Offenders in the community
A feature of offender learning, to date, is lack of continuity and progression. Mercia Partnership is working with partners to join up learning for offenders, enabling them to achieve employment.
Central to this is our Liverpool base, Oriel Chambers, where we co-ordinate our work with Probation and Connexions to deliver an integrated service. Our service builds on existing skills and directs them towards provision that will give them qualifications to assist in securing employment.
Over the past year we have developed an in-reach service to HMP Liverpool to pick up offenders ready for release. The model will also be introduced at HMP Kennet.
We are also working with Probation service to develop and accredit learning which can be undertaken as part of the unpaid work element of a community sentence. In partnership with Connexions, we will then identify and support progression to further learning and employment.
By referring offenders to our work preparation courses, Job Centre Plus is a key player in this partnership.
