Rupert Mathews the PCC for LLR visited our office last Thursday to find out more about the work we deliver in partnership with the VRN, PCC, business and community partners to make our communities safer. Staff from our UP project shared that between July 2020 and June 2021:
- 76 young people with previous convictions were supported.
- 33 of the Young People were employed.
- 20 gained CSCS cards (enables them to work in construction)
- Six started Functional Skills English or Maths.
- 95% reported improved employability skills upon exit.
- 95% have refrained from re-offending.
The key to our success is being creative and agile and having strong partnerships with the business community as well as the community sector
Siobhan Hirrell Development Manager UP project
Building on the success of the UP project the team are with the support of the OPCC also running the “Joining Up and Joining In” project which targets care experienced young people and other young people who are separated from their families. The project seeks to prevent these young people getting “pulled into crime” or if they are already in the criminal justice system, offers them a positive way out.
Sadly around 25% of the prison population are care experienced and these young people are particularly vulnerable to being exploited and bullied by County Lines gangs
Kieran Breen, CEO of Leicestershire Cares
Staff shared how the project offers a variety of one to one and group support to the young people, the emphasis being on the young people building up their soft and hard skills, and local connections so they can move on positively in life.
As we shared learnings and reflections on our work, we shared that we have identified that prisoner’s children are a very at risk group who are often overlooked or not understood and as such can sadly end up committing crimes.
This is an area where we are keen to carry out action research and to work with our many partners to capture the issues and put in place effective actions to support these young people being able to live rewarding, law abiding and happy lives
Charlotte Robey Turner Head of their Children and Young People
Staff appreciated Rupert taking time out of his busy schedule to meet with them. They liked his emphasis on seeking to develop evidence based good practice, with clear goals and outcomes. Going forward we are keen to develop our work with the OPCC and VRN and appreciate their understanding of and commitment to creative and agile partnerships that deliver real change.
#TogetherWeCan