THE PROPOSED PARTICIPANT EXPERIENCE
A visible destination, manageable next steps and practical help when circumstances change.
EXPLORE THE SIX STAGES
Swipe, scroll or use the stage buttons.
Understand the person
Explore strengths, literacy, qualifications, career interests and practical barriers with a trained human reviewer. Agree achievable goals and an accessible learning format.
Build capability
Approved reading, numeracy, digital confidence and vocational learning connect to a career goal. Short milestones, structured reflection and tutoring could support persistence. Qualifications must come from recognised providers.
Contribute and demonstrate
Approved in-custody projects could include horticulture, repair or charitable production. Staff verify participation and skills; XP makes progress visible without replacing professional assessment.
Prepare the transition
Plan ID, housing referrals, benefits advice, transport, digital access and appointments alongside CV work and interview practice. Named services handle regulated advice and specialist support.
Connect to opportunity
Employer partners could offer interviews, placements, apprenticeships or conditional job offers, subject to suitability and lawful checks. NCE Forge could provide further learning and supported enterprise as facilities develop.
Stay connected
A community version would support routines, appointment reminders, job retention and access to a named worker. Share only the appropriate parts of the record under agreed permissions and data arrangements.
A RECORD OF PROGRESS
ILLUSTRATIVE RECORD / SYNTHETIC EXAMPLE
Every milestone would link to an activity, evidence, a verifier and a date. Participants could review mistakes and request corrections. Employers would receive an appropriate skills portfolio, rather than the full justice record.
Points are motivational recognition. They do not determine release, sentence length, parole, sanctions or access to essential support. External activities would require the relevant operational authorisation.
Activity design must accommodate disability, literacy needs and unequal access to opportunities. Public rankings are not part of this proposal.
DESIGNING THE SUPPORT AROUND REAL LIFE
LEARNING
Approved content, plain language, alternative formats and human tutoring. An AI assistant would use a bounded knowledge base; it would not be assumed to have open internet access in custody.
RESETTLEMENT
A practical checklist and referral tracker connecting people with existing housing, benefits, healthcare and specialist services.
EMPLOYMENT
CV and interview rehearsal, transport planning, first-day preparation, workplace problem-solving and support to retain suitable paid work.
WELLBEING
Optional routines, reflection and grounding exercises, with clearly defined access to trained staff. Clinical care and crisis decisions stay with qualified services.
FRONTLINE TEAMS
Participant-reviewed summaries and progress notes for staff to check. Research would measure net time saved after review, correction and follow-up.
CONTINUITY
Explore approved offline devices in custody and low-data mobile access after release. Include a non-digital route so lack of a phone does not block participation.
FORGE AND THE FUTURE CAMPUS
A future Middlesbrough Justice Campus could bring learning, employers and resettlement partners together through NCE Forge. It remains a longer-term development concept, subject to partnerships, site feasibility and funding.
The first software pilot can work with existing provision. Participants should have a useful onward route before a new campus exists.
Explore Forge 01AI-generated Forge concept; not an operating facility or actual participants.
AN INVITATION TO UNIVERSITIES
We are seeking a university research lead, an operational justice partner and employers willing to help design the first test.
