Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 346 | 6th June 2014

In this week's edition....

CLINKS NEWS: new project on criminal justice volunteering

Justice Involving Volunteers in Europe (JIVE) is a new Clinks project looking at existing practices in the recruitment and training of volunteers within criminal justice, as well as examining their value and contribution across the sector. The project will develop a tool kit and best practice guide that can be adapted to suit different judicial systems and also undertake an evaluation of current practices in cross sector partnerships. Find out more about the project and download the first newsletter here

CLINKS REQUEST: Have you received great consultancy support?

Have you been impressed by the support you've received from a consultant recently? We want to ensure that Clinks members know where to turn to for consultancy support specific to their needs. If you know a great consultant with experience working in criminal justice, please email luke.martin@clinks.org

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: update on the new prison in North Wales

Prisons Minister Jeremy Wright has announced that Lend Lease have been chosen to build the new prison in Wrexham. There is still no information about the proposed population of the prison; Clinks Light Lunch will keep you updated as and when this information is announced. For the press release on the contract award to Lend Lease, click here

COMMISSIONING: upcoming contracts in London

The Mayor’s Office for Policing & Crime (MOPAC) will shortly tender for several pieces of work in London, including: Specialist domestic violence courts review (June 2014); Harmful practices (female genital mutilation, ‘honour’ based violence, forced marriage & faith based abuse) pilot (Summer/ Autumn 2014); and a pan-London specialist Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) service provision (late 2014). Organisations interested in bidding for these services, as well staying informed of future opportunities, should register on CompeteFor

FUNDING: implementing the Social Value Act

Applications are now open to take part in the second round of Social Enterprise UK’s trail blazing health and social value programme. The programme provides free bespoke support for areas to implement the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 though collaboration between the public sector and local voluntary sector organisations in the arena of health and care commissioning and delivery. The deadline for applications is 17th June, find out more and apply here

FUNDING: increasing employment in the North West

Not-for-profit organisations in the North West can apply now for grants of up to £13,500 to fund activities and courses supporting individuals aged 19 years or older who are out of work, helping them to access employment or further learning and training. The ESF Community Learning Grants programme is accepting applications for a range of activities that include: initial help with basic skills; taster work experience including voluntary work; training, advice and counselling; job search assistance; confidence building and personal development. Funded activities must be aimed at unemployed individuals aged 19 years and older from the hardest to reach communities. The deadline for applications is 7th July. Find out more and apply here

FUNDING: increasing employment in Yorkshire and the Humber

The latest ESF Community Grants programme in Yorkshire and the Humber is accepting applications from small charities and constituted not-for-profit community organisations based and working in Yorkshire and the Humber and with an annual turnover of £300,000 or less for the last three consecutive years. The aim of the fund is to help unemployed people progress toward employment through access to learning opportunities. Groups can apply for grants of between £2,000 and £13,000 for any revenue costs relating to the learning activity and capital expenditure up to £1,000. Funded activities must be aimed at unemployed individuals aged 19 years and older from the hardest to reach communities. The deadline for applications is 12th September. Organisations in North and West Yorkshire can apply here. Organisations in the Humber region can apply here

FUNDING: to support older people in Manchester

The Age Friendly Manchester Small Grants Fund is open to applications for up to £300 funding that will improve the lives of older people living in Manchester. This could include, for example, equipment, speakers and tutors for a session, or activities such as a health walk or social event or an opportunity to learn new skills. Priority will be given to projects and activities which tackle loneliness. The deadline for applications is 31st July. Find out more and apply here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: older people with criminal convictions

Restore Support Network's AGM [23rd June, Poole] will feature a speech by Ben Gunn. Restore is the national peer-led support group for older people with criminal convictions. Find out more and book your place by emailing info@restoresupportnetwork.org.uk

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: resilience in the CJS

'Resilience in the Criminal Justice System' is a Kazuri event [2nd July, London, from £62.15] that aims to offer practical training in skills, strategies and insights that help our resilience grow. This intensive workshop is designed for all those who come into contact with the Criminal Justice System, as practitioners in probation services, solicitors, advocates, barristers or front line counsellors. Find out more and book your place here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: for homelessness charities

'Under One Roof' is a Homeless Link event [8th & 9th July, Hinckley, from £175] that aims to draw together everything that homelessness charities need to know under one roof. Would you like to hear more about the impact of welfare reform, Supporting People cuts, tackling migrant homelessness, Housing First or how to improve a client's physical and mental health? The event will take a complete look at accommodation and support provision for homeless people and the challenge of sustaining effective provision in a challenging environment. Find out more and book your place here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: Circles of Support & Accountability in the South West

Circles South West is hosting a Summer Celebratory Event [10th July, Taunton] alongside its AGM. The event is an opportunity to learn more about Circles of Support & Accountability in the South West. Contributors include Juliet Lyon CBE, Director of the Prison Reform Trust; Lydia Guthrie, Co-Director of Change Point Learning; Dr Kieran McCartan, Associate Professor at the University of the West of England; Angela Cossins, National Probation Service Deputy Director for South West & Wales; and Angus Macpherson, Police & Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire & Swindon. To find out more email info.circlessw@gmail.com

NON-MEMBERS' EVENTS AND TRAINING

  • 'Safer Stronger Cornwall Consortium launch' | 12th June, Redruth | Details
  • 'Understanding the Criminal Justice Process' | 25th June, Salford, £199 | Details
  • 'Reducing Gun, Gang & Knife Crime....The New Paradigm' | 27th June, London, £199 | Details
  • 'Health in the Criminal Justice System' | 4th July, London, free | Details

PUBLICATION: protecting the children of prisoners

Barnardo’s new report ‘On the outside’ is calling on the Government to appoint a lead minister to have responsibility for children of prisoners. The minister would be responsible for making sure: children are identified from the point of sentencing or remand, with courts in England and Wales statutorily obliged to ask about the children of people sent to prison and ensuring that adequate child care arrangements are in place; and a National Action Plan for England is developed for cross-departmental implementation by the Ministry of Justice and the Department for Education. Download it here

PUBLICATION: effective liaison and diversion services

'Keys to Diversion' is a Centre for Mental Health report that identifies the essential ingredients of an effective liaison and diversion service, with examples from Lewisham, Manchester, Portsmouth, Plymouth, Bodmin and Truro. Written by Dr Graham Durcan and funded by LankellyChase Foundation, the report is available to download here

PUBLICATION: privatising the prison service

'Justice for Sale' is the first in a series of reports from the Trades Union Congress (TUC) that looks at the growth of outsourcing – where work once carried out by the public sector is now being handled by private companies. One in six of the UK’s prisons is now run privately; a higher figure than anywhere else in Europe, and there are now fewer staff, employed on lower wages. While supporters of private prisons say that they are both cheaper and more efficiently run, the report says that they tend to be more overcrowded and that this has been the real reason for any savings achieved. The report looks in detail at what has been happening in the three areas of offender management in England and Wales – prisons, probation and electronic tagging – in an attempt to assess the implications for the taxpayers, public safety and the rehabilitation of offenders. Download the report here

PUBLICATION: reforms to community sentencing

'Sentences in the Community' is a new Centre for Social Justice report that suggests a series of reforms to community sentencing that will restore credibility, protect the public and cut crime. Proposals include: introducing primary legislation to guarantee prolific and drug offenders receive a robust response to breaching sentences in the community; overhauling the drug rehabilitation requirement (DRR) to make abstinence its goal; enabling magistrates’ courts to review the sentences of prolific offenders; providing magistrates’ courts with the feedback they need to sentence effectively; and placing families at the heart of the rehabilitative process. Download the report here

OPPORTUNITY: contribute to a restorative justice book

IARS are seeking chapter submissions for a new collection, entitled 'A victim-led criminal justice system: Addressing the paradox', to be published in Autumn 2014. Chapters should be original work in the range of 8,000-10,000 words addressing restorative justice, victim rights and criminal justice practices. The deadline for abstract applications is 13th July. More information is available here

CONSULTATION: Sentencing Council theft offences guideline

The Sentencing Council is currently consulting on a new sentencing guideline for theft offences, which will include theft from a shop or stall, general theft, abstracting electricity, making off without payment, handling stolen goods and going equipped for theft or burglary. These guidelines are likely to disproportionately impact on specific groups, especially women. The deadline for responses is 26th June, 2014. Have your say here. Clinks is currently considering whether to write a response; please email nicola.drinkwater@clinks.org if you have any comments regarding the consultation.

CLINKS MEMBERS' VACANCIES

Member vacancies this week include: a 3 x Housing Support Assistants [Bradford, Leeds] and a Performance, Systems and Quality Officer [Leeds/flexible] at Foundation, a Resettlement Worker with Vision Housing [London], a Finance Assistant and a Community Intervention Worker with Community Links (Northern) [Leeds], a Recruitment/Employer Engagement Consultant with Action Acton [London] and a DART Service Manager with CRI [HMP Lewes]. For further information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip of the week I: Get a free 60's album via Amazon. Details
  • Tip of the week II: This Sunday is Open Farm Sunday, when over 350 farms open their gates to the public (most for free) for rural activities such as ferret racing and tractor rides. Details
  • Tip of the week III: Get a free Gin & Tonic when you download a voucher here

EXTRA INFORMATION

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