Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 389 | 8th May 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 NEWS: tracking voluntary sector involvement in TR

Transforming Rehabilitation is a hugely important reform, not only for the voluntary sector, but most importantly for all the vulnerable people who need appropriate support that aids their rehabilitation and resettlement. In order to push past some of the complexities of TR, we are gathering evidence as to what is happening with voluntary sector services locally. Our new, year-long project, in partnership with NCVO, will monitor the role of voluntary sector providers in and alongside Transforming Rehabilitation. Starting with an initial, five minute survey, we want you to share your experience so that we can develop a picture of the role that the voluntary sector is playing. Have your say here and read Nathan Dick's blog on the project here

CLINKS MEMBERS' EVENT: senior staff networking event

These are tough times to be a leader in the voluntary sector working in criminal justice. Finances are tight, service user need is escalating, and it's hard to understand the potential impact Transforming Rehabilitation will have on the sector. 'What's keeping you awake at night?' [Morning, 4th June, Manchester, £40] is a Clinks members' networking event that allows you to come and share your experiences of navigating these turbulent seas in a facilitated session with a small group of peers. Participants should be CEOs or senior staff, with a good overview of the organisation and the authority to give feedback from their organisation. This is an exclusive event for Clinks members. Find out more and book your place here

CLINKS REPORT: tackling inequality in the CJS

'Tackling Inequality in the Criminal Justice System' is a new report from Clinks that reveals how groups have advocated for the needs of offenders from different equality and minority communities, and includes useful resources, tips and recommendations for voluntary organisations, commissioners and policy makers. People from equality and minority groups are overrepresented in the Criminal Justice System (CJS), with a large proportion facing some form of discrimination or disadvantage. The report summarises presentations and discussions from a seminar held in November 2014, and highlights solutions to challenges for policy makers and commissioners to tackle inequality in the CJS at each stage of the commissioning cycle. Click here to download the report

CLINKS BRIEFING: Offender Rehabilitation Act

Our latest briefing explains the Offender Rehabilitation Act (ORA) which came into full force on 1st February 2015. The ORA accompanies the Transforming Rehabilitation programme, and is at the heart of the reforms which extend supervision to approximately 45,000 additional offenders per year who are released from short prison sentences of less than 12 months. It also creates greater flexibility in the delivery of sentences served in the community. Download the briefing here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: help mums-to-be get the maternity items they need

Birth Companions is asking Light Lunch readers to vote for them to raise money for the practical items the charity provides to vulnerable women and babies in the perinatal period. Their PramDepot project takes donations from supporters in the community of really good quality maternity clothes, baby clothes, equipment, prams and pushchairs and toys; sorts and cleans them and delivers exactly what a woman needs, when she needs it. It will cost £8,000 for PramDepot to deliver this service to the women Birth Companions supports in 2015. To help them support these women, all you have to do is vote for them; it takes about 30 seconds. Find out more and vote here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: disclosing criminal records for employment purposes

The UK should introduce measures that allow all people with convictions to be potentially regarded as legally ‘rehabilitated’, and therefore not have to disclose their record to employers, according to a report published last week by Christopher Stacey, Director (Services) of Unlock. As part of the research, Christopher visited France, Spain and Sweden, where he looked at how these countries deal with criminal records, particularly in disclosing them for employment purposes. He reports on two main areas for each country – who has access to criminal records and how they’re used, and what systems the country has in place to protect or expunge records to minimise their collateral consequences. Download the report here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: invest in rehabilitation through learning

Nina Champion, Head of Policy at Prisoners' Education Trust, is the latest contributor to Russell Webster's blog series setting out the top three priorities for a potential new Justice Secretary. Nina says "if I were Justice Secretary, I would invest in rehabilitation through learning." Her top three priorities would be: Smart rehabilitation, working closely with the Skills Secretary to make a strong learning culture in prisons a priority; Close the digital divide, allowing prisoners to use a secure version of the internet; and Involve prisoners, to ensure prison staff work together with prisoners to improve rehabilitation by giving them more responsibility, using their talents and encouraging them to help others with roles." Read Nina's full blog post here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Redemption & Justice Awards 2015

Nominations are open for NoOffence!'s Redemption & Justice Awards. The awards [9th October, Manchester] will celebrate both the people who change and the people who help to make change possible, from across every sector of criminal justice. You can take part as a judge, sponsor or by attending the evening. Full details about the awards can be found here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: education in prison

Prisoners' Education Trust's Annual Academic Symposium [9th June, Cambridge, free] will bring together academics from a range of disciplines, alongside other key stakeholders, to invigorate discussion surrounding education in prison. Themes for the event include: creating rehabilitative cultures through learning; bringing together universities and prisoner education; and technological innovation and breaking the digital divide. Confirmed speakers include: Professor Alison Liebling, University of Cambridge; Associate Professor Helen Farley, University of Southern Queensland; Dr Katherine Auty, University of Cambridge; and Governor Simon Beecroft, HMP Eastwood Park. Find out more and book your place here

CLINKS MEMBER'S TRAINING: developing restorative practices

Restorative Solutions CIC are hosting their 'Practitioner training' [3rd - 5th June, Newbury, £295 + vat], which aims to enable participants to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively practice restorative approaches. On completion of this training, you should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the principles of restorative justice, sensitivity and recognition of the needs of others when applying restorative approaches, and the ability to identify and practice appropriate restorative approaches in a variety of settings. Find out more and book your place here

CLINKS PARTNER'S TRAINING: mental health awareness and safeguarding training

Mental Health Awareness & Safeguarding Training (MAST) [date to be confirmed in June or July, London, free] is available to frontline practitioners working with young people in London, including youth justice and gang projects. MAST aims to promote the safety of young people by helping practitioners to support them when there are signs that they may be suffering mental ill-health and/or emotional trauma. Training will take place over 2015-16 and practitioners must register an initial interest on the website and complete a sign-up form. Find out more here

FUNDING: for projects that help people into employment

The Skills & Opportunities Fund is only open for 11 days - 11th to 22nd May, and will offer grants of up to £35,000 to charities, social enterprises, community groups, state-funded schools and colleges for projects that help people learn new skills, get into work or start a business. Organisations that are interested can register their details now. Find out more here

FUNDING: supporting the South Yorkshire PCC

Non-profit organisations in South Yorkshire can apply for grants of up to £25,000 to support activities that address the police and crime commissioner's priorities for 2015-16. These include: Effective action tackling crime and anti-social behaviour; Targeted response to those that cause most harm in the community and intervention with others before they enter the criminal justice system; and Prioritising the crime and behaviours that cause the most harm in the community. Organisations in Barnsley, Rotherham, Sheffield and Doncaster can apply. The deadline for applications is 28th May; find out more here

FUNDING: tackling health inequalities in Greater London

London Catalyst has launched a new fund to tackle the effects of poverty and reduce health inequalities across the Greater London area. Charities, voluntary and community organisations and faith groups with an annual income of less than £200,000 are eligible to apply for grants of up to £10,000. All projects must strive to tackle the effects of poverty and reduce health inequalities. Priority will be given to projects that specifically support people with mental and physical health needs, in particular those struggling with mental health and addiction problems. The deadline for applications is 29th May; find out more here

FUNDING: growth and innovation in the South East

Grants of between £2,500 and £10,000 are available for voluntary groups and charitable organisations in the South East of England to unlock potential and support good ideas, aspirational thinking and initiative. Funding must be used to initiate significant change in the capability of an organisation, resulting in demonstrated benefits being delivered to the individuals or communities it supports. Applications will be assessed on their creativity, reach and predicted benefits, and priority will be given to organisations that may find it difficult to find funding elsewhere because of restrictive application criteria. The deadline for expressing an interest is 31st May; find out more here

FUNDING: small projects in East Yorkshire

Grants of up to £10,000 are available for East Yorkshire projects working in the parishes of Easington, Skeffling, Welwick, Weeton, Winestead, Patrington, Ottringham, Keyingham, Thorngumbald, Sunk Island, Paull, Hedon and Preston. E.ON has established this three-year community fund to support smaller, sustainable projects in the parishes bordering the Humber Gateway Offshore Wind Farm. Projects should focus on sustainable environmental improvement; amenity projects that will make a difference to the quality of life of local communities; or make a contribution to economic regeneration. The deadline for applications is 31st May; find out more here

AWARDS: making a difference in your community

The OneFamily Foundation will make 15 awards of £5,000 and four awards of £25,000 for projects that make a positive difference in their local community. Although projects must be nominated by a OneFamily customer, community groups can look for a customer to make a nomination on their behalf. The winner will be determined by a public vote. The award categories are Arts and heritage, Children and young adults, Disability, Domestic violence, Education, Environment and conservation, Families, Health and social care, Mental health and Other. The deadline for applications is 26th May; find out more here

AWARDS: for criminal justice staff and volunteers

Nominations for the latest Butler Trust Annual Awards are now open. The Awards help give credit where it’s due to people working in prisons, probation, and community and youth justice settings across the UK, and are presented at their Annual Award Ceremony by their Patron, HRH The Princess Royal. Anyone can make a nomination and anyone working in prisons, probation or youth justice, including employees of voluntary sector organisations, can be nominated. The closing date for nominations is 30th June; find out more here

PUBLICATION: policy update on resettlement of young people

Beyond Youth Custody has published the most recent in a series of regular updates intended to outline the latest lessons from research, policy and practice in the resettlement of young people. It outlines recent trends in the youth custodial population, summarises the implications of legislative changes affecting the resettlement of young people and brings together findings from research on resettlement services and interventions. Download the update here

CLINKS MEMBERS' VACANCIES

Clinks members' vacancies this week include: an Executive Director of Finance with Changing Lives [Gateshead], a Case Manager (Custody) [Kent and Thames Valley] and a Lead Volunteer Coordinator [Maidstone or Milton Keynes] with Pact, 2 x Case Officers [HMP Brinsford and HMP Werrington] and a Volunteer Coordinator [Leicestershire] with Sova, an Administrative Officer with the Anglia Care Trust [Ipswich] and a Finance and Debt Worker with Working Chance [HMP Holloway]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here. 

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip of the week I: Buy May's BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine and get a card for 2for1 entry to 340 UK gardens, valid until 12th Apr 2016. Details
  • Tip of the week II: Download the Greggs app on iPhone or Android and get a free sausage roll, cheese & onion roll or steak & stilton roll.
  • Tip of the week III:  An overnight break for two at the Samlesbury Hotel, in the Ribble Valley, is now £89. Deal includes prosecco, three-course dinner and a full English breakfast. 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 9,232 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