The reasons for the decision are:
As the lead commissioner, GMCA alongside HMPPS have commissioned a
‘pick up at the gate service’ through the GMIRS
Wellbeing Service to assist those people on probation overcome
obstacles which could impact on positive engagement with both
licence requirements and their own resettlement aspirations.
The Big Life Group were awarded the contract as the lead provider
for the Wellbeing Service as part of the Greater Manchester
Integrated Rehabilitation Service (GMIRS) following an Open Tender
procedure in September 2023.
The Big Life Group will act as the lead provider and receive
referrals to the service from the pre-release Probation
Practitioner. Big Life will sufficiently resource in house support
to complete the triage before transferring the facilitation of
transport to On the Out, a local Community Interest Company
(nonprofit) who currently support men and women leaving prison to
overcome barriers faced on release such as addiction, homelessness,
mental/physical health issues.
On the Out will be required to facilitate transport on the day of
release to any of the ten Local Authority areas of Greater
Manchester for those leaving custody who have identified needs and
vulnerabilities.
The service will be provided from prison to the person on
probations accommodation/approved premises and/or the initial
appointment with their probation practitioner at the local
Probation Delivery Unit (PDU) or Wellbeing Hub / Women’s
Centre. Connecting individuals on probation with local wellbeing
services at the hub / centre, helps to create a network of support
that addresses various aspects of their lives. This holistic method
can significantly aid in their rehabilitation and reintegration
into society.
There will be a phased rollout to enable assessment of the service
and resource demand against current referral profiles. At the end
of phase one, feedback will be taken from stakeholders and the
provider to understand best practice opportunities for continued
delivery.
Mobilisation began on 1st September 2024. Phase one of delivery
will begin on 1st November 2024 when referrals will be accepted for
People on Probation being released from the following
prison’s:
1st November 2024 to 31st January 2025
HMP Styal
HMP Forest Bank
HMP Hindley
All Young Offender Institutions across the UK
1st February 2025 – 30th June 2025
Referrals will be accepted for all remaining prisons based in the
Northwest of England not covered in the first roll out.
1st July 2025 – 31st August 2025
Referrals will be accepted for all prisons in England and Wales for
people on licence returning to Greater Manchester.
The pickup at the gate service will only accept referrals for
people being released on licence that are in the below priority
groups.
Priority 1
All 18/19-year-olds being released from a Young Offender Institute
anywhere in the UK. These cases shall be prioritised in all
instances.
Priority 2
Women at risk of being released as homeless from prison with
support needs.
Priority 3
Male and female people on probation who have needs or risks
specifically linked to their capacity to make their way to a
specific address on the day of release.
The service provider will be required to have a minimum of 20
contacts per month with individual people being released on licence
to all Greater Manchester Local Authority areas. These contacts
will include face to face pre-release visits, video links, and
where available pre-release team facilitated phone calls. These
contacts also include the meet at the gate for transportation to
the pre-arranged address(s).
From the 20 contacts per month, it is expected that at least 12 at
the gate collections are fulfilled. Volumes will be reviewed in
line with learning from the mobilisation and phase one.
A monthly report will be submitted by On the Out to Big Life which
will evaluate service delivery. Both Big Life and On the Out will
be required to work with GMCA to ensure the evaluation needs are
met.
Decision type: Non-key
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Notice of proposed decision first published: 29/10/2024
Decision due: 24 Oct 2024 by Director for Safer and Stronger Communities, GM Deputy Mayor, Group Finance Officer
Contact: Lisa Lees Email: lisa.lees@greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk.