Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 414 | 13th November 2015

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In this week's edition....

CLINKS EVENT: Annual General Meeting 2016

Our 17th Annual General Meeting & Reception will be 27th January 2016, London and we're asking members to 'Save the Date'. The event provides a great opportunity to network with funders and policy makers, meet our staff and fellow members, and hear from experts in the field of criminal justice and the voluntary sector. Please mark the date in your diary, and look out for further details in future editions of Light Lunch.

CLINKS EVENT: multiple and complex needs in the North East

The next 'North East Multiple Needs and Exclusion Forum' [3rd December, Darlington, free], coordinated by the Making Every Adult Matter Coalition (MEAM) will be used for practitioners to find out about more about Dual Diagnosis from a national policy perspective and provide an opportunity to discuss good practice in the North East. There will also be an opportunity to discuss issues your service users are facing and develop an action plan to influence at a local, regional and national level. The forum is open to any practitioner working in the multiple and complex needs field. Find out more and book here

CLINKS NEWS: reducing re-offending advisory group

Clinks, in partnership with the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), has recruited 14 senior experts from the voluntary sector working in criminal justice to form the Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3) Leadership Board. The group aims to build a strong and effective partnership between the voluntary sector, MoJ, and the National Offender Management Service to reduce re-offending. You can now read about board members, including their current roles and previous experience, on the Clinks website. The group will be meeting on Monday 16th November for the first time. Find out more here

CLINKS RESPONSE: inquiry into young adult offenders

Clinks submitted evidence to the Justice Select Committee’s inquiry into young adult offenders. The inquiry aims to assess the implications of the findings of the Harris Review and selected recommendations for current policy and practice; examine the evidence on what might constitute more effective or appropriate treatment of young adults throughout the criminal justice process; and review the impact of guidance to sentencers and prosecutors, which advises that they consider the maturity of the offender in their decisions. Our evidence highlights the role the voluntary sector has played in pioneering approaches for young adults, as well as highlighting a range of equalities issues that need to be considered with regards to this age group. Read our response here

CLINKS PROJECT: volunteering in Europe

Clinks' Justice Involving Volunteers in Europe (JIVE) project has published its latest newsletter. Highlights include: a partnership meeting in The Netherlands where partners heard about impressive work developing volunteer programmes undertaken by two Dutch organisations 'leading the way' in Europe; and a project based at HMP Leeds supporting people who face barriers to volunteering, in the forms of societal stigma and lack of skills or confidence, to engage with volunteer-involving organisations. Download the newsletter here

NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR ARTS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE: Anne Peaker lecture

The National Alliance for Arts in Criminal Justice (NAACJ) are holding their annual Anne Peaker Lecture [8th December, London, free], which this year will focus on the UK arts and criminal justice sector in an international context. There will be speeches from Selina Busby, Senior Lecturer and Course Leader at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, and Sara Lee, Artistic Director of the Irene Taylor Trust. This will be followed by a panel discussion featuring artists, practitioners and academics. The evening will end with performances from NAACJ members and a drinks reception. Find out more and book here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: restorative justice forum prize draw

The Restorative Forum is giving away three copies of Belinda Hopkins’ new book 'Restorative Theory in Practice - Insights Into What Works and Why' for their November Prize Draw. For a chance to win a copy you must post a new topic on the forum, or comment on an existing topic, by the 30th November 2015. All contributions will be automatically included in the prize draw and the winners will be selected at random and announced at the beginning of December 2015. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: new director for criminal justice charity

The Prison Advice and Care Trust (Pact), a national charity which supports people affected by imprisonment, has announced Tina Parker will be appointed as their new Director of Services. Pact’s Chief Executive Officer, Andy Keen-Downs said, “We are delighted to welcome Tina to the Pact leadership team. Tina's outstanding track record in probation and the voluntary and private sectors will be put to immediate good use as we take on a number of new major programmes. We would like to thank Katie for her enormous contribution to our services for prisoners and their families. She is a rising star of the voluntary sector.” Find out more here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: early implementation of Transforming Rehabilitation

HM Inspectorate of Probation has published their third report on the early implementation of the Transforming Rehabilitation (TR) programme. Adult probation services under TR continue to present a mixed picture, though some improvements are evident. The report relates to findings from inspections undertaken between March and May 2015, where inspectors focused on work undertaken at the point of sentence and allocation by the National Probation Service (NPS), work undertaken by the Community Rehabilitation Companies and the NPS to manage offenders, and the interfaces between the two organisations in respect of enforcement and risk review. Download the report here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: new prison building plans

The Government has announced a prison reform programme, with plans to build nine new prisons. Chancellor George Osbourne said, "we are going to reform the infrastructure of our prison system, building new institutions which are modern, suitable and rehabilitative. And we will close old, outdated prisons in city centres". Find out more here

FUNDING: access to justice projects

The Nuffield Foundation's Law in Society Programme aims to support self-contained research or developmental projects, based in the UK, which meet a practical or policy need within the field of the civil justice system and the theme of access to justice. The Trust has four areas of interest: family justice; administrative justice; mental disability and other vulnerabilities; and wider legal system design. Research and innovation grants normally range in size from £10,000 up to £350,000. The application deadline is 11th January 2016. Find out more and apply here

COMMISSIONING: supporting offenders' families

The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has asked us to alert the offenders’ families sector to an upcoming tender opportunity, supporting relationships people in prison have with their families. An official notice will be published in the latter half of November, and DWP are advising organisations to start speaking to potential partners and preparing bid teams for a short turnaround. Look out for more information in future editions of Light Lunch.

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: the unique needs of older offenders

Bournemouth CVS's next 'Criminal Justice Forum' [17th November, Bournemouth, free] will focus on older offenders and their unique needs within the Criminal Justice System. Dr Stuart Ware from Restore Support Network is presenting and will draw on his 20+ year involvement with older offenders. With considerable expertise in the field of restorative justice, he was involved in the establishment of both The Footprints Project and RECOOP in 2004, before working as a consultant to the Department of Health Offender Health Unit. Find out more and book here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: pathways to rehabilitation

'Inspired to Change?' is a Positive Justice Gloucestershire event [19th November, Cheltenham, free] that will bring together a panel of speakers, some working in various local prisons, to discuss the Prison Service's 'Pathways to Rehabilitation'. The event will be Chaired by Dave Turner, course leader in criminology, University of Gloucestershire, and will be followed by questions from the audience and further discussion. Find out more and book here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: through the gate and beyond

Clinks members can receive a 10% discount on tickets to attend 'Transforming Rehabilitation: Delivering through the gate and beyond', an Inclusion conference [8th December, normally from £168] aiming to provide delegates with a better understanding of how the Ministry of Justice's original desires for Transforming Rehabilitation are being delivered in practice and how the current service provided to offenders across England and Wales can be improved. Email ben.watson@clinks.org for the discount code. Find out more here

CLINKS PARTNER'S EVENT: intervening to prevent homelessness

How many opportunities does society miss to prevent homelessness before it happens? 'Stem the tide of homelessness' is a Homeless Link one-day conference [7th December, London, from £169.45] to explore the points at which charities and councils can intervene to prevent rough sleeping and repeat homelessness, and support people to move on. The event will look at early intervention that targets people at risk, and crisis interventions that prevent bad situations from getting worse and enable a quicker recovery, and will focus on practical responses for people with low needs as well as those with multiple and complex needs. Find out more and book here

NON-MEMBERS' EVENTS & TRAINING

  • Safeguarding Adults: Preventing Harm, Exploitation and Neglect | 26th November, Manchester, from £127.85+VAT | Details

PUBLICATION: offender health resources

The Offender Health Collaborative (which includes Nacro, Revolving Doors Agency and Centre for Mental Health) has produced a series of eight practical guides to covering the key elements of Liaison and Diversion (L&D) provision. The series, commissioned by NHS England, aims to help service managers and practitioners understand how to develop effective L&D services in their local area. They are designed for quick reference, and include case studies, checklists and links to more information. Topics include: developing an all-age response; referral pathways for key vulnerabilities; and service user involvement. Download the guides here

OPPORTUNITY: help to improve payment by results

Russell Webster is currently leading a project to develop an interactive tool to assist commissioners and providers to decide whether payment by results (PbR) might be an effective approach to commissioning a particular service. Russell says "I’m looking for people with experience of PbR – commissioners, providers, service users, researchers – to participate in 4 workshops (2 in London and 2 in Coventry) to help design the tool. The workshops will each run for three hours, are free to attend and refreshments, including lunch, will be provided." Full details of the project and the dates and times of the workshops can be found here

RESOURCE: national women's conference

On 21st October this year, The Nelson Trust held 'Women’s Lives, Influencing Change', an event to bring together professionals from around the UK to celebrate their 30 years of bringing justice, equality and hope into the lives of the most vulnerable women. 'The inspiration and motivation to continue making a difference came from some of the stories from the women we’ve helped through the years ... From the ground up, there was overwhelming consensus that we need more women's centres, more safe spaces where women can re-build their lives alongside professionals and supportive communities to help them heal.' Read more and watch two films about the event here

CLINKS MEMBERS' VACANCIES

Job vacancies this week include: An Administrator/Bookkeeper with Out There Supporting Families of Prisoners [North West], a Volunteer Support Officer, a Case Officer and a Volunteer Support Officer with Sova [Hertfordshire, London], a Project Leader with DISC [Sheffield], a Volunteer Project Manager with WWV [London], a Case Manager with CRI [London, Cambridge, Norfolk], a Service Manager and a Home Life Housing Officer with Changing Lives [Tyne and Wear], and an Accountant with ADVANCE [London]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip of the week I: A 3-night break in Berlin with return flights from Liverpool or Manchester is £99pp. Deal includes daily breakfast and Berlin TV Tower admission. Details
  • Tip of the week II: Grand Central are discounting train tickets to London King's Cross from stations in West Yorkshire and the North East (and vice-versa), with prices starting from £9.20. Details
  • Tip of the week III: Get a free glass of wine when you buy any flatbread at Pitcher & Piano. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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