RESET LAUNCHES NEW RESETTLEMENT TOOL

YOUNG OFFENDERS TAKE CONTROL OF THEIR FUTURES THROUGH NEW PLANNING TOOL For Immediate Release 20 February 2007 A new tool has been launched to give young offenders ownership of their resettlement and make planning more effective. RESET unveiled the 'young people's checklist' today at a Participation Workers Network (PWNE) event. It has now been made available to professionals across the country free of charge. RESET aims to change resettlement practice across the UK and is working with practitioners and young people in custody to deliver new resources and ways of working. The checklist was funded by Government Office for London (GOL) and is relevant for young people at all stages of custody (pre-sentence, in custody, pre-release, post release). It is the first in a series of practical tools that will be made available over the coming year as the RESET project reports back on its findings. The tool was created following consultation with young people from the Rochdale Youth Offending Team, Warren Hill Young Offender Institution and the Sir Evelyn Unit for females at HMP Cookham Wood. The tool explains resettlement and encourages young people to think about and plan for the future by helping them identify what support is needed and where they can find it. Gemma Buckland, senior policy officer, said: "We've spoken to many young people who constantly tell us they feel resettlement is done 'to them' and not 'with them,' meaning it's easy for plans to fall down. The checklist puts a young person at the centre of their resettlement plans and encourages responsibility for them. "Positive goal planning is at the heart of the tool which will help engage and motivate young people with their resettlement. We hope many young people in and leaving custody will benefit from this checklist". Some of the resource's key features are: 1. A contacts section to record details of people who can provide help and support with a follow up date log 2. 'Thinking Big' section that details what a young person wants from their future, why they want this and the possible obstacles they could face in achieving their aims 3. 'Act on it' section to record the steps a young person needs to take to help them achieve their resettlement plans and a 'due date' log The checklist is being distributed to YOTS and YOIs across the country and RESET is actively seeking feedback from practitioners and young people. For more information or to request a copy of the checklist, please contact: Laura Thornton Communications Officer Tel: 0207 840 5617 Laura.thornton@raineronline.org Notes to editors: 1. Gemma Buckland unveiled the checklist at a one day seminar held today (Tuesday 20 February 2007) , 'Managing the tension between rights and responsibilities; Participation Practice with Children and Young People at risk in the Criminal Justice System’ organised in partnership between the Participation Workers Network (PWNE at the Carnegie Young People Initiative) and Crime Concern 2. Dead cat dreaming, a specialist graphic design agency, produced the artwork for the checklist 3. RESET (Resettlement, Education, Support, Employment & Training) is an ESF EQUAL funded partnership of 60 organisations led by Rainer focused on developing models of effective resettlement practice for young people. One of the key aims of RESET is empowerment and young people are consulted regularly to inform the project’s development.