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” has been shown at:

Circles UK National Conference 2011 "Inside and Outside Circles; public protection on the edge and community involvement in reducing sexual reoffending."
Priory Rooms, Central Birmingham - 14th October 2011

The Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers (ATSA) Annual Conference, Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 2nd-5th November 2011

NOTA Northern Ireland Conference "Sexual Violence: Facilitating Reintegration and Preventing Recidivism", NSPCC
Jennymount Business Park, North Derby Street, Belfast, BT15 3HN
9thNovember 2011

Yorkshire and Humberside Circles of Support and Accountability Conference, "Risks and Rehabilitation: The Way Forward. New developments in work with people convicted of sexual offences." Sheffield 10th January 2012

Viewed by such examples:
Professor Tony Ward Professor of Psychology at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, creator of the Good Lives Model
Lord Blair of Boughton, Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis
Dr Ruth E Mann, National Offender Management Service, England & Wales
Claire Wiggins, head of the sexual and violent offender section of the National Offender Management Service's (NOMS) public protection and mental health group
Professor Hazel Kemshall
Research Professor, Community and Criminal Justice
Dr Kieran McCartan Programme Leader in Criminology UWE
Joan Scott Joan Scott, NOMS Public Protection Mental Health Group
Dr Andrew Bates – Director of the Thames Valley Project, Researcher with Offenders
Donald Findlater, Director of Research and Development Lucy Faithfull Foundation

A friend to Circles" has also been included in a documentary with involvement from Esther Rantzen, Lord Ian Blair, Judge John Samuels and Lynn Saunders, Governor of HMP Whatton. 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 and nationally and internationally to public sector parties.