Gypsy Roma Traveller Engagement with the London Probation Service

This is a Prior Information Notice (PIN)) regarding services that are currently available or could be available in terms of improving the engagement of the Gypsy Roma Traveller (GRT) community in London with the criminal justice system.

At this stage there is no commitment from the Authority that we will procure these services, this is a market engagement exercise. The aim of this research to allow us to better understand our needs and the sector.

The Authority is seeking to deliver an engagement service for People on Probation (POP) who identify as members of the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) community. This is with a view to building stronger relationships between the GRT community and the London Probation Service, both on an individual and wider organisational level. We are specifically seeking services led by personnel with a GRT background to perform roles such as 'navigators' or 'mentors' for engagement activities. The overarching aim of this service will be to improve outcomes for GRT POP and increase staff confidence in working with the GRT cohort. It is also to improve compliance, engagement and referral levels to current probation and rehabilitation services.

The Authority envisages the service will be 1-2-1 engagement and will provide support/mentoring across the following areas:

• Court-based Pre-sentence report (PSR) engagement;
• Community orders and licences for POP;
• An 'in-reach' element, including a focus on recalled individuals (subject to the referral levels in respect of 2.2.1 and 2.2.2);
• Staff awareness raising amongst London-based operational staff in how to improve engagement with the GRT cohort.

Some of the activities would include, but are not limited to: completing PSR consultations and engaging with GRT POP before they are sentenced; complete mentoring referrals (pre- and post-sentence) to encourage engagement; achieve and monitor outcomes associated with mentoring; engage with GRT individuals (especially those who are recalled or are at risk or being recalled); encourage engagement with current providers of probation and rehabilitation services; and perform identity and cultural awareness interventions.

Monitoring and tracking referral data, including outcomes of any engagement, are vital to help the Authority develop its data quality on the GRT community and subsequently use this data to better connect with the GRT community.

The Authority requires the provider to deliver these services across London.

Additional information:

The Authority is looking to speak with providers that may be able to deliver these services in the future. This PIN has been published to allow for providers to access an Expression of Interest (EOI) form, please contact ProbationDynamicFramework@justice.gov.uk if you wish to be sent an EOI form to complete, the EOI asks some key questions that will assist the Authority to better understand this market.

Information provided as part of this EOI may support the development of The Authority's future Call-Off Competitions. All information provided as part of the EOI will remain confidential between both parties.

The Authority is keen to talk with potential Providers of these services in face to face consultations (held remotely), please provide contact details in your EOI return if you would like to arrange this.