Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 340 | 25th April 2014

In this week's edition....

CLINKS PUBLICATION: case studies of social enterprises reducing reoffending through employment

We've published a series of case studies showing how some of our members are offering ex-offenders employment, training and work experience that can lead to employment in the mainstream labour market; a proven factor in reducing reoffending. Both new and existing social enterprises are making interventions that are assisting offenders and ex-offenders to become more employable, to gain work experience and in some cases, to enter permanent employment. In the process they are addressing other associated issues experienced by offenders, including homelessness, addictions, debts and family problems, supporting people on their individual journeys to desistance from crime. Find out more here

CLINKS PUBLICATION: the criminal justice voluntary sector in the North East

In August 2013 Clinks and VONNE formed a partnership to better support the voluntary sector working in criminal justice and community safety across the North East. As one of our first actions, we undertook a mapping exercise to ascertain what services the voluntary sector is providing, and what support they need to thrive. What we uncovered was a dynamic, wide ranging and vibrant voluntary sector that is delivering important services across a number of areas which we know support desistance from crime. Download the report here

CLINKS REMINDER: TR Helpline still open

The Transforming Rehabilitation Helpline is still running for organisations seeking free legal support and advice as they consider engaging in TR. Some common issues arising so far include: contacting Tiers 1s; developing consortia for bidding; ways of working in partnership; and issues to consider when negotiating with contractors. Some organisations have already been referred for free legal advice. If you need help or advice around subcontracting under the Transforming Rehabilitation programme then you can call the Helpline on 020 3637 0155 from 10am – 2pm Monday to Friday, or email TRHelpline@clinks.org

CLINKS RESOURCES: commissioning and contracting

If you’ll be bidding for contracts in the near future, remember that Clinks have produced a great range of resources to help your organisation through the commissioning process. Make yourself known to commissioners and potential partners, and ensure that you’re fully equipped to enter into contracts with our accessible and informative toolkits, guides, reports and case studies. Click here to access the full range of resources. We also have a variety of legal support resources for those considering being part of the Transforming Rehabilitation programme.

CLINKS REQUEST: office space in London needed!

We're on the move! We are looking for office space in Central London from August 2014. Our preferred locations are Kings Cross, St Paul's, Farringdon, Holborn or Old Street but we would consider anywhere central or with good transport links. We're looking for about 1500 square feet [or 16 desk spaces], kitchen facilities, and access to a large meeting room. If you have space, or know of anyone who might have, please get in touch with jean.coates@clinks.org

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: UN inquiry into violence against women and girls

Rashida Manjoo, the UN special rapporteur on violence against women, has been touring the country during a two-week inquiry organised by the Home Office. In her preliminary report, Manjoo said the number of women detained in prisons and immigration centres in the UK was rising, with a significant over-representation of black and minority ethnic women. She also drew attention to the disproportionate impact of funding cuts on the provision of services to women and girls at risk of violence, and spoke recently about her unsuccessful attempt to visit Yarl's Wood Immigration Detention Centre. Read the Guardian's coverage here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: inspection of probation's work with violent offenders

HM Inspectorate of Probation have published 'Inspection of Adult Offending Work: An aggregate report on the first six inspections: a focus on violent offending'. They found that work to deliver the sentence of the court was good generally, with appropriate levels of contact and enforcement action taken when the individual failed to comply. This was let down, however, by the lack of attention to tackling alcohol misuse in all cases where this was needed – a particularly important area in this inspection, given the known links with violent behaviour. The report closes with a number of recommendations for the National Probation Service and the Community Rehabilitation Companies. Download it here

FUNDING: for advice services in Wales

The Welsh Government's 'Front-line Advice Services Grant' scheme offers funding to independent, not-for-profit advice providers to help them to continue providing advice services to people in Wales. Eligible advice services will be on issues relating to: welfare benefits; debt and/or financial capability; housing; or discrimination. The deadline for submissions is 13th June 2014. Find out more here

FUNDING: for community organisations and enterprises

The Santander Social Enterprise Development Awards aim to recognise and support social enterprises and community interest companies (CRCs) in the UK that are working to grow their business and improve their local community. The Growth Award offers a prize of up to £10,000 to support UK registered charities and community groups looking to increase trading; whilst the Catalyst Award offers a prize of £5,000 to social enterprises, CICs and limited companies with an asset lock and co-operatives that are looking to grow their business. Find out more and apply here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: radical compassion versus violent extremism

'Can radical compassion win the war against violent extremism?' is an event by The Forgiveness Project [28th April, London, £11]. Sharing their own personal journeys of moving away from extremism, Tony McAleer, a former white supremacist and former organiser of the White Aryan Resistance in Canada will speak alongside Hadiya Masieh, a former female Islamic extremist who was recruited by Hizb ut-Tahrir radicals, until the 7/7 bombings changed her perspective. For bookings and more information, click here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: what makes a good prison?

'Innovative approaches to rehabilitation and reducing reoffending' is a Lemos and Crane event [15th May, London, £294] that aims to bring together leading experts and experienced front-line practitioners to consider the ways people can be helped to re-engage with society, family and community after their earlier offending and explore what is needed to make a 'good prison'. Find out more and book your place here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: 2014 Perrie Lectures

The Perrie Lectures 2014 [13th June, Newbold Revel, £30 voluntary sector] will be on the subject 'Making Sense of Life Sentences'. The speakers will be Sir Alan Beith, Chair of the Justice Select Committee; Phil Copple, NOMS; Nicky Padfield, Cambridge University; and Lucy Gampell, member of the Parole Board and Clinks trustee. Find out more and book here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: art by offenders exhibition

Koestler Trust are presenting 'Snail Porridge', an exhibition of art by offenders [9th May - 15th June, Manchester] that will offer visitors the opportunity to see an eclectic mix of artwork by artists working outside the ‘art world’ or conventional ‘gallery system’ and to reflect on the work of the Koestler Trust itself. The exhibition invites people to consider the values and ethics of promoting artistic achievement in the criminal justice and secure sectors, as well as encouraging creativity and the acquisition of new skills as a means to rehabilitation. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: working with the families of sex offenders

Pact are holding a reflective workshop on working with families who are dealing with the imprisonment of a family member for a sexual offence [1st May, Swansea and 7th May, Wrexham]. For more information email joanne.mulcahy@prisonadvice.org.uk

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: ex-service personnel in the CJS

'Broken Soldiers' is the No Offence! summer conference [9th July, HMP & YOI Doncaster, from £110] that will focus on the concerns about the number of ex-service personnel in the Criminal Justice System. HM Inspectorate of Prisons have recently called for NOMS to develop a national strategy to ensure ex-service personnel in prison are identified, their needs assessed and effective support provided, both in custody and on release, to help them resettle in the community and reduce the risk of reoffending. This conference aims to examine and discuss the need for a coordinated approach with a view to pooling resources, share good practice, avoid duplication and provide a coherent and workable solution to meet the needs of ex-service personnel. For more information and bookings, click here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: helping the marginalised realise their potential

'Where Does Talent Come From?' is a Rideout conference [23rd July, Birmingham, from £120] that will explore: new thinking to help those at the margins of society realise their abilities; how educational practice informs or hinders the potential of young people; and the issue of balancing social justice with reward for talent. The event will bring together some of the best minds on the subject - from the arts, economics, psychology and education. Confirmed speakers include Germaine Greer, Tim Harford and Laura Caulfield. They'll be giving presentations but also taking challenges and questions from delegates. For more information and bookings, click here

NON-MEMBERS' EVENTS AND TRAINING

  • 'Women in the Criminal Justice System: Victims or Perpetrators?' | 8th May, Sheffield, £21.85 | Details
  • 'Supporting ex-offenders into work' | 6th May, Manchester | Email for details
  • 'City & Guilds first national offender learning event – Educating into Employment' | 17th June, London, free | Email for details

PUBLICATION: innovative approaches to reducing women's offending

Prison Reform Trust have published 'Brighter Futures', a briefing that profiles innovative approaches to reducing women’s offending and calls for the development of coordinated services that bring together police, health, women’s services and local authorities to help women turn their lives around. The report builds on existing public support for alternative approaches to addressing offending by women. An ICM poll showed that 80% of 1,000 adults surveyed strongly agreed that local women’s centres, where women address the root causes of their crime and do compulsory work in the community, should be available. Another ICM poll found that 73% thought that mothers of young children should not be sent to prison for non-violent crime. Download it here

PUBLICATION: young people's views on the Criminal Justice System

Howard League's U R Boss project includes young people blogging on the issues that affect them. Recent posts include ‘Secure college? – Why Don’t They Just Do That in the Community?’, 'Prison Isn’t a Place for Kids’, ‘The Right to Read: Books for Prisoners’ and 'Being back here, it’s not helping at all’.

PUBLICATION: research about resettlement of young offenders

Beyond Youth Custody has published an update to their literature review, intended to outline the latest available lessons from research about resettlement of young offenders. The review: highlights that the number of children and young adults in custody has continued to fall and the implications for resettlement services; outlines some of the proposed changes to the secure estate including the provisions of the Offender Rehabilitation Bill and how they will affect young people in different ways; identifies that while there is an increasing understanding of the general principles that underlie effective resettlement work, there is less concrete evidence of the impact of particular interventions, especially where these are delivered by non-statutory partners. Download it here

PUBLICATION: a plan for effective mentoring services

Think tank Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) has published the report 'Meaningful Mentoring', which attempts to portray various types and forms of mentoring now being used within the Criminal Justice System. CSJ believe it is possible to identify examples and themes which constitute best practice, and claim that "once these are understood and implemented in the new TR strategy, . . . the present free-for-all could be replaced by a coherent plan for more effective mentoring in all the geographical areas administrated by the new Community Rehabilitation Companies." Download the report here

OPPORTUNITY: free acting classes for ex-offenders

Synergy Theatre Project will be offering a free ten week course in acting for ex-prisoners [Wednesdays starting 14th May, 11am-1.30pm, London]. Participants can learn the techniques used by professional actors and explore them in fun practical sessions. No previous experience is required, just a commitment and a willingness to give it a go. The deadline to apply is 2nd May. For more information email info@synergytheatre.co.uk or phone 020 3668 6730

CLINKS MEMBERS' VACANCIES

Member vacancies this week include: a Policy, Influence and Engagement Manager with MEAM/Drugscope [London], an Executive Director with Good Vibrations [London], an Office Manager and a Demonstration Project Officer with the Centre for Justice Innovation [London], a Support Worker and Group Facilitator with Soaps & Stories [London], a DART Worker with CRI [HMP Lewes], a Golden Key Programme Manager, Services Manager and Senior Service Coordinator with Second Step [Bristol], a Peer Mentor and a Hub Coordinator with Derventio Housing Trust [Ilkeston], a Centre Manager [Bradford] and Administrator [Leeds] with Together Women, a Training and Development Worker with Jigsaw Visitors Centre [HMP Leeds], a Women’s Outreach and Resettlement Worker with The Footprints Project [Bournemouth/Home-based], a Male Actor/Groupworker with the Albatross Arts Project [Birmingham]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, please click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

Tip of the week I: Get a year's 50% off entry to over 300 gardens, including Kew and Eden Project when you buy May's Gardener's World (£4). Details

Tip of the week II: Kids (up to 13yrs) can get a totally free meal at Debenhams Cafe or Restaurant worth £4.50 any day, anytime this weekend. There's no limit on the number of kids in the group and the adult doesn't have to buy anything.

Tip of the week III: Get a free Tempur Travel Pillow (worth £60) when you take a mattress challenge in-store. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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

 

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Joe Gardham

Clinks

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