Offenders project wins national acclaim
13 June 2008
An inspiring project run by Lancaster and Morecambe College in partnership with CXL has won national acclaim for its work with past and current offenders in Lancashire.
The Offenders in the Community project won a Highly Commended in the Opening Doors to Adult Learners’ category in this year’s NIACE Adult Learners’ Week awards.
Offenders in the Community focuses on getting offenders – both in custody and in the community – into learning, training and employment. Working in collaboration with CXL and other partners from the National Probation Service, Jobcentre plus and FE providers, the project is unique because it offers one-to-one support for offenders, something not widely available elsewhere in the UK.
“Offenders’ needs are assessed through an initial interview and they are regularly monitored to make sure their learning stays on track” says CXL’s Gary Smith who works on the project.
“For offenders’ in the community, there are seven key workers who help them to become ‘job ready’ by visiting them at unpaid work. Key workers improvise by setting up impromptu offices on site and by offering support in locations ranging from country parks and graveyards to bike sheds.
Offenders’ in custody are also seen by the key workers and offered one-to-one support before being referred to the pre-release course”
So far the project has helped 130 offenders into employment or further learning; 820 have received information, advice and guidance and 476 have received further key work.
pictured: Gary Smith with colleagues from the Offenders in the Community partner organisations

