Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 361 | 26th September 2014

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In this week's edition....

CLINKS BLOG: what does 'person-centred' actually look like?

Kate Aldous, Head of Strategic Development at Clinks, has written a blog about Sahir House, and how their person-centred approach helped one of their HIV positive service users move from prison into the community and towards independent living. Kate explains: "The voluntary sector often describes one of its strengths as being 'person-centred'. So what does this look like in terms of actual services, and how does it complement statutory services?" Read Kate's blog here

CLINKS GUEST BLOG: creating a theory of change

'What is theory of change? A researcher's and practitioner's view' is a new guest blog from NPC's James Noble and Harriet Laurie from TheHorseCourse, which reflects on their joint efforts to produce a theory of change for TheHorseCourse. Harriet explains: "The process of building the theory of change with NPC was a bit like one of those TV home makeover shows where it all starts out as a hideous mess, and then the experts come in and before you know it the place looks clean, attractive and rational. For the organisation and for the horsemanship professionals we have trained (currently 10 fully qualified and seven in progress), this is more about sustainability. This document should provide the evidence required to command statutory commissioning and therefore set them up to earn a reasonable living in their own regions doing a difficult and important job." Read the blog here

CLINKS REQUEST: tell us your story

Our State of the Sector survey is now open, and is a real opportunity for you to tell your story and let us know how your organisation is faring. The information you submit 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 your behalf. To fill the survey 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

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Ombudsman concerned by deaths in custody

The number of self-inflicted deaths in prisons increased by a troubling 64% in 2013-14, said Prisons and Probation Ombudsman Nigel Newcomen, as he published his annual report. He added that, although he could not yet definitively explain this increase, it reflected the level of mental ill health in prison and a rising toll of despair among some prisoners. It also suggested the need for the Prison Service to review its suicide and self-harm procedures. Download his annual report here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: justice secretary responds to Ombudsman's report

In response to the ombudsman's report (above), Chris Grayling has ordered justice ministry officials to start work on developing a network of specialist mental health centres within prisons in England and Wales. The justice secretary says he wants to "really get to grips with the challenge of mental health in prisons" soon after next year's general election. I have agreed with the secretary of state for health that our two teams will work with NHS England to ensure that any prisoner who needs to can have mental health treatment equivalent to the best they would receive in the community." Read the full article here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: new women's training restaurant opens

The Clink Charity has opened its fourth prisoner training restaurant this week at HMP Styal; the first to be established in a women’s prison. The restaurants are staffed by prisoners and are open to the general public. Chris Moore, Chief Executive of The Clink Charity said: "Opening the restaurant at HMP Styal strengthens The Clink’s commitment to reduce reoffending rates. It also means that we can increase our training efforts to continue to bridge the skills gap in the hospitality industry. We’ve seen such positive results from the projects currently in action and with the concept being expanded across the prison estate; we hope to continue seeing a decrease in reoffending rates with support from businesses and the public." Find out more here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Napo campaigns to prevent the TR share sale

One of Napo’s two resolutions to this year’s TUC Congress in Liverpool called on the TUC to support Napo’s public and political campaign to halt the Transforming Rehabilitation (TR) timetable and prevent the share sale of the Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs). It also asked for support for Napo’s alternative plans to assist the under 12-month custodial community through the public sector and for the TUC to call on an incoming Labour government to revoke any contracts awarded this side of the next general election. The resolution, which was composited and seconded by the Probation Officers' Association, was carried unanimously and the campaign to Stop the Share Sale is now TUC policy. Read the full story here

FUNDING: for cycling projects in London

The Community Cycling Fund for London is aimed at ‘hard to reach’ groups to support them to set up cycling projects in their local community. This could be women, people living in disadvantaged areas, people with disabilities, Black, Asian or minority ethnic (BAME) groups or any group for which access to cycling could be difficult. The programme funds projects that provide a unique combination of cycle or bike maintenance skills whilst engaging with local communities. The deadline for applications is 6th October. Find out more here

FUNDING: for local community projects in Yorkshire

Round Two of the Comic Relief Local Communities programme in North and East Yorkshire is now open. Grants of between £1,000 and £10,000 are available for local community projects that empower local people and enable them to create lasting change in their communities. Funding can be used to: increase local services; build skills of local people; increase community cohesion; respond to local economic needs; or increase access to sport and exercise for people who face social exclusion and isolation. The deadline for applications is 10th October. Find out more and apply here

FUNDING: to improve the lives of unpaid carers

The Cabinet Office is inviting voluntary sector organisations to apply for grants of at least £50,000 to support projects that will improve the lives of unpaid family carers in England. The Fund is aimed at organisations with plans to expand or develop ambitious social action projects that will help to improve the lives of carers. The deadline for applications is 22nd October. Find out more and apply here

FUNDING: getting young people into work in Leeds

The Victoria Gate Fund is a new community grants fund administered by Leeds Community Foundation on behalf of Hammerson, the company which is developing the new Victoria Gate site in Leeds. Grants of between £500 and £2,000 are available for local not-for-profit organisations working with young people between the ages of 12 and 18 to move them towards employability. Priority will be given to applicants that work with young people in the city’s most disadvantaged wards. Registered charities, Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIO), Community Interest Company (CICs), companies limited by guarantee or community/voluntary sector groups can apply. The deadline for applications is 31st October. Find out more and apply here

FUNDING: to reduce unemployment in the East Midlands

Small voluntary and community organisations that are working in Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, Leicester, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire are eligible to apply for grants of between £5,000 and £15,000. The focus of the East Midlands ESF Community Grants programme is the engagement of workless adults in under-developed areas and communities, and individuals under-represented in the labour market. All beneficiaries of this funding must be people who are unemployed or inactive in the labour market, aged 19 years and over, from the hardest to reach communities, and have difficulty accessing mainstream provision. The deadline for applications is 3rd November. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: monitoring boards AGM

This year's Association of Members of Independent Monitoring Boards (AMIMB) AGM & Conference 2014 [4th November, London, £30] will be chaired by John Samuels QC, and feature speeches by Baroness Vivien Stern CBE; Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers KG; Ian Blakeman, Governor of HMP Bedford; Rod Clark on OLASS4; Ben Gunn provides a prisoner’s perspective; Tom Vander Beken shares his views of English and Welsh prisons and compares them to their European counterparts; Lt Col Ian St C Logan RGR. To book your place email membership@amimb.org.uk

NON-MEMBERS' EVENTS & TRAINING

  • 'Health of Offenders in the Community' | 3rd October, Warrington, free | Email for details
  • 'Transforming the lives of troubled families' | 6th October, Manchester, free | Details
  • 'Offenders and Welfare Reform' | 21st October, London, free | Details

GOVERNANCE: zero-hours contracts factsheet

Personnel professional body CIPD believes that “used responsibly, zero-hours contracts can provide flexibility that works for both organisations and individuals. However, our research shows that poor practice does exist." CIPD have produced a factsheet that might prove useful to trustees, covering: What are zero-hours contracts? Why use zero-hour contracts? Employment status; Difficult issues; Is government likely to legislate on zero-hours? What does good practice look like? Download it here (free registration required)

PUBLICATION: criminal justice marketisation

Mary Corcoran is the guest editor for Centre for Crime and Justice Studies' cjm 97, which focuses on criminal justice marketisation. Also included are: Andrew Henley's prize-winning essay on abolishing the stigma of punishments served; Becky Clarke on chasing the 'reoffending' rainbow; Jamie Grace reports on the domestic violence disclosure scheme; and Sarah Lamble explores why market logic curtails possibilities for genuine alternatives. View cjm 97 online here (subscription required)

CONSULTATION: links between gang involvement and running away from home

Catch22 and Missing People are working together to launch a major research project exploring the link between gang involvement and running away from home. They are currently running an online consultation for professionals working with young people in England. They hope to bring together experience of the situation on the ground, and expert opinion on how we can effectively support young people with these issues. The deadline for responses is Tuesday 30th September. Have your say here

CLINKS MEMBERS' VACANCIES

Members’ vacancies this week include: a Project Manager with Recoop [HMP Leyhill], a Development Manager with Reflex [West Midlands], a Project Support Worker with ISSA Wales [Cardiff], a Development and Operations Manager with User Voice [London], and 10 x Sessional Support Workers and a Senior Support Worker with Nacro [London]. For further information about these vacancies and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip of the week I: Get a free drink at Pitcher & Piano before Tuesday. Details
  • Tip of the week II: Register with PizzaExpress and get a three course set menu for £13.75 this weekend. Details
  • Tip of the week III: Two people can stay at The Craven Heifer in Addingham (between Otley and Skipton) for £129. Price includes gourmet 5-course dinner and continental breakfast. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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Contact Us www.clinks.org | info@clinks.org | 020 7383 0966

 

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