Enhanced RECONNECT is a newly commissioned service to support high-risk offenders with complex health conditions following release from prison. The aim of the service is to ensure a safe transition back into the community, by offering a psychologically informed approach to understanding and addressing the barriers service users can experience in accessing health and support services.
Supporting high-risk offenders with complex health conditions following release from prison.
Who uses our service
The Enhanced RECONNECT service provides support to people with complex needs when they are coming out of prison. We understand that leaving prison can be stressful, and for many there are barriers to accessing the support they need in the community to live a healthy life. This is particularly true when people have complex needs, which could include a combination of mental or physical health problems, learning difficulties, problems with drug or alcohol use, or other disabilities. Additionally, people may also experience difficulties on release from prison such as homelessness, living independently, and communication or language barriers.
The Enhanced RECONNECT team works with people for up to six-months prior to their release from prison, enabling them to build a relationship with the team and a good understanding of their needs. Following release from prison, the Enhanced RECONNECT team works with people for up to 12-months in the community, supporting them to access the services they need so that they continue getting the care and support they need.
The Enhanced RECONNECT service is for people who will be living in the Birmingham and Solihull area following release from prison, or after a period in an Approved Premises.
It is an individual’s choice whether they want support from the Enhanced RECONNECT service. Engaging with the service is entirely voluntary and will not be part of any licence or parole conditions.
How we can help
The Enhanced RECONNECT service understands that people leaving prison may have had difficult experiences in their lives which makes it hard for them to trust services and access the support that they need.
Whilst the Enhanced RECONNECT service will not take the place of community-based services, it will work with the range of partner agencies involved in an individual’s care to ensure an effective and joined up approach to health care and risk management.
The Enhanced RECONNECT service will also provide intervention to help individuals better understand and manage their risks, build upon their strengths, learn new skills and identify and break down barriers to access existing community-based services, using a trauma informed, formulation driven approach with the person at the centre.
Enhanced RECONNECT offers intensive support to overcome these barriers, including:
- Exploring your health needs and helping you to understand how these relate to your offending
- Building a trusting relationship with you so that you feel safe to work with the team
- Planning your transition to the community and helping you to set goals for yourself after your release
- Providing a range of therapies and practical support to help you build on your strengths and learn new skills
- Working with other services involved in your care to ensure that your needs are being met in the best way
The team
The Enhanced RECONNECT team has a range of staff who have experience of working with prison leavers. This includes:
- Psychologists and Therapists
- Mental Health Nurses
- Social Worker
- Occupational Therapist
- Substance Use Worker
- Speech and Language Therapist
- Arts Therapist
- Support, Time and Recovery Workers
- Peer Mentors
How to access our service
Referrals to the Enhanced RECONNECT service can be made by a range of professionals, including probation staff, Police, prison services, and mental health services.
If you think the Enhanced RECONNECT service could be helpful to you or someone you know, please talk to a professional already involved in their care and request they make a referral on your behalf.
To enquire about a referral please contact the team on bsmhft.enhanced.reconnect@nhs.net
Phoenix House
The Enhanced RECONNECT service is based at Phoenix House in Erdington. People can attend the centre to access support from the team as well as meeting new people and attending social activities.
Phoenix House has been recently refurbished for the Enhanced RECONNECT service. The building offers opportunities for therapeutic activities, social activities, and meetings.
Attendance at Phoenix House is by appointment only. Once your care has been taken on by the Enhanced RECONNECT service, your worker will talk to you about coming to Phoenix House and engaging with the therapeutic programme.
Information for service users and carers
For more information you can access the Enhanced RECONNECT leaflets
Information for professionals
To be eligible for support from the Enhanced RECONNECT service, referrals must fall into one of the groups described below. Referrals from priority groups one and two are automatically accepted for assessment.
Priority group one: National Security Division (NSD)
- Critical public protection cases
- Convicted under the Terrorism Act or terrorist connected offence
- Terrorist risk service users who present a national security threat
Priority group two: At risk of extremism
Priority group three: Complex high/very high-risk offenders
- Meet at least six of the eight key criteria outlined below but are not eligible for IIRMS
- High risk of serious harm to others
- Mental health concerns
- Risk of self-harm or suicide
- Learning difficulties
- Current MAPPA Level 2 or 3 registration
- Drug or alcohol issues
- IPP sentence
- Screened into the Offender Personality Disorder Pathway
If an individual meets some of the criteria but not all, they may be assessed dependent on their needs and suitability.
Individuals must be involved with probation or another statutory organisation for risk management for the duration of their engagement with the Enhanced RECONNECT service.
