The National Reading Network

‘Many Young Offenders have poor literacy and numeracy skills. Just under a third have basic skills deficits. Nearly three-quarters were excluded from school at some stage, and 63% were unemployed at time of arrest.’
www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk

In 2008 Shannon Trust set-up a Reading Network, for Young Offending Institutes in the West Midlands.  The aim of the Reading Network is to identify and engage reluctant Learners and ensure they are given every opportunity to continue learning throughout their time in custody and on release. This pilot scheme aims to:

  • engage more young offenders more effectively in the Toe by Toe Reading Plan;
  • improve continuity by tracking Learners and Mentors as they are moved through the YOI system;
  • recruit and train suitable Mentors;
  • find solutions to the problems of non-readers on short sentences;
  • find new ways to ensure the sustainability of the Toe by Toe Reading Plan in every establishment.

The funding from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation has provided for the part-time position of Project Manager for which Susie O’Hagan was appointed in January 2008.

HMYOI Brinsford is the Hub of the Network and reaches out to the four main recipients of its Young Offender transfers – HMYOI Stoke Heath, HMYOI Swinfen Hall, HMYOI Werrington and HMYOI Thorn Cross.

Now in the final year of the pilot scheme Shannon Trust has secured a further 3 years funding from Lloyds TSB to build upon the success of the West Midlands Reading Network, to include all YOIs in England & Wales. This funding has provided a part-time position of Administrator for which Carol Fraser was appointed in April 2010.

The will also be two regional Project Leaders appointed (one in the North & one in the South) from September 2010.

The “ rollout” of the project will involve: supporting individual establishments,  setting-up a communications network between YOIs and working with Youth Offending Teams to identify opportunities in the community that encourage and enable more young people complete Toe By Toe on release and so remove the barriers of being a non-reader and widen options and choices available to them.

We will also work to raise the profile of the Reading Plan across the Prison Estate by making and maintaining contact with Governors, Resettlement Officers, Regional Offender Managers and Heads of Learning and Skills.

2nd Floor
Royal London House
22-25 Finsbury Square
London
EC2A 1DX

T: 020 7374 8855
E: enquiries@shannontrust.org.uk

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