Achieve North West

A consortium of the 5 North West Probation Trusts, headed by Merseyside Probation Trust successfully bid to deliver Round 2 of the NOMS ESF Project “Services to improve the employment prospects of offenders”.  The project called Achieve North West runs in all 5 Probation Trusts and in 15 prisons across the region.  A total of £10.3m in funding is available with the project running until 31 December 2014.  More than 8,300 offenders will become participants during a 3 year period.  Achieve North West is also running a programme called Belief in Change, which is a faith informed accredited programme, in HMP Risley.

The delivery model focuses upon a case management approach to the offender journey towards employment, and is designed to bridge the gaps between offenders and existing mainstream education, skills and employment services. The project complements rather than duplicates existing provision.

The project is supported by a regional team which is based in Merseyside Probation Trust.  This comprises of the project director, finance manager, contracts manager, quality assurance manager, finance assistant and administrator.  There is a project manager within each of the 5 trusts.  Across the region there are a total of 44 case managers located in community and prison based settings.  Those in community settings are co-located within Local Delivery Units. 

There is a regional team who work in Merseyside Probation Trust.  This comprises the project director, finance manager, two finance assistants and administrative support.  There is a project manager within each of the 5 trusts (2 in Merseyside).

Within Cumbria there is a part time project manager with 3 full time case managers supported by a part time administrator.  The case manager covering the west of the region is based 3 days per week at the Workington Probation office and 2 days per week at HMP Haverigg.  The case manager covering the south of the region is based 3 days per week at the Barrow Probation office and 2 days per week at the Kendal Probation office.  Whilst the case manager based at the Carlisle Probation office also attends the Penrith Probation office 1 day a week offering provision to the north of the region.  The project manager and administrator are both based at the Barrow Probation office.

Additionally Achieve North West works with 14 different subcontractors, which include a variety of voluntary and private sector organisations, as well as social enterprises. Achieve North West recently implemented an 'Approved Supplier List', and as a result any future contracts will be with providers included on this list.  These providers deliver a range of interventions, all designed to assist participants on their journey towards employment.  Examples within Cumbria include CROPT (Cumbria Reducing Offending Partnership Trust) 'Buddy Project' offering mentoring and Myerscough College who provide accreditation for individuals completing horticultural work during Community Payback.  We are also involved in initiatives with local providers to help offenders access apprenticships, employability programmes and job brokerage

Contact Details:

Project Director - Chris Bennett

Tel:0151 257 6128

Project Manager - Annette Nixon

Tel: 03000 473957

Barrow Probation Office, 77/79 Duke Street, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria LA14 1RW  

Achieve Administrator - Julie Miller

Tel:03000 473943 

Barrow Probation Office, 77/79 Duke Street, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria LA14 1RW  

Case Manager West Region - Antonia Gartland

Tel: 03000 473904

Workington Probation Office, Progress House, Regent Court, Guard Street, Workington, CA14 4EW

Case Manager South Region - Jason Yates

Tel: 03000 473944

Barrow Probation Office, 77/79 Duke Street, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria LA14 1RW  

Case Manager North Region - Gabriele Wackwitz-Marshall

Tel:03000 473943

Carlisle Probation Office, Georgian House, Lowther Street, Carlisle, CA3 8DR