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London Action Trust's NewLIFE Project assists ex-offenders in achieving secure employment by tackling the prejudice faced by people with a criminal conviction, writes Joy Macknight. At the premiere of Straight Talking, a film looking at the problems faced by job seekers with criminal records, actor David Soul and NewLIFE ambassador, said: "There are lots of projects that help ex-offenders but only NewLIFE works with employers to train them to recruit ex-offenders fairly and safely. NewLIFE is not about finding work experience placements or asking employers to do something out of a sense of duty to the community. NewLIFE helps ex-offenders into real jobs."

"It's really about removing the stigma that people with convictions face. Almost every industry in London says it has difficulty recruiting and retraining talented people. And it is worth noting that all the research shows that reformed ex-offenders make great employees," Soul said.

Running since September 2003, the project operates in all 33 London boroughs. More than 300 London employers have received training in the laws that surround employment of an ex-offender, but also in risk management to enable them to assess whether someone's past offences present any future danger to the business or its customers.

Phil Lett, employment solutions specialist at NewLIFE, said that employers must understand the demands under the various laws, in particular the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974). "The big demand for most jobs is the difference between a spent and unspent conviction for it is illegal for employers to ask about convictions that have been spent. It is very important that they are aware of that because they could find themselves in
front of a tribunal."

It also makes good business sense, argues Lett. “London's employers face a constant battle to improve their performance while coping with enormous labour shortages. Those that have made the decision not to exclude people with criminal records have found a rich seam of skilled and committed workers." Reading Buses is one employer that has benefited from this project.

On the other half of the equation, NewLIFE works with ex-offenders to prepare them for employment by helping them to examine their skills and talents and so identify their ideal jobs. The goal is to break the cycle of offending by catching people as they come out of prison or off probation and transferring them into employment. NewLIFE's project manager, Brook Hayes, said: "We give ex-offenders a chance to partially level the playing field and to present themselves positively to potential employers."

NewLIFE offers clients advice and guidance ranging from preparing CVs and for job interviews to legal advice on disclosing information about their conviction.

Jamie Steel, 27, a client who had been in and out of court for years but now has secured a job as a bicycle courier:, said, "The main thing is the whole personal aspect to the project. People helping you and giving you confidence about your potential, as well as the assistance with job searches and computer access."

But the support doesn't end when the client gets a job. Kathryn Stewart, Marketing and Communications Developer, explained that NewLIFE continues to help with luncheon vouchers or transport costs, for many clients have to survive for the first month before their wages come through. "Our clients fight too hard for their jobs – we don’t want them to fall down at the first hurdle."

The project is part of the London Action Trust.

• More at www.lat.org.uk/about/partnerships.html