LMH wins national TPAS award

An innovative project that sees offenders working full-time in the community to repay their debt has won a national award.

The Liverpool Mutual Homes (LMH)-led scheme won the coveted 2010 Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS) Connecting People Award in Birmingham.

Liverpool Mutual Homes' Intensive Community Payback scheme; Justice Seen, Justice Done has been delivered in partnership with a variety of partners including the Community Justice Centre, Merseyside Probation Service and the police.

LMH’s tenant representatives also worked tirelessly and their commitment and support was highlighted as a major part in the project’s success, which resulted in a 50 per cent reduction in the number of reports of anti-social behaviour in North Liverpool compared to the three months before.

Tenants say they feel safer in their homes and now have a renewed sense of community spirit.

The scheme allows Judge David Fletcher to sentence offenders appearing at the Community Justice Centre with a new Intensive Community Payback order whereby they have to work five days a week until they complete their unpaid hours, with work starting within two days of sentencing.

Offenders are shown the affects of their crimes and, motivated by role models, they are able to gain experience of full-time work, complete their hours and rehabilitate quicker whilst also seeing the results of their work.  They are also given practical help to turn their experience into paid employment.

Police involvement in the scheme has eased fears about attacks on site and reassured residents.  The high visibility of the scheme has given residents the confidence to suggest further work and is helping offenders to successfully rehabilitate into the community motivated by direct praise from residents and partners, taking real pride in their achievements and developing a work ethic.

The Intensive Community Payback order has been successfully used as a last chance for offenders who have breached previous community orders to avoid custody.  The work is also seen by the community as a tougher alternative to a short spell in prison.

Liverpool Mutual Homes Chief Executive, Steve Coffey, said: "We are delighted to win yet another award and see the hard work of our tenants, staff, and partners recognised, especially as the scheme is making a significant difference to tenants’ lives.

"The Justice Seen, Justice Done project has really transformed north Liverpool with a reduction in crime and anti-social behaviour and has made huge strides in rehabilitating offenders quickly and giving them a renewed sense of purpose.

“It has resulted in tenants feeling safer in their homes and community and the importance of this can not be underestimated.

“We are now carrying out the work in other areas of Liverpool as we continue to tackle anti-social behaviour to make our communities safer and more pleasurable places to live.”

It is the second award the project has won after scooping the Best Local Initiative title at the Liverpool Citysafe Awards.

 Photograph: LMH collects its TPAS award.