Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 383 | 20th March 2015

[[{"fid":"864","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":""},"type":"media","link_text":null,"attributes":{"class":"media-element file-default"}}]]

In this week's edition....

CLINKS PUBLICATION: health and care services for women offenders

Clinks have published the results of our recent survey of voluntary sector health and social care services for women in contact with the Criminal Justice System. We found many fantastic examples of organisations working together to meet the health needs of these women, both directly and through proactively supporting them to engage with other health services. Despite this, the responses highlighted a number of areas where more support is needed, including mental health, trauma-informed services, support for those with complex but low-level needs and/or dual diagnosis, and addressing challenges in sharing information and making referrals between services. These findings reflect those of other recent research by Clinks, Prison Reform Trust, Women’s Breakout and others; and will form the basis of further work next year to influence commissioners and identify ways to address those gaps. Click here to read the report

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: manager coaching for small organisations in the East Midlands

Gill Francis is a recently retired Probation Service senior manager currently studying for a Level 7 Diploma in Executive Coaching. She has completed over 130 hours of manager coaching and is offering this service free to smaller voluntary organisations (with up to 10 paid staff) working with rehabilitation services. This initial offer is focused on the Nottingham area for face to face coaching. Dependent on the level of demand, a wider geographical remit may be possible with telephone coaching, which Gill has used extensively. To find out more, or apply for support, email gill.m.francis@gmail.com

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: report on sex in prison

The Howard League for Penal Reform's Commission on Sex in Prisons final report, published this week, features accounts from former prisoners speaking for the first time about their experiences of sex behind bars. The report concludes that a national survey of both the serving prison population and former prisoners, fully supported by but independent of the National Offender Management Service (NOMS), is urgently required to understand better the scale of consensual and coercive sex in prison. Download the report here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: the impact of reforms and cost-savings in prison

'Prisons: planning and policies' is a Justice Select Committee report, following a year-long inquiry into the impact of the Government’s programme of reforms and efficiency savings across the prison estate. It concludes that the combination of estate modernisation and re-configuration, efficiency savings and changes in operational policy, including to the Incentives and Earned Privileges scheme, have made a significant contribution to the deterioration in safety. The Committee says increases in assaults on both staff and prisoners, together with the increase in suicides in prisons, are matters of grave concern. Read the report here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: children's resettlement services

'Joint thematic inspection of resettlement services to children by Youth Offending Teams and partner agencies' is a new report from HM Inspectorate of Probation that examines Youth Offending Teams' responses to findings from regular inspections of youth offending work which suggested services to children in custody and on release were not being delivered consistently well enough. The report was published in partnership with the Care Quality Commission and Ofsted. Download the findings here

FUNDING: improving the wellbeing of residents in South London

The Elephant and Castle Community Fund has grants of between £500 and £5,000 for projects that help Elephant and Castle residents to feel happier, healthier and part of the community in which they live, work or study. Projects must focus on: Further education, skill building, training and entrepreneurship; Arts and culture; Environment; or Older residents. All proposed projects and activities should demonstrate strong community engagement, be based on local need, and must demonstrate how the proposed work meets a gap in current provisions and complements existing services. The deadline for applications is 13th April. Find out more and apply here

FUNDING: improving community safety in Staffordshire

Staffordshire’s police and crime commissioner’s People Power Fund provides grants of between £100 and £3,000 for one-off initiatives which improve community safety, reduce crime and disorder and increase public confidence. The Commissioner is keen to support locally-driven community safety and reassurance activities. These could range from the provision of positive activities for young people with the aim of reducing anti-social behaviour in local communities to mentoring programmes for targeted groups in areas of need. All projects should aim to demonstrate ongoing self-sustainability. The deadline for applications is 14th April. Find out more and apply here

FUNDING: innovative projects in the South West

Matched crowdfunding of up to £5,000 is available for projects in Plymouth that: improve the local environment; develop skills, support student integration in the city, or support students staying on and starting up businesses; or promote local food, healthy eating or support small local businesses to thrive. The decision to match fund a project will be decided by the Council and influenced by the interest that the project generates from ‘the crowd’, the amount of development in the area covered by the project and how it reduces the impact of development. Find out more and submit your project here

FUNDING: removing the language barrier to prisoner resettlement

The Bell Foundation is, through the ‘Language for Change’ programme, seeking to contribute to reducing the reoffending rates of those with English as a second language through removing the language barrier to resettlement. Grants of up to £60,000 a year are available to support organisations meet the Foundation's two key objectives: helping ex-offenders with English as a second language to better access education, employment and resettlement support; and to build and share knowledge about the impact of and removal of the language barrier to rehabilitation. To apply, you'll need to send a two page brief outlining your proposal and costing before the 31st May deadline. Full details can be found here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: supporting survivors of gender-based violence

'Abused No More' is an IARS event [23rd April, London, donations] in support of refugee and asylum-seeking women who are survivors of gender-based violence. A powerful performance, 'Even if we lose our lives', will be delivered by Ice & Fire; based on in-depth interviews with three Afghan women fighting for peace and protection for women’s rights. Motivational talks will be delivered by Sarian Kamara, case worker for victims of crime, and Maimuna Jawo, a campaigner against female genital mutilation and a leader in the Movement for Justice. Find out more and book here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: resettlement of homeless people

'Empowering homeless people to make resilient and lasting life changes' is a Lemos&Crane conference [20th May, London, from £185] that will look at new ways of going beyond accommodation, training and jobs, and bringing in other approaches to enhancing well-being, increasing community involvement and enjoying a fuller, more varied, contemporary life. Find out more and book your place here

CLINKS MEMBER'S TRAINING: workshop for case supervisors

Restorative Solutions CIC are running a training workshop [14th April, Kettering, £95] to help case supervisors develop a detailed understanding of their role in respect of the delivery of Restorative Approaches by Restorative Practitioners. On completion of this workshop delegates will be equipped to confidently provide advice and oversight in individual cases, bring new ideas and a fresh perspective, and check that nothing is going seriously wrong. They’ll also be able to fulfil their role in ensuring that best practice is followed, develop the skills and knowledge to perform their role restoratively, and have the opportunity to put these skills into practice in a safe environment. Find out more and book here

NON-MEMBERS' EVENTS & TRAINING

  • 'Gangs, youth violence and drugs – commissioning masterclass' | 20th April, Sheffield and Liverpool, free | Details

OPPORTUNITY: short term placements at probation inspectorate

HMI Probation is seeking people for short term placements with expertise in: provision of accommodation and support for young people; referral orders; or foreign nationals who have offended. "In order to improve the way we carry out our inspections we are seeking people with detailed knowledge of our inspection topics to join our inspection teams for a period of up to 12 weeks over a six to nine month timeframe to help plan, carry out and write up inspections. Training will be provided in inspection skills and procedures." Applicants should be aware that the role does entail frequent travel within England and Wales and the necessity for overnight stays away from home. Travel and subsistence payments will be made to cover these costs. The closing date for applications is 10th April, find out more here

OPPORTUNITY: free mentoring programme for ex-offenders

The new Back on Track Core Programme [14th April, London, free] is a chance for participants who have an offence or caution in their past to refocus, set goals for themselves and progress towards a brighter future. All participants will be offered the chance to progress within the service and will be offered a mentor to help them achieve goals they have set for themselves. The course lasts for four weeks. Back on Track pay for public transport costs and lunch for all participants. For more information or to refer to this programme, email tim.ibrahim@hestia.org

PUBLICATION: drugs in prison

'Drugs in prison' is a new report from think tank Centre for Social Justice that states a "three-pronged approach is needed to help people in prison recover from drug addictions: Drugs must be kept out of prisons; Demand for drugs must be reduced; Drug addicted prisoners must receive effective support into recovery. These three requirements are interdependent and failure in just one area will ultimately lead to a failure to tackle the prison drug problem." The report sets out the issues and investigates how each of those three requirements can be met. Download the report here

BLOG: resettlement in jeopardy

Russell Webster blogged recently about the impact of reducing access to temporary release for those in prison. Russell said: "Prisoners are granted Release on Temporary Licence for a range of reasons; but they are almost all connected with planning for successful reintegration into the community. People are released on temporary licence in order to attend interviews for jobs and accommodation, organise training opportunities and rebuild and maintain relationships with families. By introducing this new restrictive approach to temporary release, the Ministry of Justice is seriously obstructing the efforts of the new Community Rehabilitation Companies to reduce reoffending." Read the full article here

CLINKS MEMBERS' VACANCIES

Vacancies this week: an Assistant Director with the Thames Valley Partnership [Chilton], a Transforming Rehabilitation Contract Manager with Pact [London], a Head of Operations with User Voice [London], 2 x Hostel Support Assistants with Foundation [Scarborough], a Vulnerable Women Perinatal Support Coordinator with Birth Companions [Home based/London], Resettlement Caseworkers [East of England] and an ASD Women’s Caseworker [London] with St Giles Trust and a Client Engagement Officer with Changing Lives [Chester-Le-Street]. For further information about these vacancies and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip of the week I: Get a free hot drink at Greggs when you download their app. Details
  • Tip of the week II: Two people can stay two nights at the 5 star Retallack Resort & Spa in Cornwall for £110. Deal includes access to the spa. Details
  • Tip of the week III: Two night stays at the White Hart Hotel in Dorchester-on-Thames have been reduced to £99 per person. Deal includes tickets to a local attraction of your choice, 3-course dinner on both nights and breakfast both mornings. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

Get involved Donate | Become a Member | Follow Clinks on Twitter | Join Mailing List

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

 

About Clinks Light Lunch

This edition of Light Lunch has been sent to the inbox of 9,162 people working (or with an interest) in the Criminal Justice System of England & Wales. Who are they?

To submit content, read the Notes for Contributors here

To unsubscribe, email joe.gardham@clinks.org

[Disclaimer]

 

Designed, composed and circulated every Friday by...

Joe Gardham and Ben Watson

Clinks