Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 359 | 12th September 2014

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In this week's edition....

CLINKS REQUEST: how's your organisation faring?

Over the last three years Clinks has regularly surveyed the voluntary sector to record the experiences of organisations in the current economic, social and political climate. The information submitted is very valuable as it provides us with evidence of what is happening to the voluntary sector; this evidence strengthens our case when we lobby decision makers on behalf of the sector. The latest survey is now open and to fill it out, you will need to hand information about your organisation’s finances, staffing, number of beneficiaries and strategy. The closing date is 29th September, 2014. Please help us build up our evidence base, fill out the survey here

CLINKS BLOG: we can make mistakes but we can change too

Jess Mullen, Clinks Senior Policy and Projects Officer and Local Development Team Manager, blogs about attending the launch of the 'All we Are' project that aims to tackle the root causes of offending amongst young Muslim men and has worked with them to create ‘The Experiment’, an art project that explores their position as the subjects of policy and practice interventions, and their feelings about survival, captivity and fate. Read Jess's blog here

CLINKS NEWS: office move

We're on the move! On the 18th September we'll be relocating to our new home at the Age UK offices in Tavistock Square, London. The office phone will be down that day, so urgent enquiries should come to Joe Gardham - 07969 727129. All staff mobile phones will be working as normal.

CLINKS GUEST BLOG: thoughts from a PCC’s Third Sector Adviser

In this Clinks Guest Blog, we hear from David Smith who's on secondment at the West Yorkshire police and crime commissioner's (PCC) office, advising the PCC on the third sector. David reflects on seven months in post, and some of his achievements, including: a refreshed Police and Crime Plan peppered with references to the role of the sector; getting the PCC signed up to the Compact for Leeds; an annual grants programme (valued at £1,000,000) for community groups has been launched; and the sector has taken a leading role in the development of his thinking about services for victims. Find out more about this fascinating role here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: reducing the impact of separation through imprisonment

A group of young people with a family member in prison are calling on parents, carers and the authorities to sign up to a code of practice to reduce the negative impact that is being caused to them when they are separated from a parent, sibling or other family member from the point of arrest, during the family member’s trial and when they’re placed in prison. Ebony Brown, a young Pact volunteer who has experienced familial imprisonment, challenged parents, schools, local authorities, the police, the courts and the prison service to sign up to the charter. Find out more and sign up to the charter here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: new website

As part of Prisoners’ Education Trust’s (PET) 25th anniversary celebrations, the charity has re-launched its website. PET's Susannah Henty explains: "along with a new look design, there's lots of new original content, including learners’ stories, films, podcasts and a resource library as well as useful information about our services and signposting to other organisations. You can find out more about our work helping people in prison achieve their potential through learning, by tuning in to BBC Radio 4 on Sunday. Award-winning author Susan Hill will appeal to listeners to support them at 7.55am and 9.25pm on the 14th." Find out more here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: updated plan of action for the CJS

The 'Criminal justice system 2014 to 2015: strategy and action plan' is an update on the Ministry of Justice's version published last year. Last year’s plan started from a simple premise that all parts of the Criminal Justice System (CJS) should be working towards achieving the same set of outcomes. This updated plan features three key priorities to continue the transformation started last year. These are to create a CJS that: cares for, and considers the needs of, victims and witnesses; is digital; and does things faster and right first time. Download the new action plan here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: IOM conference date for your diary

Home Office and Royal College of Policing are holding a national Integrated Offender Management (IOM) conference [27th & 28th October, Ryton]. There are no further details available to Clinks at this point, but interested individuals can register their interest by emailing Subash.Sharma@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

FUNDING: improving health

The GSK IMPACT Awards are designed to recognise and reward charities that are doing excellent work to improve people’s health. The awards are open to registered charities that are at least three years old, working in a health-related field in the UK, with a total annual income between £25,000 and £2 million. Up to ten winners will receive £30,000 funding, along with numerous other developmental prizes. The deadline for applications is 19th September. Find out more and apply here

FUNDING: helping people 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. 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 areas with the highest levels of unemployment. The next deadline for applications is 3rd October. Find out more and apply here

FUNDING: to develop sustainable income sources

The Triangle Trust is currently inviting applications for Development Grants from not-for-profit organisations whose sole purpose is to support the rehabilitation of offenders or ex-offenders. The grants provide funds towards organisational core costs to support the development of a solid foundation for the long-term. The Triangle Trust would like to see applicants use these grants to develop sustainable income sources, so that when the grant comes to an end the organisation’s income will not be reduced. Funding is available for up to £40,000 per year for three years. The closing date for submissions is Thursday 6th November 2014 and all previous applicants to the Trust are welcome to apply.  Find out more and apply

AWARDS: for rehabilitative work

Prison Reform Trust are still accepting applications for the Robin Corbett Award 2014. Along with Lord Corbett’s family, the Prison Reform Trust established and administers this annual award for outstanding rehabilitative work with prisoners done by a small charity or community group working in partnership with prison staff. Uniquely, the award champions work that fosters personal responsibility and encourages people in prison, and ex-offenders, to help themselves and others. Find out more and nominate here

CLINKS MEMBER'S TRAINING: how to work with dads in prison

Are you keen to develop your facilitation skills through better understanding of the issues facing dads in prison? Safe Ground have a very limited number of places still available for their Fathers Inside training [22nd - 25th September, Newbold Revel (near Rugby), £65]. Delegates must be able to attend all four days in full. Delegate places for Fathers Inside training cost just £65, with accommodation and meals included. The intensive four day training experience offers a unique insight to engaging men in prison with large group learning, through a challenging methodology of role-play, drama, fiction, games, discussions and presentations. To book your place, click here

CLINKS MEMBER'S TRAINING: film-making for ex-prisoners

Synergy Theatre Project will be offering a free ten-session course in film making for ex-prisoners. Over five weeks [Mondays and Tuesday, from 13th October, 6.30pm - 9pm] you will learn how to storyboard, shoot and edit a short film. The project will end in a screening of the film. No previous experience is required, just a commitment and a willingness to give it a go. The deadline to apply for the course is 1st October. For more information email info@synergytheatreproject.co.uk

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: building long-term resilience and well-being

‘Working with vulnerable and protected groups to build resilience’ is a Kazuri Properties conference [25th September, London, from £75] that aims to increase each participant’s ability to draw upon the resilience they need in their lives. The day will involve a mix of presentations, story-telling, guided exercises and group discussion and will look at: how traumatized and vulnerable communities can recover and build sustainable lives as participating stakeholders in civil society; how trauma affects us personally; and how those we come into contact with can build long-term resilience and well-being. Find out more here

NON-MEMBERS' EVENTS & TRAINING

'Faith and Justice Taster Day' | 24th October, London, free | Details

RESOURCE: guide to Neighbourhood Justice Panels

'User Guide to Neighbourhood Justice Panels (NJPs)' is a Ministry of Justice resource, developed by local practitioners to share their experience and learning on implementation of NJPs. The guide is aimed at assisting practitioners to establish NJPs locally. It may also assist practitioners in reviewing existing NJP schemes or those who are responsible for commissioning restorative justice practices in their areas. You can download the guide here

PUBLICATION: protecting children and young people

'An Inspection of the work of Probation Trusts and Youth Offending Teams (YOTs) to protect children and young people' is a recent report by HM Inspectorate of Probation which found that whilst systems were in place to identify children and young people at risk from adult offenders, the work of Probation Trusts was largely process oriented. Work was often confined to information sharing rather than effective joint intervention and this potentially left children and young people not fully protected. YOTs also had systems in place to identify children and young people at risk of harm, assess their vulnerability and plan to protect them where necessary, although the quality varied. Download the full report here

OPPORTUNITY: gangs and young people expert peer reviewers required

The Home Office is looking for frontline experts and highly skilled practitioners with an in-depth understanding of gang and youth violence-related issues, to become peer reviewers for the Ending Gang and Youth Violence programme. With knowledge of the programme, and experience of working with local partners, you will provide practical advice and support to help partnerships improve both how they tackle gang and youth violence locally, and prevent young people from getting involved. They are seeking experts in: safeguarding, gang-associated women and girls, troubled families, housing, mental health, mainstreaming complex multi-stakeholders' initiatives and delivering value for money and evaluation and demonstrating impact. The deadline for applications is 30th September. For a full job advert, or to discuss the application process, please contact lorraine.joyce1@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

CONSULTATION: strengthening the law on domestic abuse

The Home Office are running a consultation that asks whether the current 'Law on Domestic Abuse' should be strengthened by creating a specific offence that criminalises coercive and controlling behaviour in intimate relationships, in line with the existing non-statutory definition. The deadline for consultation responses is the 15th October 2014. Have your say here

CONSULTATION: what do you know about the Sentencing Council?

The Sentencing Council are looking to get feedback from people who provide services to children and young people. They want to find out how much you know about the Sentencing Council and what more you would like to know. To do this they’ve created a short survey for you to complete here

CLINKS MEMBERS' VACANCIES

Vacancies this week include: a Basic Skills Tutor and an Education Projects Co-ordinator with Back on Track [Manchester], a Finance Accountant, Administrator and an Assistant with St Giles Trust [Camberwell], 2 x Prison Recovery Coordination Team Leaders with Lifeline Projects [HMP Humber/HMP Liverpool], an Assistant Finance Manager and 2 x Finance Assistants with Changing Lives [Gateshead], a Project Worker with Women's Work [Derby], a Substance Misuse Recovery Worker with CRI [Brighton and Hove] and 6 x Support Workers at Nacro [Nottingham]. For further information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip of the week I: An overnight stay for two at The Legacy Kingscliff Hotel in Essex is now £85. The deal includes breakfast, dinner, cream tea and a glass of prosecco each. Details
  • Tip of the week II: Enter your email address online at Odeon by 16th October, and get a voucher for 40% off cinema tickets (including 3D shows). The voucher can be used as many times as you wish before 16th October. Details
  • Tip of the week III: This weekend is Heritage Open Days, which means you can access 4,500 usually closed or fee charging buildings for free. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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

 

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