Volunteering with a Criminal Record 2014

Back on Track
4th Floor, Swan Buildings
20 Swan Street
Manchester M4 5JW
Tel: 0161 834 1661
www.backontrackmanchester.org.uk
Back on Track Manchester Ltd
is a Registered Charity in England and Wales no. 1017467 and a Company Limited by Guarantee no. 2735484
Designed by Transmission www.transmissioncreative.co.uk
Success
stories
from Greater Manchester

Contents
3 Introduction
4 Success stories
Gary
Lisa
James
Mark
12 Useful tips
Getting started
Disclosing your offences
Tips for organisations
18 Useful contacts
Finding a volunteer opportunity
Training and employment
Advice on managing volunteers
Criminal justice
Acknowledgements
Introduction
The aim of this booklet is to share the stories of ex-offenders from
Greater Manchester who have made a success of volunteering.
We hope it provides inspiration and useful contacts for:
• potential volunteers
• organisations that involve volunteers
• advice and support agencies.
Many different people can help make the volunteering journey a success.
This includes friends and family, support/advice workers, as well as those
who recruit and manage volunteers.
About one quarter of the working age population in the UK has some kind
of criminal record. Many have the ability, experience and enthusiasm to be
star-quality volunteers. The biggest barrier to volunteering for many is
embarrassment about a situation where they have to disclose their
offences. This booklet aims to give inspiration and information to overcome
hurdles like this.
Volunteering has many benefits for the volunteer. It is sociable, helps
provide a positive routine and provides a great sense of achievement.
It also offers useful work experience, development of skills, an up-to-date
reference, and huge leaps forward in confidence and ambition.
Volunteering is a brilliant way to explore a new career and to make
a good impression.
Volunteering also has massive benefits for the community.
Volunteer-involving organisations know that they need keen,
motivated volunteers to be successful. An increasing number of
organisations in Greater Manchester are recognising the benefits of
a diverse volunteer workforce which includes ex-offenders. Ex-offenders
often have a great deal of life experience, which can be invaluable to help
others who are struggling.
Special thanks to the volunteers who have agreed for their stories
to be published in this booklet as an inspiration to others. We think
they should be proud of their contribution to the community and the
positive ways they have moved their lives forward.
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I got a six-month contract
with them, which was
amazing!
Success stories: Gary
When I was released from prison I wanted to start a new
life without drugs. I had never worked and had no
qualifications at all. I heard about Back on Track just
before I was released and enrolled as soon as I was
out of prison.
I started on the weekly Work Experience sessions doing
the catering then worked as a volunteer on the outdoor
taster days which I loved. I did conservation and ground
work with a group of volunteers. Volunteering outdoors
with local conservation organisations built up my
practical skills, enthusiasm and my fitness.
I also completed a Level 2 computer course and achieved
qualifications in Manual Handling and First Aid.
While I was at Back on Track I heard about a job with
Blue Sky who work with ex-offenders. I went for the
interview and got a six-month contract with them, which
was amazing as I have never had a job! I spent six months
putting up fences, paving, tarmacking and gardening.
When this came to an end I applied for another contract
doing groundwork with a housing association which
I was successful with.
Everything has changed in my life: my confidence has
increased; I’ve got back into learning, learnt to manage
my time, written a CV and got work experience. I would
tell anybody to give volunteering a go as it gives you
your life back so you can plan your future. It’s easy to
become isolated but volunteering kept me off drugs
and kept me positive until I got a job. I’m hoping to get a
permanent job in outdoor conservation work which
I know I can get one day.
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Success Stories: Lisa
I started at Back on Track after the Job Centre recommended
it to me. I’d had a suspended sentence and wanted to get
back into work. I had worked previously as a receptionist
in a doctor’s surgery but I was finding it hard to get a
job again due to my criminal record. However I knew I
needed to get my confidence back up and get familiar
with being in a working environment again.
I started as an admin volunteer as a stepping stone to
getting back into work. I assisted with tasks such as
typing up letters, helping with the displays, filing and
the paperwork. This has helped improve my IT skills as
well as increasing my confidence in myself. It gave me
something to get out the house for and helped me not to
feel depressed by keeping me busy and active. I’m now
volunteering at a local community cafe as this will help
me to develop my customer service skills and keep
me motivated while I look for work. I am also hoping to
enrol with Manchester College to gain a qualification in
administration.
Volunteering has helped me a lot, I am learning how to get
on with others as sometimes I find it hard to connect
with people. I feel a lot more confident now and I would
recommend volunteering to anyone who has been in the
criminal justice system and needs to get back on track.
Now I am looking forward to taking my next step forward.
I would recomment volunteering to
anyone
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volunteering has
given me a sense of
Success Stories: James
I first heard about Back on Track via a Through the Gate
worker who I met while I was doing a six month sentence in
prison. When I first came out of prison I felt isolated and
lonely as I wasn’t in Salford where I’d always lived before.
I eventually managed to get into a hostel in Salford so I was
able to enrol on the Health and Social care course at
Back on Track. It felt good to get out of the hostel and be
in a group again after losing my job a few years ago
and being in prison.
While I was on the Health and Social Care course I applied
to be a Volunteer Mentor with Shelter, to support people
just released from prison with benefit claims, job searches
and other help. I got an interview which was quite daunting
but they offered me the role! While I completed the training
I started volunteering in the Greater Manchester Community
Chaplaincy café serving food and drink and chatting with
the ex-offenders who come in. I’ve also started working
in their office, helping out with their accounts.
Volunteering has boosted my confidence, work skills
and kept me busy at a critical time. It has given me a
sense of responsibility as I can help others in a similar
situation. As a result of my volunteering I now have paid
work at the chaplaincy and I’m excited about the future.
If I hadn’t had the support from Back on Track and the
encouragement to start volunteering I would have fallen
back into my old ways, drinking and not doing anything.
It’s definitely worth volunteering as it’s a good way of
showing prospective employers that you are making an
effort to change your life.
responsibility
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I feel so much more
confident
Success Stories: Mark
I was referred to Back on Track through my local probation
office. I had just been released from prison for the second
time after many years of drug use and violent criminal
activity. However I reached a turning point after my
release from prison and knew that I had to turn my life
around for my family’s sake.
My wife had a serious illness and was unable to work or look
after our children on her own. I realised that it was drugs
or my family. It was a no-brainer really and I really wanted
to make up for all the problems I had caused.
I decided that I wanted to get into support work, working
with young offenders to help young people avoid the
mistakes I had made. I completed the Health and Social
Care training programme at Back on Track which acted
as a real springboard for exploring further opportunities
to help me achieve my goals. I successfully applied for
and completed the Bridging the Gap course at Addiction
Dependency Solutions (ADS) which helped to develop
my support skills. Since then I’ve been volunteering with
Tameside ADS supporting those with drug problems.
I really enjoy it as it is giving me the skills I need to work
in this area in the future.
My family no longer worry about me when
I leave the house. Hopefully they are
proud of me and what I’m doing to
give back to society. As a result of
volunteering I feel so much more
confident and when I look in the
mirror I’m proud of myself.
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Useful tips – getting started
Here are some of the different steps on the journey to volunteering.
See page 18 onwards for sources of information and support.
Get inspired
Think about what you’re good at and what you’ve enjoyed doing in the past.
Who has really inspired you in the past? What kind of work would really
interest you? What kind of experience would help move your career in
the right direction?
Encouragement
We all need a bit of help and encouragement to try something new.
Maybe an adviser, a support worker, or a friend or family member
can help you stay motivated.
Get information
There are lots of opportunities out there. Browse local voluntary jobs
on the website www.do-it.org.uk. Or tap into the advice available at
your local Volunteer Centre.
Make contact
The first phone call can be scary – maybe there’s someone who can help
you see it through. Some organisations offer a ‘taster day’ when you
can come and have a go without any pressure.
Disclosing?
You might not need to disclose any past convictions, or you might need
to disclose everything – this depends on the position for which you are
applying. Remember that organisations should consider lots of factors
when appointing volunteers, not just a criminal record.
Induction
You should have an induction from the organisation, to let you know what
is expected and what support is available. This is all to help you make a
good start on volunteering.
Feedback
If something’s not working out, don’t sit on it – it’s important to let the
organisation know if something isn’t working out. They may also have
some feedback for you!
Training
Any new experience is an opportunity to learn. Get the most out of any
training that the organisation can offer. There may be other training
that can help!
Application process
This might involve an information session, an application form, an
interview – it’s different for every organisation. Both you and the
organisation need to decide if this is the right opportunity for you.
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Useful tips – disclosing your offences
Do you need to disclose?
You may not need to disclose your offences to the organisation where you
want to volunteer. It may be that any offending history is not relevant to
the volunteering role. The organisation should make it clear.
Spent and unspent convictions
• The organisation may ask you to disclose if you have any ‘unspent’
convictions. These will be recent convictions, although very serious
offences are never ‘spent’.
• In some specialist roles (working with children or vulnerable adults in
certain roles), the organisation may also ask you to declare all
convictions – both spent and unspent. If this is the case, you will also
need to declare any cautions or warnings you have received from the
police, no matter how long ago they took place.
For information about ‘spent’ convictions and other issues,
contact the NACRO Resettlement Plus helpline
on 020 7840 1212 or helpline@nacro.org.uk
How does a DBS check work
• DBS is the new name for a CRB check. The Disclosure and Barring Service
can provide information to organisations about criminal records and
convictions. Organisations that wish to run DBS checks must stick to
the DBS Code of Practice, which includes treating the disclosure
information confidentially.
• The initial stage of a DBS check is to fill out a form (with someone from
the organisation) giving details about yourself and providing
evidence of your ID and address. This information is then sent off by
the organisation to the DBS, who conduct a search of the records held.
A report (with any convictions listed) is printed out by the DBS and
sent to you. You will need to show this to the organisation.
• The organisation should make its own decision about your suitability,
taking lots of factors into account.
How to disclose your offence
• If the organisation has asked you to disclose convictions, it’s useful to
attach a covering letter, with information about the offence and your
current attitude towards it. Make sure that any explanation you give
for your past offending does not sound like an excuse.
• Explain how you have changed your life since the offence occurred,
and show that you will be trustworthy and reliable in the role.
For example, you might have taken on commitments (such as your
own flat or undertaking a training course) which show that you have
too much to lose by getting into trouble again.
• If you are having an interview, remember that it does take courage
to discuss past offences and you might want to practice discussing
this with someone you trust beforehand.
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Useful tips – for organisations
See page 18 onwards for organisations that can provide further advice.
Policy and procedures
It is good practice for volunteer-involving organisations to have a policy
and agreed procedures about the recruitment of ex-offenders.
These policies and procedures should seek to exclude the minority
who might cause harm from the opportunity to do so, but not exclude
those whose offences are irrelevant.
Are we allowed to take up a DBS check?
DBS checks can only be justified by the nature of the role in question.
You have to be consistent to all applicants: you can’t take up a DBS
check just because you know or suspect someone is an ex-offender.
It’s illegal for organisations to request a DBS check if it is not really
needed, so you need to be sure you are getting it right!
DBS administration
It is usually easiest to register with an ‘umbrella body’ and pay them an
administration fee to conduct the check. Contact your local Volunteer
Centre for information about umbrella bodies. If you conduct DBS checks,
you are legally bound by the Disclosure Code of Good Practice,
which requires you to have certain policies in place and to keep
disclosure information confidential.
Making a decision
A DBS check is not an effective tool on its own. Interviews, references,
trial periods and ongoing supervision all help to determine whether
someone is suitable for a role.
What roles are eligible for a DBS check?
• Undertaking certain designated responsibilities with children
• Undertaking certain designated responsibilities with vulnerable
adults (e.g. healthcare)
You can find out more from:
www.gov.uk/disclosure-barring-service-check
Keep the applicant informed
Give potential volunteers an opportunity to declare any relevant offences
(and then discuss this with them) before conducting a DBS check.
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Useful contacts –
Finding a volunteer opportunity
Useful contacts –
Training and employment
‘DO -IT’ website
www.do-it.org.uk
‘Do-it’ is a national website of volunteer opportunities from across the
country. It’s like a job centre for volunteer positions. You can look up
volunteer opportunities by postcode, geographical area, or type of work.
Local Volunteer Centres
Volunteer Centres act as a central point for advertising for volunteers.
Some Volunteer Centres can book a one-to-one appointment with an
individual to discuss their interests and help match them up to something
relevant. It’s important to phone first to book an appointment.
Bolton Volunteer Centre
Tel: 01204 546060 Web: www.boltoncvs.org.uk
Bury Volunteer Centre
Tel: 0161 797 1968 Web: www.b3sda.org.uk
Manchester Volunteer Centre
Tel: 0161 830 4770 Web: www.manchestercommunitycentral.org.uk
Oldham Volunteer Centre
Tel: 0161 633 6222 Web: www.vaoldham.org.uk
Rochdale Volunteer Centre
Tel: 01706 631291 Web: www.cvsr.org.uk
Salford Volunteer Centre
Tel: 1061 787 7795 Web: www.salfordcvs.co.uk
Stockport Volunteer Service
Tel: 0161 475 0855 Web: www.anchorpointstockport.org.uk
Tameside Volunteer Centre
Tel: 0161 229 2345 Web: www.cvat.org.uk
Trafford Volunteer Service
Tel: 0161 976 2447 Web: www.traffordcvs.org.uk
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National Careers Service
The careers guidance service for all those looking for advice on finding
work, identifying a career direction or finding a training course.
www.nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk Freephone: 0800 100 900
Training and qualifications
Your local further education college will offer courses for young people
and adults. In addition, there are a number of training centres and
employment support schemes in Greater Manchester.
learndirect
A national scheme providing a range of training courses in local centres,
and information about other training providers in your local area.
www.learndirect.com Freephone: 0800 101 901
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Useful contacts –
Advice on managing volunteers
Useful contacts -
Criminal justice
Volunteering England / NCVO
Provides factsheets (e.g. CRB checks, volunteering and benefits, insurance),
and example policies and procedures which you can adapt.
www.volunteering.org.uk
Local Volunteer Centres
Your local volunteer centre (see page 18) will provide advice and
support for organisations which involve volunteers. Many of the
volunteer centres also provide training, special projects, and volunteer
recognition schemes.
Disclosure and Barring Service
The DBS is responsible for the disclosure service and can provide
information about its administration.
www.gov.uk/disclosure-barring-service-check Tel: 0870 909 0811
‘Involving Ex –offenders in Volunteering’
This useful 20 page booklet (produced by Volunteering England and
NACRO in 2006) contains tips for organisations. It can be downloaded
for free from the Volunteering England website.
www.volunteering.org.uk
NACRO resettlement helpline
NACRO is a national charity working to reduce crime and provide a fresh
start for offenders, by running projects and undertaking research.
The Resettlement helpline provides information about issues relating
to ex-offenders.
www.nacro.org.uk Tel: 020 7840 6464
Cheshire & Greater Manchester Community Rehabilitation Company
The Cheshire & Greater Manchester Community Rehabilitation
Company Limited is an organisation, borne out of Greater Manchester
Probation Trust and Cheshire Probation Trust, that has been established
by the Ministry of Justice. It supervises and manages low and medium
risk offenders in the community across Cheshire and Greater Manchester.
www.cgm-probation.org.uk Tel: 03000 479 000
Youth Offending Teams
There is a Youth Offending Team in each of the 10 districts of Greater
Manchester, providing services to young people aged 10–17 who
have come into contact with the criminal justice system or are at risk
of doing so.
www.yjb.gov.uk
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Acknowledgements
This booklet was produced by Back on Track, and is based on the
experiences of ex-offenders from Greater Manchester who have
made a success of volunteering. Many thanks to over 50 ex-offenders
who shared their story in order to help us understand what makes
volunteering work.
Thanks to Cheshire & Greater Manchester Community Rehabilitation
Company for funding this booklet.
Back on Track is a Greater Manchester charity. Each year Back on Track
helps around 1,000 adults move from a disrupted past towards
a positive future, through our training, mentoring and guidance services.
All our students have low levels of confidence and skills, and many
have had some kind of trouble with the law. With the right encouragement
and training they are able to move on to a positive outcome such as a
college course, voluntary work or employment.
Back on Track benefits from the support of around 50 volunteers each
year, and seeks to set a good example as a workplace where volunteers
and staff with a criminal record can fulfil their potential.
Back on Track is a member of the Volunteering Greater Manchester
partnership and is signed up to the Volunteering Vision for
Greater Manchester.
www.volunteering-gm.org.uk
Back on Track is part of the Achieve North West project which supports
ex-offenders to make a success of education, volunteering and employment.
Achieve is funded by the European Social Fund co-financed with the
Ministry of Justice / National Offender Management Service.
.
Published June 2014 by Back on Track, with funding from Cheshire &
Greater Manchester Community Rehabilitation Company
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