Cabinet Office Social Exclusion Taskforce
Last updated: 09 November 2008
The Milton Keynes Link Worker + Scheme is a joint venture between Milton Keynes Community Safety Partnership, the charity P3 and Revolving Doors. The scheme focuses on people living in Milton Keynes who are in crisis because of a combination of:
The scheme employs two Link Workers and a Volunteer Coordinator, administered by a multi-agency Steering Group which includes representatives from MK Primary Care Trust, Thames Valley Police, Milton Keynes Council, Bucks Fire and Rescue, and Probation.
The scheme exists to facilitate the engagement of clients with services which can maintain their long term well being. The Link Workers support clients who have traditionally struggled to engage with support agencies to access services appropriately.
The Link Workers offer a consistent and non judgmental approach which is tailored to an individual's needs. We aim to engage clients in a relationship based on trust which helps to develop an understanding of the individual and a better idea of the appropriate services which may be used to support a client in the long term. We offer practical help and support with issues that may be problematic to clients for a variety of reasons. The Link Workers have access to a ‘devolved budget’ which is used to overcome obstacles in providing an immediate response, or longer term support eg deposit for accommodation, basic hygiene or clothing needs, access to vocational or education pathways.
The volunteer co-ordinator operates a peer mentoring scheme in which clients are supported on a one to one basis through the process of volunteering or further education by a named mentor, who may themselves have been helped by the Link Workers. The team are able to guide clients to access third party volunteering opportunities where this previously might not have been an option. Each client is assessed on an individual basis for their appropriateness for a number of diverse vocational or educational pathways, all aimed at long term sustainability of support and greater chance of social inclusion.
Improved social inclusion for service users, demonstrated by increased well-being, better physical health, reduced contact with criminal justice organisations, improved contact and understanding with family and friends and increased satisfaction with services offered.
The project will aim to identify ex-clients of the scheme who may have the capacity for volunteering either individually or alongside another mentor.
Criminal justice outcomes will be monitored to show reduced offending among service users and reduced evidence of anti-social behaviour. A reduction in presentation at crisis and mainstream services, better management of substance misuse issues, and improved living and working conditions for service users will all contribute to increased social inclusion in the community.