Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 343 | 16th May 2014

In this week's edition....

CLINKS EVENT: issues for the criminal justice voluntary sector

'Joined up justice' is a Clinks conference [1st July, London, from £50] that will ask: How does the voluntary sector join up our justice system and transform resettlement and rehabilitation? This conference will ask what the role of the voluntary sector is, including its role in delivering to diverse client groups, supporting communities, and providing flexible and quality services. It will consider the relationships with new probation providers, changes to our prison system, and the cross-over between other departments. This event will be chaired by Baroness Lola Young, alongside senior keynote speakers from the Government, charitable funders, and voluntary sector leaders. Find out more and book your place here

CLINKS WORKSHOP: legal support

Our ‘Legal Support’ workshop [30th June, Newcastle, free] 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 in TR. We will consider the implications of the contract, including risk and insurance, governance structures, TUPE and Pensions, HR implications, data protection etc followed by a Q & A. The workshop has been organised in partnership with VONNE, and is aimed at voluntary organisations in the North East that wish to be part of Transforming Rehabilitation subcontracting arrangements. Find out more and book your place 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 MEMBER'S NEWS: new CEO for Restorative Justice Council

Jon Collins has begun his role as the Chief Executive Officer of the Restorative Justice Council (RJC). Commenting on his appointment Jon said: “I am delighted to be joining the RJC at such an exciting and important time. The RJC can really make a difference, not just in the criminal justice sector, but in schools, children’s services, communities and the numerous settings in which restorative practice is already proving so effective." Jon has been deputy director of the Police Foundation since 2011 and director of Criminal Justice Alliance prior to that. Find out more about RJC here

FUNDING: vouchers to spend on expert consultancy

The Creative England Vouchers for Business Strategy and Innovation scheme aims to help creative businesses based in Bath, Bristol, Devon, Dorset, Wiltshire, Somerset and Gloucestershire get the support they need to grow, by providing vouchers to subsidise the cost of employing an expert to provide advice or support to the company. Find out more here

FUNDING: for young entrepreneurs in the Midlands

Baldwins Kick Start is an annual award programme for young entrepreneurs in the Midlands who have a good idea and would like to start their own business. Baldwins hopes to reach those young people who have talent, drive, ambition and ideas but who lack access to the necessary funding and business support needed to start up in enterprise. The winner of the 2014 award will be given a grant of £10,000 coupled with £10,000 worth of mentoring and accountancy advice. Two runners-up will be presented with £5,000 worth advice and mentoring fees over a period of one year. The scheme is open to Midlands-based young people aged between 18 and 25 who either have an idea and a business plan but are yet to start trading, or a newly founded start-up businesses where trading commenced on or after 1st January 2014. The deadline for applications is 31st August. Find out more here

FUNDING: helping the disadvantaged move towards employment

Grants of up to £10,000 are available for projects in the East Midlands that help unemployed or economically inactive people who are at a particular disadvantage in the labour market move towards employment. Activities should be designed by, or in collaboration with, the target group. Small not-for-profit groups in the East Midlands are eligible to apply. Organisations should be based in and run by people from the community they support and helping those living in areas of greatest deprivation and with the highest levels of unemployment. The deadline for applications is 6th June. Find out more here

FUNDING: for organisations in North Norfolk

Charities, voluntary and community groups, parish and town councils, community interest companies and social enterprises in North Norfolk are being invited to apply for grants between £10,000 and £25,000 for a variety of costs including venue hire, equipment, staff costs, promotional costs, volunteer costs, running costs for existing services and training. The themes considered are: older people; rural isolation; and employment and life skills. Proposals are accepted at any time. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: working with sex offenders

'Sex Offenders in Society and Prison' is an Association of Members of Independent Monitoring Boards (AMIMB) workshop [27th May, London, from £40]. The day will include sessions on societal context; risk assessments and treatments; life after prison, role of families; and the Independent Monitoring Board's role in monitoring sex offenders. To book your place email membership@amimb.org.uk

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: social vaccinations

'Addressing the needs of individuals in a complex society' is a Pictora event [29th May, Hemel Hempstead, free] to explore how the concept and tools of the Social Vaccinations project could help your clients. The programme will include an introduction and overview of social vaccinations, why they're needed across Europe, and good practice examples from partner countries. Find out more here

NON-MEMBER'S EVENTS & TRAINING

  • 'The Privatisation and Marketisation of Criminal Justice' | 4th June, Newport, from £80 | Details
  • 'Improving ethnic minority confidence in the police complaints system' | 21st May, Leeds, free | Details

PUBLICATION: trust and foundation giving trends

The Association of Charitable Foundations (ACF) has published the first in a series of research briefings that will reveal key data about the vast majority of trust and foundation giving in the UK. Although there are roughly 10,000 foundations in the UK, the top 300 account for 90% of the value of all their giving. Richard Jenkins, policy adviser at ACF, said: "Over the coming years this programme of research will track key indicators of the health of the foundation sector: its giving, its income and the value of its assets. This vital research will help us see the patterns of change in order for philanthropists, practitioners and policymakers to make better decisions based on an understanding of the factors that drive the sector." Download it here

PUBLICATION: Howard League report on the failings of privatisation

Howard League for Penal Reform has published 'Corporate Crime? A dossier on the failure of privatisation in the criminal justice system', a report that says G4S and Serco should be barred from bidding for government business until a major fraud investigation into their practices has been completed. Frances Crook, Chief Executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: “We are asking the Metropolitan Police and City of London Police to use their resources and expertise to help the Serious Fraud Office with its complex investigation into possible widespread criminality by companies profiting from public money when they deliver justice services." Find out more here

PUBLICATION: a radical new approach to offender rehabilitation

'The Good Prison: Conscience, crime and punishment' is a new book by Lemos&Crane that reflects extensive research in prisons and criminal justice and sets out an agenda for a radical change in the philosophy and practice of criminal justice and prison management. Instead of the predictable emphasis on work and skills, the book focuses on mindfulness, creativity, family, empathy and well-being as the most reliable paths to desisting permanently from crime. He proposes a radical ‘conscience compact’ which would give ex-offenders cash incentives after they leave prison to do the right thing in their lives and stay away from crime. Buy it (from £3.88) here

PUBLICATION: mental health interventions for women in the CJS

'Mental Health Provision in Women’s Community Services' is a report from the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy, based on a survey of 48 women’s centres that provide community based support to women in the Criminal Justice System. The report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current provision of mental health interventions within women’s community services in order to identify any areas for development in services, and to increase awareness of the needs of women who access these services. Download it here

RESOURCE: supporting the children and families of offenders

The Barnardo's project i-HOP have produced a briefing for health care professionals which highlights how they can support the children and families of offenders. It contains a poster and specific examples of existing practice and is available to download for free here

OPPORTUNITY: Last call for proposals for the Griffins Fellowship Programmes

The Griffins Fellowship Research Programmes are open to all criminal justice practitioners with an interest in the treatment of women and girls in the Criminal Justice System. The deadline for applications to the fellowship programmes for 2014 is Friday 23rd May. Find out more here

CONSULTATION: competence review of police and criminal justice

Ministry of Justice and Home Office have launched a Call for Evidence for the EU Balance of Competences review of police and criminal justice. The review will provide an analysis of what the UK’s membership of the EU means for the UK national interest in policing and criminal justice. It aims to deepen public and parliamentary understanding of the nature of our EU membership and provide a constructive and serious contribution to the national and wider European debate about modernising, reforming and improving the EU. It will not produce specific recommendations or look at alternative models for Britain’s overall relationship with the EU. The consultation closes on 24th July. Take part here

CONSULTATION: on self-inflicted deaths in custody

The Harris Review into self-inflicted deaths in National Offender Management Service custody of 18-24 year olds has issued a call for submissions. Lord Toby Harris, Chair of the Independent Advisory Panel on Deaths in Custody (IAP), will lead this review and will be supported by IAP members. The purpose of the review is to make recommendations to reduce the risk of future self-inflicted deaths in custody and will focus, but not exclusively, on vulnerability, information sharing, safety, staff prisoner relationships, family contact, and staff training. Find out more and get involved here

CAMPAIGN: keep volunteering voluntary

Over 250 charities have signed up to a campaign against compulsory volunteering. "As charities and voluntary organisations we know the value of volunteering. Volunteering means people independently choosing to give their time freely to help others and make the world a better place. Workfare schemes force unemployed people to carry out unpaid work or face benefit sanctions that can cause hardship and destitution. We believe in keeping volunteering voluntary and will not participate in government workfare schemes." Find out more and support the campaign here

CLINKS MEMBERS' VACANCIES

Member vacancies this week include: a Project Management Officer with Prisoners Education Trust [London], a Cook with Changing Lives [Chester Le Street], 3 x Housing Support Workers [Durham, Doncaster and York] with Foundation, a Trustee with Albatross Arts Project [Birmingham], a Substance Misuse Programme Facilitator  at CRI [HMP Belmarsh], 2 x Resettlement Support Workers with Community Resettlement Support Project [HMP Bedford], a number of Key Workers [various locations] and a Mentoring & Advocacy Service Manager [Flexible] with Together Women, a One to One Volunteer Supporter, a Restorative Justice Facilitator and a Project Officer with Belong London [Central London and London prisons] and a Lead Project Mechanic with Life Cycle UK [HMP Bristol].  For more information about these vacancies and many more click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip of the week I: National Express has reduced coach fares to as low as £2 each way for travel before 29th July. Details
  • Tip of the week II: Free loft and cavity insulation for everyone and anyone. Details
  • Tip of the week III: There's over 70 free festivals across the country this summer. There's a tool to find them here

EXTRA INFORMATION

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Joe Gardham

Clinks

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