Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 420 | 8th January 2016

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In this week's edition....

CLINKS BLOG: supporting vulnerable women and their children

Tom Worley and Nicola Drinkwater of Clinks recently visited our member Anawim at their Awards Ceremony in Birmingham. Anawim supports women and their children, especially those vulnerable to exploitation including prostitution; and the ceremony celebrates the many achievements of the women who accessed their services and worked to turn their lives around. Tom and Nicola said: "The gratitude the women showed to the staff and their peers at Anawim shone through, with one client saying that she’d found her true family at the centre. Another mentioned that she sees her support worker as a friend rather than someone she works with. As we know, facilitating positive relationships is such a key aspect to supporting someone on their journey to desistance from crime and it was so evident that the staff and volunteers at Anawim work really hard to achieve meaningful and supportive relationships with the women they support." Read the full blog post here

CLINKS BLOG: self-inflicted deaths in custody

Jessica Mullen, Clinks Policy Manager, has written a blog picking out highlights from the Government's response to the Lord Harris Review into self-inflicted deaths in custody. The Government agreed with 44 recommendations and rejected 32. Jess's blog covers 'A prison system in need of reform', 'Progress on race', 'No legal recognition for the concept of ‘maturity'', 'No increase in support for bereaved families', and 'A lack of substantial change to prison staff roles and training'. Read the blog post here

CLINKS OPPORTUNITY: future commissioning of prisoners' families services

The next meeting of the Ministry of Justice's Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3) will focus on NOMS' future commissioning of family services. Clinks provides the Secretariat for RR3, and is inviting interested voluntary sector representatives to take part. The meeting will take place in central London on 27th January. To express an interest in attending, please email patrice.lawrence@clinks.org

CLINKS EVENTS: reviewing youth justice

In September 2015 the Ministry of Justice announced a review of the youth justice system; with an interim report published in the New Year and a final report in summer 2016. Clinks is holding a series of consultation events [February in London, Bristol, and Newcastle] with voluntary sector organisations working in youth justice to inform our response to the review’s interim report in order to ensure that the knowledge and expertise of the voluntary sector working in youth justice is reflected in the final report and recommendations. Find out more here

CLINKS EVENT: the voluntary sector and Transforming Rehabilitation

Clinks is hosting a free half day consultation and networking event [27th January, 10am, London] for our members to discuss the voluntary sector’s emerging role in Transforming Rehabilitation. As well as receiving detailed feedback on surveys conducted by Clinks, NCVO, and Third Sector Research Centre, delegates will also have the opportunity to input into the design of future Clinks surveys, contribute to recommendations for government and probation providers, and share their own experiences of the recent changes to probation. This will support us to ensure we make the right proposals for how the voluntary sector can and should be better involved in the development of new rehabilitation and resettlement services. Find out more and book your place here

CLINKS EVENT: 17th AGM & Reception

Our 17th Annual General Meeting & Reception [27th January, London] will provide you with an opportunity to meet fellow members, network with funders and policy makers, and hear about the activities of Clinks over the last 12 months. As well as allowing us to carry out business that is vital to our work, it is also the chance for you to exercise your right to elect our trustees as outlined in the formal notice. Come and join us and hear from our keynote speaker Michael Spurr, Chief Executive Officer, NOMS for what aims to be a memorable occasion. This is a members only event; book your place today

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: young ex-offenders' views on support services

Young offenders and care leavers have given their views on Action West London’s Youth Transition Network (YTN) Big Lottery funded project. The YTN project works with young offenders leaving custody (or who have been in custody in the previous 12 months) and care leavers. The YTN model is to provide a key worker/mentor and then build up networks of community support by linking young people into a wide range of services and resources in the community. The model focusses on co-ordinating statutory and voluntary agencies and helping young people navigate through the system to help their transition in the community. Whilst a key objective is to help young people into employment, education and enterprise, the project also helps them with all the other issues they face, such as housing, substance misuse, gang affiliations and family relationships. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: outstanding work in prisons, probation and youth justice

This year’s Butler Trust Awards, given by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal to mark outstanding work in prisons, probation and youth justice, have just been announced. Now in their 31st year, the Butler Trust Awards once again reflect some of the best – and often very moving – examples of the dedication, skill, and creativity found throughout the Criminal Justice System. Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Patron of The Butler Trust, will present award winners and commendees with their certificates at an award ceremony to be held at St James’s Palace in March 2016. Find out more here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: veterans in the CJS

Ministry of Justice has published a report conducted by Stephen Phillips QC MP on 'Former members of the armed forces and the criminal justice system', alongside the government’s response. The review found that life in the armed forces is generally a positive experience for the individuals concerned and a protective factor, meaning that veterans are less likely than the general population to commit criminal offences. It recommended 15 actions that could help the small minority of the ex-armed forces that go on to commit offences. Download the report here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: latest results from the HMP Peterborough payment by results pilot

Ministry of Justice has released findings from the final phase of the process evaluation of the payment by results Social Impact Bond pilot at HMP Peterborough. Between 2010 and 2015, an intervention called the One Service provided through-the-gate and post-release support to adult male offenders released from HMP Peterborough who had served prison sentences of less than 12 months. The aim of the pilot was to reduce re-offending. The latest figures show a slight improvement on previous reports, but proper analysis will not be undertaken until summer 2016. Download the report here

FUNDING: fighting gender equality

Rosa’s Voices from the Frontline Grants Programme is designed to support women's organisations to promote their fight for gender equality in the UK through charitable advocacy work. Grants of between £500 and £2,000 are available to organisations that: stimulate debate and amplify women’s voices; raise awareness of one or more of Rosa’s four pillars; influence the public, policy makers, media and/or government; and change behaviours, attitudes or policies. Funding can be used to cover costs relating to increasing the skills, capacity and credibility of women who wish to challenge gender inequality and promote awareness and change. Creative approaches are encouraged. The deadline for applications is 11th January. Find out more here

FUNDING: for wildlife and green habitats

Grants of up to £20,000 are available for good causes which benefit wildlife, enhance biodiversity, or renovate/create new green habitats. Consideration will also be given to sustainable energy projects benefitting local areas. Grassroots organisations, local charities and non-profit community businesses that are seeking to effect positive change within their local area are welcome to apply. The deadline for applications is 28th January. Find out more

FUNDING: small grants for South East organisations

Eagle Radio is giving local charities and individuals in its Surrey and Hampshire broadcast area the opportunity to apply for a special £500 grant as part of its 20th birthday celebrations. To register an interest for this funding there's a straightforward form to complete on its website. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: using theatre and drama in criminal justice

'Look Beyond' is an event [23rd February, Newcastle] that will provide participants with an insight into the work of Geese Theatre Company, focusing particularly on their use of theatre and drama in criminal justice settings. Participants will have an opportunity to experience Geese's methodology and explore some of the theories which underpin the company's practice. In addition there will be plenty of opportunities for individuals to ask specific questions about their particular area of interest. Find out more and book here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: offenders with a learning disability

National Autistic Society has issued a call to submit papers and workshops for their 15th International Conference on the Care and Treatment of Offenders with an Intellectual or Developmental Disability [19th & 20th April, Manchester, £315+vat]. The conference is for services providing care for offenders with a learning disability and/or developmental disabilities, including autism, in the public and independent health and social care sectors and the Criminal Justice System. The deadline for the call for papers is 31st January. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S TRAINING: becoming a restorative justice practitioner

Restorative Solutions CIC are running two training courses [8th - 10th March, Manchester | 21st - 23rd March, London] on becoming a restorative justice practitioner. Find out more and book your place here

NON-MEMBERS' EVENTS & TRAINING

  • 'Legal highs in prison' roadshow | January - March, London, Leeds, Taunton & Birmingham | Details

RESOURCE: support for bereaved families

INQUEST has launched its online Skills and Support Toolkit for families and friends going through the inquest and post death investigation process. The project is supported by the Big Lottery Fund. The toolkit is an interactive, user led resource which has been developed in collaboration with families to support individuals affected by a death in custody/detention. Users have the opportunity to practice existing skills, or try out new ones like dealing with the press and media, contacting their MP, or working with other families to campaign for a fairer system. Access the toolkit here

PUBLICATION: non-offending partners of child sex offenders

Circles South East's programme for non-offending partners of child sex offenders has been evaluated. The report points out that a conviction for a sexual offence has a serious and long term implication not only for the offender, but also for any children and partners in the relationship. The Circles South East Non-Offending Partners programme, known as ‘Breaking the Cycle’ consists of 20 hours of therapeutic support and 20 hours of mentoring, designed to support participants’ ability to recognise child abuse, understand how sexual abusers operate, develop a social support network outside the family and to reduce isolation through fully-trained volunteer support. The report is available through the December edition of the Probation Journal (subscription required). Read the abstract here

CLINKS MEMBERS' VACANCIES

Job vacancies this week include: A Substance Misuse Support Worker with EDP [South West], an Administrator and a Temporary Part-Time Administrator with DISC [North East], a Development Director with Safe Ground [London], a Cook with Changing Lives [North East], a Peer Mentor with Derventio [East Midlands], and an Ex-offender Volunteering Project Manager with WWV [London]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip of the week I: A round-up of the best January sales. Details
  • Tip of the week II: For £129 two people can stay overnight in a Superior Room with Garden View overlooking Carbis Bay, Cornwall. Deal includes breakfast, three course dinner and wine. Details
  • Tip of the week III: Visit the spa at Redworth Hall Hotel, a Jacobean manor house near Durham, and enjoy two treatments, spa facilities, and sparkling wine afternoon tea for just £99 for two people. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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