Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 425 | 12th February 2016

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In this week's edition....

CLINKS PUBLICATION: review of 2015

'Transformed? The voluntary sector in criminal justice' is our annual review of 2015, which reflects on a year of transformation, in which the voluntary sector has had to work through big reforms made by the last government as well as understand and adapt to the policies of a new government. Our annual review is a great place to find out more about Clinks, and how we continue to support the sector to work alongside people in the Criminal Justice System; to transform their lives, to rehabilitate, to resettle, and to learn from the lived experience of people in the system for the benefit of communities, families, and the victims of crime. Find out more here

CLINKS PUBLICATION: involving experts by experience

The Making Every Adult Matter coalition has published two policy influencing guides, designed to help support you influence local policy. The first part of the guide gives details about the key stakeholders whose decisions impact people with multiple needs and how to engage with them, whilst the second gives advice about how to involve people with lived experience in policy influencing work. Download the guides here

CLINKS SURVEY: assessing the work of Clinks

Clinks has commissioned an external assessment of our work to look at how effectively we are supporting the voluntary sector. As part of this the evaluators are running a short survey to get your thoughts on our services. We want to hear from organisations in the sector about how Clinks helps you, how effective our services are and how we could support you further. The results of this survey will help us to develop our activities to meet the needs of the sector. Please complete the survey here

CLINKS BRIEFING: Harris review

The Harris Review into Self-inflicted Deaths in Custody of 18-24 year olds made its recommendations in July 2015. In December 2015 the government published its response to the review’s report and recommendations. This Clinks briefing provides detail on the government’s response and the future plans it sets out in relation to key policy priorities for Clinks, that our members and the wider sector work on. Download the briefing here

CLINKS MEMBERS' RESOURCE: funding portal

Clinks members have free, unlimited access to our funding portal, listing thousands of funding programmes. The database is updated regularly by a team of researchers and provides information on opportunities all over the UK and Europe, ranging from covering core costs and building repairs through to funding for specific projects and workforce development. Access to the portal is an exclusive Clinks member benefit. Visit the portal here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: awards for managing community conflict

Do you know a young person, adult or organisation who deserves to be recognised for the leadership they have shown in managing conflict in our communities? Leap Confronting Conflict are seeking nominations for their Annual Awards. Nominations are open until 13th April for a young person who has undergone a personal transformation, a youth worker or teacher who inspires those they work with or a project that is pioneering change. Find out more and nominate here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: partners sought for prisoner education pilot in Wales

Prisoners’ Education Trust is running a pilot project aiming to improve the provision of distance learning in four Welsh prisons; HMP Cardiff, HMP & YOI Parc, HMP Swansea and HMP Usk/Prescoed. The project will examine practical measures to increase the numbers of prisoners accessing distance learning and enhance the support that Prisoners' Education Trust currently gives to its learners. They are keen to work with other sector organisations to improve their offer to prison learners, and are also especially keen to hear from any ex-prisoners based in Wales to get their thoughts and advice on the project. Find out more and get involved here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Prime Minister's visions for the prison estate

David Cameron spoke this week about his plans to overhaul the "failure" of the prison system in England and Wales, describing high reoffending rates and violence in jails as "scandalous". He also announced a pilot scheme in six (as yet unnamed) prisons that will see governors given autonomy over how they spend their budgets and which education services are used. The sector responded with an overall message that reforms would not work if inmates were "crammed into filthy institutions with no staff". Nathan Dick, Clinks' policy and communications manager attended the speech, and has written a blog about it here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: review of youth custody

Charlie Taylor's interim review of the youth justice system was published this week, outlining his vision for a different approach to detaining young people and focusing on the youth custodial estate. The report finds that "among the people we have heard from there is a near consensus that the children who remain in the system are those that display the most challenging and ingrained behaviour and have the most complex needs. While the number of young offenders has fallen, the overall reoffending rate has risen, so it is clear that significant challenges remain." Download the report here

VOLUNTARY SECTOR NEWS: anti-advocacy clause

The Government has announced that organisations receiving government grants will be banned from using these taxpayer funds to lobby government and Parliament. The 'anti-advocacy clause' will be inserted into grant agreements to "make sure that taxpayer funds are spent on improving people’s lives and good causes, rather than lobbying for new regulation or using taxpayers’ money to lobby for more government funding." Read the announcement here. Clinks will be considering the impact of this on our members. If you have any views, please email nathan.dick@clinks.org

FUNDING: for victims' services in Northumbria

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria has opened up a Supporting Victims Fund, providing financial support to strengthen and enhance victim services across Northumbria. The aim of the fund is to build capacity and maximise the potential of organisations to help ensure the improved provision of vital services to support victims of crime and help them cope and recover from the impact. The deadline for applications is 28th February. Find out more and apply here

FUNDING: for organisations in Manchester

The Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner has opened up three new funds. The Neighbourhood Fund has grants of up to £1,000 for projects that contribute to stronger, safer neighbourhoods; increase neighbourliness; and encourage communities to help themselves and others. The Active Citizens Fund offers grants of up to £5,000 for projects that support and boost local volunteering, and encourage people to become involved in local community projects and organisations. Whilst the Youth Aspiration Fund provides grants of up to £30,000 for projects and schemes that empower young people and help develop their life skills. The deadline for the funds is 29th February. Find out more and apply here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: arts in prisons

'Arts in Prisons' is an Irene Taylor Trust event [3rd March, Leicester, free] at which Artistic Director, Sara Lee and former participant, Gary Sharpe will talk about the role of music in the prison system, offering perspectives from both sides of the wall. 2016 marks the Irene Taylor Trust’s 21st anniversary and this is one of a series of events programmed throughout the year to showcase its work. Find out more and book your place here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: new psychoactive substances

'New Psychoactive Substances – No longer a novelty ~ the expert view' is a timely conference from Addaction [15th March, London, £99] that will provide a unique opportunity to discuss the potential impact of future legislation, and the requisite for treatment provision and support for those most affected. Looking beyond the usual media focus, delegates will have an opportunity to look at the prevalence of different substances, exploring how they are purchased and how legislation is being implemented to tackle NPS supply. Highlighting examples of best practice, delegates will be given a snapshot of how effective treatment and support can be given to tackle this growing problem. Find out more and book your place here

CLINKS MEMBER'S TRAINING: supporting people with convictions

'Advising with Conviction' is an Unlock training workshop [24th February, London, from £119] designed to provide front-line practitioners and advisors with a well-rounded knowledge of how to support individuals with convictions. The primary focus of the workshop is in supporting practitioners who are either advising or supporting people with convictions into employment, volunteering and education. However, other areas of life where criminal records come up will also be explored, such as insurance, housing and travel. Find out more and book your place here

CONSULTATION: the resilience of the criminal justice voluntary sector

‘The Voluntary Sector Resilience Project’ is a two-year Keele University study of the voluntary and community sector working in criminal justice in England and Wales. The project aims to track how voluntary sector organisations are responding to current challenges in funding, policy and meeting service user needs. Responses are welcome from voluntary sector organisations of all sizes, incomes, activities and service types; as long as offenders are part of your client group. The study is in partnership with Clinks, and independently funded by the Leverhulme Trust. Find out more and take part here

PUBLICATION: restorative justice handbooks

The Restorative Justice Council (RJC) has published three new handbooks for restorative justice practitioners, trainers and service providers. The RJC’s chief executive officer, Jon Collins, said: “Promoting quality and consistency within the restorative practice field is an important part of the RJC’s remit. These handbooks bring together key information in a single, comprehensive resource, and we’re very grateful to everyone who has contributed to their development.”  Find out more and download the handbooks here

PUBLICATION: devolution of criminal justice

'Prisons and prevention: giving local areas the power to reduce offending' is a new report from IPPR that suggests devolving responsibility and funding for the management of low-level offenders could empower local services and agencies to work more effectively to prevent crime and develop alternatives to prison that do more to rehabilitate offenders. This paper argues that reform is needed to address the inherent flaw in our Criminal Justice System: that the bodies that could take action to reduce offending have neither the financial power nor the incentive to do so. Download it here

CLINKS MEMBERS' VACANCIES

Our members' vacancies this week include: a sessional worker with Nacro [Essex], an Outreach/Resettlement Worker with Footprints [Dorset, South Somerset], a Senior Programme Facilitator for Women in the CJS, Programme Facilitator for Women in the CJS, a Community and Development Recovery Worker, and a Cook with Changing Lives [Wolverhampton, North Yorkshire, Chester-Le-Street], and an Administrator with Prison Reform Trust [London]. View these and other vacancies here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip of the week I: Loads of ideas for keeping the kids entertained during next week's half term. Details
  • Tip of the week II: Get a free schooner of Budweiser Budvar in Revolution Bars. Details
  • Tip of the week III: Get 50% off vegan burgers at any Handmade Burger Co. Voucher

EXTRA INFORMATION

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

 

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