Reducing Re-Offending Governance
The national Reducing Re-Offending delivery plan has the support of other Government Departments and the following structures have been put in place to ensure there is an alignment of departmental targets and a more co-ordinated approach to delivery of cross government plans and outcomes.
The Inter-Ministerial Group on Reducing Re-offending monitors progress and provides the strategic vision for cross Government plans and outcomes. Membership includes ministers from the Minsitry of Justice, Department for Communities and Local Government, Cabinet Office, Department for Work and Pensions, Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS), Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), and the Welsh Assembly Government.
The National Reducing Re-offending Programme Board is responsible for setting and driving the strategy to deliver a reduction in re-offending by 10% by the end of the decade. Its membership is drawn from key partner departments across government.
The Offender Skills and Employment and Finance, Benefit and Debt Sub-Board is responsible for the cross government strategy for improving the skills and employability of offenders so that they can gain and retain employment which will contribute to reducing re-offending. The sub-board is chaired jointly by DIUS and DWP, with NOMS leading on employer engagement through the Reducing Re-offending Corporate Alliance.
A Corporate Alliance Employer Reference Group has been set up to ensure that employers have a key role in shaping and driving the Government’s work to improve the employment outcomes and skills of offenders and to assist the Reducing Re-offending Corporate Alliance in achieving its aims. The group includes employers from across the private, public and voluntary sectors.
Regional Reducing Re-offending Employment, Training and Education Partnership Boards are now established in all the regions. They involve a wide range of partners, including Regional Development Agencies, Jobcentre Plus, Learning and Skills Councils and voluntary organisations. In the North East there is a regional employer reference group to support this work. They are responsible for developing links with employers. Several regions have established specific groups to progress their work with employers.
