participants

Lead Mentor

Volunteer Mentors

Peer Advisory Panel

TSS Project Management Board

Peer Advisory Panel

The G4S, TSS, Peer Advisory Panel (PAP) was formally inaugurated in April 2006.

Composition: Four volunteers who have been through the TSS process as clients. Democratically processed.

Duties: To attend monthly meetings with TSS team to discuss continued development of the scheme bringing with them their experiences and ideas to promote its credibility amongst service users. When appropriate, accompany the TSS Manager to events and presentation.

Mentoring and Befriending Foundation Approved Provider Status

Funded by the Home Office, Awarding body sits within the Department for Education and Skills (DfES).

Intense qualitative framework required by those who apply.

Awarded to G4S TSS in April 2006; valid for 3 years.

Performance reports and data

Welsh Assembly Government Evaluation Report publicised March 2006 with very positive results for the service delivery and performance of G4S: see www.wales.gov.uk

South Wales and Gwent Area to date:

425 males, 56 females

Contacts = 4640

85% Community Based

Current contract with the Welsh Assembly Government ends March 2007.

NOMS / Custody Plus (Home Secretary’s 5 year Strategy for Protecting the Public and Reducing Re-offending).

SPV for facilitating Peer Group involvement/employment, providing formal infrastructure for purposeful and ethical employer practices whilst working towards robust ‘service-user’ led programmes within the G4S Justice Services’ remit.

The future

Transitional Support Scheme

SOUTH WALES AND GWENT AREA

Q&A