Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 429 | 11th March 2016

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In this week's edition....

CLINKS GUIDE: the value of listening to your service users

'Service user involvement and co-production' is a new Clinks guide designed to give you the practical tools you need to develop an involvement programme and approach that places your service users at the heart of your organisation. It provides a structured and accessible introduction to involving people with lived experience of criminal justice in your work, including examples of good practice, checklists, top tips and signposting to further information and support. Richard, a service user who contributed to the guide, shares his views in our guest blog here

CLINKS BLOG: visiting Stonham

Clinks Policy Intern, Oonagh Ryder, recently visited one of Stonham's supported housing services for ex-offenders and people on bail. Oonagh said: "we were lucky enough to meet four service users, who gave us an insight into life after prison and the support they receive from Stonham. They all agreed that knowing you have somewhere safe and warm to sleep is the most important step towards rehabilitation and that, without this, addressing your other problems is virtually impossible. Working on the Clinks policy team, the expertise of our members and their service users is invaluable to fully understanding the current situation of the voluntary sector in criminal justice. Service users are a vital source of intelligence for our ongoing work and their feedback allows us to lobby more effectively on behalf of our members." Read Oonagh's blog here

CLINKS GUEST BLOG: transitions to adulthood for young offenders

In this latest Clinks guest blog, Helen Attewell, Chief Executive of NEPACS and Clinks trustee talks about a recent roundtable event on transitions to adulthood for young people in the Criminal Justice System. Helen says: "Prevention is always better than cure, and investment in a range of diversionary activities and services which address the root causes of the problem rather than criminalising young people will have a huge pay off in terms of reductions in cost to the public purse as well as less human misery. My take home message was that we need to submit evidence to the Select Committee on Young Adult Offenders which will take place later this year, to make sure that a bad situation for young adults in prison isn’t made much worse." Read Helen's guest blog article here

CLINKS MEMBER OFFER: discounted bid writing training

As part of Clinks’ consultancy support offer we’ve been asking our members what areas they want to develop their skills in, and bid writing is something that a lot of organisations told us they would like support with. Clinks members can get 20% off DSC’s training events, including their training on writing applications for grants or tenders - just quote CLINKS20 at checkout. Find out more here

NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR ARTS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE: Annual meeting

On Thursday 3rd March, the National Alliance for Arts in Criminal Justice (NAACJ) held its annual meeting at the National Theatre, with a keynote speech from the Minister of State for Culture and the Digital Economy, Ed Vaizey; a Governor’s perspective from Alli Black (HMP Kirkham); and an inspiring performance by Clean Break graduates. The Minister’s talk was extremely positive, and he outlined how he is planning to include the arts in criminal justice in his upcoming new cultural strategy. He also mentioned the possible creation of a dedicated funding stream for arts and criminal justice projects, and is keen on creating an All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) focusing on the arts in criminal justice with the opportunity for the NAACJ to feed into the current APPG on arts and health. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: first prison to be awarded Autism Accreditation

The National Autistic Society has supported HMYOI Feltham to be the first prison awarded an Autism Accreditation. The Minister for Prisons and Rehabilitation, Andrew Selous, announced the news at a special event at Feltham on 25th February and called on other establishments to follow Feltham’s lead. Autistic people can end up in the prison system, just like anyone else. Although the exact number of autistic people in prison isn’t known, they currently represent 4.5% of the population at Feltham. Recent research has found that autistic people represent some of the most vulnerable people in the offender population. Find out more here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: not delivering value for money

The National Audit Office has found that although the management of cases has improved since 2010, the Criminal Justice System is not currently delivering value for money. Amyas Morse, head of the National Audit Office, said: "Delays and aborted hearings create extra work, waste scarce resources, and undermine confidence in the system. Some of the challenges are longstanding and complex – others are the results of basic avoidable mistakes. It is essential that the criminal justice system pulls together and takes collective responsibility for sorting out the longstanding issues.” Find out more here

FUNDING: employability projects in the East Midlands

Grants of at least £300,000 are available for projects in the South East Midlands that help unemployed and young people to engage in the labour market. Proposals must demonstrate highly innovative and effective approaches to tackling local and specific employment and skills gaps, demonstrate additionality and ultimately promote and stimulate growth across the South East Midlands. Match funding is required, and the deadline for applications is 13th May. Find out more here

FUNDING: employability projects in the West Midlands

Grants of at least £150,000 are available to improve relationships between educators and employers in Coventry and Warwickshire. The aim of the funding is to improve the fit between the outputs of the education and training system and the needs of employment through a change in the relationship between educators and employers. The deadline for applications is 16th May. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: Nick Hardwick on prison inspections

The Association of Members of Independent Monitoring Boards is running a 'Masterclass on monitoring places of detention' [15th March, London, from £40]. The day features discussions with experts on prison inspections and criminal justice, including Chief Inspector of Prisons Nick Hardwick, former Chief Inspector of Probation Professor Rod Morgan, and Deputy Director of the Institute of Criminology at University of Cambridge, Professor Loraine Gelsthorpe. Find out more and book your place here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: social value bootcamp

Uprise London's 'Social Value Bootcamp' [16th March, London, from £125] aims to raise awareness of The Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 and showcase best practice and successful implementation. The bootcamp will provide insight on social impact investment, how to gather and illustrate data for reporting metrics and measurement to drive continuous improvement. Find out more and book your place here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: military veterans under probation supervision

The Centre for Crime and Justice Studies (CCJS) is running discussion events on 'How are the needs of Armed Forces veterans under probation supervision being met?' [18th April, Bristol | 25th April, London | 27th April, Leeds]. CCJS is helping to inform an emerging network of support for Armed Forces veterans under probation supervision. These events will help them collect an informed and accurate picture of current practices regarding military veterans who are subject to probation supervision in England and Wales. The events will engage a range of stakeholders, provide opportunities for attendees to contribute to the national profile of needs and services, and for education and networking in this area which has risen in prominence since the recommendations of the Phillips Review. Find out more and book your place here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: the future of probation

NoOffence! is running a 'Probation Practitioner Conference' [8th June, Sheffield, from £55] that will look at the impact of Transforming Rehabilitation on the profession, and discuss: Maintaining and enhancing probation as a profession; Relationship building within and between relevant organisations, building on what is working and what more needs to be done; Communications within and between relevant organisations, showcasing effective practice; and Encouraging good practice and the sharing of research into practice. Find out more and book your place here

PUBLICATION: commissioning resources

The Academy for Justice Commissioning's Spring 2016 news bulletin features articles on: 'The 6 C’s of Commissioning', 'Embedding Patient Voice in the West Yorkshire Prisons Procurement Project', 'New ways of commissioning  - talking to the market', and 'Putting victims first in Avon and Somerset: A new approach to victim services commissioning'. Download the news bulletin here

OPPORTUNITY: engage with the South West and Welsh CRC

Working Links is holding a stakeholder engagement event [23rd March, Exeter] to consult with the voluntary sector on their approach to Transforming Rehabilitation, including their proposed operating model. The purpose of this event is to give you: an opportunity to learn about their proposed operating model and give them feedback; an update on plans to open up services, to ensure social inclusion is available to everyone; an overview of the Community Rehabilitation Company journey to date; the opportunity to get together with experts from your local area, giving you the chance to share ideas and challenges; and the chance to ask questions. Places must be booked today (11th March) by emailing WLJustice@workinglinks.co.uk

CONSULTATION: housing and employment for offenders on release

The Work and Pensions Committee has opened an inquiry into the housing and employment support available for offenders on their release from prison. Written submissions are invited before 8th April addressing the following points: How are prisoners helped to find employment; is support available both pre and post-release? What benefit payments are available on discharge from prison and how long does it take to access those benefits? Do the employment and education programs available in prisons prepare prisoners for formal employment? What support do offenders receive to help them find suitable accommodation on leaving prison? What are the impacts of factors such as homelessness and unemployment on the propensity to re-offend? Find out more and have your say here

CONSULTATION: review of deaths and serious incidents in police custody

The Government's independent review of deaths and serious incidents in police custody is seeking submissions from stakeholder groups, interested parties and members of the public. The review is being conducted by the Rt Hon Dame Elish Angiolini DBE QC; she is examining the procedures and processes surrounding deaths and serious incidents in police custody, including the lead up to such incidents; the immediate aftermath; and the conclusion of official investigations. Have your say here

CLINKS MEMBERS' VACANCIES

Job vacancies this week include: A Play Practitioner with Ormiston Families [HMP Highpoint,  HMP Littlehey], a Fundraising/Grants Officer with Unlock [Kent], an Assistant Young Peoples Support Worker with Changing Lives [North East], a Personal Development Manager with The Irene Taylor Trust [London], a Case Officer with Sova [East], and a Volunteer Coordinator with Community Led Initiatives CIC [Greater Manchester]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip of the week I: Fly from London Luton to Copenhagen for just £20 return. Details
  • Tip of the week II: Stay three nights in Berlin, with flights, breakfast and TV tower tickets, for £129 per person. Details
  • Tip of the week III: Get a drink on the house at Pitcher & Piano. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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