Ex–Offenders

The Community Development (CD) Team includes a dedicated Ex-Offender support service which, in line with the rest of this project, provides an education advice outreach service. The aim is to engage and keep ex-prisoners in learning and training to break their cycle of crime. As well as working with ex-prisoners in the community, our Ex-Offender Outreach Worker, Alison Kakande, makes regular visits to prisons, both in and out of London, to meet inmates who will be returning to Hackney on release.

Approximately 500 offenders are released in to the borough annually. Alison Kakande can be contacted on 020 8820 7086.

Information, Advice and Advocacy
Information on employment, training and education issues is provided directly. This service is flexible and can be offered at The Learning Trust or at a community venue. If we are unable to assist we will sign post to other agencies.

In addition to one-to-one advice, a number of local pilots offer advice and support through group sessions.

Assessment and Guidance
Our clients receive guidance tailored to their individual needs, which takes into account their offending background. This service is usually offered on a one to one basis. We also offer support to the families of ex-offenders.

Employability Training
We run monthly employability workshops, help with application forms, interview techniques and CV’s.

Ongoing support
The Learning Trust Ex-Offender Support Service seeks to provide on-going support to individuals, where needed, during their time on a training course, pilot or in employment.

Alison Kakande
The Learning Trust
Hackney Technology & Learning Centre
1 Reading Lane London E8 1GQ
tel: 0208 820 7086
fax: 0208 820 7174
mobile: 077 6990 3798
email: alison.kakande@learningtrust.co.uk

Referrals
We work in partnership with different organisations; if we are unable to assist we will refer you to the relevant organisation that can.

Pilots/Groups
We run numerous pilots/groups throughout the year, both in prisons and the community. In the first instance please contact us to receive up to date information and to be added to our mailing list.

Toe by Toe
‘Toe by Toe’ is the title of a reading manual designed to help children and adults learn to read. The introduction to the manual states that it ‘has been created so that anyone with a moderate reading ability will be able to teach others to read’. ‘Toe by Toe’ has proved to be an excellent resource for prisons and YOIs. There are Toe by Toe schemes in over 100 prisons in the UK. This pilot project aims to provide support for people returning to Hackney from prison who still need support with reading.

Adult Learning Services are looking for volunteers and staff who are interested in the project. Please get in touch with Alison Kakande for more information.

Focus Group
We have a Focus group; we are always on the look out for new participants!
Criteria - You need to be an Ex–Offender and a Hackney resident. The reason we have the focus groups is so we can hear your views, help us shape the future of the service. The groups are very informal, if you would like to join or know more please get in touch.