56/2024-25 – Reducing Re-offending Fund application

Author and Job Role: George Bell, Criminal Justice Policy & Commissioning Officer 

Protective Marking:  Official 

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey is responsible for commissioning services that support victims of crime, improve community safety, tackle child exploitation, and prevent re-offending.

For the financial year 2024/25 the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner used a proportion of locally derived funding to support the delivery of local services.  

The Forward Trust – Vision Housing – Tara Moore 

Brief overview of service/decision –

To award £30,000 to The Forward Trust. This is a multi-year award of £120,000 over three years. Vision Housing supports vulnerable individuals, with a history of drug, alcohol, or other mental health issues, recently released from prison. 

Reason for funding –

1) The reduction of re-offending in Surrey. The Forward Trust work in a joined-up way with local authorities, mental health teams, local drug and alcohol services and probation teams to make sure people leaving prison are in safe accommodation and making good progress in their goals. 

2) Help to create safer communities and protect people from harm in Surrey. Access to safe and secure housing helps ex-offenders to build stability in their lives and significantly reduces the likelihood of re-offending. Holistic, wrap-around support allows clients to access Forward’s Recovery Support and Forward Connect services, alongside their housing support. By addressing individuals’ ‘whole person’ needs, they help their clients to break the cycle of offending. 

That the Commissioner supports this standard grant application to the PCC Fund and awards to the following:

  • £30,000 to The Forward Trust 

I approve the recommendation(s): 

Signature:  PCC Lisa Townsend (wet signed copy held in Office) 

Date: 28th February 2025 

All decisions must be added to the decision register. 

Areas of consideration 

Consultation 

Consultation has taken place with appropriate lead officers depending on the application. All applications have been asked to supply evidence of any consultation and community engagement. 

Financial implications 

All applications have been asked to confirm the organisation hold accurate financial information. They are also asked to include the total costs of the project with breakdown where the money will be spent; any additional funding secured or applied for and plans for on-going funding. The Reducing Reoffending Fund Decision Panel/Criminal Justice policy officers considers the financial risks and opportunities when looking at each application. 

Legal 

Legal advice is taken on an application-by-application basis. 

Risks 

The Reducing reoffending Fund Decision Panel and Criminal Justice policy officers considers any risks in the allocation of funding. It is also part of the process to consider when refusing an application, the service delivery risks if appropriate.  

Equality and diversity 

Each application will be requested to supply appropriate equality and diversity information as part of the monitoring requirements. All applicants are expected to adhere to the Equality Act 2010  

Risks to human rights 

Each application will be requested to supply appropriate human rights information as part of the monitoring requirements. All applicants are expected to adhere to the Human Rights Act.