Partnership Work to Reduce Reoffending Showcased at Lambeth Event

On December 19, 2024, cross-agency efforts to reduce reoffending in London were highlighted at a special event in Lambeth. The event, attended by the Deputy Mayor of London for Policing and Crime, Kaya Comer-Schwartz, brought together key local agencies and councillors to celebrate collaborative work in this crucial area. 

St Giles, as part of the Integrated Offender Management (IOM) programme in Lambeth and across London, has been engaging with people on the programme to understand their experiences and the barriers they face that contribute to reoffending. These factors often include poverty, housing issues, mental health challenges, addiction, social isolation, exclusion stigma and unemployment as well as in some cases difficulty in trusting IOM practitioners due to previous adverse experiences within the criminal justice system. Understanding these challenges will support authentic care and strengths-based co-design work with people on IOM, service champions and commissioners in the new year to develop recommendations for better cross-London IOM practices and funding allocation in 2025. 

Someone we spoke to on IOM said:

“IOM also helped me get a housing solicitor. Because I appealed where I am living. I don’t feel like it’s appropriate. They [the council] came back and said it was appropriate. IOM came back and helped me get a housing solicitor to help with sorting it out because I’m too far from my support network.” 

Liz Thomas, Senior Service Designer, at St Giles, said: 

“It was a true privilege, and I am proud of all the work we have been doing this year to shine a light on IOM best practices and support ongoing services and support for people on the programme. When IOM teams including probation, police, council members and specialised partners are empowered to collaborate and work in partnership with people on IOM, we have seen a real difference in the sense of dignity and confidence that people have, to build new skills and navigate challenges in their lives including reduce their reoffending.”

This piece of work has been delivered by Liz Thomas, Remy Roberts and Monique Williams at St Giles.