working with ex-offenders

arc logoJob Deal is a new initiative designed to support offenders back into work by improving their employment prospects and tackling barriers to employment. It is funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), and managed by the National Offender Management Service. Women's Wisdom are a Sub Contractor to Serco the Prime Contractor to NOMS/ESF.

Some of the fantastic benefits of Job Deal are that we can work 1-2-1 with individuals and provide bespoke holistic support to the participant. This could mean support with Housing, Debt, Attitudes and Behaviours, Training and Education and of course finding suitable sustainable employment. Another great benefit is that we can provide access to Discretionary Allowances to support training, education or equipment.

The project's aim is to provide offenders with the support and skills they need to help them find work and live a stable, healthy, law-abiding life after the end of their sentence.

Women's Wisdom are sub-contracted to work with women offenders across Hampshire, and the following areas in Surrey and Sussex; Chichester, Eastbourne, Littlehampton, Staines and Godalming.

Who:

To be eligible for the project, offenders must be over 16 years old, resident in the UK with permission to work and serving a custodial sentence (with less than three years left to serve) or completing a community sentence.

What:

Job Deal is a voluntary project and participants will be referred to us for a six-month package of individually tailored support with job preparation and training

When:

The project runs from 2011 - 2014.

How:

Organisations:

To refer, your team can either refer the participant to ETE or to Women's Wisdom directly using an ETE referral form. Referrals should be sent via secure mail to claire.salerno@wwisdom.cjsm.net. Alternatively please call 02381 780027 and advise that you wish to refer to Job Deal.

Self-referral:

Please call 02381 780027 and advise that you wish to be referred to Job Deal. A Case Manager will contact you and arrange for a 1-2-1 appointment.