Pathways into employment
Gateway to Employment
Gateway to Employment (GtoE) is a strategic partnership between the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCCN) and the Department for Work and Pensions that aims to break down barriers to employment for people with convictions. Having a job has been 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.
Not only can employers provide skills and hope for people with convictions, they are also able to help break the cycle of offending, improve the UK’s economic recovery and make Norfolk a safe and prosperous place to do business. In return, employers will get a wealth of ability, loyalty and hardworking individuals with experience.
Since its launch in 2015, Gateway to Employment has worked with local businesses to provide over 200 positive educational, training and employment opportunities to ex-offenders.
More information
If you would like to find out how your organisation can sign up to Gateway to Employment, contact Mary Scales at the Department of Work and Pensions via email.
Pathway Out
The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Norfolk (OPCCN), as part of the Greater Norwich ADDER (Addiction, Disruption, Diversion, Enforcement, Recovery) programme, is working with St Giles Trust to tackle drug-related crime.
The Pathway Out project, which launched in May 2021 and will run over two financial years, provides education, training and employment opportunities to those coming into contact with the criminal justice system, or at risk of doing so, where there is a link to drug misuse or supply.
By helping them to imagine and strive for a different future, the project seeks to encourage participants away from drug activity, reducing offending and disrupting supply chains.
Having won the Pathway Out delivery contract, a St Giles Trust support worker will help participants access opportunities to gain skills and experience with the aim of securing employment, improving their drug recovery prospects and reducing the likelihood they will reoffend.
Funding for the Pathway Out project is being made available by the Department for Work and Pensions East Anglia and Norfolk County Council Public Health through its ADDER funding.
Greater Norwich is one of five areas in England piloting the Home Office and Public Health England’s Project ADDER - aimed at reducing the rate of drug related deaths, the level of drug-related offending and prevalence of drug use.