Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 380 | 27th February 2015

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In this week's edition....

CLINKS NEWS: office space in York

We are looking for a small office with space for two desks in York, preferably in YO1, YO24 or YO26 postcodes. If you have, or know of, a suitable space, please email joe.gardham@clinks.org

CLINKS RESOURCE: multiple needs and the next government

Ahead of the General Election on 7th May 2015, the Voices from the Frontline project is inviting people with experience of multiple needs, and the practitioners that support them, to debate what the next government should do to improve support for this group. If you’d like to get involved, the best way to start is to talk about these issues with others in your local service, peer group or community. We recognise some of the issues at stake here are complicated, so we've created a toolkit to help you start the conversation. It lays out some of the big issues, and provides a structure for discussing them as a group. Get involved here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: the role of PCCs in reducing reoffending by young adults

A new Revolving Doors Agency briefing has found that a number of police and crime commissioners (PCCs) are carrying out groundbreaking work aiming to cut crime and reduce reoffending among young adults (18-24). The briefing is the first in a series of ‘PCC spotlights’ by Revolving Doors Agency and the Transition to Adulthood Alliance (T2A), designed to highlight promising practice among PCCs which could be replicated in other areas. Download the report here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: research on young people leaving custody

New research from Beyond Youth Custody says young people do not feel prepared for release and lack the support they need to cope with the transition back into the community. The report identifies a gap in knowledge about the way young people experience the transition from custody back into the community. The dominant theme is that young people find it hard to cope and feel disorientated when adjusting to life outside. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: influencing public opinion on criminal justice

The Criminal Justice Alliance have been working on a Reframing Crime and Justice project that aims to change the debate on crime and justice. The initial research suggests that people in England and Wales have the potential to think in two very different ways about criminal justice reform issues. At times, their thinking aligns with those in the sector – for example, supporting efforts to reduce poverty as a way to prevent crime, or focusing on the need for better rehabilitation services so that offenders can more successfully re-integrate into society. However, these productive ways of thinking are often overshadowed by other cultural models that lead people towards very different perspectives and ideas about addressing crime—including highly punitive ways of reducing crime or a sense that little can (or should) be done to improve public safety. Download the interim findings here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: preventing deaths in custody

The Equality and Human Rights Commission's inquiry into preventing deaths in custody of adults with mental health conditions found that between 2010 and 2013, 367 adults with mental health conditions died of ‘non-natural’ causes while in state detention in police cells and psychiatric wards. Another 295 adults died in prison of ‘non-natural’ causes, and many of these had mental health conditions. Since 2013 that number has risen considerably. "We hope that this report provides valuable insights and recommendations which can bring about real change in the way that adults with mental health conditions are treated in detention. Our aim is to help prevent further unnecessary tragedies." Download it here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: new prison to be run by public sector

Prisons Minister Andrew Selous announced this week that the new prison being built in Wrexham will be operated by Her Majesty’s Prison Service (HMPS), with 34% of service provision outsourced. The prison will provide around 2,100 Category C places for male offenders from North Wales and North West England, including a small remand function serving the courts in North Wales. It will include places for education, 12 large workshop spaces, and resettlement functions. Construction is currently underway in Wrexham and the first houseblock is due to start taking prisoners from early 2017. Read the full press release here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Nick Clegg's criminal justice speech

Nick Clegg spoke about the Liberal Democrat's criminal justice policy this week at a Pact event. He said that a rising prison population is 'a sign of failure not success', and that too many abused and vulnerable women, drug addicts and people with mental health problems are currently locked up behind bars. He called for an evidence-based approach to do 'what works' to cut crime, not just 'to sound tough' or 'play to the gallery'. Read his full speech here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: positive inspection of youth offending work in Trafford

Trafford Youth Offending Service (YOS) continued to work effectively with young people to reduce reoffending, said Alan MacDonald, Deputy Chief Inspector of Probation in his recent report. While most inspections are targeted on areas where there are concerns about youth offending work, inspectors chose to inspect Trafford as a high-performing area in order to maintain a benchmark of good practice. Inspectors made recommendations to assist Trafford in its continuing improvement, including: ensuring governance arrangements for the YOS's safeguarding practice are robust and effective and improving training on safeguarding. Find out more here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: is TR on track?

A lively discussion took place in the House of Lords recently, instigated by Light Lunch reader Lord Ramsbotham's question: "To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether any emerging risks to the programme to transform the delivery of probation services have been reported to Ministers, and what action is being taken to mitigate any such risks." Read the full conversation here

COMMISSIONING: unpaid work for young people in Milton Keynes

Milton Keynes Youth Offending Team (YOT) are inviting suitable organisations to tender for the provision of reparation and unpaid work activities for young people subject to criminal court orders supervised by them. Reparation is an important component of the overall service combining elements of payback to the community and individual victims of crime, a degree of restriction of liberty and the opportunity for young people to develop and potentially learn new skills that will help them to lead productive, law abiding lives. The YOT are interested in hearing from organisations that can offer imaginative ways in which these multiple expectations can be met. The deadline to express an interest is 10th March; find out more here

FUNDING: supporting the disadvantaged in the Midlands

Grants of between £500 and £1,000 are available to support small, local community groups in Birmingham, Solihull and the Black Country that are doing exceptional work to aid local people who are currently living tough lives. To be eligible for funding, groups must be working with a deprived or disadvantaged community and have an annual income of less than £100,000. This programme is currently undersubscribed and another 40 grants need making before the 6th March deadline! Find out more here

FUNDING: to support young people

The National Express Foundation provides grants of either £2,500 or £5,000 for organisations supporting young people in the former West Midlands county boundary (served by the National Express bus business) and South Essex or East London (within five miles of the c2c rail line). The National Express Foundation does not set restrictions on how the funding should be applied. It is therefore crucial that applicants demonstrate innovation in how the projects will be delivered, as well as outlining clearly how their projects will target the maximum number of children and young people in the community it serves. The deadline for applications is 20th March; find out more here

FUNDING: safer communities in Gloucestershire

Gloucestershire’s Police and Crime Commissioner's Fund will support organisations that reduce crime and disorder; make communities stronger and safer; target a particular geographical area or community in need; encourage co-operation with partners and communities; and bring sustainable benefits to the local communities. There is no minimum or maximum level of grant specified, and funding will, therefore, vary based upon the nature of each application. Grants can be used to cover a range of costs, including practical work, feasibility studies or research projects, group or partnership development, awareness raising, training, equipment, materials and marketing, and promotion. The deadline for applications is 25th March; find out more here

FUNDING: safer communities in Hertfordshire

Hertfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner’s Community Fund has been created to assist individuals, communities and businesses to come together and generate ideas that will contribute to keeping the community safe. The four main themes are building on success, public focus, offender pays, and business sense. Eligible activities could include, but are not limited to, practical work, research projects, equipment and materials, awareness raising, or training. There is no minimum or maximum amount, and the closing date is 25th March. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: supporting children affected by parental offending

'Children of Prisoners: Supporting Children and Families Affected by Parental Offending in Croydon' is a Barnardo's conference [16th March, London, free] aiming to give an overview of the issues facing the families of prisoners and provide a range of strategies and resources to help you support them. Download a flyer and book here

CLINKS MEMBER'S TRAINING: engaging offenders

Reflex are hosting 'Offender engagement skills' training [30th April, Halesowen, £75] that aims to provide participants with an introduction to a number of communication and engagement techniques which will assist them on the front-line of face-to-face delivery. The day will include material on understanding an offender's journey through the Criminal Justice System, the reflective practitioner, managing power and control imbalances, active listening skills, the Cycle of Change, motivational interviewing, Socratic questioning, and dealing with resistance. Find out more here

NON-MEMBERS' EVENTS & TRAINING

  • 'Offender Personality Disorder Pathway Programme' | 11th March, London, free | Details
  • 'Gangs, youth violence and drugs – commissioning masterclass' | March & April, Leeds, Sheffield, Birmingham | Details
  • 'Still We Rise: Preventing Violence Against Women in Wales'  | 27th-28th March, Cardiff, from £50 | Details

PUBLICATION: what does a good life look like for offenders?

'A Good Life: Exploring what matters to people facing multiple and complex needs' is a new Revolving Doors Agency report that looks at what people facing multiple and complex needs identify as important for a ‘good life’. The research asked participants from Revolving Doors’ national service user forum, who all have experience of multiple problems and offending, to focus on their goals and aspirations. Participants made collages of their ‘good life’ and then discussed this with researchers. The report finds that people prioritised symbols of stability such as secure housing and mental wellbeing, and found strength in helpful relationships and support networks. Download the report here

PUBLICATION: refreshed IOM key principles

The Home Office have refreshed their Integrated Offender Management (IOM) key principles guidance, which sets out the principles that underpin local IOM arrangements. The refresh includes a new element: to achieve long-term desistance from crime. Download the guidance here

CLINKS MEMBERS' VACANCIES

A Senior Project Officer with Women’s Work [Derby], a Programme Manager with Sova [London], Administrators [Norwich and Bedford] and Trainer/Assessors [Peterborough and Norwich] with St Giles Trust, a Business Manager with Restorative Solutions CIC [Flexible], and a Chief Executive with the Lucy Faithfull Foundation [Epson or Birmingham]. For further information about these vacancies and many more, click here 

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip of the week I: Get free Lancôme products at your nearest counter. Whilst there, you can also get a free 15-minute face pampering session, no booking required. Details
  • Tip of the week II: For £149 two people can stay overnight at The Lake Country Hotel & Spa, Llangammarch Wells, Powys. Deal includes accommodation in a Luxury Suite with full English breakfast and a 3-course set-menu dinner with an amuse-bouche. Details
  • Tip of the week III: Save 50% on tickets for 'Anything Goes', which features Cole Porter songs, at Bradford's Alhambra Theatre in March. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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

 

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