The Linkage Service

Overview

Business in the Community Ireland, in keeping with its social justice ethos, developed a nationwide employment programme for offenders called The Linkage Servicein partnership with the Probation Service who funds the programme. The ultimate objective of the Linkage Service is to place people in worthwhile, sustainable employment, thereby promoting an all-inclusive, healthier society.  

Generally, when anyone mentions ‘marginalised’, rarely would a person, outside of the criminal justice arena, apply this term to offenders. Few people take time to consider the life sentence imposed by society on all Irish offenders, regardless of the type of offence, the seriousness of the crime or the fact that the offender has served his or her sentence and should be now free to move on with his or her life.  Employment is one of the major factors that supports reintegration, actively addresses crime, and makes local communities safer.

To date, more than 3400 employers have hired Linkage clients, with an overall total of 7588 client placements in education, training and employment. Employment typically spans all sectors, with the majority of jobs in the services, construction, hospitality and transport industries. Ongoing guidance and support is available following employment to both the client and the employer should this be required.

Your business can get involved too by keeping an open-mind when reviewing job applications and hiring based on merit. You may also get involved by offering advice, work experience, peer mentoring or part-time work to Linkage clients.

Click here to listen to Paddy Richardson, Linkage Programme Manager, speak about the Service and the benefits for former offenders and for businesses who get involved, as well as why employers should hire former offenders.

Click here to listen to Simon Baker, Linkage client; Ray O'Halloran, Director, Speedline Engineering and Linkage employer; and Paddy Richardson, Linkage Service Manager speak with Matt Cooper on TodayFM's Last Word.

The Probation Service

A critical factor in the success of The Linkage Service is the strategic partnership between the Probation Service and BITCI. The Probation Service, under the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform is the lead agency in the assessment and management of offenders in our communities.

Our Staff

Since 2000, the Service has grown from three to 16 Training & Employment Officers (TEOs) based around the country, with a full time Manager, a part-time Administration Coordinator, part-time Administrative Assistant and a part-time Administrative Assistant / IT Support. The ultimate objective of the TEO is to assist the client's integration or re-integration into the working community. Please click here for a contact list of Training & Employment Officers around Ireland.

Employers

The ultimate objective of the Linkage Service is to get people working. Critical to the success of the project is matching the people to the job market. Training and Employment Officers are employed by BITCI to support the Probation Service by placing offenders in employment, training and/or education. To date, there has been an enthusiastic response to the Service. Of course, it is only natural for employers to have some questions about the Service.

Please click here to read our responses to frequently asked questions from employers. Employers can also click here to download a fact sheet on all our employment programmes including Linkage.

If you are an employer and would like to discuss our employment initiatives, please contact Moira Horgan, Marketing Manager on mhorgan@bitc.ie or 01 874 7232. For further information on The Linkage Service, please contact 01 874 7232 or linkage@bitc.ie