Reducing Re-offending & Social Exclusion - The Historical background to Life Change UK

The Life Change UK training has evolved from an innovative rehabilitation programme, once delivered to young adult persistent male offenders by the former charity C-FAR, which the Directors of Life Change UK led.

During 2000 - 2005 C-FAR provided a holistic and pioneering offender rehabilitation initiative in the South West of England. Consisting of an intensive 11-week community-based residential programme of personal development, social/life skills training, education and empowerment, the training was then followed by a minimum of 9-months through-care support in the community. Referrals were made from the Probation Service, Police, Regional Prisons, Young Offender Institutions, the Courts and private individuals. Trainees attended on Temporary License, Home Detention Curfew and Standard License or as part of Deferred Sentence Orders, Drug Treatment and Testing Orders and Community Rehabilitation and Punishment Orders. During 2004 - 2005, over 40% of referrals stemmed from the Courts as an alternative to custody with increasing referrals from the Parole Board.

On completion of the residential phase, trainees were offered 9-months strongly-mentored through-care support into housing, further education, vocational training and employment. This phase was an essential feature of the project, demanding considerable resources and co-ordinated effort. Close liaison and partnerships with a range of statutory, voluntary and private sector organisations helped to reduce re-offending rates and promote improved understanding of the causes of crime and the needs of offenders.

The learning experience was based upon the philosophy of positive relationships and assertive discipline - consistency in boundaries, encouragement and care. It included regular individual and group appraisals and guidance. The programme empowered trainees to assume greater levels of responsibility for both themselves and others, enabling a re-appraisal of life, appropriate choices, responsibility and a redirection for the future.

Part funded by the LSC, local authorities and charitable trusts, the Centre was an Operating Authority of the Duke of Edinburgh Award, a preferred training provider of JobCentre Plus and a franchisee of North Devon College. The charity had protocols with Devon & Cornwall Constabulary, the Prison and Probation Services, the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), Devon County Council, Cornwall & Devon Connections together with Housing Associations and other similar agencies.

The training was demanding yet progressive, meeting many of the government's current aims and objectives for the provision of community based and voluntary sector run programmes. Focussing upon the 'tough' soft skills associated with personal development, interpersonal communication and social skills, motivation and 'change', it included 12 to 14 hours a day of active participation, every day for 11 weeks. Outdoor education activities were also used to facilitate team spirit, bonding, leadership and general confidence. A number of nationally accredited (NCFE) courses were delivered, including victim awareness, offending behaviour, anger management, community work, drugs and alcohol abuse, personal well being / health, first aid, relationships, parenting, citizenship, Key / Basic Skills in literacy and numeracy, and Learn Direct ICT courses. Certificates were also gained in Personal Skills Development, the Community Sports Leaders Award and the Duke of Edinburgh Award (Bronze level). Considerable support was given to enable individuals to maintain their tenancy at the Centre and subsequently move forward and achieve independent living.

The results of the programme were agreed by many to be impressive. During 2004 - 2005 re-offending rates were less than 40%. The national average for this target group is over 80%.

Comments by C-FAR former trainees can be seen on the Feedback page click here

An Ethnographic study by Professors David Wilson and Julian Killingley from UCE Birmingham (see Reports & Evaluations) clearly described how trainees perceived their positive experience and personal change whilst at C-FAR. See PDF

Critically, the recent Shaw Trust report, describing how social mobility within our poorer communities has fallen, further demonstrates the value of such programmes in providing improved life chances to break out from limiting home environments and circumstances. Without such training, support and opportunity, few ex-offenders and long-term unemployed people will ever realise their full potential. Sadly, their children are also likely to follow similar life patterns.

Regrettably, despite C-FAR's positive outcomes, in April 2005, owing to a short term cash-flow difficulty and less than 9% of its funding being provided from within the Criminal Justice System (CJS), C-FAR was compelled to go into voluntary liquidation. Following the announcement of the charity's demise, many people wrote to Government Ministers seeking financial support - this was not forthcoming.

There followed considerable local public support to resurrect the project. Unfortunately, without CJS funding it was decided this was not a realistic option. Against that background, three of the former C-FAR management team established the new 'not for profit' company, Life Change UK. Once again, using their own money and working as volunteers, they have developed and promoted this unique programme of training, enabling others to work more effectively with offenders and disenfranchised groups of society. The programme promotes positive change through increased understanding and delivery of a range of interpersonal communication skills, all of which serve to promote greater self-efficacy leading to employment and a more meaningful and productive life.