Evaluation of the | Reducing Reoffending Change Fund - Research Findings

Key findings

• There is strong evidence that mentoring is an effective approach which helps mentees to learn constructive, non-criminal ways of addressing problems and which reduces risk factors associated with offending.
• In combination with a wider system of support – and mentoring also helps engagement with other services – the evidence suggests that this will, in the long term, contribute to a reduction in reoffending. There is therefore a strong case for the continuation and expansion of mentoring services.
• Whether mentoring services are best provided by PSPs (as opposed to other models of funding and delivery) is less clear. One element in the assessment of whether the PSP model has been successful is whether the services are sustained beyond the current funding period – and that will not be known until after funding expires in 2017. What is clear, however, is that the model has led public sector partners to a significantly increased appreciation of the expertise and potential contribution of the third sector.