Recommendation 171

We heard, however, that “there is a mismatch between referrals and what is being commissioned”. 314 Justin Russell told us that HMPPS “underestimated the potential demand for things like women’s services and accommodation” whereas “there have not been enough referrals for well-being services”. Carrie Peters, whose company is commissioned to deliver all types of services except women’s services (Personal Wellbeing Services; Finance, Benefits, and Debt; Dependency and Recovery; Education, Training and Employment Services; and Accommodation Services), told us that “accommodation is in the greatest demand”, whereas “there is capacity in some of the other services”. 315 On the other hand, Niki Scordi told us that, for her women’s centre, “referrals are often much higher than we were expecting—25% to 75% more”. She explained that they “sometimes have waiting lists for just engaging with a dedicated key worker”. 316 She added that there is not “sufficient funding for accommodation or mental health”. 317