PBNI: ACCESS Probation Employment Project

Overview

This project will complement the work of Probation Officers in assisting offenders to desist from offending and effectively resettle into the community. The project is for offenders who are subject to PBNI supervised community sentences and also offenders who are released from prison subject to post-custody supervision: Determinate Custodial Sentences, Extended Custodial Sentences and Custody Probation Orders (CPO)

The Project will target those offenders who are specifically either high or medium likelihood of reoffending, as defined by the ACE Risk Assessment tool and offenders whose criminal convictions present significant challenges in terms of accessing employment. PBNI will share the outcome of risk assessments with the successful Provider, including a risk of harm assessment where applicable. Such information is critical in terms of matching offenders to appropriate employment and training opportunities without creating any additional risk to the public.

How much is available?

ACCESS: Probation Employment Service will be delivered initially for 6 months from 1st October 17 – 31st March 18 up a value of £100k, although there may be scope to extend for up to a further 3 years depending on performance and availability of funding.

Funding Criteria

PBNI is seeking a Provider, or consortium of providers, which has:

• A proven track record of working in a partnership approach with statutory agencies, and ability to demonstrate successful past experience of providing an employability service to offenders;
• Ability to perform highly against challenging timeframes as dictated by a 6 month contract, particularly, swift recruitment and training of staff to deliver the programme;
  Ability to effectively contribute to thorough evaluation of a project;
• Ability to access and network employment services for offenders’ rehabilitation. The coordinator will work closely with PBNI Assistant Director for Risk who has Senior Management responsibility for the Project;
  Ability to provide a regional service, to offenders across N Ireland. It is expected that Employment Support Officers will not have an office base in Belfast, in order to minimise expenses and maximise best use of the Employment Officers’ time; and
• Commitment to ensure provision of secure IT systems and satisfactory secure storage of information in line with DPA requirements.

Further detail is set out in the application form available on the website

If you have any queries regarding Community and Voluntary Sector Funding please email cd@pbni.gsi.gov.uk.