A new service offering specialist finance, benefit and debt advice to people on probation, (including those serving community sentence, on suspended sentences or on licence), will be delivered by Catch22 from early autumn this year.
The service will operate across London and runs for an initial period of 2 years and 9 months. It will deliver finance, benefit and debt related support, guidance, information, signposting and advocacy to reduce re-offending.
Lisa Smitherman, Director of Justice at Catch22, said:
“This new contract complements the work we’re delivering as part of our personal wellbeing contracts – and aims to address some of the root causes of reoffending. Too often those who have been in the criminal justice system find it difficult to get their finances in order and don’t know where to go for help with claiming the benefits they’re entitled to. This inevitably leads to an increased likelihood of reoffending.”
Community Links, a part of Catch22, already delivers successful specialist finance and debt advice to residents of Newham, and will be playing a key part in delivering this new service.
Catch22 will also be working with a number of partners to deliver specialist support and add value to the service offering. These include Barclays – who will provide access to their online digital support service ‘Digital Wings’, RIFT SE, Public Service Design Practice and Big Life Solutions.
Lisa continued:
“We’re looking forward to working with some fantastic partners to make sure we offer the best possible financial support to people on probation.”