Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 461 | 4th November 2016

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In this week's edition...

LIGHT LUNCH

There will be no Light Lunch next week. The next edition of Light Lunch will be sent to you on the 18th November.

CLINKS NEWS: annual review

We have published 'What we do', our Annual Review for 2015-2016. The Review gives an overview of our work during the last financial year based on three themes - 'a catalyst for transformation', 'amplifying our members' voice', and 'acting on the evidence'. It features a timeline of the voluntary sector in criminal justice, and you can watch six videos featuring members and stakeholders sharing their thoughts on what ‘just and affordable rehabilitation’ looks like. Clinks' CEO Anne Fox says, "There is much more that can and should be done to improve the Criminal Justice System and the voluntary sector is, as always, at the heart of the creative and positive change we all want to see." Read the blog by Head of Policy and Communications Nathan Dick here, and read the Annual Review here

CLINKS SURVEY: have your voice heard

Our State of the sector survey is your chance to tell your story and help us to influence decision makers. The survey is vitally important as it helps Clinks evidence the challenges you and your beneficiaries are experiencing and share your successes, so we can advocate on your behalf. Please take 25 minutes to provide information about your organisation's criminal justice work, staffing, volunteers, beneficiaries and your experiences of partnership working. This year we're not asking you to provide any detailed financial information. The deadline for responses is 16th December. Complete the survey here

CLINKS REPORT: impact assessment 2016

Clink has published the findings from an independent impact assessment. The aim of the impact assessment was to assess whether Clinks is providing the range of services and activities that its stakeholders want and need, what difference Clinks is making to its members and the wider voluntary sector in criminal justice and whether Clinks’ work is of a good quality. The report presents the views of a range of stakeholders. The overwhelming response from those consulted was positive. However, Clinks is keen to make changes where it can to respond best to what the sector needs. As a result of the recommendations produced by this impact assessment, Clinks has made 10 pledges to inform its future work. Find out more here

CLINKS EVENTS: regional policy forums

Clinks is launching a series of Regional Policy Forums. We are inviting local organisations to the first forums for the North East [24th November, Durham, free] and the South West [29th November, Exeter, free]. For organisations in the North West and North Wales, please save the 8th December in your diaries. The Forums will help you stay informed and up to date with new developments in criminal justice policy and provide opportunities to inform Clinks’ national policy work. Confirmed speakers include Ian Blakeman, Executive Governor of Holme House and Kirklevington Grange Reform Prisons, Bridie Oakes-Richards, Governor of HMP Dartmoor, and Nick Dann, Deputy Project Director of HMP Berywn. Find out more and book here

CLINKS OPPORTUNITY: mentoring through the gate

We're looking for applications from voluntary sector organisations who have a core mentoring offer and history to join a new special interest group of the Ministry of Justice's Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3). The group will explore how to provide effective mentoring for men and women coming through the gate, and consider the role and contribution of the voluntary sector in pioneering this approach. We’ll look at the impact of the current commissioning and contracting arrangements and funding, the challenges and barriers to effective delivery and consistent outcomes, and make recommendations for change. The first meeting will be 9th December. Find out more and apply to join here

CLINKS MEMBER OFFER: discount on fundraising fair

DSC is live streaming their Fundraising Fair event on 22nd and 23rd November for everyone who can’t be there in person. Clinks members are exclusively offered a 20% early-bird discount off the introductory price, so can have access to the Live Stream for £39.20. The Fair aims to provide essential training and inspirational talks for fundraisers at all levels, whether you are new to fundraising or an experienced professional. The event workshops will cover topics ranging from Brexit to trust fundraising and corporate relationships. Find out more here

CLINKS BRIEFING: probation in the South West and Wales

Clinks has published a briefing that gives an overview of how probation services are managed and delivered in Wales and South West England following the Transforming Rehabilitation reforms that took place in 2015. It includes information on through the gate services, community hubs, rehabilitation activity requirements, and key contacts in Community Rehabilitation Companies and the National Probation Service. Download the briefing here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: help people leaving prison

Have you been released from prison within the last year? Do you have a smartphone? National Prison Radio are running a new project designed to help other people leaving prison, and need your help. They're looking for people to take part in a research group, to tell them what you think about the project, and the challenges you’ve faced since release. This is a paid opportunity. You will need to come to a training session in November (travel costs will be covered) and send small bits of feedback through your smartphone over a two week period. Find out more by contacting Katie at katie@prisonradioassociation.org or 0208 588 6155.

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: awards for youth projects

IARS International Institute is inviting organisations to nominate young people and youth projects for the 5th IARS Research and Youth Leadership Awards 2016. Six categories are now open covering a range of skills and projects. Winners will be announced at an Awards Ceremony on 8th December in presence of Lord McNally, Chairman of the Youth Justice Board and Neil Coyle MP. The deadline for nominations is 6th November. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: office space available in London

Prisoners Abroad has office space to let in Finsbury Park, London. A self-contained 1,000 square feet of open plan office space is available for immediate occupancy. The space is located in a building with other charities and is conveniently located for Piccadilly & Victoria tube lines. They are offering a 5 year lease with rent at £29,500 per annum and service charge at £2,500 per annum. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: restorative services quality mark

With the support of the Ministry of Justice, the Restorative Justice Council is offering the Restorative Services Quality Mark (RSQM) at a reduced rate of £3,000 + VAT to organisations working in the Criminal Justice System. The RSQM is an external recognition of quality restorative practice that measures an organisation’s work against the six Restorative Service Standards. It allows organisations to demonstrate that they are providing safe, quality restorative justice. This offer is available on a first come, first served basis to 25 organisations applying before December 2016. For more information, contact standards@restorativejustice.org.uk

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: replicating youth justice services

Catch22's Realising Ambition consortium has published their fifth Programme Insight briefing 'Turning the Lens: How organisational strength supports replication'. The briefing focuses on organisational readiness to replicate youth justice services alongside flexibility to adapt to the demands of service delivery. It outlines what characteristics an organisation needs to be able to replicate, how their ability can be assessed and how areas for development can be identified. Download the briefing here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: local authorities and women's offending

A joint report by the Prison Reform Trust, the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services, the Centre for Mental Health, and the Education Policy Institute, finds that local authorities have a crucial role to play in preventing women's offending. It finds most of the solutions to women’s offending lie outside the justice system in treatment for addictions and mental health problems, support out of violent and abusive relationships, secure housing, money and debt advice, skills for employment, and assistance for families. It highlights areas where work is already taking place to join up budgets and promote effective joint working between different agencies. Download the report here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: prison reform white paper

The Ministry of Justice has published a white paper on Prison Safety and Reform. The paper includes a summary of proposals setting out what it is doing to make prisons places of safety and reform. Clinks will work with our members to form a view on the proposed reforms, making use of the experience and expertise of voluntary organisations. Nathan Dick, Head of Policy and Communications has written a blog summarising the paper's headlines. Read the blog and download the white paper here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: prisons inspectorate survey

HM Inspectorate of Prisons has launched its stakeholder survey to gather feedback on its activities, and to inform future policy and practice. They are interested in understanding how the Inspectorate is perceived from the outside and how well they communicate with their various audiences. The deadline for responses is 24th November. Complete the survey here

COMMISSIONING: family services process delayed

Richard Booty, Families Lead - Public Sector Prisons for National Offender Management Service (NOMS), has told Clinks that NOMS are reviewing the timescales of the family services commissioning process and stage 1 will be delayed. The procurement team are meeting on Friday 3rd November to review the timescales and will inform organisations as soon as they know the revised timetable. At the end of September, NOMS published a Prior Information Notice (PIN) with details of a tender for family services for adult men in English prisons, find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: social enterprise in prisons

'No Offence Intended' is a SERIF conference [23rd November, Manchester, free] that will look at the positive contribution that social enterprise can make to reducing reoffending. You will hear about successful social enterprise programmes in public sector prisons in the North West and North East, consider the potential impact upon offenders including both their employability skills and their mental health and wellbeing, discuss the wider impact upon organisational culture within the prison service, and explore how social enterprise fits with the prison reform agenda. Find out more and book here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: the smoke-free approach and families

Pact and National Offender Management Services are co-hosting an event [29th November, Cardiff, free] aimed at professionals working with offenders and their families. The event will explore the smoke-free approach being taken by prisons, and how this impacts on prisoners' families and relationships. It will also explore what support is available and how we can make sure that we continue to develop the policy on an ongoing basis and work in partnership to build a wider health promotion campaign. Find out more and book here (Password: Wales)

NON-MEMBERS' EVENTS

  • Youth Justice Convention | 29th-30th November, Milton Keynes, from £215+VAT | Details

OPPORTUNITY: community payback in the South West and Wales

South West and Wales Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs) are asking voluntary organisations in the South West to consider how they might benefit from and help deliver a range of Community Payback activities across the South West and Wales regions. They are intending to have 60% of their Unpaid Work orders via external agencies, and are keen for voluntary sector organisations to host work placements. For further information, read their proposal here and contact Simon Perkins, Business Development Manager – Partnership and Joint Commissioning, on Simon.Perkins@ddc.probation.gsi.gov.uk

OFFENDER HEALTH: mental health of adults in the justice system

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has launched a consultation on their draft guidance on the mental health of adults in the Criminal Justice System. The guidance includes principles for identifying and managing mental health problems, and integrating care, for adults in contact with the Criminal Justice System. The consultation asks for comments on which aspects of the guidance will have the biggest impact on practice or be challenging to implement and why, and suggestions as to how to overcome those challenges. The deadline for responses is Friday 18th November. Clinks will be submitting a response to the consultation. To feed in your comments, please email hazel.alcraft@clinks.org by Monday 7th November. Read the draft guidance and respond here

CLINKS MEMBERS' VACANCIES

Job vacancies this week include: a Reducing Re-Offending Worker with Nacro [Essex], a Trust Fundraising Officer with Prison Advice and Care Trust [London], an Operations Director with Safe Ground [London], an Administration Officer with Birth Companions [homebased with meetings in London], a Weekend Playworker with Jigsaw Visitors’ Centre [HMP Leeds], a Waking Night Worker with Adullam Homes Housing Association [Chesterfield], a Legal Manager with Bail for Immigration Detainees [London] and various roles for Social Interest Group [London], including Resettlement Support Workers, Mental Health Recovery Workers and a Community Responsible Officer. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip of the week I: Get 3for2 on selected Christmas decorations, cards, wrapping paper, home fragrance and beauty gifts at M&S online. Details
  • Tip of the week II: An all-inclusive holiday in Zante is £299pp including flights. Details
  • Tip of the week III: Fly to Dublin from £16. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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

 

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Ben Watson

Clinks