Family Support Service
" I know that a diverse thrid sector, working in prisons and in the community, can help offenders turn away from crime. Working in partnership with the thrid sector means we can achieve much more than we ever could apart. Crime and re-offending rates are down, but there is of course much more to do. The third sector has helped to drive through reform and find soultions. We want to build on that. Partnership working will give us the greatest chance of meeting our challenging targets to reduce re-offendeing and make communities safer."
Rt Hon David Hanson MP, Minister of State
It has been recognised that there is a disproportinate number of BME families who have a family member in prison. Following consultation with Probation Services, it was established that a service that supported families and the offender leading up towards their release and thereafter, would contribute to reducing offending rates.
*Figures taken from GOWN 2006
The Family Support Service which is funded by NOMS (National Offenders Management Service) is aimed at the East and West Midlands and helps to address by working in partnership with other agencies) the re-offending of (ex)offenders from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities.
The Prison population shows that 24.2% of male prisoners are of BME origin, and within the female prison population BME accounts for 30.2% of the overall figure. The number of BME prisoners rose by 138% in the ten year period of 1993-2003. Research conducted by PATRA Inc ACDA has suggested that the demand for The Family Support Service is high which has been identified through our links with The National Probation Service and local crime statistics.
The main aim of the of the project is to provide much needed support to BME offenders, (ex) offenders and their families. It seeks to maintain and strength the ties between the (ex) offenders and their families and children to help prevent re-offending.
This is in the form of providing the following services:
Welfare Brokerage
Supporting (ex) offenders and family members with claims for statutory benefits.
Education,Training and Employment
Making training & employment opportunities accessible to (ex) offenders and their families
Counselling
Provide (ex) offenders and their families with group and peer counselling to share their problems and develop coping mechanisms.
Befriending and Mentoring
Befrienders will visit (ex)offenders and their families to help to transform their lives and communities.
For further information please contact:
Symone Woon on: 01159409016