An Evaluation of Family Literacy, Language and
Numeracy for Offenders
A Regional Pilot Project Managed by Read On Write Away!
The report provides an overview of some of the challenges encountered by
providers and practitioners of Family Literacy, Language and Numeracy (FLLN) for
Offenders, encountered during the development and delivery of this pilot
programme. It makes recommendations to improve the quality of future FLLN
activity.
The aims of the project included a reduction in re-offending; breaking
inter-generational cycles of underachievement; and improving the physical and
mental health of offenders and their families – all through Family Learning. The
evaluation findings suggest that these aims are achievable but require evidence
drawn from longitudinal tracking of offenders and their families.
The project objectives were in most cases met. The evaluation findings
revealed quite clearly that the overwhelming effect of the FLLN sessions and
tasters was a strengthening of family relationships. The pilot project provided
offenders with opportunities to retain and strengthen family bonds, and parents
were encouraged to support their children’s learning development.
Research methodology:
Findings were based on information gathered through consultation with
partners and providers, and with feedback from families involved in the pilot.
These included a project review, telephone interviews, feedback and evaluation
forms and documentation provided by the pilot project managers. The evaluation
process commenced in March 2006 and was completed by September 2006.
The main conclusions of the project are:
 | The effect of the FLLN sessions and tasters, according to partners, was a
strengthening of family relationships. It is hoped that this may, in turn,
reduce re-offending rates. The pilot project provided offenders with
opportunities to retain and strengthen family bonds. Parents were encouraged
to support their children’s learning development, which may break
intergenerational cycles of underachievement. |
| The pilot project activities included elements of literacy, language and
numeracy and most of the partners interviewed felt that an improvement in
these skills was achievable. However, without accurate measurement in the
development of such skills before, during and after the pilot project, it was
difficult to state that this objective had been met |
| The pilot project successfully engaged a large number of offenders in
Family Learning but was less successful in terms of the number of families
involved. However, it would be fair to state that the project has made a good
start in making contacts with appropriate partners in prisons and the
community, in raising awareness of the value of Family Learning and generating
willingness amongst staff involved. These foundations can be built on in the
future |
| ROWA! assembled a very large number of partners for involvement in the
project and it would appear that in the majority of cases, these partnerships
worked together successfully. The data suggested that the partnerships with
the Probation Service were the weakest and this appeared to negatively impact
on the community aspects of the pilot project |
| The evaluation has revealed that the impacts on offenders and their
families were often what are considered ‘softer outcomes’ such as improvements
in relationships, a desire to engage in further learning and raised
self-esteem. However, these softer outcomes often permit the development of
harder outcomes such as improvements in literacy, language and numeracy. A
more research-focussed study concentrating on improvements in literacy,
language and numeracy in any future offender projects would add to the body of
evidence in relation to the positive impacts upon offenders and their families
offered by Family Learning. |