Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 372 | 12th December 2014

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In this week's edition....

CLINKS NEWS: review of outcomes for young BAME offenders

Since Autumn 2013 we have been working with the Black Training and Enterprise Group (BTEG) to support Baroness Young’s review into improving outcomes for young Black and/or Muslim men in the Criminal Justice System. The final report was launched in the House of Lords this week, and highlights the specific experiences and needs of this group, whose lives are often characterised by a complex mix of educational, employment, health and social inequalities. Find out more and read the report here. You can also read Baroness Young’s article in the Guardian here

CLINKS NEWS: volunteering in Europe

The latest newsletter from our Justice Involving Volunteers in Europe (JIVE) project focuses on a volunteer programme that supports the families of offenders in The Netherlands; working with victims of crime in Romania and the skills and expertise volunteers need to fulfil this role; and an arts mentoring programme which aims to help with the resettlement of ex-offenders in the UK. In addition, our German partner provides some interesting detail on the findings of their ‘role and value of volunteers’ research which will be published in March 2015. Download it here

CLINKS SURVEY: improving health outcomes for women offenders

Clinks’ latest survey aims to help us map voluntary sector health and care services for women in the Criminal Justice System. We’ll use the findings to highlight and share good practice, identify any gaps in service provision and inform health and justice commissioners to address them; so if you provide gender-specific health services to women offenders, we’d love to hear what you do. The survey closes on Friday 19th December and takes just a few minutes to complete. As a thank you, everyone responding will receive a free copy of Clinks’ recent report ‘Who Cares? Where next for women offender services?’. The survey is run in partnership with Action for Prisoners and Offenders Families and the Women's Health Equality Consortium. Fill out the survey here

CLINKS SUPPORT: free legal advice for Transforming Rehabilitation

Clinks is offering free legal advice to the voluntary sector engaged in Transforming Rehabilitation (TR), through our TR legal support helpline. Priority for legal support will be given to small and medium organisations who are currently in negotiation to deliver services under TR as tier 2 or 3 providers. The helpline can also provide direct one-to-one advice and information about TR; and you can find information on TR and a range of guidance and resources on our website. We are delivering this service in partnership with Russell-Cooke Solicitors. Email the Helpline at: trhelpline@clinks.org

CLINKS EVENT: supporting people with multiple and complex needs

'Introduction to MEAM Approach' is a MEAM event [21st January, Sheffield, free] that will introduce the MEAM Approach and how it can support those working with people with multiple and complex needs to develop effective coordinated and flexible services. We will introduce MEAM, discuss the problems around multiple needs, highlight the impact of doing something different, and introduce how to design and deliver coordinated interventions using the MEAM Approach. Find out more and book your place here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: save a women's refuge

Kazuri Properties CiC have obtained planning for the Camden Women's Resilience Centre. This is a development for a much needed refuge and transitional accommodation in a run down part of Camden with high levels of social exclusion and deprivation. It is currently under threat from a private developer, and they are raising awareness through community meetings and a petition. Get involved here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: call for papers from learning disability practitioners

The National Autistic Society are calling for papers for their '14th International Conference on the Care and Treatment of Offenders with Learning Disability' [15th - 16th April, Leeds, from £185]. Papers or workshops are invited from any discipline or perspective relevant to the management or care of offenders with a learning disability or those requiring similar services. Proposals by practitioners, service users, decision and policy makers, as well as by academics, students, researchers and advocates are welcomed. The deadline for the submission of papers is Friday 23rd January. Find out more and get involved here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: support placements for ex-offenders

Handmade Alliance is a social enterprise working alongside prisoners and ex-prisoners to deliver life-changing creative and vocational training in textiles. They offer a through the gate destination for day release prisoners and support them in finding employment upon release. Hannah Emery-Wright, from Handmade Alliance explains: "Desperately needing to expand facilities to meet demand at the ‘manufacturing hub’ near King's Cross, we have launched 'Make Something Good' for online donations. Light Lunch readers can buy books or support travel or equipment for learners. Every £1,000 raised will support a place for a day-release prisoner or ex-prisoner for three months. Books and fabrics are also crucial for people to use - so any donation will assist learners somehow." Find out more and donate here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: royal visit for prison transport scheme

The Duchess of Cornwall met volunteers from Clinks member Friends of Erlestoke Prison during a visit to HMP Erlestoke near Devizes last week. Camilla chatted with prisoners and met volunteers who ferry relatives from the local train station to the prison on visiting days. The Duchess told volunteers Carol Part and Heather Mullins who help out by with the driving: "I always say this country would collapse without volunteers. You are the backbone of this country. I imagine it must make a big difference to their lives because otherwise how would they get there?" Find out more about Friends of Erlestoke Prison here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: restorative justice videos

Restorative Solutions CIC has just launched a new YouTube channel dedicated to Restorative Justice (RJ). The objective is to compile audio-visual resources that can be used to explain what RJ really is about, and to illustrate the benefits it brings to victims, offenders and communities. Miguel Linan from Restorative Solutions CIC says: "Free and easily accessible online, the catalogue of videos can also be used by RJ professionals during presentations, such as at schools, to raise awareness of RJ in their communities, or as part of restorative justice training. We also welcome relevant contributions from individuals and organisations, including branded material, which will be credited as appropriate." Find out how to get involved here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: youth custody planning and policy

T2A Alliance Chair, Joyce Moseley, gave evidence to the Select Committee's Enquiry into Prison Planning and Policies on 24th November. The panel was responding to questions from MPs on a range of youth justice issues, including proposals for a secure college, youth to adult transitions and allocation of resources. Watch it here [Source: Barrow Cadbury Trust]

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: inspectorate in Merseyside

HM Inspectorate of Probation will be inspecting Early Work and Effective Recording undertaken by the NPS and CRCs in Knowsley, St Helens & the Wirral during the week commencing 19th January 2014. If you have any queries about this, please contact HMI Probation (Enquiries) mailbox at Enquiries.HMIProb@hmiprobation.gsi.gov.uk

COMMISSIONING: liaison and diversion in the North East

NHS England wishes to commission providers of healthcare services to provide all-age Liaison and Diversion services within custody settings across Northumbria, Durham, and Cleveland. The service should be accessible at the earliest stage once an individual is suspected of having committed a criminal offence, be available at the point of need and be available at, but not be limited to, the following locations: Police engagement with children and young people in community settings, including restorative justice; Police custody suites; Voluntary attendees at police stations (or other prosecuting authorities); Magistrates' courts; Youth courts; The Crown court; Probation services; and Youth offending teams. The deadline for expressing an interest is 15th December. Find out more and apply here

FUNDING: quick application to get £100 before Christmas

Small grants, of up to £100, are available through a 10 minute application process to charities and social organisations for projects that develop skills, build communities, improve health, and improve the environment. Social organisations, such as charities, not-for-profit companies, CICs, and voluntary and community organisations that are based in England, can apply. The deadline for applications is 14th December. Successful applicants will be announced and notified by 19th December.  Find out more here

FUNDING: social welfare in the North East

The Barbour Foundation offers grants to local charitable organisations in Tyne and Wear and the surrounding areas. Projects should address at least one of the following areas: Community welfare; Housing and social deprivation; Medical research and medical equipment for individuals; and Children and young people. To apply, request information by emailing admin@ryecroft-glenton.co.uk

FUNDING: to strengthen domestic abuse refuges

The Department for Communities and Local Government has made grants of up to £100,000 available to local housing authoraties to help them strengthen refuge services and keep victims of domestic abuse safe. The fund aims to halt the further closure of good quality refuges, increase provision where appropriate and place refuges on a sustainable footing. The deadline for applications is 16th January. Find out more here

FUNDING: early intervention in Norfolk

Voluntary, community and non-profit organisations and charities in Norfolk are invited to apply for grants of up to £30,000 from the Children and Young People Fund which has been set up by the police and crime commissioner. Focus will be placed on projects that support those already disadvantaged by circumstances or events which are most likely to cause them to become victims or offenders in later life. The deadline for applications is 16th January. Find out more here

PUBLICATION: latest developments in youth justice

Beyond Youth Custody’s most recent review outlines the latest lessons from research, policy and practice in the resettlement of young offenders. It provides an overview of relevant literature and developments in the field of youth justice since August 2014. The review updates on the continued fall in the number of children and young adults in custody and considers recent developments in the Government’s ‘Transforming Youth Custody’ agenda around changes to the custodial estate. The review also outlines developments in resettlement interventions from both a UK and international context in relation to mental health support, sports interventions, mentoring and post-custody drug-related interventions. Read the update here

PUBLICATION: the role of mental health in reoffending

'Mental health factors and recidivism on release' is a recent paper from RAPt (Rehabilitation for Addicted Prisoners Trust), published in the Journal of Criminal Psychology, that presents the results from a study based on 667 clients engaging with RAPt’s Substance Dependence Treatment Programme (SDTP). The paper examines the associations between mental health symptoms and recidivism 12 months after release. The study indicates that, after controlling for other proven factors which impact on recidivism, mental health factors may have a significant impact on outcomes. Depression at the start of treatment was particularly linked to a heightened likelihood of recidivism, whilst OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) symptoms seemed to decrease the likelihood of reoffending. Download the paper (£20) here

PUBLICATION: the growth of the alternative finance sector

Nesta's new report, 'Understanding Alternative Finance: The UK Alternative Finance Industry Report 2014', looks at the growth, trends and dynamics within the UK alternative finance sector, including crowdfunding and peer to peer lending. It finds the sector is set to reach £1.74bn by the end of the year and more than double in 2015. Find out more here

PUBLICATION: volunteering for young people with criminal convictions

The Institute for Criminal Policy Research (ICPR) in partnership with the Institute for Volunteering Research (IVR) has recently concluded a Paul Hamlyn Foundation and Barrow Cadbury Trust funded study of volunteering opportunities for young adults with criminal convictions. As part of the study, a series of briefing papers has been produced to promote volunteering, bust myths and help address some of the barriers to volunteering opportunities for young adults with offending histories. There are three separate electronic briefings aimed at: young adults; volunteer-involving organisations; and resettlement organisations. Download them here

RESOURCE: multi-faith safeguarding hub

Safe Network has launched a new multi-faith safeguarding hub. The hub covers Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism and has an interfaith area. Each area includes a film of a personal statement, case scenarios, best practice, resources and details of specialist organisations. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBERS' VACANCIES

Members’ vacancies this week include: a Volunteer Mentor with Futures Unlocked [Warwickshire], a Volunteer Manager with One25 Ltd [Bristol], a Weekend Independent Domestic Violence Advisor with Changing Lives [Middlesborough], a Chair with GMCVO [Greater Manchester] and 4 x Supervision and Surveillance Officers with Nacro [Bromley]. For further information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip of the week I: Stay three nights in a five star Madrid hotel for £199 per person. Price includes flights and breakfast. Details
  • Tip of the week II: For £99 two people can stay overnight at the Battlesteads Hotel, near Hexham, Northumberland. Deala includes an 8 course tasting menu, fresh fruit platter in your room, and daily breakfast. Details
  • Tip of the week III: Fly Stansted to Athens return for just £56. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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