Cornwall NOMS case study social inclusion access to bank accounts

Case Study Cornwall - Social Inclusion: access to bank accounts Following feedback from participants, new futures recognises how difficult it can be to get ID in order to open a bank account. As this is a reoccurring obstacle to effective social inclusion, the new futures partnership manager in Cornwall has been working closely with Barclays Bank to find a solution. Together, they met with DCPT to develop a system through which offenders could obtain ID. This was agreed by Barclay’s Bank Compliance team.

The Partnership Manager then arranged meetings with the Cornwall branch managers to discuss the project and to ensure that they were aware of the criteria and referral process.

In addition, the Partnership Manager also met with Cornwall Dyslexia Association (CDA) as DCPT had advised that many offenders with dyslexia were nervous about visiting banks due to their anxieties surrounding completing complex forms and were worried about how they would be dealt with. As a result of this, the Partnership Manager facilitated a meeting between branch managers and CDA who put into place staff training on supporting dyslexic people through bank processes.

Thanks to development work undertaken by new futures, Barclays’ Banks across Cornwall now have in place a specific set of criteria addressing ID issues. This enables offenders to access a basic bank account. Barclay’s staff will also sign up people within a probation office or at other suitable venues, to help offenders to open a new bank account. Bank staff have also attended new futures job clubs to ensure participants are aware of other helpful bank services available and to offer advice on budgeting, financial planning and other money management issues. These arrangements are monitored by the new futures Partnership Manager.

Having a bank account supports offenders to be less marginalised and helps to prevent reoffending. This work has ensured that new futures participants, along with other offenders, are not excluded from holding a bank account due to ID issues.