1 JOBTRACK “ Working with Conviction”

2 CONTEXT  Over a quarter of the working age population has a criminal conviction (Home Office 2002)  At least 40% of men have a criminal conviction (Home Office 2002)  In excess of 30,000 people are convicted through the courts each year.(NI)

3 JOBTRACK – WHY?  The single most effective factor in reducing re-offending rates…..is employment.

4 JOBTRACK  Direct interventions with offenders and ex-prisoners.  Direct engagement and support with employers.

5 JOBTRACK Model Jobtrack Prisons & Jobtrack Community  Assessment  Skills Development  Job Sampling  Linkage/Brokering  Locating in Job Market

6 Successful Outcomes  Exceeding target referrals  Completers -44% into employment  Completers – 78% obtained OCN Employment Skills qualification  Service Users achieved qualifications in range of vocational areas.

7 Successful Outcomes  Contribution to reducing re-offending:  Recidivism rates –in NI 43%  Jobtrack leavers (within 18months of leaving the programme.) 24%

8 Why Involve Employers? If we are to raise the levels of employability amongst offenders we MUST address their barriers to employment and the issues for employers.

9 Our Model  Advice Line – ( supporting employers and applicants)  Ongoing Support / Opportunities  Employer Training “The Fair Recruitment of People with Criminal Convictions ”  Products:

10 Successful Outcomes  748 people trained from 117 orgs  1019 advice calls received  11 Meet the Employer events  4 Strategic Employer Forum Meetings

11 CHALLENGES.  Economic Downturn  Cross Departmental “Ownership”  Employer / Provider Engagement  Employer / Provider Confidence

12 BENEFITS:  Success for Individuals  Contribution to Economy  Risk Management  Reduction in (re)Offending