Together Women Project North West

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Together Women ProjectNorth West
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Why are we doing this?

• Female prison population has increased by 126
  Improve quality of life and opportunities for
  womenReduce risk of offending and break the
  cycle of offending behaviourPositive impact for
  women and their familiesCost effectiveTo
  address complex and multiple needs

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What is it?

• Sponsored by Baroness Scotland, Minister of State
  for Criminal Justice System Liverpool and
  SalfordRuns till March 2009 Evaluated by
  University of LeicesterDelivered by local
  providersOne stop and outreach modelDesigned to
  enhance existing servicesOverseen locally by
  Stakeholder groupCentres are women only
  environments

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What will we do?

• Assess needHome visitsIndividual support
  plansGroup work, 11 sessions, drop in
  centrePractical and emotional supportMediation
  and advocacyLife skillsMulti agency
  liaisonParentingTraining

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What else.?

• Approach empathic, honest, openAcknowledge
  differences and rightsChallenge unravel
  misconceptions, give clarity, spell out
  consequences of behaviourAgreement what needs
  to change, who needs to take action and how
  
  
  
  
  Choices gt Responsibility gt Consequence

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Referrers perspective

• Criminal Behaviour
• Drug / alcohol related activity
• Disputes/violence/intimidation
• Long history of non engagement
• Anti social behaviour
• Been in prison
• Persistent non attender
• Children out of control

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The Woman's Perspective

• Really struggling financially
• Children not doing as told, not going to school,
  being bullied, taking drugs/drink
• Unemployment/unable to access training
• Intimidation and rejection by neighbourhood their
  landlord and the authorities
• Previous or current abuse/domestic violence
• Domestic violence
• Problems with accommodation
• Not confident
• Wants support but does not know what's available
  or how to get it
  
  
  

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What the Worker finds

• Health (mental and physical) issues
• Low self esteem and self worth
• Social exclusion /isolation
• Poor anger control and parenting skills
• Violence/abuse
• Traumatised behaviour
• Alcohol/drug misuse
• History of being exploited
• Poor housing
• Lack of skills
• Massive loss
• Lack of opportunity for training and / or
  employment

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Why is she not addressing these problems?

• Feels overwhelmed due to complexity of issues
• Often influenced or pressured by others
• Barriers to accessing services
• Had negative experiences previously

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What is available?

• Training on issues such as parenting, managing
  mental health, life skills, offending behaviour,
  thinking skills
• Drop In Centre
• Breakfast clubs
• Reading groups
• Complimentary therapies
• Surgeries from a range of providers eg Housing
  advice
• Mentoring
• Outreach and supported engagement

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And..

• Support into training and employment
• Self esteem courses
• Debt advice
• Therapeutic art
• Links to mainstream services
• Counselling
• Support in tackling Domestic Violence

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Reasons for success?

• The project has a one stop centre and can operate
  in the community
• Voluntary so little stigma attached
• Intensity and nature of support offered
• Multi-agency approach
• Flexible support plan, meeting individual need
• Mixed-skilled team Partnership working
• Offers support in wide range of areas
• Empowering environment and culture

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To Conclude..

• There are complex issues facing women who are
  offending or at risk of offending needing a well
  co-ordinated multi-disciplinary response.
• Not a soft option for women. They have to face
  their problems, take responsibility for their
  behaviour and make necessary changes. But will be
  supported through the change process.
• There needs to be a range of services and tools
  available to meet the needs of different women.
• Women will be encouraged and empowered to make
  the changes they want and given the space and
  skills with which to do that.