Haringey Council is set to continue its commitment to supporting prison leavers by extending a key contract aimed at reducing re-offending rates and promoting community safety. The decision, made during a recent Cabinet Member Signing meeting, will provide specialist housing-related support to help ex-offenders reintegrate into the community.
Councillor Sarah Williams, Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, approved the extension of the Haringey Moving Forward contract with Ark Resettlement Services (ARKRS). The contract will be extended for 8.5 months, from 16 June 2025 to 28 February 2026, at a cost of £112,369. The aggregated total value of the contract will be £611,377 including the proposed extension.
The London Probation Service is match-funding 50% of the service cost, bringing Haringey's actual cost to £305,688.50 over the life of the contract.
Ark Resettlement Services provides specialist support to those with criminal justice involvement. This includes supporting clients to comply with criminal justice orders and licenses, access and sustain substance treatment (both statutory and voluntary), secure and maintain tenancies, access benefits, education, training, and employment. They also refer clients to specialist mental health services, reducing escalation of need and demand on criminal justice services and health and social care provisions.
The council's decision was motivated by research indicating that prison leavers without settled accommodation are significantly more likely to re-offend. The council believes that Ark Resettlement Services has the expertise to meet the complex needs of this client group, supporting ex-offenders to reintegrate into the community, reducing the risk of re-offending and contributing to community safety.
An alternative option of doing nothing was considered but rejected, as it would likely lead to increased rough sleeping and homelessness among ex-offenders, putting a strain on council resources. A tender process was also considered, but the year-on-year funding arrangement with the Probation Services restricted the council's planning. Given the uncertainty of long-term funding, a short-term extension is necessary to maintain service continuity. The 8.5-month extension provides a balanced approach, allowing time for securing longer-term funding arrangements while ensuring ongoing support for service users.