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International Collaboration: Exploring Extern's Floating Support Services
A delegation of Icelandic social workers and prison officers recently embarked on a learning journey to explore Extern's Floating Support Services in Belfast. This visit, part of a continuous professional development (CPD) program, aimed to deepen understanding of how community and voluntary sector partnerships contribute to the rehabilitation and support of offenders post-release, a concept relatively underdeveloped in Iceland due to its geographic constraints.
The partnership between Icelandic professionals and Extern was facilitated through the collaborative efforts of the Public Protection Arrangements NI (PPANI) Coordinator and Prof. Kieran McCartan from the University of West England (UWE). Prof. McCartan's work with Icelandic colleagues sparked the idea of a practice visit to Northern Ireland, recognising Extern's pivotal role in supporting offenders within the community.
During their visit, the Icelandic group expressed interest in various aspects of Extern's Floating Support Services, including the service overview, client referral process, assessment procedures, collaboration with other professionals, interventions, challenges, and funding mechanisms.
This exploration was particularly valuable considering the absence of similar support systems in Iceland. The anticipated impact of this visit is significant. Icelandic professionals hope to leverage their newfound knowledge of Floating Support to enhance resettlement efforts and deter further offending among individuals managed under the Icelandic criminal justice system.
Challenges identified by Icelandic social workers and prison officers, such as the absence of community partnerships and accommodation support, underscored the unique approach of Extern's Floating Support Services. Extern's model, characterised by partnership and collaboration with statutory agencies within PPANI, offers tailored support that addresses diverse challenges faced by offenders, including addiction and mental health issues.
This collaboration exemplifies the importance of international knowledge exchange in the field of social work and prison services. It not only provides valuable CPD opportunities but also enriches practice by exploring alternative service delivery models and the role of the voluntary sector in community support.
Looking ahead, the visit holds promise for ongoing collaboration between Icelandic professionals and Extern. Plans include information exchanges between Icelandic and NI colleagues, potentially leading to collaborative articles reflecting on learnings from this visit.
Ultimately, the insights gained from Extern's Floating Support Services are expected to catalyse developments in Icelandic social work and prison systems, leading to improved support services for offenders post-release. This exchange underscores the transformative potential of international collaboration in advancing social services and prison support for the benefit of service users and communities alike.