Working Chance

Lots of talk today about Louise Haigh's resignation. Her offence wouldn't have disqualified her from becoming a Member of Parliament as disqualification only applies when a person receives a prison sentence of over one year. Her offence resulted in a conditional discharge from the Magistrates Court and whilst this sits on a persons record, it's not classed as a conviction unless the conditions are breached. Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, there was no legal requirement for Louise to disclose it. However, she chose to be open and transparent when she was appointed a shadow minister in 2020 and when she was appointed a minister in 2024. After 11 years the conditional discharge would not have shown on any level of criminal record check. We are not aware how this information has entered the public domain however the situation demonstrates the lack of protection for individuals when a spent conviction comes to light and how stigma and discrimination continue to impact people who have been through the criminal justice system beyond what the law requires.

?? This month, we're taking a minute to mark 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.?Did you know that 57% of women in prison have experienced domestic abuse? The link between gender-based violence and the criminal justice system is unignorable, and women need dedicated support to rebuild their lives after the justice system. Also in this issue, we’re bringing you fresh insights from two members of Working Chance's?advisory panel. Dainya explores the impact of homelessness on women with convictions, while Molly advocates for valuing the lived experience of women in the push for justice reform. #16Days #Women #Homelessness #JusticeReform

It’s good to see progress being made towards awarding new contracts to deliver education in prison. The Ministry of Justice UK has now announced the four potential prison education providers - Milton Keynes College Group, Novus - Foundations for Change, PeoplePlus UK and Seetec - and we are expecting to find out who is taking on which of the 11 regional lots early next year. You can find out more here: https://ow.ly/ehhB50Uhnxp In the meantime, we hope the Ministry of Justice is working with the potential providers to make sure that they get the contracts right, so they enable providers to deliver the best possible provision to learners. Here are five ways they can do it ??

“This is happening because of gaps in a broken system which is unsafe and unsuitable for women. In many cases, we know that housing simply isn’t available for women when they are released.” We spoke to Vicky Spratt for The i paper this week: https://lnkd.in/e6-X-3jw #WomenInPrison #Housing

Half of neurodivergent adults feel discriminated against when hiring for a job. How can employers make the recruitment process more inclusive? https://hubs.li/Q02Z3bqj0

Women’s experiences of crime and the criminal justice system Parliamentary Office of Science & Technology examines how the CJS can address violence and abuse against women and girls and how it can work effectively for women, as victims or offenders? Authored by Rosie Knighton & Natalie Law https://lnkd.in/eUxCFZWC

“Women with lived experience must be seen, heard and valued to drive real, solution-focused change.” In her blog, Molly shares why it's crucial to value and consult women with lived experience of the criminal justice system, leveraging their insights to shape meaningful reforms. We're incredibly proud to have Molly Zog?ówek ?? on our Advisory Panel as she continues to use her voice to advocate for women across the justice system. https://lnkd.in/eiDjq94X #WomensJusticeBoard #LivedExperience #CriminalJusticeReform

"The stats reveal a harsh reality that businesses must answer to." As part of our social mobility campaign with Demos, new research has revealed that social and economic disparities in the job market are still present and pervasive. Our Chief People & Inclusion Officer, Claire Costelloprovides her five top tips to boost women’s confidence in the workplace.

?? Employability Coach: Last chance to apply! ?? The deadline for applications to join our team at Working Chance is fast approaching! If you're passionate about helping women access meaningful work, this is your opportunity to make a real impact. Join our mission and help us empower women to build brighter futures. ?? Apply now! https://t.co/I29d0p95gt #Hiring #WorkingChance #WorkFromHome #CharityJobs

?? In case you missed it... Last week, Dainya, Advisory Panellist at Working Chance, spoke about the huge barrier homelessness poses for women leaving prison. Without a safe place to live, women are at a higher risk of reoffending. ?? Follow the link to read the full article: https://lnkd.in/e64T2F3Q #BBCNews #PrisonReform #WorkingChance