Stronger Voice expert seminar: Influencing local authorities on accommodation

People in contact with the criminal justice system are a unique group who often experience specific barriers to accessing services such as accommodation as a result of their conviction. Many government policies, implemented by different departments, have had or are likely to have an impact on the accommodation outcomes for people in contact with the criminal justice system. This seminar will look at how these policies can be maximised by working with local authorities. Attendees will hear from two areas with varying levels of devolution, Wales and Greater Manchester. 

Both Wales and Greater Manchester have done things differently with their CAS3 contracts in order to deliver wraparound support for people leaving the criminal justice system. By working with local authorities, they have built models of good practice based on a whole systems approach. 

In this expert seminar, we will hear from Sarah Burke; CAS3 Implementation Manager, HMPPS Wales and Sarah Paul; Homelessness Prevention Lead for Greater Manchester Probation, to discuss their respective roles working with local authorities to improve accommodation provision for people leaving prison. 

Attendees will come away with: 

• An understanding of different approaches and strategies delivery organisations can take with local authorities to advocate for people in contact with the criminal justice system. 

• An insight into how providers have made the most of the CAS3 accommodation service to support people leaving prison. 

• How approaches can be taken at a local level to achieve transformational changes in how services are run. 

About the speakers 

Sarah Burke was appointed in mid-2022 as part of HMPPS Wales Residential Public Protection as Community Accommodation Service – Tier 3 (CAS-3) Implementation Manager to support the collaborative local authority approach in Wales. Prior to this appointment, she was involved with accommodation-related support specific to individuals involved in the criminal justice system since 2014 including both CRC elective services management and more recently CRS provision on behalf of charitable sector organisations in Wales. 

Sarah Paul is the Homelessness Prevention Lead for Greater Manchester Probation. Sarah played an instrumental role in the emergency Covid-19 Trailblazer for safe accommodation of people leaving prison in a public health crisis. This formed the foundations of the regional whole systems approach to the Community Accommodation Service for people leaving prison who are experiencing homelessness. Previously Sarah has implemented the Offender Personality Disorder Strategy alongside health colleagues within local custodial and community settings. She has also co-ordinated regional multi-agency public protection arrangements whilst co-located with Greater Manchester Police Sex Offender Management Unit. 

About Stronger voice 

The Stronger voice programme is funded by the Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales and aims to help the voluntary sector working in criminal justice to develop a unified and influential voice, at both a national and regional level. Through this programme, Clinks are bringing together experts across policy, campaigns and communications for a range of free events, training and coaching opportunities to support organisations of all sizes to feel more confident in influencing policy and campaigning for change.