1. WomenCentre, Halifax, May 2010 Women at the Centre © Simon Duffy. Rights Reserved. The author must be cited if images or slides are used

2. Part One: Medea Confronting tragedy

3. Tracey & Baby Peter Ambiguity of our attitude - blame/sympathy Abuse-neglect fostering abuse-neglect The things women do for love of men

4. Bethany Bethany is in her mid 30’s and has a moderate learning disability. She was referred by her 8 year old daughter’s social worker. Bethany’s boyfriend was a registered sex offender and she was in danger of losing her daughter into the care of the local authority. WomenCentre are working with Bethany to support her parenting, help her to understand the risk that her boyfriend posed to herself and her daughter and to build her self confidence and self esteem. Bethany has ended the relationship with her boyfriend. Bethany would like to meet other women who have a learning disability and who are mothers.

5. Marie Marie was sexually abused by her stepfather and spent time in and out of local authority care as a young child. Marie self harms significantly. She has complex health problems: diabetes, hep c, depression, mood disorders, drink induced psychosis. Marie’s own two children are in care. Marie is in a deeply abusive relationship. Her partner is physically abusive and his friends to pay him to have sex with Marie. Marie has committed benefit fraud and has a community sentence which she struggles to comply with because of her chaotic lifestyle. Marie is working with the Evolve project.

6. Sarah Same trajectory as Tracey Damaging relationship But she made different choices, and got different help

7. The Bigger Picture Women leaving prison 36 times more likely to commit suicide 105% increase in women going to prison Each year it is estimated that more than 17,700 children are separated from their mother by imprisonment. Just 5% of women prisoners’ children remain in their own home once their mother has been sentenced.

8. Part Two: Ariadne Helping women face their demons

11. Managing a serious health condition62% Finding a safer place to live29% Living with childhood abuse49% Trying to improve their education38% Recent experience of domestic violence76% Fractured family42% Children have experienced abuse40% Living with significant levels of mental illness56% History of drug or alcohol misuse49% Victim of crime40% Perpetrator of crimes38% Money problems49%

12. Purpose Safeguarding women, as individuals Safeguarding women as the foundation for families (including sons, husbands, fathers) Being there for women, in all circumstances Sticking with women, through thick and thin

13. Difference Building a community through identity Offering an holistic focus, because identity does not come through ‘a specialism’ Avoiding the “privileged irresponsibility” of high status professional roles But, developing a new kind of professionalism

14. The Model 1. Place of safety - a community of local women 2. Human touch - a strong personal relationship 3. Positive approach - pragmatic & positive 4. Holisitic - every woman a one-stop shop

16. LabelPrimary FocusReal Issue Criminal behaviourHousingSelf-esteem Drug usesDebt problemsMothering skills Poor motherHealth problemsManaging relationships Victim of domestic violenceDentistLack of support or guidance Victim of childhood abuseAdvocacy with criminal justice systemOvercoming trauma in the past - abuse, violence, tragedy Misuses AlcoholBenefit problemsVulnerability and bullying Self-harmsRent problemsOn-going trauma - loss of children, Violent Chronic Health Condition Mentally ill

18. Findings 100% of women say life has improved since working with WomenCentre, 100% say WomenCentre helped Typical time in intensive case work - over 1 year Even greater satisfaction increases in key areas 45 people in sample

19. Quotes “I was a shadow of myself over 12 months ago, very depressed, anxiety, panic attacks. Since i have been with Evolve my confidence has grown, ive become a better person and mother. I just wish I hadn’t committed a crime to get the support i have received. Not only has she helped me but has become a very good friend.” “The WC is a fantastic place, and it has made a big difference to me.” “Helped me with confidence, a good place to meet other women when you are on your own.” “I like Evolve, Evolve are brilliant. If I hadn’t have had their support I would be in prison” “I have contacted WC by phone and they have always got back to me whatever I have been doing with support I need. Julie has been a good luck charm and has always supported me.”

21. Stickability - no passing the buck, no triage, no segmentation Neo-professionalism - trained, committed, staff team Problem-focused, but relationship building Personalisation - focusing on all the available real wealth in the person’s life, including other professionals Positive - finding the key that’s right for that person Pragmatic - adapting around what works Coherent process - faith in the possibility of renewal Success Factors

23. CostNo. PACost PP Management£100,000 Premises£150,000 Level 1£10,00013520£0.74 Level 2£100,0001000£100 Level 3£330,000500£660 Level 3.5£400,000115£3,478.26 Level 4£10,0005000£2 Level 5£0100£0 Total£1,100,000

24. Community A real community - on each day it includes 100 women - paid, unpaid, women working - but over a year 1,000s of women Transformational leadership style - forgiving, supportive, mobile - modelling the support to women Creative and flexible - women weaving solutions

25. Prisoner>£40,000 Child in care<£300,000 In patient mental health care>£100,000 Domestic Violence>£29,000

26. Part Three: Penelope Finding some better ways forward

27. History Founded by the local women, part of the Women’s movement Initial focus on health Slight shift of focus in 1995 - subsequent developments Lots of initiatives, but a central and coherent model

30. Local Government13 Local NHS5 Regional or Sub-Regional7 Charities13 Central Government3 Total41

31. Local Reform Problem of ‘ownership’ and ‘identity’ the tension between holistic and silo-based approaches Need to celebrate and support real community developments Hope to build a new relationship equality & respect Supporting innovation and exploration

36. Questions Can we reduce chaos in funding, the game- playing? Can we create some individual budgets for levels 3 and 3.5? Can we create a culture of innovation and sharing? Can we respect and support existing leadership? Can we unlock resources from more traditional services? What will Total Place mean in Calderdale & Kirklees?

38. National Reform Developing a new account of localism Tax-benefit reforms - better incentives and secure entitlements Service reform - shift in power, accountability and innovation Stronger citizens, families and communities

39. Contact Details Simon Duffy Centre for Welfare Reform The Quadrant, 99 Parkway Avenue, Parkway Business Park Sheffield, S9 4WG T +44 114 251 1790 M +44 7729 7729 41 admin@centreforwelfarereform.org www.centreforwelfarereform.org