Major young offender resettlement scheme announced for London
Neil Puffett
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Crime reduction charity Nacro has won a contract to run a high profile payment-by-results resettlement scheme for young offenders in London.
The new project will provide resettlement support to young offenders leaving custody, through work at several young offender institutions (YOIs) holding young people from the capital. It replaces the controversial Daedalus scheme at Feltham YOI.
The Mayor’s Office said the new project will offer “end-to-end” provision, meaning that work will take place with young offenders both in custody and post-release in the community.
Young offenders will be supported to plan for their release while in custody and offered help to access education, training or work opportunities when they come out.
Nacro has won two of a total of the three payment-by-results contracts on offer – worth up to £2m. It will provide the service in two areas covering 11 London boroughs – south west and west London, and central and south London.
A provider for the third contract covering east and north London is yet to be appointed.
Under the payment-by-results system, Nacro will be paid just five per cent of the contract value, equating to around £100,000, up front.
A further 20 per cent of the cash will be paid based on numbers of young people taking part, while 30 per cent is dependent on how many young people enter employment, education or training, with the remainder paid when young offenders reach so-called “engagement milestones” of 26 weeks and 52 weeks.
The replacement for Daedalus had been due to begin in September but was delayed.
It is being funded through the mayor’s Youth Programme, which is made up of funding from the European Social Fund, match-funded with Greater London Authority cash.
