Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 339 | 11th April 2014

In this week's edition....

 

CLINKS VACANCY: join our team as head of policy and communications

We are seeking a dynamic and visionary professional to join the Clinks senior management team as Head of Policy and Communications. This new opportunity comes at a time when the rehabilitation of offenders is poised to go through a period of significant change. We are looking for someone with experience in a senior policy role in an organisation which is involved in turning high level policy objectives into organisational activity. You will need good knowledge of current public service reforms and the changing relationship between government and the voluntary sector. For more information, click here

CLINKS BRIEFING: relationship between financial issues and women's offending

This Clinks briefing examines the complex relationship between debt and financial issues and women’s offending. It focuses on case study examples submitted to Clinks by our members and evidence from our ongoing research into the current experience of projects providing community-based female offender services. The briefing can be accessed here

CLINKS PROJECT: Transforming Rehabilitation legal support update

Clinks is running a TR subcontracting workshop [30th May, Newcastle, free] to 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 in TR. The workshop forms part of our Legal Support Project which also includes a helpline and access to free legal advice. Video introductions to each module in our guide 'Subcontracting: A Guide to the Legal Implications of the ISPA' can now be found on our website, along with video footage from a recently delivered subcontracting workshop. All the project resources are available on our website here, and bookings for the Newcastle workshop are being taken here

CLINKS RESOURCE: receive monthly policy briefings

Clinks sends out a Policy Briefing to our members every month with important news reports relating to the voluntary sector and the Criminal Justice System, key research publications and interesting blogs. The policy landscape can change rapidly, making it difficult to keep abreast of everything, so to have this sent to your inbox every month, join Clinks today. To give you an example of the briefing, click here to download an early edition. To find out more about this briefing and the many other benefits of joining Clinks, click here

CLINKS PARTNER'S REQUEST: to help develop a new prison visit booking tool

Clinks' partners Action for Prisoners' Families (APF) have been approached by People for Research, a research company working with the MoJ who are currently designing an online prison visit booking tool. They would like to speak to people on the 14th April in Holborn, London with experience of booking visits. Luke Evans, Information Manager at APF, says: "We know from talking to prisoners’ families and reading prison inspectors’ reports that booking visits can be complicated, frustrating and hard for families. The Government is working to make this easier and is looking at using computers more. As part of this the researchers would like to run through a trial of a new online visits booking system that has been developed to gain feedback on how easy it is to use." Participants will receive a £40 Amazon voucher. To take part, email info@peopleforresearch.co.uk, or call Sarah Classick on 0117 9639 918

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: prime provider seeks partners for Transforming Rehabilitation

The Reducing Reoffending Partnership is a new partnership between Ingeus, CRI, and St Giles Trust. They are bidders in the MoJ's Transforming Rehabilitation programme, and are interested in working in the Staffordshire and West Midlands; Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire; and Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and Nottinghamshire CPAs. Sarah Plummer, Justice Development Manager at Ingeus, says: “We recognise that the quality of our services will be based on excellent relationships across all the communities in which we work. Our Partnership Development Form is an important step in this process, and we invite organisations to complete this form to register their interest in working with us, either as a stakeholder, service provider, or just to find out more.” For more information, click here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: update on strategic objectives for female offenders

In March 2013, the MoJ published its strategic objectives for female offenders and announced the formation of the Advisory Board for Female Offenders, now chaired by Simon Hughes MP. The strategic objectives intend to ensure: there are robust and effective sentencing options that will enable female offenders to be punished in the community where appropriate; community sentencing options address the specific needs of female offenders, where these are different from males; the women’s custodial estate is tailored to their needs; and the Transforming Rehabilitation reforms support better life management to reduce women’s reoffending. The MoJ have now published an update on the progress made on the delivery of the strategic objectives and detail what they aim to achieve in the year ahead. The document can be accessed here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: financial assessment tool for TR subcontractors

The 'TR Contract Cruncher', developed by Rocket Science and ACEVO with funding from the Cabinet Office, is designed for Tier 2 and 3 subcontractors in Transforming Rehabilitation to assess offers from Tier 1 bidders. The tool is designed to assess cashflow projections and risk; work out unit costs; and let you compare payment and performance offers alongside provisional client volumes. You can find out more and download a test version of the tool here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: mapping female offender services in Wales

The IOM Cymru Women's Pathfinder Project held a consultation event on 20th March at the Swalec Stadium in Cardiff for the voluntary sector and other non-statutory organisations. The day included an interactive scoping and mapping exercise of existing service provision for female offenders in Wales. They would now like to extend the opportunity to engage in this exercise to organisations who deliver services in Wales (women specific, offender specific or generic) who were not able to attend on the day. The final report will be made available to all contributors. The questionnaire can be accessed until 1st May, here (enter ‘women’ as the passcode, and the name of your organisation). For any further information please contact the Project Manager at wendy.hyett@wales.probation.gsi.gov.uk

FUNDING: European Social Fund seeks expressions of interest

The NOMS Co-Financing Organisation (CFO) is seeking prime providers for the European Social Fund 2014-2020 Operational Programme. The Programme aims to help offenders move towards mainstream provision or into employment by addressing their barriers to work through facilitating access to comprehensive support mechanisms appropriate to their individual circumstance and assessed need.  Up to 70% of programme commencements will take place in custody, with a focus on through the gate activity, with the remaining commencements taking place in the community. Expressions of interest are welcome from voluntary sector organisations (download forms here), and NOMS are running a consultation where organisations can feedback on the proposals, here

FUNDING: small grants to positively impact local communities

The People's Postcode Trust Small Grant Programme is now open to applications from voluntary sector organisaions, charities and non-profit organisations in the South of England (excluding Greater London), Scotland and Wales. Grants ranging from £500 to £20,000 (up to £5,000 in Wales) are available for projects that provide assistance in: prevention of poverty; reduction of distress and suffering; advancement of health; citizenship or community development; human rights conflict resolution or reconciliation; participation in sport. Funding is available for projects of up to 12 months (6 months in Wales) that positively impact their local community. Projects that are creative, far-reaching and will leave a long-term impact once completed stand the best chance of being successful. The deadline for applications is 23rd May. For further information click here

CLINKS MEMBER'S TRAINING: on changes to the disclosure of convictions

Unlock, in partnership with Clinks, are running a masterclass [23rd April, 1pm - 5pm, Manchester, £49] for small voluntary sector organisations that provide support to people with convictions on the changes to the disclosure of convictions. This is part of a series of masterclasses that are in direct response to the changes to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, which came into force on the 10th March 2014. It will cover the new legislation in detail, as well as looking at the Disclosure and Barring Service filtering process for cautions and convictions. For more information and bookings, click here

CLINKS MEMBER'S TRAINING: on restorative justice services

'Victims' Voices and Restorative Justice in the European Union Directive' is an IARS training programme [from 29th April, Darlington and Central London, £18] for professionals, victims and other users of the Criminal Justice System on the Victims' Directive due to be implemented by all member states by 16th November 2015. It aims to improve professional skills and knowledge on how victims are treated and interacted with, and provide the appropriate tools and best practice guidance to further develop cooperation among restorative justice services and national agencies. For more information, and bookings, click here

CLINKS PARTNER'S EVENT: introduction to multiple and complex needs

MEAM (Making Every Adult Matter) are holding two 'Introduction to MEAM' events [24th April, Crewe; 1st May, London; free] that will introduce the MEAM approach to those interested in hearing more about how it can develop effective coordinated and flexible services for "those who experience several problems at the same time such as mental ill health, homelessness, drug and alcohol misuse, offending and family breakdown, and have ineffective contact with services and are living chaotic lives". To book your place, click here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: protecting children from sexual harm

'Eradicating Child Sexual Abuse: operationalising a prevention framework' is a Lucy Faithfull Foundation event [15th July, Central London, from £99] that will provide delegates with the opportunity to explore how they can prevent child sexual abuse by using a prevention framework, and what this means for their work. Among other areas, the conference will explore: intervening with 'at risk' groups; the role of men and boys in preventing abuse; and empowering frontline practioners to work effectively with children and families affected by child sexual abuse. To reserve a place, click here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: how reading can improve mental health

‘Better with a Book: Exploring the Relationship between Literature and Mental Health’ is a The Reader event [15th May, London, £140] that will explore how their shared reading model uses literature to improve mental health, reduce social isolation and enhance quality of life. This conference offers an opportunity for commissioners, practitioners and professionals from all sectors to examine the impact of shared reading on individuals, communities and organisations. Lord David Ramsbotham, former HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, will speak at the event and discuss the effect of shared reading in secure mental health settings. For more information, click here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: addressing organised crime

'Pursue, Prevent, Protect and Prepare: Tackling Organised Crime' is a No Offence! conference [4th June, Manchester, from £110] that will enable delegates to “come together to debate, consider and engage, so we can build strong and effective partnerships to address organised crime and create safer communities with fewer victims”. Richard Rowley, Operations Director, says “Reforms to policing include removing targets and increasing accountability through police and crime commissioners, which will strengthen the response at local level. But what will this mean for organisations working within our communities, delivering services to those most affected by organised crime, including the victims?” More information and bookings here

NON-MEMBERS' EVENT

  • 'How Violent is Britain?' | 16th May, Liverpool, from £5 | Details

PUBLICATION: engaging young people leaving custody

Beyond Youth Custody have launched 'Engaging young people in resettlement', a practitioners guide reporting on their research into the issue of engaging young people in resettlement services. It considers the implications for work with young people leaving custody, and introduces a three step model to guide practitioners through the phases of engagement in a young person’s resettlement journey and tips and considerations useful for work carried out with young people. The guide can be downloaded here

CLINKS MEMBERS' VACANCIES

Vacancies this week include a Senior Data Analyst with CRI [East Sussex], a Talent Match Coordinator [East London] and a Housing Caseworker [HMP Wandsworth] with St Giles Trust, a Senior Training Co-ordinator with Back on Track [Manchester], a Project Administrator with Langley House Trust [Bedford], an Inspire Senior Practitioner at Brighton Women’s Centre [Brighton], 2 x Support Officers with Sova [Reading and North London], a Night Security Officer with Langley House Trust [Coventry], a Youth Service Coordinator with Circles South East [Didcot], a Policy and Parliamentary Officer with Inquest [North London], a Team Administrator with The Nelson Trust [Stroud], a Weekend Family Services Worker with Pact [HMP Nottingham] and a Casework Support Assistant with One25 [Bristol]. For further information about these vacancies and many more click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip of the week I: Make the most of the Easter break with this selection of days out. "Go dolphin spotting, join a ghost hunt, or hop aboard a miniature railway". Details
  • Tip of the week II: Stay at a 17th-century Yorkshire 'Bronte Country' inn for £89. This deal includes bucks fizz breakfast and dinner for two. Details
  • Tip of the week III: 2 nights at this 5 star hotel in Croatia is now only £145 per room for bookings in May and June. Breakfast is included along with a voucher for more meals or spa treatments. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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

 

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Joe Gardham and Ben Watson

Clinks

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