The matrix Excellence Awards
For improving the quality of services to ex offenders, a matrix Excellence Award is presented to Avon and Somerset Probation Area, Employment and Training Services.
Avon and Somerset Probation Area - Employment, Training and Education Services
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2009 Winners
Avon and Somerset Probation - Employment, Training and Education Services
Avon and Somerset Probation Employment and Training Services gained accreditation for their external IAG service in April 2006 and Accreditation Review in March 2009.
In working towards the Standard they identified several areas for development one was the need for more standardised client paper work as there was no consistency across the area, feed back from staff identified the need for a more structured induction and the need to address quality and development issues as the use of feedback was totally unstructured prior to their matrix Journey.
Following on from this they developed a comprehensive staff induction programme for all new staff joining the team, in addition to the corporate induction processes already in place. They have also introduced the role of quality development co-ordinator (the number involved in this role has increased three fold) to ensure that processes are followed and good practice identified. This has led to the introduction of the "Monday morning practice meetings" which identify good practice, encourage discussion on issues affecting the adviser or the introduction of new practice.
The introduction of standardised client information for use by all members of the team enables the smooth transfer of client information between staff and stops the same questions being asked. All clients are now issued with an action plan which is followed up at various stages. Client feedback has improved due to the new practices.
During their Accreditation Review the assessor noted that referral agencies did not fully understand their particular client needs and issues. As a result of this feedback they have developed a comprehensive half day training pack for their referral agencies on vocational risk to demystify working with offenders to understand the terminology and the ETE recommendations.
For improving the quality of services to ex offenders, a matrix Excellence Award is presented to Avon and Somerset Probation Area, Employment and Training Services.