Acorn and Her Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service have an established partnership to rehabilitate offenders and secure their employment upon release. This support reduces the social cost of both reoffending and unemployment, by improving inmate’s skills and employability whilst in prison to improve their chances of success on the outside.

Building Futures
Acorn is the first recruitment agency to extend construction opportunities to prisoners based at HMP Prescoed.

We secured work on-site for 22 former inmates in 2018, contributing £38,735.51 toward a Victim Support Fund and creating £557,502 Gross Value Add for the economy.

Acorn is a conduit between HMO prisons and employers, arranging paid work opportunities for prisoners on ROTL (Release on Temporary License). Acorn has identified many skilled and capable individuals who have secured full-time employment on release thanks to our connections.

The programme is split into two areas:

  • Working with D Category individuals that are serving the remainder of their sentence, but are permitted to work every day on license to improve their chance of rehabilitation.
  • Working with individuals in Cardiff prison due to be released within 6 weeks.

Ultimately between Acorn, the Prison & Probation Service and our third sector partners, we develop disadvantaged individuals and support those who are ready to turn their lives around to secure opportunities.

 

Building Futures
Why do it? What is the impact?

The UK must increase its efforts to reduce reoffending rates, estimated to cost the UK economy £15bn a year. If individuals are not given the opportunity to secure employment after release they are five times more likely to re-offend.

Employing ex-offenders also helps to prevent homelessness. As a vulnerable group, ex-offenders that fail to secure work are more susceptible to homelessness, in addition to substance abuse and negative mental health.

This is an opportunity to champion your business as an inclusive workplace, supporting people development and creating positive social impact within local communities. By employing ex-offenders you are helping to tackle some of society’s most critical issues.

 

How does it work?
1. Acorn meets with offenders
On a monthly basis, our team visit HM Prisons to meet with a group of 10-16 inmates. During this course, we plan their steps into employment upon release and share supporting materials that clearly signpost them to the help they’ll need.
2. Our Partners Engage
When an ex-offender is released we collaborate with our third sector partners to ensure they get the full support, from housing arrangements and health provisions to work readiness.
3. We provide mentorship
At this stage, smaller groups of candidates that are fully engaged in the process are offered one-on-one support to build their employability skills. We cover mock interviews, training and qualifications, and arrange on-site experience with interested employers. Once we have helped that individual reach a point where they are ‘work ready’ we look to place them with one of our construction employers.
4. Continued support
Along with our third sector partners, we’ll ensure you and your newest recruit are supported. We have the skills and resources to deal with unexpected issues and resolve them quickly, from money management to mental health. You can guarantee we’ll be with you all the way, keeping in consistent contact with each worker to support both the employer and candidate throughout the contract.
5. We’ll share your success stories
With your approval, we will share news of how your business is positively impacting people’s lives with the media and on social.
How could you get involved?

If you have entry-level vacancies likely to be available for 4-5 months or longer, such as labourer or gate person, we can match you up with an individual we are working with. We will take care of everything, allowing you to be as directly involved in the programme's stages as you wish. If you choose to, you are welcome to visit a prison with us or become involved in the employability and mentoring work we do.

Take a look at what partners and participants think of the programme.

Marc Jones
Technical Operations Director
Marc is Technical Operations Director for the Acorn Group. He has worked extensively with major construction industry leaders and now supports community projects with charities such as The Wallich, working to help fill the construction skills gap.
01633 760 148
marc-jones-acorn
Lawrence Beach
Client Development Director
Specialising in the construction sector, Lawrence works closely with our customers to continually find solutions and improve recruitment services. He creates, develops and delivers initiatives that create social value, particularly through employment of disadvantaged groups and works closely with the third sector.
07886 399 526
/in/lawrence-beach/
If you have any general questions, please contact us.
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2023 Acorn by SYNERGIE is a trading name of Acorn Recruitment LTD
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