The probation service is changing on 26 June

Our work is transferring into the publicly-run probation service.

From 26 June 2021, the new probation service will be responsible for managing all those on a community order or licence following their release from prison in England and Wales.

The new probation service will also deliver unpaid work and behavioural change programmes in England and Wales.

Specialist organisations will continue to play a role in the probation system, delivering resettlement and rehabilitative services such as education, training and employment and accommodation.

There will be 12 probation areas across England and Wales, introducing 11 new probation areas in England, with existing arrangements remaining unchanged in Wales. Northumbria CRC will be part of the new North East region.

For more information about the changes, please visit the Gov website

The Community Payback scheme will continue and you can nominate community projects using the link below:

www.gov.uk/nominate-community-payback-project

About us

We manage individuals convicted of crimes such as shoplifting, burglary, harassment, motoring offences and domestic abuse who are assessed as low or medium risk of harm.

We make sure they complete their sentence and any requirements given to them by the court such as unpaid work, a behaviour programme or a curfew. We also help them to create a more secure lifestyle which could mean looking for work, moving to a different area or tackling an addiction.

Our role involves working closely with a range of partners such as the National Probation Service (which manages individuals assessed as high risk of harm), the courts, prison service, police, local authorities, health service and community-based organisations.

Ultimately, we focus on creating a positive future for service users, victims and their families, communities, partners and staff.

Our purpose: To reduce reoffending and risk of harm, and improve the quality of life of those under our supervision and care.

Our objectives

Read about our strategic objectives

To improve the quality of life for those in our care

Reduce reoffending and risk of harm
Employ ex-offenders and existing service users
Promote safety, decency and respect
Enable personal growth through learning and opportunities for change

To improve the quality of life of our people

Improve staff engagement
Introduce different ways of working to meet changing employee needs
Improve staff safety, health and wellbeing
Encourage and enable our people to meet their potential

To grow our business

Retain and expand our business in line with our purpose
Improve our ability to shape and influence the market
Deliver value for money to boost our competitiveness
Invest in future growth

To increase the value we bring through innovation

Use technology to improve our business
Build effective partnerships
Develop the Sodexo Justice brand
Deliver our Public Service Pledge commitments

Our approach

We believe that anyone has the ability to change their behaviour and rebuild their lives after committing a crime.

Our ‘model’ – or way of working - takes a person-centred approach identifying their strengths and what each individual needs to stop offending and improve their future prospects. When we meet a service user for the first time, we carry out a comprehensive risk and needs assessment which allows us to target the right support for each individual.

Our community-based partners, who are experts in their field, offer a range of support services such as help finding a home, starting a job or training course, overcoming addiction, dealing with mental health problems, getting family or parenting support, and managing money. These services are provided in the local community so that service users can access them easily, in a more informal setting.

Meet the team

Our leadership team work towards creating a positive future for the people we work with – service users, victims and their families, communities, our partners and our employees.

TREVOR SHORTT

Director of Operations (Community) at Sodexo Justice

NICK HALL

Regional Chief Executive

LINDSAY BLACKMORE

Director

MARTYN STRIKE

Deputy Director

STEVEN GILBERT

Deputy Director

Ownership and governance

Details about the ownership, management and governance of the CRCs.

Owned by Sodexo Justice

In 2015 Sodexo Justice took over the ownership and management of the CRC as part of the Government's Transforming Rehabilitation programme.

With more than two decades delivering justice services across the UK, and with a portfolio of five prisons, Sodexo Justice brings a wealth of experience in managing and reducing reoffending.

Working in partnership with crime reduction charity Nacro, Sodexo Justice manages five other CRCs – Cumbria and Lancashire CRC; South Yorkshire CRC; Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire CRC; Norfolk and Suffolk CRC; and Essex CRC.

Our governance

We’re contracted by Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), which is responsible for making sure people serve their sentences. We manage individuals who present a low or medium risk of harm, while the National Probation Service manages those assessed as high risk of harm.

HMPPS is part of the Ministry of Justice – the government department responsible for providing a transparent, effective and responsive justice system. It sets standards and scrutinises our performance through Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation, making sure everything we do meets these high standards.

Our purpose: To reduce reoffending and risk of harm, and improve the quality of life of those under our supervision and care.