The national Re-Unite programme reunites and houses women leaving prison with their children.
Background The Re-Unite programme is currently being piloted in ten areas across the country. It aims to address a 'catch 22' problem in the system whereby when mothers are released from custody, their children are usually in kinship or local authority care and the mothers are therefore generally not considered a priority for housing. Without suitable housing it then becomes very difficult to work towards creating a stable environment suitable for retaining care of their children. Children are left in limbo - waiting in care - and the confidence of the mothers is increasingly eroded. The Re-Unite concept was developed and tested in South London using funding provided by Commonweal Housing and the skills and expertise of Housing for Women. An independent evaluation by the University of Cambridge is in support of replication elsewhere.
Support provided The Re-Unite project is delivered by partner organisations - women's centres, homeless charities etc - who are already embedded in their local communities and skilled in working with this client group. Our aim is to eventually create a network of services all delivering Re-Unite across England and Wales so that all mothers exiting prison have access to the service. One of the best things about the network is that referrals can made between different Re-Unite projects so that women can be resettled, irrespective of geography. For example, a woman in prison in Surrey, can be supported into family housing in Gloucestershire on release.
Outcomes The Re-Unite project, currently being piloted in eight areas across the country, shows early indications that it is very successful in achieving positive outcomes for both mothers and their children. 89% of families stay engaged and re-offending rates are as low as 5%. Furthermore, children are kept out of care and reunited in stable family homes. Replicating Re-Unite Commonweal Housing and Housing for Women are now working to expand the network while continuing to monitor outcomes and commission evaluation. Re-Unite are keen to hear from committed and experienced organisations interested in replicating the Re-Unite programme in their area. Organisations that are accepted become part of the Re-Unite network, which is managed by the founding partners. Replication partners benefit from opportunities for shared learning, facilitated referrals across the Women's Estate; central evaluation and monitoring; assistance in fundraising activities, awareness raising and an annual conference.
See Re-Unite for further information see below:
