Package to support charities and mutuals to cut re-offending

Package to support charities and mutuals to cut re-offending

News (UK)

A package of measures to help the voluntary sector and mutuals compete for contracts to cut reoffending has been launched by the Cabinet Office and the Ministry of Justice.

The measures will support new and existing providers from the voluntary, social enterprise and private sectors. It will change the way offenders are rehabilitated and be based on payment by results.

The Cabinet Office and the Ministry of Justice are providing support to develop a financial modelling tool to enable voluntary, community and social enterprises, (VCSEs) to assess sub-contract offers. They will also provide a central legal function to check VCSE organisations’ contractual terms and conditions with main providers. In addition, they will create a database of VCSEs and mutuals involved in the rehabilitation of offenders to help organisations form partnerships and consortia.

A series of workshops will help VCSE organisations to understand the reform process and develop the skills to compete for and deliver rehabilitation services.

The Cabinet Office’s Mutuals Support Programme is providing one-to-one support to prepare the first cohort of seven fledgling probation Mutuals for competition. This includes providing professional services, such as legal, commercial and tax advice, on behalf of the potential mutuals.  As well as access to the Cabinet Office’s network of commercial experts, delivering capability-building workshops and coaching.

There will also be up to £6m available to assist VCSEs to bid for contracts or to secure social investment through the Investment and Contract Readiness Fund and at least £1m to support these organisations using social action in the rehabilitation of offenders through Cabinet Office’s Centre for Social Action.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: "We want to build on the best from the public sector, the best from the private sector and the best from the voluntary sector to break the cycle of crime for good.‪ That is why we are reorganising the Probation Service, so that the public, voluntary and private sectors can work more flexibly and effectively side by side. All of those with a strong track record in this area are able to get involved."

For information on workshops visit: http://mutuals.cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Transforming Rehabilitation: A Strategy for Reform https://consult.justice.gov.uk/digital-communications/transforming-rehabilitation

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