HMP Acklington
A pre-release programme strengthened by employer engagement
Partnership between prison officers and education staff working closely with Jobcentre Plus, information, advice and guidance staff, employers and other agencies contributes to the development of an accredited pre-release course. Success on the programme and improved links with local employers help learners develop skills for employment and secure real jobs on release.
HMP Albany
Peer tutors support learners in literacy and numeracy
Peer tutors work with learners and potential learners on the wings, helping them to achieve personal goals, such as to write letters or to improve their number skills, and encouraging them to progress. The peer tutors have the opportunity to develop leadership skills and gain accreditation.
HMP and YOI Altcourse
A kit-car project helps learners develop motor vehicle engineering, literacy and numeracy skills
Vocational training helps engage young offenders, create motivation and increase their employability. Learners improve their literacy and numeracy and take pride in their work and the skills they develop. They become more positive about their employment prospects.
A successful bid for external funding to convert a bare room into a well-equipped classroom on the vulnerable prisoner (VP) unit leads to the creation of a vibrant learning centre. Over the period of the project, 102 prisoners take part in learning activities.
HMP Bedford
A new self-assessment process gets the quality improvement group involved
Internal partnership at HMP Bedford supports the production of a self-assessment report that informs the business plan. The Quality Improvement Group (QIG) membership is broadened to include the education manager and others with direct responsibility for the delivery of learning. Regular review keeps the self-assessment process and document ‘live’ and responsive to change.
Black Country Youth Offending Team
Encouraging young offenders into education and training, in custody and on release
Connexions' link mentors and personal advisers work with young offenders on Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programmes (ISSP) and Detention Training Orders (DTO). They help them access education, training, and employment (ETE) through support, guidance and advocacy. The advisers contact the young people as soon as they receive a custodial sentence, support them in prison and after they are released into the community.
HMP Blakenhurst
Using learner feedback to improve sport and recreation provision
An effective strategy for increasing participation in sport and recreation on accredited and non-accredited programmes engages learners who would not otherwise take part. Feedback from learners is used to improve the quality of provision.
HMP and YOI Bullwood Hall
Performance in dance: a creative project triggers change
Partners develop a three-week intensive dance programme to build the confidence of women prisoners and instil a sense of achievement. Spin-offs from the project have a wider impact within the prison and contribute to changes of attitude on the part of offenders and prison staff.
HMP and YOI Bullwood Hall
Working with the National Gallery – achieving in art
An innovative learning programme combines art appreciation, printing techniques and the use of clay and plaster. It stimulates interest in learning, develops social and creative skills and gives learners a sense of achievement. Some of the women taking part attend a private viewing of their work at the National Gallery.
HMP Channings Wood
Skills for Life in the workshops and on the wings
Outreach teachers visit learners in four main industrial workshops and on residential wings. They set up Skills for Life ‘pods’ in the workshops and provide tuition in the residential blocks at weekends. Learner engagement and achievement increase markedly.
Cheshire Probation Service
Peer mentors teach literacy using the 'Toe by Toe' reading scheme
Residents in Home Office Approved Premises (formerly known as Probation Hostels) with poor reading skills are taught by peer mentors as part of the 'Toe by Toe' project and use its reading manual. The scheme is organised and managed by the residents, for the residents, with minimal supervision by the staff or hostel managers.
HMP Downview with HMP and YOI East Sutton Park
An offender becomes a vocational assessor and a collaboration between prisons supports transition
An offender qualifies as a vocational assessor in hairdressing while she is in HMP and YOI East Sutton Park. She becomes an assessor in two prisons and a positive role model for offenders. Links between the prisons create new progression and resettlement opportunities for the women in HMP Downview.
HMP Exeter
A fast-track induction system tackling resettlement
A new two-day induction programme identifies offenders’ needs and aspirations, offers them support and provides the necessary information to plan their education and employment pathways. The overarching aim of the programme is to facilitate the resettlement of offenders.
HMP Frankland
Embedding Skills for Life provision across the prison
Effective practice in integrating literacy and numeracy in all areas of learning within the prison leads to significant increases in levels of achievement.
HMP Garth
Learning representatives and peer tutors promote and support learning
Learning representatives from each wing act as ambassadors, identifying and engaging fellow prisoners as learners and offering information and guidance. Peer tutors offer one-to-one support for offenders with particular needs.
HMP Gartree
A peer-mentoring scheme helps learners improve Skills for Life
The Peer Partners Skills for Life (SfL) scheme makes good use of the skills and knowledge of offenders with Level 2 or equivalent qualifications to help others who have literacy and numeracy support needs.
HM YOI Glen Parva
Promoting a culture free from racist intimidation, harassment and abuse
A successful campaign combines sport, workshops and debates to promote a culture free of racist intimidation, harassment and abuse. Offenders take part in planning activity and devising a charter. The high profile campaign raises awareness and reduces the isolation some young offenders feel because of being unable to express their views.
HMP Gloucester
Providing a comprehensive information, advice and guidance service from induction to resettlement
A resettlement unit puts information,advice and guidance at the heart of its provision, makes offenders feel supported on arrival, and maintains that support throughout their sentence. There is a focus on resettlement and release from the outset and partnerships are forged with employers and organisations that work with offenders and their families to help offenders gain employment after release. Staff and offenders value the contribution of the unit and the calm atmosphere in it.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Probation Service
Developing essential skills provision in partnership and spreading across a county
Partnership between Totton College and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Probation Service builds capacity to deliver literacy, numeracy and IT qualifications. Success with learners leads to the expansion of the programme. Learners achieve qualifications at Levels 1 and 2 and make positive life changes.
HMP Highpoint
Trained volunteers support Skills for Life learning
A volunteer mentor scheme provides individual support for learners with limited reading skills. The programme helps learners develop the confidence and motivation to participate in further education and training opportunities.
HMP Hollesley Bay
Participating in a national programme improves teaching and learning in the paintshop
Taking part in the Subject Learning Coaches (SLC) programme results in a radically changed approach to teaching and learning, boosting staff morale and encouraging team-working among teachers and trainers. Sharing new approaches and materials leads to joined-up curriculum projects and benefits learners.
HM YOI Huntercombe
Running a radio station for accredited training
A radio station set up at HM YOI Huntercombe maximises use of the institution’s electronic music facilities and provides training that leads to accreditation in radio and music production. Literacy and numeracy learning is built into each element.
HMP Kirkham
Learners gain part-time release to attend college
A programme of advice and guidance and release arrangements supports resettlement and makes it possible for more learners to attend college and access a wider range of provision.
HMP Leeds
Bridging the gaps in offender learning: providing education from Level 2 to degree level
In an innovative project across Yorkshire and Humberside, learners begin studying while they are in prison and, if successful, continue to study at Hull University, where they are guaranteed a place on release from prison.
Leicestershire and Rutland Probation Service
Keeping up with the kids - improving family literacy
Many parents are unfamiliar with the methods used to improve children's literacy and numeracy in primary schools. In partnership with Leicester College, the Probation Service delivers a 5-week literacy course to offenders, focusing on how reading, writing, speaking and listening are currently being taught to children.
Lincolnshire Probation Service
Continuing professional development for Skills for Life staff
Training for Skills for Life practitioners gives them a better understanding of the criminal justice system. This helps them understand the background and needs of offenders on community supervision orders.
Liverpool Youth Offending Team (YOT)
Initial assessment: identifying young offenders' education, training and employment needs
Young people on the Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programme (ISSP) are encouraged to participate in an initial assessment process for dyslexia and basic skills that also includes a questionnaire on preferred learning styles. The results are used to plan education, training and employment (ETE) to match their needs and interests, and to advise providers of any support needs.
HMP Long Lartin
Working with the Open University for access to higher education, and celebrating achievement
A successful partnership leads to the introduction of Open University (OU) courses that provide access to degree-level learning opportunities. A Celebration of Achievement marks the award of an OU degree and celebrates all kinds of educational achievement.
Merseyside Probation Service
Taking assessments, careers guidance and Skills for Life provision to offenders on unpaid work requirement sites
Education and training, including assessments, careers guidance and Skills for Life provision, have all been made available to learners where they are carrying out their unpaid work requirement (UPR) placements.
Merseyside Probation Service
Women-only outdoor pursuits – with employment in view
The Preparation for Employment Programme uses outdoor activities to develop the self-confidence and motivation of women who may lack both. It inspires them to take up Skills for Life learning and prepare for employment.
HMP and YOI Moorland
Activity-based learning in Level 3 mathematics
An activity-based approach gives learners confidence and the ability to use mathematical language more effectively. Innovative teaching and learning approaches motivate learners to enjoy mathematics.
Norfolk Probation Service and Norfolk ACRO
Broaden your horizons: an unpaid work programme on the Norfolk Broads
ACRO, the lead educational provider in Norfolk Probation Service, develops an innovative unpaid work programme targeted at young offenders entitled 'Broaden Your Horizons'. The programme enables young offenders to undertake unpaid work in the community to improve their skills, provide opportunities for future accreditation and increase their chances of employment.
HM YOI Northallerton
Working with the County Council – graffiti art and poetry build the confidence and skills of young adult learners
An innovative partnership results in the development of a 90-hour learning programme based on the arts. Learners present their work in front of an audience of their peers, visitors and YOI staff and develop Skills for Life.
Northampton Probation Service
Using IT to encourage offenders on Drug Treatment and Testing Orders to take part in learning
Learners develop the IT skills they need to continue in education through an innovative programme in which they study in pairs. They develop skills and gain new confidence.
North of Tyne Intensive Support and Surveillance Programme
Film production: arts initiatives engage offenders and embed Skills for Life learning
The Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programme (ISSP) Team works successfully with a local creative arts company and community theatre to deliver an innovative project that gives young offenders the opportunity to develop skills in film making and literacy and numeracy.
HMP and YOI Norwich
In-cell televisual learning
In-cell TV learning, or ‘T-learning’, widens access to literacy and numeracy provision through resources such as videos, CDs and workbooks. The T-learning is backed up by one-to-one support. Previously uninterested prisoners enjoy the visual means of learning and the opportunity to discuss issues raised in the materials.
Nottinghamshire Probation Service
Developing a comprehensive package of dyslexia support for offender learners
Probation staff work in partnership with the Dyslexia Instituteand deliver a holistic package of person-centred learning opportunities and specialised dyslexia support for learners. High-quality assessments are used to identify dyslexia learning needs and the subsequent person-centred learning approach helps offenders to improve their skills and break the cycle of social exclusion and offending.
Nottinghamshire Probation Service
Running a weekly Jobshop for unemployed offenders to increase their employability
Employment Officers from the Access Team provide information, advice and guidance to help unemployed offenders find suitable and sustainable employment. The 'Jobshop' helps offenders develop job-search skills. Over an 8-month period, 69 offenders taking part in the JobShop find and sustain employment and attend for at least 4 weeks.
Nottinghamshire Probation Service and Broxtowe College
Supporting progression: providing Taster Days for offenders at a local college
Offenders often lack the confidence to approach local education providers about continuing their education or training. In Nottinghamshire the probation service works in partnership with Broxtowe College to give offenders the opportunity to visit the college and try out activities relating to vocational courses.
HM YOI Reading
Heading for employment: a kitchen-fitting course supported by employers
A new accredited course developed at HM YOI Reading improves trainees’ employment opportunities after leaving prison. Employers visit the training centre and good links are forged with Reading College. Some learners develop their skills by spending a day at work with local companies.
Serving Others through Volunteer Action (SOVA) Rotherham
Establishing a test centre to help offenders and ex-offenders gain qualifications
Recognising that it isn't always possible for offenders to attend the examination centres of mainstream providers on specific dates and at specific times, SOVA (Rotherham) becomes an accredited test centre and offers flexible assessment opportunities in a familiar learning environment.
Serving Others through Volunteer Action (SOVA) Rotherham
Recruiting, training and supporting volunteer mentors
Volunteer mentors from the local community befriend and support adult offenders to help their resettlement in the community. They are trained to help offenders deal with the many challenges surrounding resettlement, including social prejudice, and provide support with practical everyday issues.
NACRO Sandwell
A go-karting programme for work-related skills
An innovative programme embeds education and training opportunities using go-karting to motivate young people into learning and equip them with employability skills.
NACRO Sandwell
Drama Experience: a creative arts programme for young offenders
A drama programme helps young people acquire social skills to improve their employability and help them to sustain their future employment.
HMP Shrewsbury
Working together for quality improvement
Staff across the prison participate in a structured approach to identifying key strengths and challenges in the provision of learning and skills. This triggers a programme of quality improvements. The observation of teaching and learning is extended as a key quality process and staff are trained as observers.
HMP and YOI Styal with HMP Dartmoor
Family learning: 'Storybook Mums' and 'Storybook Dads'
'Storybook Mums' at HMP and YOI Styal is developed in partnership with HMP Dartmoor. Learners at both prisons compose and record stories for their families and present them to their families in an attractively packaged CD-ROM. This helps maintain family ties and facilitates offender learning. Learners gain in confidence and are encouraged to take their learning further. Offenders at HMP Dartmoor are trained in the use of digital technology to edit the recordings and enhance the stories. Many go on to gain an Open College Network (OCN) qualification in sound and audio production.
Somerset and Avon Probation Service and Yeovil College
Positive experiences of Skills for Life learning help learners on probation to move on
A positive focus on qualifications raises achievements. Learners gain awards in literacy and numeracy that will help them get work and move on in life. They progress into a variety of vocational courses and ‘sell’ the benefits of their Skills for Life courses to others.
South West Region – Cross-establishment development
Teacher-training opportunities for prison staff, teachers and offenders – a regional model
A regional project provides new teacher-training opportunities for prison staff, teachers and offenders. The provision is bespoke for offender education, with a focus on prison learning contexts.
HM YOI Swinfen Hall
Design and use of individual learning plans to aid transition
An institution-wide initiative on the use of individual learning plans (ILPs) across HM YOI Swinfen Hall helps to ensure that the process and documents used are consistent throughout the vocational workshops, PE and education departments and can support transition and progression.
Wakefield Youth Offending Team
Learners ‘dip their toes’ into employment
Thinking of Employment (TOE) is a learning programme used by agencies as a way of engaging hard-to-reach young offenders. It is designed to help the young people step into the world of work. Learners explore the local employment scene and interview people about working in the area in the past. They gain a sense of belonging to their community.
TOE has been used by: Wakefield Youth Offending Team; Connexions; education, training and employment (ETE) workers; staff from Signpost Direct (the information, advice and guidance network) and the Coalfields Regeneration Project.
HMP Wandsworth
Motivating longer-term prisoners with in-house enterprise
Longer-term prisoners in the Vulnerable Prisoners Unit study and practice work-related skills. They gain qualifications and run a media and communications agency developed from their own business plan.
Wandsworth Youth Offending Team
A partnership provides information, advice and guidance surgeries
In partnership with Connexions, Wandsworth Youth Offending Team gives young people one-to-one information, advice and guidance at weekly surgeries, to maximise education, training and employment (ETE) support.
Warwickshire Probation Service
Participating in arts to increase employability
An innovative employability arts pilot project engages and motivates potential learners, extends their range of social skills and increases their employability skills. Partnerships contribute their vocational expertise and offer a number of opportunities in the creative arts.
Wessex Youth Offending Team
Offenders develop social and communication skills through group work
Working with Connexions, the Local Management Gjroup of the Youth Offending Team helps offenders on the Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programme (ISSP) to develop skills in speaking, listening and interacting effectively in social situations. Improving these skills is essential if they are to gain and sustain employment.
HM YOI Wetherby
A multi-agency strategy supports transition and progression into post-custody learning
HM YOI Wetherby, Connexions, youth offending teams and other partners work together to develop a managed and monitored approach to supporting successful transition on release. Learners benefit from more meaningful training/career plans.
HMP Winchester
Building core employment skills into induction
A structured course for first-time offenders helps to increase their self-esteem and instil a sense of achievement by leading to the award of qualifications. Offered during the offender’s first week in custody, it aims to support future transition.
HMP Wolds
Partnership with industry brings employment, and IT and marketing skills
Collaboration with a company, Summit Media, provides a real work environment in which learners develop skills in media technology and online technology. The company employs learners during their sentence and they gain a better chance of employment when they are released.
HMP Wormwood Scrubs
An in-cell personal development programme
Open and flexible learning experiences are made available to learners with Level 2 skills through the re-formatting of an established personal development course. Learners work ‘in-cell’ with minimal supervision and benefit from ownership of their learning and increased self-motivation.