Supporting Offenders into Employment Trial - Central Auckland

Details

The Supporting Offenders into Employment (SOE) trial is a joint initiative between Ministry of Social Development (Ministry) and the Department of Corrections (Corrections).
The intent of the SOE service is to provide continuity of support prior to release and on-going support upon release. This approach ensures that a client’s transition from prison to benefit and services is seamless and the support provided is co-ordinated.
SOE focuses on ensuring offenders are better prepared for work before and then after their release, and achieving sustainable employment outcomes. This involves stair-casing clients to be work-ready, managing any barriers and issues they have, and working with key stakeholders for the successful reintegration of clients into the community. This is a means of improving the economic independence and social wellbeing of clients and their families, and the community. What we know is that being in sustained employment contributes to reduced rates of benefit receipt and re-offending.

The Ministry and Corrections seeks to engage an organisation (or a group of) to undertake delivery of the SOE service trial in the Central Auckland Region. Ideally service provision would start from December 2018. It is intended that the trial period is until 30 June 2020 (subject to performance) a duration of approximately 19 months.

Both the Ministry and Corrections are seeking service providers with proven experience in providing multi-disciplinary wraparound case management and successful employment services to individuals with a recent history of imprisonment.
This service should be delivered by a team of skilled professionals who will deliver multiple service supports, facilitate referrals to health (physical and mental health), drugs and alcohol, and education and training providers. The Provider should also engage with other support services in the community. These supports should address the client’s individual needs and circumstances in order to support them to quickly move in to, and remain in, provider-sourced sustainable employment.
Successful providers will have a good understanding of the challenges ex-prisoners face. The SOE provider will need to work closely with Corrections Case Management staff and with the Ministry who will administer client’s benefits and entitlements. The provider will need strong networks with local businesses and employer networks.