Suffolk businesses encouraged to use ex-offenders to plug staffing gaps
It's thought it could make a difference in tackling employment issues
Businesses in Suffolk are being urged to consider hiring people with criminal records to help tackle the staffing crisis some are struggling with at the moment.
Social Justice charity, Nacro, says this could be a 'golden opportunity' to tackle two birds with one stone.
Nacro Chief Executive, Rob Campbell, says: “We are overlooking one vital resource to address the country’s shortage of candidates, hiring prison leavers.
"Each month around 4,000 people leave prison, but only 14% are in employment six months later.
"Yet, employers who hire prison leavers often say prison leavers are harder working and more reliable workers.
"Alongside this, having work is a vital factor in reducing reoffending. Yet so many viable job candidates could be overlooked simply because they have a criminal record.
"The UK economy can no longer afford to ignore those leaving prison, we have a golden opportunity to reduce reoffending and staff shortages in one fell swoop.”
We spoke to Candy Richards, Development Manager at the Federation of Small Businesses in our region: "Small businesses have always been at their hearts of their local communities and many already provide employment opportunities for ex offenders.
"Small businesses have a flexible and inclusive approach to employment.
"I know that many small businesses, particularly those struggling with skill shortages, will be looking for people who have the right attributes for their business and and this will depend entirely on the business.
"Small businesses are looking for people who can be a great fit and provide amazing customer service.
"We also know that working in a small business that provides an amazing opportunity through anyone whether they're an ex offender or they're starting out in their career.
"Working for a small business can be an exciting and amazing place to work.
"When you're working for a small business, you get a really good grounding in the whole of the business.
"There are opportunities often to work across things from marketing and to to delivering the service as well as being able to be part of a growing and thriving business and team.
"So by bringing together small businesses and ex offenders, it can be a really beneficial opportunity for both the small business and the employee.
"We know that for many ex offenders it can be a real challenge to get back into the workplace.
"And many prisoners have already had some amazing careers before they've been in prison and have some valuable skills and attributes that they can bring to a small business.
"And so any scheme that can make it easier for an offender to gain employment within a small business, I'm sure we'll be absolutely welcome."
What could be done to encourage businesses to hire ex-offenders?
Candy told us about the process of hiring an ex offender: "So if the small business was looking to recruit an ex offender directly, and one thing that the government could do to support small businesses is provide a one year National Insurance contribution holiday.
"The reason for this is twofold. If you run a small business, you don't have staff and time to spare and some ex offenders may need additional time off, for example to attend appointments with probation or to sort out housing or accommodation.
"So the National Insurance contribution holiday could take some of that pressure off for small business who is looking to recruit and an ex offender.
"It's also really, really important and that the employee and the employer have the support that they need.
"It would be really important that the government actually enhanced either the news future network scheme.
"And that works with both ex offenders looking to enter the workplace and small business employers.
"Or apprenticeship training providers and so that they can really support both the employee and the employer to make sure that the apprenticeship is as beneficial as possible.
"Small businesses are unique and will always make the right decision about what is best for them and their business.
"I think the key thing is to make sure that any scheme that creates opportunities for ex offenders in the workplace is as easy to access as possible so that there aren't any barriers in place for small businesses to offer opportunities to ex offenders."