1. Getting the culture right
Appoint an Ex-offender Inclusion Champion
Designate an Ex-offender Inclusion Champion to represent the voice of people with convictions and ensure they remain a priority. Incorporating this role into existing EDI roles ensures ongoing representation and support.
You’ll need an Inclusion Champion – a senior, respected member of staff with a reputation for listening and leadership and a firm grasp on the myths versus reality of recruiting people with convictions.
They’ll be good at plain speaking and reassurance, and they’ll have the emotional intelligence to judge the collective mood, especially with colleagues who’ve previously been victims of crime.
What does success look like?
A designated Ex-offender Inclusion Champion
A clear statement of the role's responsibilities and scope
Integration of the Ex-offender Inclusion Champion into existing EDI roles and meetings
A single point of contact for colleagues regarding the strategy and support for people with convictions.
How would Offploy do it?
Define the role of the Ex-offender Inclusion Champion and how it will support the inclusion and representation of people with convictions in your organisation.
Develop a clear job description that outlines the role's responsibilities and scope.
Consult with relevant stakeholders to ensure that the Ex-offender Inclusion Champion's role aligns with the organisation's goals and values, and meets the needs of colleagues and clients.
Incorporate the Ex-offender Inclusion Champion role into existing EDI policies and meetings to ensure that the representation and support of people with convictions remains a priority.
Identify the right person for the role based on their skills, experience, and commitment to the organisation's values and goals.
Provide the Ex-offender Inclusion Champion with training and support to help them to understand their role and responsibilities, as well as any relevant legal and ethical considerations.
Introduce the Ex-offender Inclusion Champion to the organisation and communicate the importance of their role in promoting inclusion and representation for people with convictions.
Provide ongoing support and resources for the Ex-offender Inclusion Champion to ensure that they can effectively carry out their responsibilities and achieve the desired outcomes.
Regularly review and evaluate the effectiveness of the Ex-offender Inclusion Champion role and identify areas for improvement.
Continuously improve the Ex-offender Inclusion Champion role and its integration into the organisation's EDI efforts to ensure that it remains effective, relevant, and impactful.
Examples in Practice
Cook Foods has the dynamic and inspirational Annie Gale heading up their RAW Talent (Ready & Working) programme. You can hear her talking about the programme and her role here:
Annie Gale, Head of RAW Talent & Apprenticeships at COOK Trading Ltd with John Danes, BBC Radio Kent (youtube.com)
Iceland Foods has the superb Paul Cowley leading their programme:
Iceland appoints ‘director of rehabilitation’ to recruit ex-offenders | News | The Grocer
Nothing to see here... yet.
We're still putting the finishing touches on our new Employing With Conviction Guide.