Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 385 | 10th April 2015

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In this week's edition....

CLINKS VACANCY: we're seeking a new Chief Executive

We’re looking for a highly committed and values-driven Chief Executive to succeed Clive Martin, providing inspirational leadership to the organisation and taking on the role as an influential advocate for the sector. This is a complex role, requiring a great deal of empathy with the mission and values of our membership along with a strong understanding of system reform within criminal justice. The closing date for applications is 11th May; find out more here

CLINKS EVENTS: consultation on healthcare inspections in secure settings

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has launched a consultation on their joint approach to inspecting health and care services in prisons, Youth Offending Institutions and Immigration Removal Centres with Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons. The new approach aims to improve the ways in which they gather and use the views of service users and their families about the quality of their care, and sets out how CQC will seek to work with voluntary sector organisations working with offenders and their families to support this process. The deadline for responding directly to CQC is 24th May; have your say here. Clinks will also be submitting a response to the consultation, and would love to hear your views. We plan to hold two consultation workshops [21st April, Leeds | 5th May, London | free]; please email hazel.alcraft@clinks.org to book a place.

CLINKS BRIEFING: how the Care Act affects those working in criminal justice

'The Care Act (2014) and the voluntary sector working in criminal justice' is a recent briefing, written in partnership with Acevo, that explains the Care Act (2014) and its relevance to voluntary sector organisations working with people in prison custody who are resettled back into local communities. It lays out the background to the act, the changes that impact on people in the Criminal Justice System, and the changes that are relevant to operational staff, and strategic leads, in voluntary sector organisations. Download the briefing here

CLINKS NEWS: updated Directory of Offender Services

Many thanks to all of you who have recently updated your Directory of Offender Services entries. As part of our efforts to improve the Directory, we’ve removed over 200 entries that we were not able to update. We want to ensure that all organisations working with offenders and ex-offenders are included, so check if your organisation or service is listed here and follow these instructions if you need to add your service again or update your entry

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: Drugscope closes

Drugscope has ceased operating with immediate effect due to a 'worsening financial situation'. Edwin Richards, Chair of DrugScope, said "It is with a heavy heart that the Board has taken this extremely difficult decision. We are grateful to all of DrugScope’s staff for their hard work, skill and commitment. I am saddened for DrugScope members whose support for the organisation has been at the heart of its work and governance. The focus going forward is on ensuring that the mission is carried on by other means." Read the full announcement here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: new Chief Executive for offenders' skills charity

Back on Track, the skills charity for ex-offenders, has appointed Siobhan Pollitt as its new Chief Executive. She will take over from David Fisher, who is leaving after eight years to focus on caring responsibilities. Siobhan said: "I am absolutely thrilled to be joining Back on Track. I have long been impressed by the charity’s work in changing the lives of disadvantaged residents, and am excited by this rare opportunity to join such an effective and admired organisation". Siobhan will start on 10th June, with a month-long handover before David Fisher leaves on 10th July. Find out more about Back on Track here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: inspection of the treatment of offenders with learning disabilities

'A joint inspection of the treatment of offenders with learning disabilities within the criminal justice system: phase two in custody and the community' found that within probation and particularly in prisons, identification of offenders with learning disabilities remained a problem and as a result, the needs of people with learning disabilities were often missed. Download the report here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: inspecting probation work in North Wales

HM Inspectorate of Probation will be carrying out an inspection of Early Work and Effective Recording undertaken by the National Probation Service (NPS) and Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs) in North Wales during the week commencing 18th May 2015. If you have any queries about this, please contact the HMI Probation (Enquiries) mailbox at Enquiries.HMIProb@hmiprobation.gsi.gov.uk

FUNDING: supporting disadvantaged communities

The People's Postcode Trust's Small Grants Programme has grants of up to £20,000 available for organisations in South West England [Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire, Devon, Cornwall], South East England [Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey and West Sussex], or East of England [Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, East Anglia]. Funding is available for projects that advance citizenship or community development. Advancing community development involves creating opportunities for the community to learn new skills and, by enabling people to act together, helps further social inclusion and equality. Priority will be given to projects that are focused on improving life for disadvantaged groups and encouraging their inclusion within society. The deadline for applications is 30th April; find out more here

FUNDING: supporting Wandsworth's communities

The Wandsworth Grant Fund is offering grants of between £500 and £15,000 for voluntary organisations in the borough. The funder is holding 'Meet the Funder' events [15th April, 16th April, and 22nd April, Wandsworth, London] to assist prospective applicants to learn more about the fund and application process. All applicants are urged to attend one of these meetings, and the deadline for applications to the fund is 5th May. Find out more and book your place on one of the events

FUNDING: support to improve your neighbourhood

The First Steps programme aims to give small community groups the freedom to develop community action plans to improve their neighbourhood so that it reflects more of what local residents want, or do not want, and the changes they would like made. Constituted groups and incorporated organisations with a primary purpose which is charitable, philanthropic or benevolent can apply as long as they have a turnover of less than £50,000 a year and are based in an area of England that is described as 'deprived' in Government terms. The deadline for applications is 8th May; find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: combating domestic violence and abuse

'Is Prevention Better Than Cure?' is a NoOffence! conference [22nd April, Chesterfield, from £50] that will focus on domestic violence and abuse. The event will ask if it's possible to achieve a return on investment through the prevention of domestic abuse/violence. Whose responsibility is it to invest in our children to recognise what a healthy relationship looks like? And should our commissioning structure divert reducing resources away from the ‘sticky plaster’ solution and towards prevention? Find out more and book your place here

NON-MEMBERS' EVENTS & TRAINING

  • 'Paths from Prison: What happens after release?' | 13th May, Cardiff, from £95 | Details
  • 'NHS England Strategic Partnership Development Day' | 21st May, London, free | Details

RESOURCE: supporting the children of offenders

The latest in i-HOP’s briefing range highlights how i-HOP can help social care professionals to provide support and information for children and families of offenders. The briefing summarises some of the key outcomes for these children and families, and highlights the importance of social care teams having an understanding of this issue and the ability to provide support and information for families in this situation. It is likely that social workers may already be working with many families affected by parental offending, and their role with these families mean it is essential for them to have an awareness of the associated needs. Download the briefing here

RESOURCE: understanding the civil injunction

The coalition government’s ASBO replacement – the civil injunction – came into force on the 23rd March 2015, representing a chance for a new, more effective approach to tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB) amongst children. The Standing Committee for Youth Justice (SCYJ) has put together a guide for all those involved in implementing the new ASB orders, which sets out local policies and practices that they recommend are introduced alongside them. It contains targeted recommendations for Youth Offending Teams, local authorities, the police, and others, around the civil injunctions and other new ASB orders. Download the guide here

CLINKS MEMBERS' VACANCIES

A National Contracts Manager with Shelter [Manchester], a Service Manager, 2 x Case Managers, a Volunteer Coordinator and a Support Officer with Sova [London], a Restorative Justice Co-ordinator with Why Me? [London], a Co-ordinator, a Restorative Justice Practitioner and an Administrator with Remedi [TBC], a Lead Practitioner with Lifeline Project [HMYOI Feltham], an Addictions Support Worker with Changing Lives [Chester-Le-Street], an Executive Director with The Forgiveness Project [London], an Economic Impact Analyst with the Centre for Justice Innovation [London], a Database Administrator with Parents and Children Together [Reading], Various roles with Ixion [West Midlands/South East England], a Case Manager (Female) with Eaves/Women in Prison [London], a Volunteer with Feltham Community Chaplaincy [London], a Fundraising Assistant Volunteer with the Koestler Trust [London], a Team Administrator with Foundation [Kirklees] and an Operational Support Administrator with POPS [Manchester]. For further information about these vacancies and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip of the week I: On Tuesday 14th April, you can get a free Ben & Jerry’s ice cream if you visit a participating store between 12-8pm. Details
  • Tip of the week II: You can get a day's unlimited midweek off-peak travel for £15 on any London Midland route (London to Liverpool, via the West Midlands) until Sunday 19th April. Details
  • Tip of the week III: For £89 per person, get a two night stay in the north Lincolnshire countryside. The deal includes full English breakfast both mornings, 3 course dinner on the first evening, bottle of red wine on arrival, late checkout and a discount on golf and spa facilities. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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

 

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