Purpose

The main national community initiative for PCOSOs is ‘Circles of Support of Accountability’. In discussions with the sector, it was identified that there was a lack of desire to deliver the circles model as the accreditation process was considered an unnecessary burden; use of volunteers was not ideal and the small number of interventions that could be delivered. In addition, previously the volunteer model was built on ex or current CJS professionals, not strictly community volunteers. This model is difficult to deliver, and national evidence doesn’t indicate any significant impact. Early feedback indicates the GM model indicates it delivers more capacity to address needs and that there are positive improvements in the behaviors and a reduction of risk for people receiving support. The evaluation currently being undertaken will provide a clear evidence base for any future decisions regarding the delivery model and further funding.
Greater Manchester has the highest proportion of PCOSOs in the community outside of London. There are over 3,500 PCOSOs in Greater Manchester, which amounts to approximately 75% of people who are being managed through GM MAPPAs. These numbers have increased year on year, particularly for sexual offending, which has seen a 20% increase since Covid-19 demonstrating the on-going need for this service.

People convicted of sexual offences managed through Greater Manchester’s Multi Agency Public Protection Units are known to report disproportionately high rates of neurodiversity; high rates of childhood trauma, victimisation, and child sexual abuse in comparison to generalist offenders and to be at enhanced risk of re- offending when subject to increased stress and social isolation. This pilot is designed to addressthis unmet need while supporting compliance with Orders and License conditions.

Decision

As lead commissioner, to award a grant to undertake a pilot sex offender programme with experienced providers We are Survivors and Back on Track for a further 6 months. This extension of the funding will allow the commissioned university evaluation to report which will inform future delivery and commissioning considerations.
The funding arrangement is a continuation of the collaboration between GMCA and HMPPS.

The cost of extending the pilot programme is:

Total for 1/4/2026 – 30/09/2026

GMCA (51%) £53,472.99
HMPPS (49%) £51,376.01
Total cost £104,849

This will be given to the lead provider, Back on Track, who will divide between Back on Track and We are Survivors.
The Greater Manchester Sex Offender Programme (Creating Change) pilot project is developed as an alternative model to supporting people convicted of sexual offences (PCOSOs) in Greater Manchester.

This is to contribute to the prevention of sexual re-offending by people convicted of sexual offences, who are facing multiple disadvantages, by supporting individuals to process their own trauma and develop a more pro-social sense of self, thereby reducing the likelihood of further future offending and increased compliance with orders and license conditions. The project is solely for people who have convictions for sexual offences (online and contact) and who are still under the supervision of a probation practitioner and police liaison officer.

Agencies involved:
• Greater Manchester Probation Service
• Greater Manchester Police - Sex Offender Management Unit
• Greater Manchester Combined Authority – Justice and Rehabilitation
• Back on Track (BonT)
• We Are Survivors
• Community Services: GMIRS, VCSE
• University of Manchester
This extension of the funding allows for continuation of the service for 6 months in which time the evaluation from the University of Manchester will report back. The evaluation will inform future service delivery decisions which will include the continuation of the service, a re-design of the service which may include greater integration with other commissioned support for people on probation or the ending of this service. This additional funding will allow service users to continue to access support that has already been identified. If the decision, after receiving the evaluation, is to either decommission the service or change the delivery model it will allow for a planned change or exit strategy.