About Circles

What is a Circle of Support and Accountability?

'Circles' consist of a group of volunteers, set up around a 'Core Member' - a sex offender who has recently re-joined the community. The 'Circle' is designed to be both a support and a safety mechanism, allowing volunteers to befriend the offender whilst holding him accountable for his actions. Within it, the Core Member can grow in self-esteem and develop healthy adult relationships, maximising his or her chances of successfully re-integrating into the community in a safe and fulfilling way. The Core Member is involved from the beginning, is included in all decision making and, like all other members of the Circle, signs a contract committing him or herself to the Circle and its aims.

Volunteers comprise people from the local community and the Circle relates to, among others, family members, treatment professionals, probation, police, voluntary and faith organisations. Supported by professional staff, the optimum size for a Circle is 4-6 members; small enough to facilitate trust and communication and large enough to share responsibility for the support needs of the Core Member.

Volunteers are fully informed of the Core Member's past pattern of offending, and whilst helping them to settle into the community, aims also to assist them to recognise patterns of thought and behaviour that could lead to re-offending. Each Circle is unique, because it is individually designed around the needs of the Core Member. Its life extends for as long as there is a perceived need to support them and manage the risk they represent, although it is likely that the active involvement of Circle members will diminish over time.

Volunteers are thus central to Circles of Support and Accountability. They should be people of a mature outlook and will be required undergo a detailed application process, including a Criminal Records check. They then attend a training programme which includes information about the Criminal Justice System as it applies to sex offenders, the thought and behaviour patterns of offenders, relapse prevention, group functioning and support, and maintaining healthy boundaries. The aim is to equip volunteers to support the Core Member, recognise inappropriate behaviour and support one another.

During the early months the Circle meets weekly, and volunteers have at least one further contact during the week, either by phone or face-to-face. Contact is reduced over time, but each volunteer is expected to commit to the Circle for a minimum of one year. The Project provides support to each Circle, with staff attending on a regular basis, receiving weekly reports and being available to help in times of difficulty or crisis.

The Ministry of Justice is funding two projects to evaluate the effectiveness of “Circles” and their contribution to the risk management of sex offenders. As part of this project The Lucy Faithfull Foundation, an organisation that works to protect children from sexual abuse, trains and manages Circles across England and Wales. The other project operates regionally in Hampshire and Thames Valley.

The Ministry of Justice also funds Circles UK, an organisation set up to oversee and support the development of new Circles projects across the country. For information about other Circles projects contact Circles UK on 01189500068 or via email info@circles-uk.org.uk.