Achieve Contract & Enterprise Pilot HMP Manchester

Achieve NW Self Employment support to participants in the Greater Manchester region. The college offers advice and guidance to offenders that are signed to the Achieve Project run by the probation service which assist them to gain skills and knowledge to maximise their chance of earning a legitimate and sustainable income. Key elements are: Support provided by Enterprise Coach. Close links developed with Achieve Case Managers. Work with offenders still in custody with less than 3 months to release. Work with offenders managed in community. Robust assessment process. Targeted support based on assessment analysis. Completion of realistic business plan and cash flow. Registered as Self Employed.

Assessment Process

SELF EMPLOYMENT GRADING

Headlines 176 Names put forward for Self Employment Advice 109 Attended the first appointment (62%) 95 Started the support process (54%) 77 Completed the process 41 Business Plans completed 22 are trading 16 have secured employment. ALMOST 50% HAD A POSITIVE OUTCOME (38/77)

22 trading as..

Outcomes by Grade TradingEmployedBusiness Planned but not trading Did not complete process Grade 1 53%24%12% Grade 2 23%26%23%28% Grade 3 20%7%13%60% Grade 4 0% 50% Participants that were assessed as Grade 1 are 50% more likely to achieve a positive outcome compared Grade 2’s Participants that were assessed as Grade 2 are twice as likely to gain a positive outcome compared to Grade 3’s Participants that were assessed as Grade 1 are three times as likely to gain a positive outcome compared to Grade 3’s

HMP Manchester Pilot Learners can enrol on self employment course – awarding body is SFEDI (Small Firms Enterprise Development Initiative) Can be self referred or recommended by HMP Manchester Prison ETE team as someone considering self employment. Learners complete 4 modules: –Enterprising Skills –Opportunities and Risks –Business Finance –Business Planning Outline Business Plan produced.

HMP Manchester Pilot Learners that complete course and are due for release within 3 months are given opportunity to sign up to Achieve. Only those that are recommended by the Senior Team Leader (College) and the ETE team (Prison) are referred to the Achieve Project. Enterprise Coach schedules appointments with potential participants whilst in custody. Assessment Grading Confirmed.

Through the Gate Participant has appointment arranged in custody by Achieve to meet Case Manager for their own referral area. Enterprise Coach re-commences with participant. Refines business plan and provides realistic financial forecasts and market research data. Signposts participant to JCP / DWP / Work Program for moving from benefits “better off calculation” advice. Participant applies for UTR number from HMRC Funding application from Achieve processed where necessary. Potential link up with other agencies (Blue Orchid for example) Follow up once UTR issued.

PARTNERSHIP

THE FUTURE Partner relationship management Improved enterprise offer in custody Improved Through the Gate strategy Innovation Social Enterprise