Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 406 | 18th September 2015

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In this week's edition....

CLINKS RESPONSE: probation inspection work with women offenders

Clinks has submitted evidence to the HM Inspectorate of Probation thematic inspection of work with women offenders. The Inspectorate are interested in establishing the current landscape for and the provision and gaps in services for women who offend. In our evidence we have highlighted key points in relation to the location, leadership and funding of women centres; barriers to gender-specific work; changes in the needs of female service users over the last two years and examples of good practice from the voluntary sector. Download the response here

CLINKS BLOG: criminal justice announcements

Last week Michael Gove announced a review of youth justice, and David Cameron made a speech that included references to prison reform, the role of PCCs in devolution, outsourcing, competition, payment by results, efficiences and collaborative working. Jess Mullen, Clinks' Policy Manager, has summarised both speeches in a really handy blog post. Find out more here

CLINKS RESOURCE: make sure you're on our directory of mentoring services

Clinks' Just Mentoring directory contains information on 200 vital criminal justice mentoring and befriending services across England and Wales. Service users, their families and those working to support them can contact the services they need directly through the directory. To ensure that your service is included and up to date, search for it here, and find comprehensive instructions for editing your directory entry here

CLINKS GUEST BLOG: why I go to work in a prison every day

In our latest guest blog, Zoe Twiddle from Khulisa shares her experience of a recent intervention with John, one of her service users: "The last day was very emotional for John. Others in the room commented on his transformation and confidence. He stated that he had made some significant changes already such as giving up smoking and had been to the gym for the first time since being in prison. He had an enthusiasm and lightness to him that was inspirational. John was exceptionally grateful for the journey that he had been on and ended his check out with saying that he is worth more than sitting in a cell looking at four walls. He had forgiven himself. I feel so privileged to be doing this work..." Read more here

COMMISSIONING: knowledge hub on ethnic inequality

The LankellyChase Foundation is inviting expressions of interest to tender for the design and delivery of a new ‘knowledge hub’ on ethnic inequality and severe and multiple disadvantage, with an initial focus on mental health. The aim of the project is to put available knowledge to use as a tool for change, rather than restate well-known problems. The contractor – likely to be a partnership of different people and organisations – will collate, synthesise, interpret and communicate data on ethnic inequality in mental health and other interrelated areas (including criminal justice) over time. The resources available to design and build the ‘knowledge hub’ will be up to £1.25m over 5 years. The deadline for initial expressions of interest is 12th October 2015. Full information is available here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: celebrating inspirational people in the CJS

NoOffence!'s 2015 Redemption & Justice Awards [9th October, Manchester, £100] will celebrate both the people who change and the people who help to make change possible, from across every sector of criminal justice. Over 230 people are already booked to attend; you can join them to be part of an inspirational evening. Find out more and book your place here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: using sport to reduce reoffending

2nd Chance are launching the ‘National Alliance of Sport for the Desistance of Crime (NASDC)’ at this years Beyond Sport Summit & Awards [19th October, London, from £295 +vat]. Supported by Clinks, the NASDC has brought together some of the most powerful sport-led, social innovators and global leaders to address sport’s role in driving social change and reform. The Alliance will source, evidence, share and support the impact sport and activity can and is having on desistance from crime. Find out more and book your place here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: new reporting duties for FGM

'FGM mandatory reporting – understanding your new duty' is a Barnardo's event [20th October, London, from £200 +vat] that will help clarify the new duties for teachers and regulated health and social care professionals reporting known cases of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) on girls under 18. Speakers include Minister for Preventing Abuse and Exploitation Karen Bradley MP (Home Office) and subject matter experts including leading psychotherapist and anti-FGM campaigner Leyla Hussein. Find out more and book your place here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: women supporting women

'Women Supporting Women: Peer Mentoring and Coaching' is a Crossroads Trust event [3rd November, Worcester, £40] that will consider some of the issues connected with working effectively with women facing domestic abuse, those who may be affected by the criminal justice system or who face multiple disadvantage and/or complex needs. Speakers will consider women designed and led approaches to interventions, women supporting women, peer mentoring and coaching practices in working effectively with women bringing hope, motivation and self-confidence. Find out more and book your place here

CLINKS MEMBER'S TRAINING: understanding gangs

St Giles Trust's SOS Project - London's largest and oldest ex-offender-led gangs intervention project - will be delivering their 'Understanding gangs' training [9th October, Leeds, from £30] to increase awareness, develop the ability of professionals working with young people and improve outcomes. The day's training will equip attendees with an improved understanding and knowledge of young people and gangs, the ability to identify risk factors and prevent young people getting involved, a toolkit of interventions and strategies and the opportunity to learn from professionals with first-hand experience. Find out more and book your place here

CLINKS PARTNER'S EVENT: de-commissioning services

'De-commissioning' is an Academy for Justice Commissioning evening seminar [21st October, Manchester, free] at which Chris O'Leary, Researcher at the Centre for Public Policy and Health, Durham University, will draw both on his research and his practical experience of de-commissioning. He will argue that the flip-side of effective commissioning is effective de-commissioning and will set out a process for de-commissioning services. This will include how to make a business case for de-commissioning and how to manage different stakeholders in the de-commissioning process including service users and staff. Find out more and book your place here

NON-MEMBERS' EVENTS & TRAINING

  • ‘Introduction to the Advice Quality Standard for small advice organisations’ | 7th or 21st October, London, £40 | Details

PUBLICATION: intermediaries in the CJS

'Intermediaries in the criminal justice system: Improving communication for vulnerable witnesses and defendants' is a book (£24.99) that provides a comprehensive explanation of how intermediaries work in practice and gives ‘behind the scenes’ insights into the criminal process. Intermediaries are independent communication specialists who assist children and vulnerable adults at police interviews and trials, helping to improve the quality of their evidence and providing access to justice for those who previously had been excluded. Richly illustrated with case examples through intermediaries’ own descriptions of their work, the book also includes feedback from justice system personnel and over 70 judges. Find out more and buy the book here

PUBLICATION: involving service users in service design

'Involving service users in recruitment' is a report from a peer-led research project by the Fulfilling Lives (multiple needs) National Expert Citizens Group. Of the 12 projects featured in the report, all involved those with lived experience of multiple needs at the heart of service delivery and evaluation; all were involved in collaborative partnership working; and all had employed people with lived experience of accessing relevant services for multiple needs. Read the full report here

OPPORTUNITY: domestic violence interventions

The Drive Partnership, a joint initiative between our members Respect, SafeLives and Social finance, are inviting tenders from experienced not-for-profit or charitable organisations in Essex and West Sussex to deliver a three year pilot of an intervention for perpetrators of domestic violence whose victims have come to the attention of MARAC (Multi-Agency-Risk-Assessment-Conference). The Partnership aims to develop a sustainable, national response to perpetrators of domestic abuse that will form part of a whole system response. The pilot will focus on victim safety – combining effective case management and proactive engagement with perpetrators. The deadline for responses is the 9th October. Bids to deliver the project in South Wales will be invited from 28th September. Find out more here

OPPORTUNITY: support older people

Silver Sunday, the national day for older people, will take place on 4th October this year. A third of people over 75 say that they are lonely; Silver Sunday aims to help tackle loneliness across the UK, with over 350 events taking place last year. There are over 100 free events taking place across the UK from the South of England to Glasgow and all the way to Belfast. Highlights of this year’s events include a rock ‘n’ roll Sunday disco in Waltham Forest with the DJ spinning the finest classics from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s, a centenarians tea party in Southend for those who are over 100, a murder mystery over a three course dinner in East Sussex, a tour of Botanical Gardens in Belfast and many more. Find out more and get involved here

CLINKS MEMBERS' VACANCIES

A Floating Support Worker with Sova [London], an Operations Director with The Upper Room [London], a Counsellor, and a Reception Information and Support Worker with Changing Lives [Doncaster], an Accommodations Director with YMCA Grimsby Cleethorpes Humber Region [Cleethorpes], an Outreach Support Worker with New Dawn New Day Ltd [Leicester], an Operations Director with Safe Ground [London], a Marketing and Communications Manager with Prison Advice and Care Trust [London], a Circles Volunteer with Circles South West [South West], and a Family Support Worker (Female) with The Nelson Trust [Gloucester]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip of the week I: If you live or work in London or Birmingham, get £20 off a £50 Amazon spend. Details
  • Tip of the week II: Get a free two month trial of Tastecard; giving you 50% off at thousands of restaurants. Details
  • Tip of the week III: Get a free cocktail or beer at Pitcher & Piano. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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