North East Circles

The North East Circles project started in Northumbria in April 2010. In its third year of operation it expanded to include Durham and Teesside. The scheme is now funded to run eight circles in a twelve month period.

This service is currently jointly funded by the Northern Rock Foundation and North East Regional Offender Health and is being delivered in a partnership between the Police, Probation and Barnardo’s. This is the first Circles of Support and Accountability Project in which Barnardo’s is directly involved, and it’s an exciting and innovative addition to their core aims of protecting and safeguarding children through preventative initiatives.

Supervision and management of Circles volunteers is fully integrated with the risk management and statutory supervision of the ‘Core Member’ by Public Protection Officers from the Police and Probation Trusts.

Barnardo’s provides the co-ordination and practice management of this project. Two part-time coordinators work together to manage the circles operation. The project continues to progress and to recruit volunteers from all parts of the community. We would welcome enquiries from anyone over 18 living in the North East interested in this challenging and rewarding work.

Volunteers are carefully screened and professionally trained for this demanding work. The volunteers support the ‘Core Member’ to lead an offence free and productive life, and help manage any further risk of sexual harm. We are confident that this innovative approach further enhances the work of the statutory agencies in protecting the public and reducing re-offending.

To find out more about how you can become involved as a Volunteer or if you would like further information on the project, please contact  North East Circles.