What We Do
Getting resettlement right is vitally
important. It can, and should, enable young people
leaving custody, regardless of their background or
circumstances, to be given the support they need in
order to reduce reoffending. Integrated
Resettlement Support (IRS) is offered to all
Kirklees young people in custody. It is a voluntary
provision and not a condition of bail, an order or a
sentence. It is a phased process:
- Engagement Phase:
In order to reduce offending a holistic package of support is offered to young people according to their assessed needs. An Asset (assessment) is completed for all young people on IRS and regularly reviewed. This informs the Sentence Planning Meetings in custody and the subsequent work undertaken by the IRS Team on release. Kirklees YOT is a multi-disciplinary team with access to a range of practitioners. They work with young people to address a range of issues, including:
Accommodation:
Safe, supportive and sustainable accommodation is critical to resettlement. Research shows that inadequate accommodation is likely to have a significant negative impact on reoffending. In Kirklees the IRS funding is used to secure accommodation specifically for young people on the scheme. The YOT Housing Officer and the Housing Support Officers visit young people regularly, providing advice on benefits, budgeting, healthy eating, etc.Family Contact and Mediation:
Family/carers visits are associated with effective resettlement and family/carers are involved in the development of resettlement plans. The IRS Team will facilitate visits in custody and can offer access to counselling and support where family problems are identified. Early intervention can result in accommodation being provided by family/carers where there had previously been resistance.Education, Training and Employment (ETE):
The YOT Careers Advisor completes ETE Assessments for all young people on IRS, maximising education and training opportunities in custody and helping to organise or maintain programmes and placements for release. Where there are educational issues a referral will be made to the YOT’s Advanced Practitioner (Education).Substance Misuse:
Drug and alcohol assessments are completed with all young people on IRS. Where issues are identified, treatment is delivered and work undertaken to monitor and address this. The IRS Team have regular contact with substance misuse teams in custody and ensure that any ongoing work is undertaken during the resettlement period. The YOT employs specialist substance misuse workers.Health:
The YOT's Health Workers and Learning Disability Nurse undertake assessments and provide interventions in order to address emotional and mental health issues, physical health problems and learning disabilities. Referrals can be made to other agencies, for example CAMHS, to provide further support.The Kirklees IRS Scheme is run in line with the IRS Framework published by the Youth Justice Board in 2009.
The Youth Crime Action Plan, published in 2008 by the Department of Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) is committed to focusing resources on young people leaving custody. It emphasised the importance of assessment, planning and intervention, stating that intensive support should be provided to young people on release from custody and at other key points in their lives. The IRS Team in Kirklees achieves these aims.
At least 60% of young people in the youth justice system have communication needs. That could mean that over half of the young people you work with do not understand what people say to them or find it difficult to get their message across. The Communication Trust website can help you:
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Find out what communication needs are
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View examples of what these needs may look like
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Gain advice to support you in your work
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Download resources
