Creating a community of belonging and safety for men under probation supervision

Interventions Alliance is proud to announce that Ozanam House, our Independent Approved Premises for men in Newcastle, has maintained the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Enabling Environment accreditation. This recognises Ozanam House’s commitment to creating a positive, respectful, and empowering community where healthy relationships and personal development are central to rehabilitation.

The Enabling Environment award is a rigorous and values-based standard. It is awarded to places that foster psychological and social wellbeing across 10 standards.

A Place to Heal and Rebuild

Ozanam House is a trauma-informed home for up to 25 men under probation supervision. It provides specialist, trauma-informed support to reduce reoffending, manage risk and promote reintegration. Residents engage in structured activities and therapies that build their self-esteem, support reconnection with family, and lay the foundation for secure housing, employment, and independence.

Exemplary standards

Assessors from the Royal College of Psychiatrists Enabling Environment team highlighted exemplary standards across multiple areas.

• Belonging – new residents are welcomed warmly with a strong induction. The team supports everyone to build good relationships.
• Involvement – residents take a variety of roles and responsibilities to support the environment.
• Leadership and Openness – the management team was praised for its experience and approachability.
• Communication and Empowerment – residents help to shape their environment. Everyone is supported to communicate in ways that enable them to be listened to and heard.

Making a difference

A resident provided feedback about how the programmes at Ozanam House had helped break his cycle of hopelessness and provided him with the foundations for a better future.

“I got out only 8 weeks ago and I was homeless, only had the clothes I was stood in. No phone even, wasn’t on any benefits or anything but because I had [Ozanam House] to go to that gave me hope. I’d been released homeless twice before this year with just a phone number to call to try and get somewhere to stay so as you can imagine I was totally dejected and had no hope so I purposely didn’t go to probation so I could just go back to jail.

 

“I had hope this time. Working with yourself I completed probation without a hitch passed every drug test (didn’t get so much as a warning) and things have just progressed from there. I have all my benefits sorted, more clothes and trainers than I can wear, clean from drugs and have a flat secured. And I know for a fact that if I didn’t have the help from you, I would have purposely got myself locked back up and it would have become a vicious circle. I will be eternally grateful and wish you all the happiness and success in the future.”

 

Interventions Alliance has been managing Ozanam House since March 2025. The RCP decision to continue the Enabling Environment Accreditation is part of a 24-month interim review of services at the approved premises.

Interventions Alliance’s Executive Director for Operations, Ellie MacCarter, said:

“Maintaining this accreditation is significant, particularly given the amount of change that has been underway at Ozanam House this year. The challenges of running a centre like Ozanam House should not be underestimated. The men we support have often experienced multiple layers of trauma and come from chaotic backgrounds. They are vulnerable and at times present risks to themselves and others. What we recognise and value is the ongoing dedication of staff who, despite the challenges of working in these kinds of environments, have remained fully committed to deliver outstanding programmes at Ozanam.

 

“This recognition is a testament to every single colleague at Ozanam, doing amazing work every day to support the men in our care and by extension, help make communities across the region safer and stronger.”