Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 331 | 14th February 2014

In this week's edition....

CLINKS EVENTS: legal support and advice workshops

'Subcontracting - the legal implications for voluntary sector organisations' is a series of Clinks workshops [London, 28th February | Birmingham, 11th March | Exeter, 12th March | York, 13th March | Manchester, 14th March | Cardiff, 14th March and London, 21st March], delivered in partnership with Russell-Cooke Solicitors, that will provide an overview of the new Industry Standard Partnering Agreement (ISPA) – the contract that Tier 1’s (Primes) will be required to use when subcontracting with their partners under Transforming Rehabilitation. We will consider the implications of the contract, including risk and insurance, governance structures, TUPE and Pensions, HR implications and data protection. This will be followed by a Q and A. Find out more and book your place here

CLINKS BLOG: interim findings of a study into female offender services

As part of a Clinks study into the current experience of projects providing community based female offender services, an interim report has been published to highlight the key findings from interviews with women offender support projects in the South West of England and Wales. 'Run Ragged: the current experience of projects providing community based female offender services' highlights challenges and good practice during a time of policy change and austerity; and the impact that landscape is also having on service users. The final report will be published in May. The report author, Louise Clark, blogs about the report here

CLINKS RESOURCE: tools to measure change

'Using off the shelf tools to measure change' is a new document, produced as part of Clinks and NPC’s Improving your evidence project, that provides an overview of off-the-shelf measurement tools useful for voluntary sector organisations working with offenders and ex-offenders.  It is not designed to be a comprehensive review, but provides introductory guidance and signposts to other useful resources. Read it here

CLINKS EVENT: sharing good practice to improve offender education

The Arts Alliance is hosting two free events [6th March, London & 12th March, Manchester] to take forward the learning points from the Write to be Heard project and explore how arts organisations can work with prisons and education providers to improve offenders’ literacy and life skills. The aim of the events is to build the case for high quality arts interventions in prisons by using Write to be Heard as a model. Write to be Heard, an arts and education project run by the Arts Alliance, has worked with Clinks members Geese Theatre Company, Prison Radio Association and creative writers to deliver 28 creative writing workshops in prisons across the country. The workshops successfully targeted prisoners who were not confident writers, including those with little or no literacy. Participants at the events will have the opportunity to take part in taster sessions on creative writing and recording, as well as hearing from Manchester College and National Prison Radio. For more information and bookings, please click here

CLINKS RESOURCE: find services for people with convictions

The Directory of Offender Services now contains information on over 1000 organisations working with people with convictions throughout England and Wales. You can search the Directory by field of work, geographical region and more. So whether you’re looking for housing support in Wales or a family support service in the East Midlands, the Directory is a great place to start. If you’d like some flyers or posters to display in your offices or venue, please email luke.martin@clinks.org. To start searching click here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: prime provider locations announced

Blogger Russell Webster has published a map that divides interested primes up by the Contract Package Areas they might bid for. Clinks hasn't been able to get confirmation from the MoJ that this is accurate, but we'll keep you posted as and when we do. In the meantime, stay up to date with the latest developments on our dedicated Transforming Rehabilitation page here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: fact sheets to accompany new criminal justice Bill

The Criminal Justice and Courts Bill was introduced into the House of Commons on 5 February 2014, and MoJ have produced 15 fact sheets to accompany the bill. Download them here

VOLUNTARY SECTOR NEWS: latest on the Lobbying Bill

The Lobbying Bill has now been passed and many of you would have followed the discussion about this controversial Bill. You can read more about the next steps on the Commission on Civil Society and Democratic Engagement's page

COMMISSIONING: offenders' families helpline

NOMS have published details of a new tender for the provision of a national offenders' families helpline service. The tender has a value of up to £400,000 and NOMS anticipate that the contract will start on 1st August and last for up to four years. The closing date for submissions of interest is 13th March, find out more here

COMMISSIONING: mentoring support for young people in Lincolnshire

Lincolnshire County Council are seeking a provider to deliver an intensive mentoring support service to young people subject to intervention by the Youth Offending Service (YOS) aged 8-18 years. This will include young people open to the YOS on both a statutory and voluntary basis who will have a wide range of needs. The contract value is up to £100,000 and will run for two years from March. The deadline for applications is 28th February here

FUNDING: NOMS grants for the sector

Further to the notice we put out in last week's Light Lunch, NOMS have provided detail of the forthcoming briefing events [21st February, Manchester & 28th February, London] for their VCSE Grants Programme. The events will be focused on providing information on the background and overview of the Grants Programme for 2014/15, the application process, procurement process, gathering evidence and an update on the Transforming Rehabilitation Programme and wider MOJ policy developments. There are only 40 places per event, and places are issued on a first come, first served basis. Get full details here.

FUNDING: innovation and development of learning opportunities

The Edge Foundation's new £1m grant programme will support innovation and development within technical, practical and vocational learning. The fund will support projects that create best practice models that have the potential for being scaled up or are suitable for replication through dissemination across the sector. Applicants from the voluntary sector can apply for funding between £50,000 and £100,000. The deadline for applications is 7th March. Full details here

AWARDS: for previous Lottery money recipients

The National Lottery Awards are open to authorised representatives of projects that have received Lottery funding at any time since 1994. The winner in each category will receive a cash prize of £2,000, which can be put towards their project. Winners will be determined by a public vote and will appear at a BBC One Awards Ceremony. The deadline for entries is 12th March. Details here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: challenging the race and gang nexus

'Becoming the other: Challenging the race and gang nexus' is a Centre for Crime and Justice Studies seminar [3rd March, London, free] at which Patrick Williams, Senior Lecturer in Sociology at Manchester Metropolitan University, will discuss how the term 'gang' has been appropriated and misused by criminal justice agencies. Find out more and register here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: the role of families in offender mental health

'Mental Health and Offenders: the role of families' is an Action for Prisoners' Families event [3rd March, London, £75] that will explore the role families can play in supporting offenders affected by mental health issues. Family members can be important partners in effective treatment, appropriate provision and sentence planning for this vulnerable group of prisoners. Families can also be a useful tool in supporting rehabilitation and yet many feel ignored and marginalised. Book your place here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: key skills for TR

This is a final call to sign up for free workshops covering key skills for Tier 2 and 3 providers interested in the TR programme, including unit costs and impact measurement, TUPE & pensions, and negotiation skills. These events are run by ACEVO, NCVO and Candour Collaborations and will be held around the country for the rest of February. Sign up here

NON-MEMBERS' EVENTS & TRAINING

  • 'Self-harm and women offenders: The response of the Criminal Justice System' | 5th March, Bradford, free | Details
  • 'VCSE Skills and Information Workshops – Victims’ Services' | various dates and locations, free | Details

OFFENDER HEALTH: changing health damaging behaviour

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published guidance on behaviour change, which makes recommendations on individual-level interventions aimed at changing health-damaging behaviours among people aged 16 or over. It includes a range of approaches, covering behaviours including alcohol, diet, physical activity, sex and smoking. Find out more here

PUBLICATION: what does TR mean for women?

Clinks member Women in Prison have published a briefing that looks at the potential impact of TR on women. They cover leadership, marketisation, the lack of women-specific commissioning, post release supervision, through the gate, and payment by results. Download it here

PUBLICATION: good practice in engaging young male offenders

Salford Foundation’s ADAPT project supports young people (aged 15 – 25 years) who have served a custodial sentence across Salford, Trafford and parts of Manchester. The second interim external evaluation report shares the process and impact of ADAPT, including key lessons about engaging with, and sustaining positive impacts for young people. Download it here

OPPORTUNITY: researcher required

Clinks member Birth Companions are looking to commission a researcher or team of researchers to work in partnership with them and the Whittington Hospital in London to examine birth outcomes so as to provide a comparison between vulnerable women and other women birthing at the hospital. The data will include information such as duration of pregnancy, interventions required and initiation of breastfeeding. The total budget available for this work is £5,250, and the deadline for submitting proposals is 2nd March. Find out more here

OPPORTUNITY: for ex-offenders in Camden

QCCA (Queen's Crescent Community Association) is looking for six London Borough of Camden residents who are over 18 and have a criminal conviction(s) to train as volunteers. QCCA are offering six month placements for ex-offenders to learn on the job and acquire skills that will help to find future employment. Benefits for volunteers include a personal training package (worth up to £250); travel and food expenses; individual support to find employment; gym membership; and references. For more information email anita@qcca.org.uk

RESOURCE: new women's centre in Lambeth

The Beth Centre is a new women’s centre in Lambeth run by Clinks member Women in Prison in partnership with Eaves. It is a one-stop shop providing holistic support services for women. The Beth Centre provides support on a range of issues including employment, training and education, finance, benefits and debt and substance misuse. It also provides a prison link Through the Gate service, a peer-mentoring service, a parenting support service and specialist advice for women affected by gangs and women exiting prostitution. The centre is open to all women affected by the Criminal Justice System who have a local connection to Lambeth, and accepts referrals from statutory and voluntary organisations as well as individuals wishing to self-refer. The centre has drop-in sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays. To find out more, email referrals@bethcentre.org.uk

RESOURCE: anger management kit

As part of The British Association of Anger Management’s commitment to supporting change in the community they are offering a 'Keep your cool kit', consisting of anger management activities, as well as tips on handling anger appropriately and calming strategies for defusing difficult situations. Fill out a short form to download it here

MEMBERS VACANCIES

Only one new vacancy posted this week; a Service Manager for Women’s Services in Wales Cymru with Changing Lives [South Wales]. Still lots more vacancies online with closing dates this month. View this and others here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

Tip of the week I: The biggest women’s march in Europe against male violence in all its forms takes place again this year on 8th March. Million Women Rise is an annual march that campaigns for every woman’s right to live free from violence and free from the fear of violence. Find out more here

Tip of the week II: Kids between 6 and 14 can go into their nearest official Lego store on the first Thursday of every month between 4-6pm to take part in the Lego Mini Build. And they get to keep what they build for free! Details

Tip of the week III: An overnight break at a 4-star Cheshire retreat is £99 for two people, including a bottle of wine and an AA-Rosette dinner. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

Get involved Become a Member | Follow Clinks on Twitter | Join Mailing List

Contact Us www.clinks.org | info@clinks.org | 0207 248 3538

 

About Clinks Light Lunch

This edition of Light Lunch has been sent to the inbox of 10,095 people working (or with an interest) in the Criminal Justice System of England & Wales. Who are they?

To submit content, email joe.gardham@clinks.org before 5pm Wednesday

To unsubscribe, email joe.gardham@clinks.org

[Terms of Use]

 

Designed, composed and circulated every Friday by...

Joe Gardham

Clinks

Mob: 07969 727 129