Introduction to Community Work Agency Funding

Introduction

This topic outlines the background to community work (CW) agency funding.

Background

The Effective Interventions project highlighted a range of possible enhancements to community-based sentences. One suggested enhancement was to increase the availability of CW projects, specifically around agency placements. 

Consultation across the country found:

• difficulties in recruiting and retaining the support of agencies to take CW offenders
• issues with the agency’s ability to maintain and increase the offender musters.

Benefits of agency placements

High numbers of agency placements:

• have positive consequences for the Department and the community
• offer a unique opportunity for agencies to work with members of the community that they would not normally be involved with
• encourage a sense of ownership and participation giving offenders an opportunity to actively participate in the community.

Funding

CW agency funding is now available to CPPS to:

• help with the cost incurred by agencies in supervising CW offenders
• recruit and retain the support of agencies
• maximise the capacity of the agency to sponsor CW offenders.

Agencies can request:

• resources including tools, equipment and auxiliary items such as overalls and hi-visibility vests
• petrol vouchers
• grants towards substantial projects related to their work in the community such as meeting the cost of building materials or hiring equipment.

Funds will be allocated to each area from an annual funding pool according to their agency ratio.  Any funding must be linked to the agency’s capacity to provide work and supervision for offenders subject to CW.

Process

The following flowchart outlines the process for CPPS staff managing CW agency funding.