Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 440 | 3rd June 2016

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In this week's edition...

CLINKS REPORT: the voluntary sector’s experience of Transforming Rehabilitation

Having surveyed 151 voluntary sector organisations and held face to face discussions with over 90 organisations, Clinks has published a report on the sector’s collective experience of changes to probation services under the Transforming Rehabilitation reforms. The report makes seven recommendations for change that we hope will improve the sector’s experience and drive improvements in probation services. We will be working closely with the Ministry of Justice, National Offender Management Service, Community Rehabilitation Companies, and the National Probation Service over the coming months to take these recommendations forward. Read our blog post and download the report here

CLINKS PROJECT: voluntary sector co-ordination in prisons

Clinks are looking for expressions of interest from voluntary sector organisations preferably already working in HMP Dartmoor, HMP Exeter and HMP Guys Marsh to provide part-time voluntary sector co-ordinators to take part in our pilot project to develop innovative practice between prisons and the voluntary sector. The 12 month project aims to support better co-ordination of voluntary sector provision, enhanced prisoner knowledge of and access to voluntary sector support, and development of the strategic role of the voluntary sector in the prison. The co-ordinators will work with Clinks in developing a tailored sustainable model of co-ordination, which is co-designed with key stakeholders including prisoners. Find out more and download the expression of interest form here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: the potential of prison education

The May edition of Centre for Crime and Justice's Prison Service Journal is focussed on 'The Transformational Potential of Prison Education'. In this edition, the Chief Executive of the Prisoners’ Education Trust, Rod Clark, offers an overview of prison education and its benefits; there's an evaluation of a horticultural intervention with substance misusing offenders at HMP Rye Hill; and two articles by Shaun McMann and Alison Liebling take a broader approach, exploring the fundamental values represented in prison practice. Download the publication here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: legal highs in prison

'Spice: The bird killer - what prisoners think about the use of spice and other legal highs in prison' is a User Voice report on a peer-led consultation undertaken in nine English prisons, on behalf of the NHS, exploring how prisoners understood the phenomenon of former ‘legal highs’ in prison. The consultation finds that one in three prisoners used spice in the last month; the absence of a drug test enhances spice’s popularity and ensures a constant supply to meet demand although possession in prison has been illegal for some time; and the harmful consequences of spice use are addiction, debt, violence, bullying and mental health problems. The report sets out six recommendations based entirely on prisoner insight. Download the report here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: exploring peer research

'Refreshing Perspectives' is a Revolving Doors report exploring the application of peer research with populations facing severe and multiple disadvantage. In peer research, people with lived experience are actively involved in designing and delivering research. This review explores how peer research has been carried out with different groups facing multiple needs, including prisoners, homeless populations, and people on probation. The review shows that peer research has the potential to break down boundaries by enabling marginalised groups to decide what is important and what questions need to be asked. It explores key concepts such as power dynamics, ethics of peer research, and relationship to social change. Download the report here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: office space needed in Tower Hamlets

Lifeline's Young Person's Drug/Alcohol Service is urgently looking for temporary accommodation in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. They require space to house a team of 7-8 staff from August 2016 to March 2017. As well as hot desk space for staff, they require kitchen and bathroom/toilet facilities, storage space, ability to set up phone and IT, and preferably parking. Service user access/space is not required as the service works on an outreach basis. They are interested in renting space within an existing service or stand-alone office accommodation. If you have space to rent, or know of any, please contact Julia Fazackerley at 07739 983 048 or julia.lifeline@gmail.com

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Transforming Rehabilitation inspection

HM Inspectorate of Probation has published the fifth and final report on the implementation of the government’s Transforming Rehabilitation programme. 'Transforming Rehabilitation – Early Implementation 5' relates to findings from inspections undertaken in October 2015 to February 2016. Dame Glenys Stacey, HM Chief Inspector of Probation, said "CRCs have important new responsibilities preparing prisoners for release and promoting their rehabilitation, and yet this is not being given sufficient priority in some areas at the moment. Instead CRC staff are often heads down and focused on more immediate contract requirements." Download the report here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: youth sentencing consultation

The Sentencing Council is proposing to issue a new definitive guideline on the sentencing of youths. They are seeking views on the draft guideline ‘Sentencing Youths – Overarching Principle and Offence-Specific Guidelines for Sexual Offences and Robbery’. The Council has recognised that youth sentencing guidelines have become piecemeal and dated and so has committed to reviewing youth sentencing as a stand-alone project in order to produce up to date, consolidated guidance. The consultation is open until 3rd August 2016. Find out more here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: become a member of the Parole Board

The Parole Board is recruiting for independent, psychiatrist and psychology members. The Parole Board makes risk assessments about prisoners to decide who may safely be released into the community. For the psychiatrist posts, applicants must have full registration with the General Medical Council and have worked as a consultant psychiatrist in the UK for at least five years. For the psychologist posts, applicants must be registered as a practitioner psychologist with the Health Care Professions Council. The minimum time commitment for independent members is 115 days per year, and for psychiatrist and psychologist members it is 35 days per year. The roles are fee paid at set rates according to work done. The deadline for applications is 8th June. Find out more here

FUNDING: tackling HIV

Public Health England's HIV Innovation Fund is open to applications from voluntary sector organisations for innovative projects that could help prevent HIV across England. Proposals are particularly welcomed that tackle: diagnosis for both HIV and other sexually transmitted infections; stigma associated with HIV; other risky behaviours that can increase the risk of contracting HIV such as drug and alcohol misuse; and the integration of HIV prevention into wider sexual and reproductive health. The total available fund for 2016 to 2017 is up to £600,000. The deadline for applications is 15th June. Register your interest by emailing hiv.prevention@phe.gov.uk

FUNDING: making a positive difference in local communities

The OneFamily Foundation has made £200,000 available for OneFamily customers to nominate local community groups and projects close to their heart. The Community Awards will be either for £5,000 or £25,000 and is for projects covering the following categories: health, disability and social care; schools and centres of education; sports and social groups; and youth organisations. Approved projects will be entered into a public vote, which will determine the winners in each category - projects will need to campaign and raise awareness of their nomination to gain the most votes. The deadline for applications is 29th June. Find out more and apply here

FUNDING: gang-involved girls and young women

Comic Releif's Girls in Gangs Initiative is offering up to £150,000 to three voluntary sector projects in the UK. Research and evidence shows that gang-involved girls and young women navigate a range of harmful environments which can expose them to high levels of sexual exploitation and increased criminal activity. The initiative has been established to achieve the following outcomes: fewer girls and young women entering harmful and risky gang situations; girls and young women, already in gangs, experiencing less harm from violence, abuse and exploitation; and more girls and young women leaving violent, abusive and exploitative gang situations. The deadline for proposals is 13th July. Find out more and apply here

FUNDING: for disadvantaged London communities

Deutsche Bank Small Grants Fund aims to support projects which benefit society’s most disadvantaged communities. Voluntary sector organisations in the London boroughs of Barking and Dagenham, Hackney, Haringey, Lewisham, Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Westminster, Camden and Brent are invited to apply for grants of up to £5,000 for projects in the areas of: promoting social inclusion, reducing isolation and disadvantage and improving access to services; advancing people’s physical and mental health, wellbeing and safety; and maximizing people’s ability to strengthen community cohesion and build social capacity. The deadline for applications is 15th July. Find out more and apply here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: restorative justice symposium

The Restorative Justice for All Institute is holding a '3rd International Symposium on Restorative Justice' [17th-24th June | Skopelos Island, Greece | £290] under the theme 'Disciplining and Taking Restorative Justice Forward: From Research & Theory to International Policy & Practice'. The event, structured around the values of friendship, respect, academic rigour and confidentiality, will bring together international experts from a range of disciplines to address the issue of moving restorative justice beyond theory and research to international policy and practice. Key topics to be covered include: Delivering justice and criminal justice in a difficult financial climate; and balancing the rights of all those affected by conflict (victims, offenders, families and communities). Find out more and book here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: engaging non-traditional learners

Insider Access's 'Changing lives - sustainable futures' conference [7th July, Aylesbury, free] will draw on the work the organisation has undertaken with offenders in HMP The Mount, probation and those at risk of offending in the community. Insider Access is a not-for-profit social enterprise focusing on the engagement of non-traditional learners from disadvantaged backgrounds into informal, non-formal and accredited learning, in order to break the barriers which hold them back and to help them to achieve their fullest potential. The event's themes will be: green homes; tackling fuel poverty; reducing re-offending; developing employability; engagement into learning; mental health roots to recovery; eco approaches to social inclusion; and understanding our modern complex world. Find out more and book here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: prisoners and families organisation's annual meeting

Pact are holding their Annual General Meeting and Open Evening [20th July, London, free]. Delegates will hear from Professor Nick Hardwick, who has recently completed five years as HM’s Chief Inspector of Prisons, and meet Pact’s CEO, Andy Keen-Downs, senior staff and the Trustees. The event will be an opportunity to hear about Pact's plans for the year ahead, ask questions, and share ideas in their Open Forum. They especially welcome ex-prisoners, prisoners’ family members, volunteers, staff, friends and supporters. There is no need to book, but seating will be on a first come first served basis. Find out more here

NON-MEMBER'S EVENT

FEATURED VACANCY: Young People’s Service Coordinator

Circles South West is looking for a dynamic, experienced Young People’s Service Coordinator [£30,000 per annum, full time, Bristol] to lead a new and innovative community intervention for young people with harmful sexual behaviour. The successful candidate will recruit, train, and support small groups of community volunteers to provide Circles of Support and Accountability for young people and families, enabling them to make safe choices; take responsibility for their behaviour; engage in positive activities; improve their social connections; and enhance their self-worth. Working in partnership with Be Safe, Glebe House and statutory organisations, multi-agency work is essential. The closing date for applications is 12 noon 24th June. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBERS' VACANCIES

Job vacancies this week include: A Trainer/Assessor with St Giles Trust [HMP Sudbury, Derbyshire], Women’s Safety Officers with Ormiston Families [King’s Lynn and March], an Administrative Assistant with EDP Drug and Alcohol Services [HMP Guys Marsh, Dorset], an Employment, Training and Education Advisor with Certitude [London] and a Housing Advice Worker with Women in Prison [London]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip of the week I: This three night break in Lisbon is £149pp. Deal includes flights and dinner. Details
  • Tip of the week II: Stay at this Grade two-listed boutique hotel in Shrewsbury for £75. Deal includes bottle of Prosecco. Details
  • Tip of the week III: Buy a hot drink at Starbucks in the morning, get a half-price cold drink in the afternoon. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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