Geraint Lewis Emma Wools/Claire Irwin

1. Working in partnership to reduce crime & re-offending in Cardiff Geraint Lewis Emma Wools/Claire Irwin Head of Employer & Partnerships Business Development Managers &Wales Probation Trust Paul Griffiths Adviser Jobcentre Plus,SE Wales 21 June 2012

2. Background Integrated Offender Management (IOM) is a key government priority to reduce crime & reoffending. Recognised as the delivery vehicle for Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs) to meet their statutory obligations around reoffending under the Policing & Crime Bill 2010. Wales Probation and Association of Chief Police Officers Cymru launched the IOM Cymru Toolkit. A strategic and operational framework to facilitate consistent development and delivery of IOM across Wales. Project Bont (English translation - The Bridge Project) is the overarching approach to reducing crime and re-offending In Cardiff. Joint management of targeted groups of high risk offenders. Builds on successes of existing multi agency offender management programmes. Provide consistent focus on a single locally defined cohort of priority offenders.

3. Evolution Project Bont built on previous Prolific and Potential Offender (PPO) scheme run in Cardiff. Average 48.5% reduction in proven reconviction rates amongst this group between 2008 and 2010. This model is now being used as a blueprint in designing the national IOM Cymru model and is regarded as an example of best practice. Expansion of Ex- offender cohort 100 PPOs to 250 IOM Cohort offenders, commenced late 2010 and has continued throughout 2011/12. Delivered through a multi agency, multi disciplinary co-located hub. Hub is responsible for the administration, coordination and case management of all IOM Cohort Offenders.

4. The Integrated Team South Wales Police. Wales Probation Trust. Youth Offending Service. HM Prison. Jobcentre Plus. Local Authority housing. Drug Intervention Programme (DIP) service provider. Crime Reduction Initiative (CRI). Based at Cardiff Probation office.

5. The IOM Cohort Group of locally defined priority offenders who are deemed to be at highest risk of re-offending and/or likely to cause harm to their local communities, including: Prolific Offenders (PPOs); Young adult offenders transferring from youth to adult services; Serious substance misusing offenders; Organised Crime Group (OCG)/Gang members Non statutory prison releases (NSPR). Primary focus offenders who commit Serious Acquisitive Crime, namely Domestic Burglary & Street Robbery, as these remain Cardiff’s priority crime types.

6. The approach Collaborative team work. Primary purpose to reduce re-offending amongst IOM Group. Sharing of information and intelligence. Synchronized and coordinated delivery involving all agencies in an intensive programme of support and control. Including swift enforcement where necessary.

7. Jobcentre Plus Role One adviser seconded to Project Bont - Paul Griffiths. Joined previous PPO project in April 2009 and evolved into Project Bont Co-located and works as an integral part of IOM team. Local evidence identified many ex-offenders failing to access Freshstart process (Fast tracking of new claims to benefit on release form HMP). Analysis suggested that gap in an individual securing (Financial) support is a major contributor to perpetuating their criminal activities. JCP adviser meets PPO immediately on release from prison to ensuring a seamless transition to claiming benefits for those that require it. (This can vary depending on circumstances). JCP Adviser reinforces PPO’s awareness of benefit conditionality and sanctions regime and more recently Work Programme support Encourages compliance with DWP/JCP processes, emphasising importance of attending planned interventions. Dependant on PPO needs may oversee application for alignment benefit crisis loan to cover the period until first benefit payment day.

8. Jobcentre Plus Role (cont’) All agencies are informed of when the new claim appointment is scheduled And take steps to ensure the PPO attends their JCP appointment. JCP IT monitored – ‘Fail to attend’ is notified to all agencies and appropriate response determined. Once claim taken, further monitored through processing journey, if payment deemed at risk of not being made on due date, Benefit Centre colleagues asked to process as a matter of priority to enable benefit to be paid. Adviser works with PPO to ensure all future JCP appointments are met at the PPO’s local Jobcentre, as well as resolving any further JCP related issues. Act as foundation for additional 1:2:1 support form JCP Project Bont Adviser. Potential employment and/or training for PPO to pursue. Link into the dedicated Employment and Training Unit in Probation. Local training providers and other local resources eg Cardiff Council support. Break the re-offending cycle by placing ex – offenders in training or employment which is meaningful to them. Closer working ensures that any specific problems (e.g. Homelessness), specialist provision (e.g. drug treatment programmes) or probation conditions can be considered and taken into account when searching for suitable opportunities.

9. The Results Project success is determined by a reduction in crime across the cohort group. Analysis of 2010/2011 show considerable estimated savings to the tax paying community. Re- offending within the cohort group significantly reduced by 48.5%. Example – A prolific autocrime offender had been responsible for over 370 vehicle crimes over a 21 month period prior to inclusion on I.O.M. at a total cost of £319,000. Following inclusion on I.O.M. the number of recorded offence committed by the same offender fell to just one. The offenders main point of contact during I.O.M inclusion was the Jobcentre I.O.M. adviser. From a Jobcentre perspective we have successfully helped 10% of the selected cohort group overcome their barriers and 25 offenders to date have gained both full time and short term employment positions. Others have just completed a variety of courses including CSCS; PTS track safety and Asbestos Removal Training. We currently have 6 others pending start dates. Another positive outcome has been the reuniting of offenders to the family unit after securing Employment and the incentives of Working Tax Benefits. We are currently looking to expand our service to both to Cardiff Women’s Aid and the Cardiff Drug Team as part of the I.O.M and Social Justice Strategy.

10. Thank you for listening. Any questions? Contacts:- Jobcentre Plus Geraint Lewis Paul Griffiths geraint-lewis@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.ukPAUL.GRIFFITHS5@JOBCENTREPLUS.GSI.GOV.UK Tel 029 2042 3696 Tel: 07771 387142 Wales Probation Trust Emma Wools Emma.Wools@wales.probation.gsi.gov.uk Tel: 02920 232999