Partners come together to support Gateway to Employment

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Norfolk is supporting a strategic partnership between the Department of Work and Pensions, Norfolk Community Foundation and the Probation Service to break down barriers to employment for people with community orders. 

The partnership invited over 50 employers to its launch of Gateway to Employment at Norwich City Football last week to highlight the opportunities, mutual benefits and social value for businesses and organisations employing people leaving the justice system.

Norfolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Sarah Taylor, said: “As PCC for the county, my role is not just about policing, it’s about working with everyone, whether that be councils, the NHS, charities, schools, sports clubs and businesses.  So that’s why my Police and Crime Plan is built on teamwork.

“One thing that was made extremely clear on my election, during the campaign and following was that people wanted more efforts to be made to prevent crime happening in the first place. This means efforts to divert people who are at risk of becoming criminalised but also efforts to break the cycle of reoffending that can characterise some people’s lives once they have contact with the criminal justice system. So, investing in reducing offending is crucial, making Norfolk a safer place to live and that’s why I’m so keen to promote Gateway to Employment and invite employers to engage with this programme.”

Julia Nix OBE DL, Norfolk and Suffolk District Manager, Department for Work and Pensions, said: “It was incredibly encouraging to see so much interest and enthusiasm from local employers, demonstrating a shared commitment to giving people a second chance and strengthening Norfolk’s workforce through opportunity and inclusion. The event showcased the mutual benefits and social value of employing individuals who are rebuilding their lives after contact with the justice system.

“Gateway to Employment reflects a shared commitment to social justice, economic inclusion, and community safety. By opening doors to meaningful employment, the initiative empowers individuals to contribute positively to society, while offering businesses access to a motivated and resilient workforce.

“Gateway to Employment is more than a programme—it’s a movement. One that invites employers to see potential, not pasts, and to be part of a future where opportunity leads the way.”

Matthew Stewart,CEO at SunEnviro, said: “At SunEnviro, we believe everyone deserves the chance to rebuild their lives through meaningful work. Gateway to Employment creates real opportunities for people to find purpose while supporting local businesses that value social responsibility. When companies open their doors to those ready for a second chance, entire communities benefit.”

Gateway to Employment supports men and women who, when finishing a community-based sentence, are left with the sometimes daunting task of rebuilding their lives and livelihoods.  Not only can employers provide skills and hope for people with an offending history, they are also able to break the cycle of offending.

Having a job has shown to reduce the likelihood that someone will reoffend.  Many employers have a skills shortage and would benefit from an increased pool of suitable candidates from which to recruit.

This initiative chimes with what is happening nationally.  As a response to the new Sentencing Bill 2025, which came into effect on 1 September, Government have put into place new plans to strengthen community sentences in the UK. They have introduced measures such as mandatory tagging, tough community payback work (like graffiti removal), exclusion orders from venues, like pubs and concerts, and financial penalties through ‘income reduction orders’ to make offenders pay for their crimes.

These changes aim to restrict offenders’ freedoms, ensure they give back to the community, and increase transparency by publishing names and photos of those doing unpaid work. The Sentencing Council is now updating its guidelines to align with this legislation.

Gateway to Employment hopes to create safer communities through collaboration, not just enforcement.

Aims of the campaign include:

• To find and match candidates to jobs or opportunities.
  
  
• To work with employers, to provide a comprehensive level of support to individuals they recruit into their businesses.
  
  
• Give employers, the support they need for their commitment to add social value.
  
  
• Stakeholders to work collaboratively to find suitable candidates on their completion of a Community Order to refer to the programme.  
  
  
• Supporting the prison system, through breaking the cycle of crime and escalation of criminal activity that could lead to a custodial sentence.
  
  
• Supporting prison leavers will continue, all partners involved remain committed to supporting all prison leavers and the work in prisons.
  
  
• A dedicated DWP Work Coach has been seconded to the project.
  
  
• Encourage employers to pledge what they could offer to candidates.
  
  
• Partners to promote the campaign through the Police and Crime Commissioner’s website and social media platforms.
  
  
• The DWP’s Finance Business Partner has approved a grant application to attract funding for a provider to support candidates through their journey to employment.

Highlights of the launch can be viewed here

For more information, please go to the Gateway to Employment page.

Photographs: Jason Bye Photography