Press Release News from Leicestershire & Rutland Probation Trust

A HEALTHY RETURN
A Leicester project that sees ex-offenders working as health advisors has generated estimated savings of nearly 4 million - and received national recognition with a presentation at Buckingham Palace with HRH The Princess Royal. LRPTs Jan Pearce had her royal audience when she received her commendation awarded by the prestigious Butler Trust, which recognise the outstanding practice of people working in probation, prisons, youth justice and social work throughout the UK. Jan was nominated by the Probation Trust for her development of the Health Trainer Team, which is a partnership project with the main funders being the city and county primary care trusts. The advisors are called health trainers and are trained and employed by the Probation Trust to provide health advice and support to men and women on probation supervision. Jan Pearce said: It was a great honour to receive the commendation and The Princess Royal was very impressed by what the health trainers have achieved since they began three years ago. Better health - and motivation to change The health trainers enable service users to register with a health professional such as a doctor or dentist, and provide a tailored health plan for an individual offender to aid the participant to develop better eating habits, take more exercise and stop or reduce smoking. The message to service users is that with the right support and encouragement, change is possible. Jan Pearce added: This direct approach for service users is showing real benefits. In a very effective and positive way the health trainers are engaging with men and women on community orders, or on post custody licences, to show how they can make positive changes in their lives. Adopting a healthier lifestyle, at a pace that is sustainable, is encouraging a more engaged approach with supervision and tackling other issues such as unemployment. Estimated savings The initial investments totalled 203,542 but Jan has worked out that the estimated savings stand at nearly 4 million to the NHS and the Criminal Justice System. To support her campaign for continued funding, Jan has researched and used a variety of recognised assessment tools to predict savings. For example in 2011 the Health Trainer Team saved the NHS in the region of 418,160. The assessment process calculates the savings of individuals going to a doctor or dentist rather than a hospital A&E Department, as well as reductions in missed appointments, improved health through smoking cessation etc. For example when one drug misuser registers with a GP the average yearly saving to the NHS is 4,800.

A further assessment tool, the Portsmouth Ready Reckoner, developed by Portsmouth University, estimates that the work and engagement of the Health Trainer Team has produced CJS savings in the region of 3,474,124. The criteria used in this criminal justice assessment reflects improved compliance and positive outcomes. Jan Pearce added: The Probation Trust has a history of providing opportunities for engaged service users to act as peer mentors to other men and women on community orders. The development of the health trainer programme to employ suitable ex-offenders was a natural progression of this approach. We have secured funding from the city and county primary care trusts for the next financial year of 2013 - 2014, which is recognition for what the health trainers have achieved. Press Enquiries Please contact communications officer Fiona Buchanan on 07711 160685 or 0116 251 6008. Background Information Each Health Trainer has passed the following qualifications to be able to take up their role, which includes: * Royal Institute for Public Health Level 2 Award in Understanding Health Improvement, and * City and Guilds Level 3 Certificate for Health Trainers.