Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 431 | 1st April 2016

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In this week's edition....

CLINKS REPORT: the state of the sector

Clinks has published 'The state of the sector 2016', a report showing the key trends for voluntary sector organisations working with offenders and their families. Responding to our most recent state of the sector survey, organisations told us they are having to spend more time raising money, giving them less time to focus on supporting people with increasingly complex needs. However, during another year of considerable change, the voluntary sector continues to be innovative, flexible and resilient; organisations have developed and delivered new services to respond to changing service user need and to fill gaps in existing provision. Download the report here

CLINKS MEMBERS' NEWS: charities supporting women offenders awarded funding

Greater Manchester Women Offenders Alliance (GMWOA) has been awarded £375,000 from the government's 'Tampon Tax Fund' for women’s charities to secure the development of their innovative approach to working with women offenders and those at risk of offending across the region. The Alliance is made up of seven charities working in Greater Manchester, including Clinks members POPS and Well Women Centre. Kate Fraser, Chair of GMWOA said: “Our dream is that every woman who offends or is at risk of offending will be able to access tailored, specialist support from their local women’s centre, giving them hope for a future free of crime where they can make a positive contribution to society. This money will help us achieve that dream.” The full list of organisations awarded funding can be found in the Budget 2016 document here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: the stories of people facing multiple disadvantage

LankellyChase Foundation's Hard Edges project has published 12 videos telling the stories of people with lived experience of severe and multiple disadvantage. The Hard Edges report delivers data about people whose lives combine disadvantages such as homelessness, substance misuse and offending. They believe data is a first step to understanding what people’s lives are like, and where systems go wrong, but also that the case for change is best made through people telling their story in their own words. These 12 stories teach us about what is important to the individuals who took part; but when we see these stories side-by-side we can also learn about some key failures of the system, and about what is needed to support recovery. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: latest lessons in the resettlement of young people

Beyond Youth Custody’s briefing 'Resettlement of young people leaving custody: lessons from the literature' considers trends in imprisonment and challenges for resettlement of children and young people, and explores policy developments and research findings since their last update in October 2015. This update includes a particular focus on interim findings from the current Taylor Review of youth justice. The report also looks at the implications of the reducing custodial population for children and young adults, the importance of considering diversity for resettlement, and vulnerability and trauma in custody. Download the briefing here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: young Muslims in the Criminal Justice System

‘Young Muslims on Trial – a scoping study on the impact of Islamophobia on criminal justice decision-making’ is a report published by Maslaha and T2A focussing on the disproportionate number of young Muslims in the Criminal Justice System compared to their proportion in the general population. The report examines how perceived prejudice and discrimination against young Muslim men can impact on criminal justice decision making, particularly in sentencing, probation supervision and management in prison. Based on interviews with groups of young Muslim ex-offenders in London and Leicester, as well as criminal justice professionals, this scoping study has found that young Muslim men who found faith in prison faced suspicion and negativity. Download the report here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: online directory of faith communities

Free Churches needs your help to develop the next phase of their Welcome Directory, a searchable directory of faith communities committed to welcoming and supporting people leaving prison to be launched in 2017. They would like to populate the directory with at least 500 faith communities who have identified themselves as being places where people leaving prison would be welcome. They would like you to make contact with them if you would like to encourage the faith communities you know of to get involved by registering their interest with their local prison chaplaincy team. Get involved with the project, and request more information, by emailing jon.green@freechurches.org.uk

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: strategy for arts, culture and heritage

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport's 'Culture White Paper' is the first strategy for arts and culture in more than 50 years, and includes a new expectation from Government that all publicly-funded arts organisations should reach out to everyone, regardless of their background. The Paper specifically mentions the importance of arts interventions within the Criminal Justice System, and states 'There are also many good examples of how cultural interventions can benefit prisoners, ex-offenders and people at risk of becoming involved in crime. Culture can help to improve self-esteem, social skills and wellbeing: all of which helps to reduce the risk of offending and re-offending and make our communities safer. We will work with Arts Council England, the Heritage Lottery Fund and other partners to ensure that offenders and those at risk continue to benefit from cultural opportunities.' Read the Culture White Paper here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: review of BAME representation

The Ministry of Justice has issued a call for evidence for the Lammy Review of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) representation in the Criminal Justice System (CJS). The review will look at the way the CJS deals with young people and adults from BAME backgrounds. It will address issues arising from the Crown Prosecution Service onwards, including the court system, prisons and young offender institutions and rehabilitation in the community. The findings should be published in spring 2017. The call for evidence provides the main way for organisations and individuals to share views, evidence and insights. Clinks will be responding to the consultation, working with our partners including The Young Review and BTEG. Take part here

FUNDING: to tackle disadvantage in London

The Sport Relief Evening Standard Dispossessed Fund for London is open to applications from London’s constituted voluntary and community groups, registered charities, social enterprises, co-operatives, faith organisations and community interest companies. The funding is for projects that benefit people who are excluded or disadvantaged through low income, social isolation, age, disability, race, sexuality or gender. Grants of between £5,000 and £20,000 are available for projects addressing one or more of the following themes: tackling educational disadvantage; getting people into work; fighting gangs, knife and gun crime; improving physical and mental health; and addressing other manifestations of poverty such as homelessness, pensioner poverty or the working poor. The deadline for applications is 6th May. Find out more here

FUNDING: to tackle poverty and promote social inclusion

The Big Lottery Fund is matching funds from the European Social Fund (ESF) 2014-2020 to provide joint investment in 61 local projects tackling the root causes of poverty, promoting social inclusion and driving local jobs and growth. Projects will provide opportunities for people to improve numeracy, literacy and digital skills, build confidence and self-esteem, and better understand and manage their finances. Extra support will be given to hard to reach and socially-excluded groups, including people with disabilities, mental health or addiction issues, those who are homeless, ex-offenders and people living in isolated rural areas. Organisations that are in the six Local Enterprise Partnership areas that have received funding for the third round can now apply for funding to deliver these projects. The application deadline is 16th May. Find out more here

FUNDING: for employment projects

The European Social Fund is now open to applications to run Access to Employment Projects in the Coventry and Warwickshire local enterprise partnership area. A budget of £3.2 million is available for projects providing help and support to unemployed, inactive and disadvantaged people enabling them to improve their chances of finding work in the area. This call is seeking tailored support including: coaching and mentoring; career progression and job structure support; current and real labour market knowledge sharing; and demand led and responsive advice to meet employer needs. Applications are expected to make a significant impact on local growth, and to demonstrate appropriate scale. A minimum of £150,000 will be allocated to individual projects. The deadline for outline applications is 16th May. Find out more here

FUNDING: access to lifelong learning

A budget of £7 million is available as part of the European Social Fund for Learning and Skills for projects to enhance equal access to lifelong learning in Greater Birmingham and Solihull local enterprise partnership area. The aim is to enhance equal access to lifelong learning for all age groups in formal, non-formal and informal settings, upgrading the knowledge, skills and competences of the workforce, and promoting flexible learning pathways including through career guidance and validation of acquired competences. It is intended that no less than £400,000 will be allocated to any single project. The deadline for outline applications is 27th May 2016. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: care and treatment of offenders with learning disabilities

The National Autistic Society's '15th International Conference' [19th-20th April 2016, Manchester, from £195+VAT] will aim to provide reflection and sharing for services providing care and treatment for offenders with an intellectual or developmental disability, both in the public and independent health and social care sectors and the Criminal Justice System. The conference aims to create an environment where practitioners, policy makers, researchers and advocates can find ongoing opportunities for learning and collaboration; and an opportunity to exchange information on effective models of care, intervention strategies, research, training and policy-making to be used in different countries to improve care on a local, regional and national basis. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: unrepresented defendants in the criminal courts

Transform Justice are holding an event [26th April, London, free] to launch their research project 'Justice denied? the experience of unrepresented defendants in the criminal courts'. The research explores the numbers representing themselves, the reasons why and the court experience. It also examines whether justice is done - can unrepresented defendants understand how to prepare their case, cross examine and mitigate for themselves? Are they at a disadvantage which manifests itself in the sentence they receive? You will hear the keys findings of the research and reflections on it from practitioners. Find out more here

NON-MEMBERS' EVENTS

  • Engaging Muslims within the Criminal Justice System | 28th April, Birmingham, £97 | Details

AWARDS: for apprentices and employers

The 2016 National Apprenticeship Awards are now open to applications from apprentices and employers throughout England. The Awards recognise the achievements of employers in England that use apprenticeships to improve business performance, as well as the hard work and commitment of young people currently on, or who have completed, an apprenticeship. The Awards include prizes, accolades and attendance at a celebratory ceremony towards the end of the year. The deadline for entries is 20th May 2016. Find out more here

PUBLICATION: developments in criminal justice and social welfare

The Centre for Crime and Justice Studies has published the latest in its 'UK Justice Policy Review' series assessing year-on-year developments in criminal justice and social welfare across the UK. Volume 5 covers the final year of the coalition government and the transition to the new Conservative administration. It paints a picture of growing pressure on criminal justice agencies across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, as they struggled to cope with five years of austerity-driven cuts. Looking ahead, it points to the risk for a perfect storm of growing demand and shrinking budgets engulfing the UK's criminal justice institutions by the time of the next General Election. Download the report here

CLINKS MEMBERS' VACANCIES

Job vacancies this week include: A Fundraiser with Brighton Oasis Project [Brighton], a Service Delivery Manager with Spark Inside [London/Kent], a Substance Misuse Support Worker with EDP Drug & Alcohol Services [Newton Abbot, Exeter], a Trustee with Shannon Trust [National], a Support Worker with Housing for Women [London], and a Training and Development Officer with Nepacs [Durham]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip of the week I: This all-inclusive trip to Zante is £339pp for a week, including flights and turtle tour. Details
  • Tip of the week II: Return flights from London Stansted to Gothenburg, Sweden, starting at £10. Details
  • Tip of the week III: Get a summer-flowering plant bundle for £18, normally £76. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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