Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 357 | 29th August 2014

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In this week's edition....

LIGHT LUNCH CORRECTION

In the last edition of Light Lunch we incorrectly suggested that Pact and Ixion delivered services in Round 2 of the NOMS CFO Operational Programme. This is not the case. Apologies for any confusion this may have caused. The incumbent providers can be found here

CLINKS BLOG: reviewing the future of infrastructure

The Ministry of Justice has asked Clinks to co-ordinate an independent review of criminal justice infrastructure support. This will help us to determine the future direction of support and how it should be funded, and for infrastructure to ensure that its services are effective, sustainable and efficient. Richard Nicholls, Clinks' Head of Operations, has written a blog, 'The shape of things to come: a review of infrastructure' and says "we want to see healthy voluntary sector organisations that are effective at supporting the most marginalised people in our communities to desist from crime and get their lives back on track. This takes many forms, including practical guidance, training courses, fundraising support, disseminating grants, consultancy support, service development, network creation, research, campaigning, and influencing policy." Find out more and see how you can get involved, here

CLINKS SURVEY: how are you engaging with PCCs?

In the run up to the 2nd anniversary of the introduction of police and crime commissioners (PCCs), we'd like you to help us understand more about how they are working to address local community safety needs and how they are engaging with the voluntary sector. This short survey will help us to find out what is working and what is acting as a barrier to the voluntary sector’s ability to shape local services that make communities safer places. We will use these responses to put together a set of recommendations for key decision-makers, including PCCs, the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, the Home Office and political parties in the run up to the general election. Has the introduction of PCCs given local communities more voice on policing and community safety? Jessica Mullen, Senior Projects Officer at Clinks, has a written a blog, 'PCCs: Happy Anniversary?', which you can read here. You can complete the survey here

CLINKS ARTICLE: a vision of good rehabilitation

'Rehabilitation: What does 'good' look like anyway?' is an article written by members of Clinks' policy team, published in the European Journal of Probation (EJP), which explores the need for a clearer vision of what 'good' looks like in the rehabilitation of offenders, whether in prison or in the community. Such a vision is needed to underpin not only innovative and evidence-based service development but also outcomes led commissioning, and (in the context of England and Wales) the procurement of packages of rehabilitation services most likely to support the desistance process. The need for this is greater than ever, due to the current UK Government's Transforming Rehabilitation reforms that are set to drastically alter criminal justice policy in England and Wales. The article that was submitted to the journal can be downloaded here

CLINKS RESPONSE: response to the Care Act (2014) consultation

Clinks have responded to the Department of Health's consultation on the draft regulation and guidance for implementation of the Care Act (2014). Our main recommendations include that commissioners involve the voluntary sector and service users in all stages of the commissioning cycle; local authorities work in partnership both operationally and strategically with the voluntary sector as they are able to engage with offenders and ex-offenders who often do not interact with statutory health services; and that appropriate screening tools are used by local authorities as part of an initial assessment of a prisoner’s health and social care needs. Download the response here

CLINKS EVENT: mental health services for BAME communities

'Race, mental health and criminal justice: solutions for better practice, integration and patient experience' is a conference hosted by Clinks, NACRO and the Race Equality Foundation [6th November, Central London, free] that will explore strategies and good practice for ensuring people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities with mental health problems are able to access the services they need. Evidence shows that BAME communities with mental health problems are more likely to access services via the Criminal Justice System. Speakers include Kate Davies OBE (Head of Health & Justice, NHS England) and Jabeer Butt (CEO, Race Equality Foundation). Click here for more information and to book your place

ARTS ALLIANCE EVENT: innovative practice in arts and criminal justice

The Arts Alliance is hosting an 'Offender learning and skills forum' [24th September, London, free] that will provide an opportunity for Heads of Learning and Skills (HoLSE), education providers and lead governors as well as new potential Transforming Rehabilitation providers and arts and voluntary sector practitioners, to come together and share innovative practice in arts and criminal justice. It will be held collaboratively with officials from NOMS and the Department for Business Innovation and Skills and will coincide with the opening of the Koestler Trust exhibition 'Catching Dreams.' The event is a follow up to last year's event where the Arts Alliance explored the current challenges and possible solutions on how arts can contribute to helping providers and establishments make progress under OLASS 4. For information and bookings, click here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: lobbying act guidance published

The Electoral Commission have published their latest guidance on the Transparency of Lobbying, Non Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act 2014. The rules for 'non-party campaigners' (people and organisations who campaign in the run up to elections but are not standing as a political party or as a candidate) have been changed by the Act. This update provides a link to the guidance, details of the webinars that have been held, their updated FAQ web page, and the publication of a flowchart which aims to help 'non-party campaigners' to decide if they will need to register with the Electoral Commission. Download the update here. Ellie Cumbo, Clinks' Policy Manager, wrote a blog in November 2013 highlighting the issues for voluntary sector organisations, which you can read here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: evaluate your impact

Have you thought about accessing the Justice Data Lab? This Ministry of Justice service supports organisations through easier access to high-quality re-offending data. This includes an aggregate re-offending rate specific to the group of offenders your organisation has worked with, compared to that of a matched control group of offenders with similar characteristics. The service is free to use and will help your organisation to understand more about the individuals you've worked with, and evaluate your impact on reducing re-offending. The Justice Data Lab team currently has capacity to take on new requests. You can find out more about the service here, and contact the team by emailing justice.datalab@justice.gsi.gov.uk

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: lessons from investigations into prison suicide

The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman for England and Wales has published a Learning Lessons Bulletin which examines learning from 80 investigation reports into the self-inflicted deaths of 18 to 24 year old prisoners between April 2007 and March 2014. It highlights case studies and the lessons learned across the following themes: bullying; challenging behaviour; identifying and managing risk of suicide and self-harm; prison transfers; mental health; and foreign national prisoners. Download the bulletin here

FUNDING: supporting people to get back into work

The European Social Fund Community Learning Grants Scheme is offering grants of between £1,000 and £13,500 to support people aged 19 years and older to overcome barriers and gain the skills and confidence to get back into work in Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Halton and Lancashire. Successful applicants will be able to start running projects in October as part of a new 'fast track round'. Voluntary sector organisations with an income of less than £300,000 per year and which employ no more than nine FTE paid staff may apply. Applications can be considered for any group of unemployed people that can evidence need, such as ex-offenders, homeless people, and 19-25 year olds. The fast track round has a closing date of 22nd September. Find out more here

FUNDING: projects that reduce poverty

The Paul Goggins Memorial Prize, worth £3,000, will be awarded to the best civil society initiative that can demonstrate that it has reduced poverty in a tangible way. Nominations are welcome on behalf of local community projects, and innovative and engaging ideas that have worked effectively in and with local communities. Submissions can take any form, and creative ways of expression are particularly encouraged, including photographs, videos and other visual supporting evidence. To enter, your organisation or project will need to be nominated by your local MP before 5th October 2014. Find out more here

COMMISSIONING: NOMS European Social Fund

Clinks member Shaw Trust is bidding for the NOMS CFO Round 3 provision for the European Social Fund (ESF) 2014-2020 Operational Programme across nine regions: North East, North West, Yorkshire and Humber, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, South East, London, and South West (excluding Cornwall). The focus of NOMS ESF is to help offenders move towards mainstream provision or into employment by addressing their barriers to work. Shaw Trust are looking for organisations who are interested in working with them as part of a value-driven, high quality supply chain, and would like to link with voluntary, public and private sector organisations across the country that are currently delivering successful and meaningful support to offenders, their families and their communities. If you are interested in working with Shaw Trust on this bid, click here

COMMISSIONING: supporting victims of crime

Wiltshire Constabulary is commissioning support services to victims of crime in Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. The contract is to provide support services to a level set out in the Ministry of Justice Victims' Code, accepting referrals from a range of sources including police, other relevant agencies and self-referral, irrespective of the residence status, citizenship or nationality of the victim. The contract is estimated to begin in March 2015, and expressions of interest are invited with a deadline of 29th September 2014. Find out more here

COMMISSIONING: services for victims of sexual violence

The police and crime commissioner (PCC) for South Yorkshire wishes to appoint a single provider for the provision of Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) services for the Yorkshire and Humber region. This invitation to tender has been issued by the PCC for South Yorkshire in a collaborative partnership with the PCCs for Humberside, North Yorkshire, and West Yorkshire, together with NHS England. The contract is estimated to begin in April 2015, and expressions of interest are invited with a deadline of 2nd October 2014. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: women working for change in their lives

WomenCentre is hosting a national conference 'Cutting against the grain' [25th September, Manchester, free] on the theme of demonstrating the resilience, tenacity and innovation of women working for change in their lives and their communities. Julian Corner, Chief Executive of LanellyChase Foundation, will make the case for radical system change; and Andrew Morris, Deputy Director at Big Lottery Fund, will introduce the Breaking the Cycle project. Download the programme and book your place here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: accommodation within criminal justice

'Stable Housing, is this really an option?' is a NoOffence! conference, delivered in partnership with Fry Housing Trust [10th September, Birmingham, from £110] focusing on the importance of accommodation within the criminal justice sector. This conference will focus on a number of issues, including the importance of accommodation as a service and to illustrate new models of housing, in both general needs and supported housing. It will consider the future of accommodation both in relation to the Transforming Rehabilitation agenda and within the current economic environment. For more information, and bookings, click here

NON MEMBERS' EVENTS

  • 'Bid writing workshop' | 23rd September, London, from £185 | Details
  • 'Commissioning street triage services' | 29th September, London, free | Details

PUBLICATION: resettlement of young women

'Resettlement of girls and young women: a practitioners guide' is a new publication by Beyond Youth Custody which examines how knowledge about young women’s offending can begin to inform more effective, gender-sensitive resettlement practice with girls and young women leaving custody. It covers the following areas: why is it important to consider girls and young women specifically? What does resettlement for girls and young women look like? Delivering interventions with girls and young women; and a model for gender-sensitive resettlement. Download the guide here

RESOURCE: disclosure and barring service

Volunteering England has published a web page containing many links to resources and fact sheets concerning the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), and effective protection and safeguarding. The resources include information about the DBS Update Service, and guidance documents from the DBS for registered bodies on how to identify the type of workforce that a DBS applicant will be working in. Visit the web page here

CLINKS MEMBERS' VACANCIES

Members' vacancies this week include: a Trust Manager with the Ben Kinsella Trust [London], a Senior Practitioner with Thames Valley Restorative Justice Service [Thames Valley], a Reception Administrator with Well Women Centre [Wakefield], a Trainer Assessor with the St Giles Trust [Cardiff], an Employment, Training & Education Advisor with Certitude [London], a Communications Officer with INQUEST [London], a Volunteer Coordinator with Sova [Essex/home based], a Programme Manager [London] and an Assistant Programme Manager [Manchester] with User Voice, a Multiple and Complex Needs Area Lead, a Service Improvement Officer, and 2 x Project Specialist Workers with CRI [Eastbourne], a Project Manager with Sova [Sheffield], 3 x Mentoring and Advocacy Key Workers with Together Women [Rhyl, Lancashire and Liverpool], and an Advice Assistant with Shelter [HMP Durham]. For further information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip of the week I: Travel to the south coast from London with fares starting from £5 until 24th October. Details
  • Tip of the week II: Two people can stay at this castle in Brecon Beacons including breakfast, dinner, wine and tour from £99. Details
  • Tip of the week III: Save money when printing your summer holiday photos using this comparison tool. Current deals include 50% off photo books. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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