Communities now have the opportunity to influence the type of work offenders carry out in their neighbourhoods, with the launch of 'Community Payback' - a scheme from the National Probation Service. The aim is to make the unpaid work performed by offenders more visible and more representative of the communities' needs.
The Probation Service welcomes offers of unpaid work placements on suitable projects. Their unpaid work team will assess the project for suitability and for health and safety implications. A team of offenders will then be assigned to the project and this team will work all day. In some cases, offenders will complete one to one projects, for example, a placement in a charity shop.
Typical projects include gardening, landscaping, painting and decorating and minor building maintenance. The offenders will also need to use problem solving skills as well as practical skills to complete the projects.
Each team is overseen at all times by a supervisor. The offenders must turn up on time and must not miss a session without an acceptable reason. Whilst on the placement they must behave well and work hard.
For further information on the scheme or if you have any ideas for projects and placements within our area please contact the Community Payback website
If you have any comments or queries to make regarding Community Safety in the District of Dover, please contact:
Crime Reduction Officer
Dover District Council,
White Cliffs Business Park,
Dover, Kent CT16 3PJ
Tel No. 01304 872165
E-mail: communitysafety@dover.gov.uk.
