Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 396 | 26th June 2015

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In this week's edition....

CLINKS RESOURCE: consultants directory

If your organisation is looking for consultancy support, look no further than Clinks' Consultants Directory. Our featured consultant this month is Avan Wadia of M&E Consulting, who specialises in the criminal justice sector, women and young girls, and vulnerable and disadvantaged people. Avan says: "I have a long track record of working in the criminal justice sector and have carried out several evaluations for criminal justice sector organisations including Clinks, Ministry of Justice, Prisoners Abroad and Action for Prisoners’ Families. I continue to be closely involved in the sector as a trustee of a charity - this not only keeps me in touch with developments affecting the sector but also helps me to provide a service that is sensitive to the changing environment." To find out more about Avan, or to promote your own consultancy service, visit the Consultants' Directory

CLINKS OPPORTUNITY: scholarship for criminal justice innovation

Applications are open for 2016's Streetcraft Scholarships; set up to champion the development of innovative frontline criminal justice projects. Following the success of 2015's StreetCraft Scholars, we are offering another four criminal or civil justice practitioners an opportunity to access two different types of support; Young Foundation's highly acclaimed Accelerator programme taking place in Leeds this year or receive intensive development and technical assistance from experts at Clinks. Both modes of support will be fully funded by the Centre for Justice Innovation. The deadline for applications is 31st July. Find out more and apply here 

CLINKS NEWS: volunteering in Europe

The Justice Involving Volunteers in Europe (JIVE) project's latest newsletter includes an update on the project’s progress in developing a volunteer training programme, the value of advocacy and counselling between volunteers and prisoners in the Netherlands, restorative justice in Hungary, volunteering projects in prison in Italy, health commissioning within the CJS in England, and children affected by imprisonment in Romania. Download the latest version here 

CLINKS SURVEY: health & care services for offenders

How well do health and social care services in your local area serve the people you support? If you work with offenders or their families in Greater London or Yorkshire and Humber, we want to hear from you. Clinks is working with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to find out more about the experiences of people in contact with the Criminal Justice System accessing healthcare. Your feedback will help CQC’s inspectors decide when to expect a service, what to look out for and what questions to ask to make sure any issues are being addressed.  They are interested both in individual stories of good or bad care, and in the bigger picture of services in your area.  So if you’re passionate about making sure your service users get the best possible care, don’t miss this chance to share their stories. Find out more and share your feedback here

CLINKS SURVEY: how is your organisation faring?

Clinks' State of the Sector survey is now open! This is your chance to tell your story and help us to influence decision makers. How is your organisation faring? What successes and challenges are you experiencing? In our last survey you told us the needs of your service users are increasing and becoming more complex, and that many of you are relying on your reserves, putting you at risk of closure. How does this compare with your current experiences? The information you provide is vitally important as it informs the crucial work Clinks does to support your organisation and lobby Government on your behalf. Please complete our survey here

CLINKS GUEST BLOG: creating restorative prisons

Lisa Rowles from Khulisa has written a guest blog reflecting on her time so far as a Steetcraft scholar. Through the StreetCraft Scholarship programme, Lisa worked with Clinks to develop a practical vision for a prison regime rooted in restorative justice principles, a potentially radical reshaping of the ethos behind imprisonment. Amongst other things, Lisa says she learnt that: "Armed with a big idea, humility, passion and seeking knowledge – unexpected doors can open; restorative and criminal justice networks are full of encouraging and inspiring collaborative partners; restorative prisons are possible, and restorative practice is here to stay!" Read Lisa's blog and find out more about her work here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: vote for an inspirational individual

NoOffence! has announced the ten finalists for their Inspirational Award, presented to an individual who has turned their lives around and now inspires others to do the same. Dr Christopher Padfield, Chair of the IMB, said of one nominee: “The fires he has been through have helped forge a man of unique humanity, charisma, experience and integrity. May his efforts to bring others safely through those extraordinarily risky fires bear fruit!" You can read all about each of the ten finalists and cast your vote here 

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: share your experience of looked after children

'Keeping children in care out of trouble: an independent review' was launched this week by Prison Reform Trust, to consider why looked after children are more likely than other children in England and Wales to get involved in the Criminal Justice System, and what can be done to help more children in care stay out of trouble. The review wants to hear from those who have experience of local authority care and the criminal justice system, including children and young people, their families and carers, social workers, youth offending team managers, police and local authority leads, and others who work with children in care or the Criminal Justice System. Find out more and contribute here 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: warnings over use of payment by results

'Outcome-based payment schemes: government’s use of payment by results' is a National Audit Office report that estimates £15 billion of public spending is by way of payment by results (PbR). The Government’s experience to date has shown that PbR is a technically challenging form of contracting, not suited to all public services. The report says that without a  common source of shared expertise and a strong evidence base, PbR schemes may be poorly designed and implemented, and commissioners are in danger of ‘reinventing the wheel’ for each new scheme. Amongst the report's recommendations is that the Cabinet Office and Treasury identify a part of the government to be the repository of information and expertise about public sector use of PbR. Download the report here 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: inspection of probation work

HM Inspectorate of Probation will be inspecting 'Early Work and Effective Recording undertaken by the NPS and CRCs' in Cleveland during the week commencing 3rd August 2015. If you have any queries about this, please contact the HMI Probation (Enquiries) mailbox

AWARD: for charities improving social wellbeing

The annual Guardian Charity Awards seek to recognise and encourage charities that are improving social wellbeing in its broadest sense by delivering clear benefits to people who are disadvantaged by poverty or disability or are marginalised in some other way. Eligible charities must have been registered in the United Kingdom for more than two years and have an annual income of between £5,000 and £1.5 million. Winners each receive a £3,000 prize fund, an iPad mini, one year's free NCVO membership and a tailored package of support from Zurich Insurance, the FSI, Media Trust and Bates Wells Braithwaite. The deadline for applications is 5th August. Find out more here 

FUNDING NEWS: Foundation publishes new strategy and grants

The Paul Hamlyn Foundation has published its strategy for 2015, with new rounds of grant funding being made available. The Foundation now has six main priorities: To support imaginative people to nurture existing ideas; To widen access and participation in the arts; To improve people’s education and learning through the arts; To support the development and growth of organisations investing in young people and positive change; To show that the arts make a difference to people’s lives; and To improve support for young people who migrate, and strengthen integration so that communities can live well together. Find out about the various funds and their deadlines here 

FUNDING: Homeshare scheme

The Homeshare initiative aims to tackle two of society's most prevalent issues - the lack of affordable housing for young people and the growing number of older people who are lonely or isolated. By placing young people that are seeking affordable accommodation into the spare rooms of older people (and others who need support to continue living independently), homeshares enable both parties to live independently at an affordable monthly fee. Typically, the younger party additionally pledges approximately 10 hours of companionship and light domestic help (not including personal care) to their host in return. Expressions of interest are due by 2nd July. Find out more here 

FUNDING: services for women and girls

The Big Lottery Fund has created a £48.5 million grants programme so that women and girls organisations can continue to develop and deliver crucial services throughout England. Around 65 grants of between £150,000 and £750,000 are available over a three to five year period. Funding is intended to support revenue costs, however some overheads and capital costs will be considered. The deadline for expressions of interest is 16th July. Find out more here 

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: supporting young people with ADHD

'Connecting and Communicating with Young People with ADHD' is a one day workshop from Talklinks [17th July, Birmingham, £185] providing the opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of ADHD, and to explore a range of approaches to working with individuals who have the condition. £125 subsidised places are available for Light Lunch readers on this and all other TalkLinks Birmingham workshops.  Find out more and book your place here

CLINKS PARTNER'S EVENT: commissioning of prison visitors' centres

NOMS have asked us to let Light Lunch readers know about two market engagement events [14th July, London & 20th July, Manchester] for the commissioning of prison visitors centres. At this stage, NOMS have asked you to 'save the date', with further details and how to book being published in Light Lunch next week.

NON-MEMBERS' EVENTS & TRAINING

  • 'Closer: missing people art exhibition' | 2nd - 6th July, Brick Lane, London | Details 
  • 'Small Grants workshop' | 8th July, Guildford, £20 | Email for details
  • 'Identifying and Tackling Violence Against Women in the UK' | 17th September, London, from £295 | Details
  • 'Emotion and Criminal Justice Conference 2016' | 18th February, Leicester, £50 | Details

PUBLICATION: Coaching Behind Bars

Clare McGregor, ex-Clinks trustee, has published 'Coaching Behind Bars: Facing Challenges and Creating Hope in a Women’s Prison', a book that takes you into the heart of HMP Styal in a way that engages experts and non-criminal justice people alike. Clive Martin, Clinks Director said: “This is such a refreshing book... an inspiring account of how people, when supported at the right time and in the right way, turn their lives around... a universal story about human struggle, compassionate support and triumph against all the odds.” Find out more here

PUBLICATION: guidance on systems change

NPC has published guidance on systems change, which has been attracting the attention of a range of progressive charities, funders and practitioners who are interested in dealing with the root causes of social problems. The guide: clarifies what is meant by systems and systems change; describes the main perspectives on systems change; outlines good practice for systems change; identifies what is and is not agreed upon by experts in the field; and provides recommendations for charities, funders and the public sector on how to act systemically. Download the guide here 

SURVEY: for key policing partners

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary has produced an online survey to gather information from a wide range of community safety partners working at police force level and more locally, to find out what they think about how police forces are working with partners to prevent crime and anti-social behaviour and keep people safe. The deadline for responses is 27th July. Have your say here 

CLINKS MEMBERS' VACANCIES

Vacancies this week include: a Grants Fundraiser with Music in Detention [London], a Mentor with Switchback [London], a 4 x Project Workers (Immigration Detention Centres, Welfare, Roma and Community) with Hibiscus Initiatives [Various], an Associate Trainer with Pact [Various] and a Volunteer Coordinator with Pact [Redhill], Head of Human Resources and a Bid Manager with Foundation [Leeds], a Volunteer Mentor with PLIAS Resettlement [London], a Project Worker with Nacro [Newbury], Project Worker with i-Hop Barnardo's [South East England], a Case Manager with St Giles Trust [Leeds/HMP Wealstun] and a Resettlement Caseworker with St Giles Trust [HMP Highdown]. For further information about these vacancies, and many more, click here.

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip of the week I: Get a totally free £5 Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificate when you sign up for a free TopCashback account - earning free cashback on your online shopping. Details 
  • Tip of the week II: Get a free sausage roll at Greggs. Details 
  • Tip of the week III: LOVEtheatre.com is offering up to 51% off tickets to the acclaimed West End comedy "The Play That Goes Wrong", winner of Best New Comedy at the 2015 Olivier Awards. Details 

EXTRA INFORMATION

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

 

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