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UKRI FLF Project Statement: Policy for Supporting Staff and Community Members in Cases of Criminalisation

At Imagining Possible Futures, we aim to foster an inclusive, supportive, and safe environment for everyone, including criminalised people. We believe in inclusion, personal growth, and second chances, along with safety, accountability, and the wellbeing of all community members.

We recognise that people’s lives and circumstances can be complex, and we are committed to responding thoughtfully if any situation arises that may affect a person’s involvement in our work. In the unlikely event that a team member or collaborator is criminally charged or convicted during our work together, our aim is to respond with fairness, care, and accountability, focusing on support and clear, negotiated boundaries rather than blanket exclusions.

Process for responding to a criminal charge or conviction during collaboration:

Immediate person-centred needs assessment: A prompt assessment will be conducted by the Principal Investigator (or Co-investigator in the event the PI is affected), to evaluate the potential impact on the person, team and the wider stakeholders.
Boundary-setting: Based on the assessment, roles and responsibilities may be adjusted to ensure safety and appropriateness for all involved.
Support and guidance: Offered as appropriate, which may include referrals to specialist or advisory services.
Transparent communication: Collaborators (e.g., team members, advisors, people working in projects) who are affected by any limitations will be fully informed of the reasons behind them, ensuring fairness and respect. Details will remain confidential within the UKRI project team and will only be shared externally if there is a risk of serious harm[1] or if the collaborator is engaged in regulated activities requiring disclosure.

[1] Defined as an event which is life threatening and/or traumatic and from which recovery, whether physical or psychological, can be expected to be difficult or impossible (MOJ, 2020).