LEAP's Outstanding Results Working in Parternship

One year ago, we teamed up with the Department of Work and Pensions and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner to launch an Enhanced Offender Employability Programme. The project aimed to help ex-offenders facing various barriers to employment, including criminal records, homelessness, mental health problems and substance abuse issues.
 
The programme has been highly successful, with 21% of clients going into paid employment; an outstanding result for a client group striving to break the cycle of reoffending.
 
Clients were offered an initial assessment and action plan, alongside regular one-to-one coaching addressing multiple needs. Work experience and catering training was also facilitated through The Feed's Flourish Employment Academy. 
 
LEAP’s Opportunities Advisor Megan Clifford ran the project. She said:
 
“A stable job can be a major route out of criminal activity. Clients’ employability has improved and according to police research, reoffending rates have dropped dramatically.”
 
We are really proud of these results, and LEAP will continue to support those with convictions working closely with HMP Norwich, the Probation service and the DWP.