Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 366 | 31st October 2014

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In this week's edition....

NEED TO KNOW: TR bidders announced

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has announced the preferred bidders in the Transforming Rehabilitation competition. These partnerships are the only suppliers that the MoJ is in talks with to arrange the contracts for the delivery of Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs). Once this stage has concluded, the MoJ will receive best and final offers and then award the contracts to run the CRCs. Clive Martin, Clinks Director has made a statement, which you can download along with the list of preferred bidders on our website here

CLINKS WORKSHOPS: improve your bid writing

As part of Clinks’ Ministry of Justice infrastructure grant funding, Candour Collaborations are delivering ‘Writing Winning Bids’ training workshops [London 3rd December, Newcastle 10th December, free]. These one day workshops will support voluntary organisations operating in the Criminal Justice System to win business through high quality, high scoring Expressions of Interests, Pre-Qualification Questionnaires and Invitation to Tenders. They will address the most effective ways to identify contract and sub-contract opportunities, write strong narrative responses and engage prime contractors to secure your position within supply chains. Find out more and book your place here

CLINKS MEMBERS’ NEWS: supporting women in prison and their families

The Prison Family Support Alliance, a partnership between Clinks members Pact, POPS, NEPACS, and Jigsaw, have established a national network of ‘Family Engagement Workers’ based in women’s prisons. The service is also being trialled in some YOIs. The Workers will act as case workers, providing support to women and young people in custody, and co-ordinating support for family members outside, providing information and advice. Andy Keen-Downs, Pact Chief Executive, says “Our focus will be very much on supporting family relationships during the critically important early days of custody, and on reducing the risk of harm to people in prison and their children and family members outside”. Read more about the announcement here

CLINKS MEMBER’S SURVEY: tackling problems caused by gangs

The Hallam Centre for Community Justice at Sheffield Hallam University is currently undertaking an evaluation of Catch 22’s Dawes Unit. The Unit aims to drive forward an understanding of how policy makers and practitioners can effectively tackle problems caused by gangs. They are seeking the views of stakeholders who have been in contact with the Dawes Unit or who have an interest in gangs, to assist them in further developing their work and improving future practice. The survey closes today, 31st October. Complete the survey here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: latest prison factfile published

Clinks members Prison Reform Trust (PRT) have published the Autumn 2014 edition of the Bromley Briefings Prison Factfile, which gives detailed statistics on the Criminal Justice System, and focusses on the changing face of the prison population. Juliet Lyon, PRT Director says ““Overall, prisons are less safe and less decent than they were even a year ago when we published our last report. An incoming administration of government in May 2015 must not accept this deterioration in prison standards and conditions as the new normal.” Download the factfile here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: sentencing guidelines for robbery

The Sentencing Council has released a consultation on new guidelines for the sentencing of robbery offences. The offences of street robbery (mugging); all forms of commercial robbery, including the most sophisticated; and robbery in a dwelling are being brought together in one set of guidelines. They are particularly keen to hear the opinions of organisations representing potential and actual victims, legal practitioners, academics and those involved in the prevention of crime. The consultation closes on 23rd January 2015. Find out more, and submit your response, here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: autism in the CJS

The next All Party Parliamentary Group for Autism (APPGA) meeting on the 24th November will be on the subject of people with autisms’ experience of the Criminal Justice System. The meeting will be attended by Andrew Selous, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice and the department’s lead on autism, and other parliamentarians and experts in the sector. The APPGA would like to invite representatives from the voluntary sector to the meeting. If you would like to attend, email appga@nas.org.uk

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: the strategy for care leavers

The government has published a one year on update to its care leaver strategy, a document setting out the steps it is taking and the progress made to support care leavers. It includes updates on work around education, employment, financial support, health, housing, and youth justice. Download the update here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: evaluate your impact on reducing reoffending

Would the Justice Data Lab (JDL) help your organisation or your members? The Ministry of Justice Data Lab is a free service that supports organisations working to rehabilitate offenders at a local level through easier access to high-quality re-offending data. This paves the way for organisations to understand more about the individuals they’ve worked with, and evaluate their impact on reducing re-offending. The JDL has capacity to take on more requests, if you would like the JDL team to visit you to talk about how this might benefit you or your network, contact justice.datalab@justice.gsi.gov.uk. You can find out more on our website here

FUNDING: to reduce poverty internationally

UK Aid Direct has launched its first round of funding for small and medium sized voluntary sector organisations working in the health sector to reduce poverty. Community Partnership grants of £250,000 are available for organisations with an income of less than £1million, and Impact grants of between £250,000 and £4million are available for medium sized organisations able to raise 25% match funding. Projects will aim to increase access to services; work on empowerment and accountability; change social attitudes; and improve the health outcomes for poor people. The deadline for applications is 21st November. Find out more and apply here

CLINKS PARTNER'S CONFERENCE: tackling crime and anti-social behaviour

'The Future of Safer and Stronger Communities Conference 2015: Tackling Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour' is a University of Salford conference [30th January, Manchester, from £299] that will examine how to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour through community triggers and restorative justice methods alongside creating effective partnerships to develop targeted interventions. Light Lunch readers get 25% discount using code CLINKS25. Find out more and book here

CLINKS MEMBER'S TRAINING: disclosing criminal records

Are you up-to-date with criminal record disclosure legislation? Do you feel confident advising your clients with criminal records on exactly what they need to disclose and the best way to do so? Nacro's 'Criminal record disclosure training' [Dates in 2015, London, from £129] is aimed at front-line practitioners and advisers to increase their confidence to support people with criminal records into employment, education and training. On this one-day workshop you will: understand how to apply the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and advise your clients on when their convictions may become spent and/or eligible for filtering; learn about the impact of criminal records on education and employment options; and understand exactly what your clients need to disclose and in which circumstances. Find out more and book your place here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: does prison work for women?

‘Does prison work for women?’ is a NEPACS event [11th December, Newcastle, free] that will ask: what impact does imprisonment have on women prisoners and their families? Do alternatives to imprisonment work effectively? And will the Transforming Rehabilitation agenda address women’s needs? The day will include case studies from providers of services for women prisoners and their families; a question & answer session with a panel of experts; and workshop sessions. The deadline for registrations is 28th November. To register, contact opengate@btconnect.com

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: learning for long-sentenced prisoners

'Using time, not just doing time: a constructive and humane regime for long sentenced prisoners' will be Prisoner Education Trust’s (PET) 25th anniversary lecture [17th November, London, free], given by Michael Spurr CB, NOMS Chief Executive. It will examine the challenges faced by long-sentenced prisoners who wish to continue their learning and use their time inside effectively, and will build on themes in PET's recent report Brain Cells (third edition): listening to prisoner learners. The lecture will be followed by a panel discussion. The event will be chaired by the High Sheriff of Greater London, Mr Kevin McGrath. Find out more and book your place here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: exploring gender equality through theatre

Synergy Theatre Project’s production of ‘Girls Like That’ [6th – 22nd November, London, from £7.50] is a play exploring gender equality and the pressures on today's digital generation. “A naked photo of Scarlett goes viral. Rumours spread across smartphones like wildfire and her reputation becomes toxic, threatening to shatter the fragile unity of the girls she has grown up with. But how long can Scarlett remain silent? And why isn't it the same for boys?” You can book online here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: artwork by young offenders

This Koestler Trust seminar for Visual Arts Practitioners working with Young Offenders [13th November, Southbank Centre, London, free] will showcase the artistic achievements of young offenders within the Koestler Award Scheme and provide delegates with a valuable opportunity to network and learn from each other, share best practice and update on current issues in the field. All delegates will be provided with an interactive private tour of Koestler’s 2014 UK National Exhibition. The seminar is intended to aid the professional development of arts practitioners working in the field; delegates will be asked to come prepared to talk about their current practice and are invited to explore issues and challenges affecting their work. Book your place here

NON-MEMBERS' EVENTS AND TRAINING

  • Prisons in England and Wales - modernisation, rehabilitation and offender management | 3rd December, London, from £80 | Details
  • Gang Practitioners Training | 7th November, Derby, from £149 | Details

OFFENDER HEALTH: update on the Care Act 2014

In August 2014, Clinks submitted a response to the Department of Health’s consultation on the Care Act (2014) draft regulations and guidance for implementation. The Act places responsibility for the care and support needs of those in prison to local authorities. The Department of Health have now published their response to the consultation, along with their revised statutory guidance to support implementation of the Act by local authorities. Clinks is pleased to see that the Department of Health have now explicitly recognised that ‘Due to the nature of resettlement prisons, it is likely that they will experience a high turnover of prisoners and it is particularly important that the care needs of those serving short term sentences are identified and responded to.’ Download the statutory guidance, and the response to the consultation on the draft guidance here. Clinks response to the consultation can be accessed here

OFFENDER HEALTH: service user involvement in healthcare

NHS England has commissioned members Inspirit Training and Development to implement a framework for patient and public involvement across the justice system. They would like to recruit, train, and support people who have had contact with healthcare in the justice system to be involved in commissioning activities. They are interested in hearing from people who have experienced healthcare in: prisons and Young Offender Institutions; immigration and removal centres; police custody healthcare suites; police custody and court liaison and diversion schemes; and sexual assault referral centres. The deadline for expressions of interest is 17th November. For more information contact info@inspirit-training.org.uk

PUBLICATION: evidence on prevention of youth offending

Realising Ambition, a programme led by Catch 22, has published its mid-programme report. This UK-wide programme aims to improve the evidence base of what works to prevent youth offending, supporting 22 organisations to replicate 25 interventions aimed at doing so.  The report will be of interest to those wishing to invest in evidence-based practices and those intending to deliver them, and particularly those with an interest in preventing young people from entering the Criminal Justice System. It identifies five features that support organisations to replicate effectively and develop an evidence base for their work. Download the report here

PUBLICATION: recovery for people in forensic settings

‘Making Recovery a Reality in Forensic Settings’ is an ImROC briefing published by the Centre for Mental Health which aims to discuss the challenges, address their implications for staff and describe current best practice within forensic mental health services. How can people with mental health problems and frequent contact with forensic services be expected to have positive hopes for the future? How can they build a life ‘beyond illness’ when faced with the toxic combination of stigma and low expectations of those around them? Download the briefing here

CLINKS MEMBER’S VACANCIES

Vacancies this week include: Chief Executive at The Koestler Trust [London], a Policy Manager with LVSC [London], a Grant Writer with Spark Inside [Home-based/London], 2 x Recovery Workers and a Clinical Supervisor with CRI [East Sussex], 5 x Volunteers with Sussex Pathways [Sussex], a Cook and a Site Maintenance worker with Changing Lives [Chester-le-Street], a Part-time Kitchen Assistant with the Kenward Trust [Kent], and a Head of Support Relations with Pact [London]. For further information about these vacancies and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip of the week I: Fly from Manchester to Brussels to visit the Christmas markets this year from £38 return. Details
  • Tip of the week II: Watch the horse racing and fireworks at Ascot tomorrow for £20, kids go free. Details
  • Tip of the week III: Get a family photo shoot with prints and digital download for £12 instead of the usual £290. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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