Abstract

"Circles of Support and Accountability Animation (COSA Animation)” Northumbrian project started in 2011. It is funded by the Northern Rock Foundation, delivered by the University of Sunderland and Barnardos Orchard Mosaic. It allowed Animation to be reviewed in its effectiveness in protecting and safeguarding children through the use of preventative creative processes whilst working with high risk sex offenders.
The integration of the Good Lives Model (GLM, Ward, T, 2002) within the structure of the Animation Therapeutic model; The Good Heart Model (GHM, Hani, M, 2012) resulted in the practical outcome of a personal film created by the core member (Sex offender). The GLM advocates that the supervision of sexual offenders must observe the well-being of core members and is a strength based approach. It is focused on identifying the interests, capabilities and objectives of core members and allows practitioners to develop structures that aid in core members attaining outcomes that are individually meaningful, expressive and significant to them.
‘A Friend to Circles’ a three minute animated film was directed and created by the core member as an outcome of the process of such an integration of models. The nature of this film followed and assessed the effectiveness of a developed research model from previous work using Animation in a therapeutic and applied nature whilst working within a new crime prevention area. The film and preproduction process represented the core members' life experiences, identified the projects effectiveness and provided a platform for the core member to identify their individuality and risks whilst providing censorship for the individual. It reflected the GLM and delivered an expressive and significant outcome, meaningful throughout to the core member.
“A friend to Circles" was included in a documentary produced by Redpath Productions, featuring Esther Rantzen, Lord Ian Blair, Judge John Samuels and Lynn Saunders, Governor of HMP Whatton.
It was premiered at the Circles UK National Conference 2012. Attendees included Simon Fanshawe OBE, and Ruth Mann, a highly respected researcher, and senior manager with the National Offender Management Service. The DVD has been distributed to all Circle organisations across the UK as a learning and recruitment tool, staffing count of 660.