Supporting you in and into work
Regardless of your offence, finding work with a criminal record can create challenges but there are services and support available
Examples of the sorts of services individuals may need:
- Help understanding your rights and what you have to disclose
- Help to get into training or education
Next Chapter Scotland
Next Chapter Scotland is here for anyone in Scotland who’s affected by the criminal justice system — whether that’s through a conviction, an ongoing investigation, or the impact on a loved one. We offer non-judgemental, rights-based support to help people navigate the stigma, isolation and barriers that too often come with justice involvement. Advice is provided via our helpline (including email and text/WhatsApp), our information website and our mutual support Facebook group. We support people with their own convictions or with a family member with a conviction, and we work with people related to all offence categories without exception.
Barnardos
Barnardo’s HEAD2WORK through CashBack will deliver an integrated personal development, health and employability focussed project, meeting the aim of diverting young people from anti-social/criminal behaviour.
Our tailored activities/interventions have been co-designed with YP to address these barriers through intensive 1:1 support and an interactive 8-week programme for YP aged 14 – 21
HEAD2WORK will focus on three key areas of support:
- Health and Wellbeing – YP will participate in a range of activities that will promote their wellbeing.
- Money Management – We will explore budgeting, pay, and other areas of money management.
- Personal/Skills Development – Activities will build the soft/core/vocational skills of participants and will include work placements/volunteering opportunities; CV/interview techniques.
Apex Scotland
Apex Scotland helps people with experience of the justice system to move towards a new life through support, training and hope. Since we started, thousands of people have benefited from our caring, individual and hopeful approach. By treating everyone as an individual, we create a feeling of dignity, understanding, mutual respect and most importantly, hope for the future. We provide various services across the country to people of all ages and backgrounds. Every journey is one we’re proud to take together.
New Start Highland
New Start Highland supports people from all walks of life to realise their potential. We offer supported placements in a range of activities which contribute to delivery of some of our services including:
Administration
Bike repair
Gardening
Retail – preparing and sorting goods, keeping the retail outlets well presented and dealing with customers.
Upcycling – painting, repairing and re-upholstering furniture
Warehousing – loading and unloading vans, cleaning and sorting donated household goods.
As an accredited SQA Centre, people can gain qualifications. We teach life skills including cooking, budgeting and IT and we offer training in Health and Safety and First Aid.
Citizens Advice Bureau
Citizens Advice Bureaux are local, independent charities that provide free and confidential advice and information whoever you are and whatever your problem. Find your local Bureau using the link below
Highland Council Employability Services
A voluntary service that is here to support the upskilling / re-entry into the world of work.
The Employability Team help young people who have left school but are not in work or studying, and adults who are seeking work but need support to overcome barriers to employment.
This includes support for developing CVs, job searching and interview preparation.
The team also creates jobs, including work based learning job placements with the council and gives advice and financial support to encourage the private sector to create jobs for unemployed individuals.
Scottish Drugs Forum
For the past 20 years, Scottish Drugs Forum have offered the National Traineeship programme to give opportunities for people with lived or living experience of alcohol or substance use problems to work in Social Care.
The programme prepares people for employment through formal learning and in-work placements over a 39-week period. It is a multi-award-winning initiative which offers a unique programme of:
- Paid work experience
- Specialist training
- Intensive support to achieve an industry standard vocational qualification, the SVQ Level 2 in Social Services and Healthcare
- Peer, and one to one support from SDF throughout the employment journey, and beyond
Lochaber Hope
Lochaber Hope is a person-centred organisation primarily offering counselling, mentoring, employability services and volunteering opportunities to all persons, regardless of backgrounds or needs within the Lochaber area. Based in Fort William, Lochaber Hope also supports The Workshop Studios and the Fort William Community Hub (New Connections) to help encourage and foster relationships within the Lochaber community. Lochaber Hope would like to extend warmth and understanding to all persons and their families who have been involved with the justice system.