“The people profession has a huge role to play in supporting prison leavers back into work. Evidence shows that employment can reduce the chances of reoffending, but just 4% of women were in employment six weeks after release compared to 10% of men.”
The CIPD Trust, His Majesty’s Prison (HMP) Styal and HMP Styal Employment Advisory Board have won £70,000 of funding from the City & Guilds Foundation’s Big Ideas Fund. The funding will finance an innovative new pilot to support women leaving prison into employment.
The pilot will leverage the Trust’s successful experience of designing and delivering mentoring programmes that make a difference.
People professionals, with CIPD membership, will mentor women who are approaching the end of their prison sentences – helping them to develop confidence, employability skills and vocational skills, in partnership with employment partners in the region.
“Our programme will provide the support needed to develop the fundamental building blocks of confidence and self-esteem while connecting women with employers that have job opportunities.”
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