Range of Services

Employment and Guidance
This service is delivered to individuals who are subject to community sentences usually probation or community service and acts as a bridge between criminal justice services and mainstream employability initiatives. This bridge is a crucial first step from offending to employability because it includes a robust assessment of criminal record relevance as well as challenging attitudinal issues.

Supervised Attendance Orders
A Supervised Attendance Order (SAO) is an alternative to custody sentencing option available to Sheriffs when a Court fine is imposed but the individual is unable to pay and also a first sentence option in three pilot areas: Glasgow, Ayrshire and Paisley. It acts as a fine on time and can last from 10 – 100 hours. The SAO service delivered by Apex Scotland has 3 component parts – the first is a core 10 hour module focusing on offending related issues such as debt, lack of employment and welfare. This is followed by needs-related education and training and then by a placement that reflects the individuals’ skills and interests. Although not a condition of the orders, Apex has a good record in helping clients find work or training while they attend orders.

Progress2Work/Progress2Work link-up
This service is aimed at individuals aged 16+ who have failed to engage with mainstream employability, training or education opportunities because of their disadvantaged backgrounds and chaotic lifestyles. Progress2Work link-up is a similar initiative but targets people who are homeless, have an offending background or a problem with alcohol. Apex is the largest provider in Scotland, working in partnership with Phoenix Futures.

New Futures
This service is aimed at individuals aged 16-34 who have failed to engage with mainstream training or education opportunities because of their disadvantaged backgrounds and chaotic lifestyles. The service works with people on a one-to-one basis, providing an integrated, flexible programme based on an assessment of need. Suitable personal development opportunities are identified and the service is delivered at a pace that suits the client.

Get Ready for Work
Get Ready for Work is a component part of Skillseekers, a Skills Development Scotland initiative that aims to provide young people aged 16-18 with an individual programme of guidance and support that will enable and encourage progression to employment, further training or education.

New Deal
New Deal is a key part of the governments Welfare to Work strategy and is managed locally by Jobcentre Plus. Apex Scotland delivers New Deal Gateway services in Forth Valley and the Borders where participants are given advice about the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, Part V of the Police Act 1997 and support to write a letter of disclosure as well as CV preparation and job search activity.

Open Futures
Open Futures (formerly Common SENs) is an employability project focusing on individuals aged 18 - 64 years old who face significant barriers to accessing or sustaining training, education, or employment opportunities. These barriers may include Mental Health Issues, Disability, Addictions, Offending Background. This service offers individuals who reside in Renfrewshire the opportunity to participate in one to one and/or group sessions to help them move forward and enable them to make informed decisions concerning their future.

Lima
Over the past two years as Apex has moved into new areas of work within alcohol, drug treatment and support.  The increase in numbers of people presenting with differing levels of literacies needs has grown.  We are now able to provide a community based one-to-one and group specialist support service in partnership with Highland Adult Literacies.  Referrals are made via Prison Literacies Liaison Officer, our other partner agencies and our own Delta Programme.  The LIMA (Literacies Inspiring Motivation and Achievement) programme has been initially funded for one year and offers literacies support to help maintain motivation to change, gain and sustain employment, training or further education opportunities in the Inverness area.

The following are one-off initiatives that we are working to expand in other areas:

Fiscal Orders 
We are currently delivering a new fiscal order programme that is run in west Dumbarton in partnership with criminal justice social work department. this programme diverts individuals from prosecution, it is aimed at 16-65yr olds ,mostly first or second time offenders, or low tariff offences, clients are asked to complete between 10-50 hours unpaid work within the local community. by agreeing to this order it is not recorded as a criminal conviction. 

Inclusion Unit  Dunfermline High School

Apex Scotland deliver this service with the aim of introducing pupils who are excluded, or are at risk of exclusion to a range of learning techniques and coping strategies. 

Apex Scotland manage, challenge and work with the pupils to increase their awareness of the negative impact of their behaviour, acknowledge authority figures and learn strategies to improve reactions to different conflict situations. The service works to increase participants’ confidence and self-esteem whilst allowing them to take responsibility for their choices, actions and the subsequent consequences thereby aiding progression into employment, training or further education.

For more information about Dunfermline High School Project contact angela@apexscotland.org.uk

Working for Families
This Fairer Scotland and European Social Funded programme primarily delivers services for disadvantaged people in Dundee (although assistance is offered to any individual regardless of their situation), who find childcare a barrier to gaining and sustaining employment, training, education or voluntary work

Think Again
Think Again is an intensive 10 week programme designed to address the barriers faced by ex-offenders who are considering further or higher education opportunities as a means to securing sustained employment. It aims to raise awareness of educational opportunities, develop personal and social skills and increase self-confidence and motivation in order to enable active participation in mainstream society.

Think Again was developed in Edinburgh in partnership with Napier University and is a key part of their strategy to widen access to higher education for disadvantaged people. It was shortlisted in November 2006 for a Times Higher Education Supplement Award under the Widening Participation Initiative of the Year category. This prestigious award is open to every University in the UK so to be shortlisted is considered to be a significant achievement.

In Touch
In Touch works with individuals aged 16-25 who are resident in the Scottish Borders and need help to access employment, training or education. The service creates an opportunity for clients to move away from exclusion by identifying and developing employability skills and interests and provides a flexible structure that allows the individual to progress at their own pace. Access to Duke of Edinburgh Awards, outdoor pursuits and group activities all help to encourage self-confidence and motivation to move towards securing a job.

4x4
4x4 is a roll on roll off group work programme that targets parents who are over 21 and facing stresses in their lives such as child care barriers, a history of substance misuse or involvement with the criminal justice system. Using a varied programme of activities and the opportunity to gain certificates, participants gain the employability, social and life skills to move them closer to sustaining employment, training or education.

Venture Trust
The partnership between Venture Trust and Apex Scotland was established in May 2004 and involves two Apex Scotland staff working within the Venture Trust Outreach Team. The staff meet with young people, who are aged 16 to 25 and on probation, in advance of their attendance at the residential Venture Trust Three Week Personal Development Course based in Applecross, Ross-shire and assist them in their preparations. Towards the end of the course, the two Apex staff attend the centre and deliver employability sessions over two days where barriers to employment and other issues are addressed. Resource packs containing action plans, CV’s and other relevant information on education, training and employment are created and arrangements are made for onward referrals to local Apex Scotland Units for further support. Tracking of the young people’s progress continues for twelve months after leaving the course.

Mentoring
This service is funded through the Laidlaw Trust and links in with the Get Ready for Work and In Touch services in the Borders. It involves a Mentor working with individuals on a one to one basis to help them overcome their barriers to employment. The Mentor develops strong links with local employers and arranges and manages appropriate work placements for the participants. Support is given to the employer and the participant throughout this process and this support lasts for 12 months after the completion of Get Ready for Work or In Touch.

Basic Skills Assessments
This service is delivered on behalf of Jobcentre Plus who refer individuals to Apex Scotland where their literacy and numeracy skills are assessed to a national standard using a Basic Skills Assessment pro-forma. The results from the assessments are fed back to Jobcentre Plus who use the information to inform follow-up action.

Delta
Delta is an employability service that works in partnership with a range of drug and alcohol treatment and support agencies in Inverness. The service works with individuals who have engaged positively with these agencies and delivers a range of one to one and group work sessions that focus on confidence building, communication, reliability and adaptability. This is followed by a series of team challenges to encourage self motivation and problem solving and the participants also undertake a voluntary work placement.

Arrest Referral Scheme
The aim of this service is to increase the number of people accessing treatment for drug and alcohol problems and therefore having a positive impact on associated crime in Dumfries and Galloway. It is available to individuals who have been arrested where drugs or alcohol have been a factor and is delivered on an outreach basis from Dumfries and Stranraer Police Stations.

Structured Deferred Sentence
This initiative targets individuals in the Highland area who have had their sentences deferred and are required to demonstrate improved behaviour between court appearances or face the prospect of a more punitive penalty. The service is structured around assessments, reviews and appropriate training module delivery and aims to reduce the likelihood of re-offending and facilitate employability progression.

Moving On
This service works with individuals from 16 upwards who are excluded from mainstream education or training because of a criminal record, no qualifications, lack of training, reading and writing difficulties, low self esteem or in transition from substance dependency. It tackles these issues and provides access to developing IT skills, interview/telephone techniques, producing a CV, developing social skills and self-confidence and recognising the value of teamwork

. Keep on Track
Keep on Track is an Apex Scotland service and is part of the Dundee Employability Partnership project funded by the European Social Fund until 2010. The purpose of this service is to offer support and advice to SAO or CS clients in their effort to obtain employment, training or further education opportunuties. The service will offer group-work or one-to-one support as appropriate prior to moving clients on through the employability pipeline.

Turnaround

The turnaround programme will seek to offer service users with substance misuse issues, the opportunity to stabilize/move toward abstinence, and offer high quality interventions aimed at addressing substance misuse which causes offending behaviour. It is also to link with partners in (skilling up) young males to allow them to maintain and develop themselves in the community and to access opportunities for employability learning and development, confidence building, and life skills.

The above service has bases in Greenock, Dumbarton, Kilmarnock and Irvine

Alloa Youth Elite

Alloa Youth Elite is a 15 week course, 3 day programme working with Young People for prevention of further offending behaviour.

Our aim is to enhance life and social skills and introduce respect into everyday vocabulary.
The group work programme is aimed at addressing the barriers facing ex-offenders and supporting them more towards positive experiences in their lives, education, training, employment or voluntary work.

Our sessions are devoted to personal development including self esteem, motivation and assertiveness training, as well as drug and alcohol awareness sessions, sexual health, food and nutrition. They also benefit from contact with other agencies and partnerships resulting in, recognised qualifications in First Aid, Duke of Edinburgh, Healthy Eating and Nutrition and a Business Development course.

The programme helps individuals realise their own potential, raises self confidence and aspirations

Prison Based Services

Although the bulk of Apex Scotland’s services are delivered in the community, the organisation currently has a presence in a number of prisons across Scotland where we are involved in a range of pre-release employability activity.

Routes Out of Prison Partnership

We are working in partnership with The Wise Group, SPS and Families Outside to deliver the Routes out of Prison Partnership (ROOPp).

This service is designed to help prepare and support short term prisoners for the transition from Prison to life on the outside. Support is given by the team which is made up of a Prison Life Coach who supports the service users for 6 weeks of pre release preparation, the Community Life Coach who will engage with the service users for an average 13 weeks to ensure access to as many services as possible in order to reduce the often chaotic life circumstances in which offenders find themselves; particular attention will be paid to issues concerning family mediation, housing, benefit entitlement, health and addictions. Employment Consultants will work closely with service users and Life Coaches to identify those individuals who would benefit from a direct employment focused intervention. This will include marketing the service to employers in the area to identify job vacancies, placements and work tasters. This role will also provide adequate in-work support to service users who have secured employment and subsequently assist with long-term strategies relating to on-going personal & vocational development.

The above service is available in Glasgow, North Strathclyde, Lanarkshire and South West Scotland.

Construction Works
Construction Works is a partnerhip between Apex Scotland, Scottish Prison Service and The City of Edinburgh Council. It aims to link prisoners and ex-prisoners with employment, education or training opportunities in and around the Edinburgh area. It builds on skills gained within HMP Saughton Edinburgh and aims to develop them, with the end result being employment in the community.

HMP Edinburgh
Working in partnership with Carnegie College, provider of the learning, skills and employability contract for HMP Edinburgh, we deliver weekly sessions on disclosure, Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and Part V of the Police Act 1997 to prisoners approaching their release date.

Core Services

The key focus of all the services offered by Apex Scotland is working with disadvantaged (ex) offenders and young people at risk to progress towards employment, further training or education opportunities.

In order to do this effectively, each client undergoes a thorough Employability Assessment that examines all the issues that may be affecting employment progression. An Action Plan is then created that focuses on areas of development and a series of goals are agreed and reviewed regularly. The Action Plan is used to draw-up a programme of work tailored specifically to individual need and includes access to a suite of training modules that have been specifically developed to tackle the barriers that our clients face.

These fall into 3 broad categories and offer a comprehensive range of support and guidance.

1) Addressing Criminality: The objectives of these modules are to:

• Explain the impact of a criminal record on employability prospects
• Explore the reasons why a criminal record should be disclosed
• Examine the legal position on disclosure and criminal record checks
• Review the legislation that addresses criminal records and employment

2) Core, Basic and Personal Skills: The objectives of these modules are to:

• Develop disciplines such as timekeeping and teamworking
• Improve communication, presentation and confidence
• Be encouraged to take responsibility for personal choices
• Improve literacy and numeracy skills

3) Job Seeking Skills: The objectives of these modules are to:

• Undertake a skills analysis to identify appropriate focus
• Take part in mock interviews and receive feedback from employers
• Create a CV and explore the value of securing a job
• Complete job applications and write speculative letters

All the modules that address these objectives have been developed in a multi-sensory format to take account of the learning style many of our clients present with. They have proved successful in engaging our service users and providing them with the skills and knowledge they need to progress towards a positive outcome.

Service to Employers

We recognise that the range of legislation relating to the employment of an ex-offender can be very confusing to employers who are recruiting new staff or reviewing their Recruitment Policies and Practices. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, Part V of the Police Act 1997 and the proposals by the Scottish Executive to establish a Vetting and Barring Scheme following the Bichard enquiry into the tragic events in Soham are absolutely essential but can be difficult to negotiate.

The emergence of Disclosure Scotland and the access employers now have to Criminal Record checks has resulted in a sharp increase to the number of calls we receive seeking clarification about information contained in Basic, Standard or Enhanced Disclosure Certificates. In our commitment to ensuring that ex-offenders have equality of access to employment we are concerned that an employer who accesses information about an individual with an offending background and is unsure how to interpret the information presented may use the Certificate as a de-selection tool.

Disclosure Scotland directs all the calls it receives from employers, Colleges and individuals seeking clarification about the information contained in the Certificates to us and we provide guidance in terms of Spent and Unspent Convictions and the relevance of particular convictions to the employment, training or education opportunities in question. We also provide advice relating to putting in place and maintaining Recruitment Policies and Procedures that take account of current legislation. The need for this service is likely to increase significantly over the coming years and we will continue our efforts to ensure it is developed to meet this demand.

(For more detailed information about this service, please click here)

Community Justice Authorities
The Management of Offenders (Scotland) Act 2005 created 8 Community Justice Authorities tasked with ensuring a more effective and efficient approach to managing offenders from the point of sentence to their return from prison to the community. We believe we have a significant role in this process and the Director of Finance and Operations and Operational Service Managers are engaging with the newly appointed Community Justice Authority Chief Officers to ensure that employability is a key feature of area plans.

Workforce Plus – An Employability Framework for Scotland
Initially focusing on the 7 priority areas of Glasgow, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, Dundee, Renfrewshire, Inverclyde and West Dumbartonshire, Workforce Plus, launched by the Scottish Executive following a wide consultation process, seeks to achieve more effective targeting of employability funds and greater evidence of partnership working amongst agencies, in an effort to progress 66,000 individuals from working age benefits by 2010. We will be engaging with the Local Workforce Plus Partnerships in these 7 areas and others as the strategy is rolled out.