Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 466 | 16th December 2016

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In this week's edition...

LIGHT LUNCH NOTICE

This is the last Light Lunch of 2016. Clinks’ office will be closed over the festive period from 9am Friday 23rd December. The office will re-open at 9am Tuesday 3rd January 2017. The next Light Lunch will be sent to you on Friday 6th January 2017. Season's Greetings to all Light Lunch readers from the Clinks team.

CLINKS RESPONSE: to the Prison Safety and Reform white paper

Following publication in November of the Government's Prison Safety and Reform white paper, Clinks has taken the opportunity to respond to the proposals contained within it, drawing on all our work to build the sector's effective engagement with the prison reform programme throughout 2016. The response is not intended as a detailed briefing on the white paper's content, but rather presents an analysis of its proposals in terms of what is welcomed, what areas still require more detailed development, and in particular what offers Clinks and our members can make to the Ministry of Justice, National Offender Management Services and prison governors to support this important work as it progresses. Read the response here

CLINKS SURVEY: last chance to take part

Our state of the sector survey deadline has been extended until 5pm Thursday 22nd December. For Clinks to continue to evidence your success and the challenges the voluntary sector working in the Criminal Justice System is facing, we rely on having the most up-to-date information so we can advocate on your behalf and present the latest findings to ministers, Ministry of Justice and National Offender Management Service officials and other policy makers. So it is vital that we hear from as many of you as possible - from the largest organisations to the smallest. Share your experiences with us and help us to amplify your voice. This is your last chance add your voice to this year's survey. You can share your experiences in our state of the sector survey here.

CLINKS VACANCY: Membership and Events Officer

We have an exciting vacancy for an experienced Membership & Events Officer [£22,212 - £24,472, London, full time]. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced candidate to join our respected Clinks team. You will take a lead role in marketing Clinks' products and services; administering and developing our membership scheme; maintaining and improving our database and web-based functionality; and support the development of an annual programme of training and events which reflects the sector’s needs. The deadline for applications is 16th January. Find out more here

CLINKS BLOG: creating safer prisons

With negative news recently regarding safety in prisons, how can voluntary organisations ensure their safety and that of their service users? Our new blog from Clinks' Development Officer Louise Clark explores three things the voluntary sector can do to create safer prisons. Read the blog here

CLINKS EVENT: substance misuse in prison

What should substance misuse services in prisons be like? Clinks is holding a consultation event [13th January, Leeds | free] in partnership with NHS England to help them review the service specification for substance misuse services in prisons. Open to current and former service users, families, and voluntary sector representatives, this event will provide an opportunity to feed back on the current specification, what is working well, and what more needs to be done. Find out more and register here

CLINKS EVENT: working with women

Do you work with women in the Criminal justice System? Clinks, Women’s Breakout, Women’s Resource Centre and Agenda are hosting a networking forum [17th January 2017, Wales, free] for voluntary sector organisations working with women in the Criminal Justice System.  The meeting will provide an update on policy developments from these and other women’s organisations, provide the opportunity to network and discuss key issues with other organisations and enable Clinks to represent you to government and other key stakeholders. This includes the Advisory Board for Female Offenders hosted by the Ministry of Justice, and the Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group which Clinks chairs. Read more here

CLINKS EVENTS: prison inspection criteria

If you were the Chief Inspector of Prisons, what criteria would you use for assessing the treatment and conditions of prisoners? Clinks is holding three consultation events [17th January, London | 19th January, Manchester | 26th January, Cardiff | free] with HM Inspectorate of Prisons so that voluntary organisations can help them review and update the inspection methodology, and the criteria used to inspect, for adult male prisons in the light of the changing prisons landscape. Find out more and book here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: new patron for Unlock

Unlock has a new Patron, Professor Nick Hardwick, formerly HM Chief Inspector of Prisons. He follows in the footsteps of Lord Ramsbotham and Sir Stephen Tumim who became President and Patron of Unlock respectively, when they stepped down from their terms as HM Chief Inspectors of Prisons. Nick says “I am really pleased to have this opportunity to support Unlock whose work I have admired for a long time. We all sometimes need a chance to make a new start – and this is particularly true of former prisoners. It is in no-one’s interest to put unnecessary obstacles in their way of building a new productive and law-abiding life” Read more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: learning from other countries

The Prison Reform Trust has published two briefings to highlight learning from the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Prison Reform Fellowships. The Fellowships explore how other countries respond to crime and whether a similar approach could be taken here. These latest two briefings, authored by the Institute for Criminal Policy Research, Birkbeck, University of London, focus on maintaining contact between prisoners and their families; and problem-solving approaches to criminal justice. Read more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: effective sentencing

Transform Justice has published ‘The Sentencing Council for England and Wales: brake or accelerator on the use of prison?', an examination of the functions of the Sentencing Council written by Rob Allen from Justice and Prisons. The report discusses whether the council should play a greater role in curbing sentence inflation and best practise in doing so. Read more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: report on advice for former prisoners

Centre for Justice Innovation has produced a report covering how to support and advise former prisoners. People released from prison can face obstacles on the road towards a new life, including a shortage of affordable housing, mistrust and discrimination from employers, and a complex benefits system. This report looks at ways in which social welfare advice can be improved. Read more here

VOLUNTARY SECTOR NEWS: putting small charities at the heart of public services

The Office for Civil Society has announced three new measures to involve small charities in delivering public services, including new measures to support the commissioning process. Clinks CEO Anne Fox says “Smaller voluntary organisations all too often lose out in commissioning processes despite delivering excellent local services for people with multiple needs. These local experts need support from all angles if they are to thrive in the current climate. That’s why Clinks welcomes the Office for Civil Society’s announcement that they will be focussing on this issue. Clinks’ job, alongside our partners in the sector, will be to make sure that these work for our members, the majority of which are small and local. We will also continue to call for an upturn in the use of grants and the quality of grant making practices. We need funding practices that support #whatwedo as a voluntary sector.” Read more here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: review of Youth Justice System  

Following his interim report in February 2016, Charlie Taylor's full Review of the Youth Justice System in England and Wales has now been published alongside the government's response, which accepts many but not all of his recommendations.  Clinks will be publishing a full briefing and analysis of both the review and response in the new year. This will draw on the extensive consultation that we conducted with Nacro, Peer Power, POPS, BTEG, 1625 Independent People and other voluntary sector partners to inform our submission to the review in April 2016. Download the review and the government's response here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: probation report shows improvement needed

HM Inspectorate of Probation has published a report on the inspection of probation services in North London. The inspection looked at the quality and impact of probation work carried out by the Community Rehabilitation Company (CRC) and National Probation Service (NPS) and assessed the effectiveness of work undertaken locally with people who have offended. Probation services in the north of London had deteriorated and work by the CRC who are responsible for managing low and medium-risk offenders was poor. "People were more at risk as a result, and this was unacceptable" said Dame Glenys Stacey, HM Chief Inspector of Probation. Read more here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: inspection work in Suffolk

HM Inspectorate of Probation will be inspecting work in Suffolk during the weeks commencing 13th February 2017 and 27th February 2017. If you have any queries about this, please contact HMI Probation (Enquiries) HMIP.Enquiries@hmiprobation.gsi.gov.uk.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: working with people going to court

The Local Criminal Justice Board (LCJB) is seeking feedback from all agencies who have been involved with supporting the virtual courts pilot to inform future work. The LCJB has introduced a pilot of a Centralised Virtual Remand Court (CVRC). This pilot aims to establish the effectiveness of a virtual court network from the six custody centres in Devon and Cornwall. The CRVC aims to bring benefits for all agencies in line with Criminal Justice System modernisation. The findings of this engagement will inform a report to be presented to the LCJB on 11th January. The deadline for feedback is 23rd December. Download the survey here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: tell prison inspectors what you think

HM Inspectorate of Prisons, the independent organisation that reports on all prisons in England and Wales, is currently reviewing how they inspect prisons. As part of the review, they are carrying out a short online survey to find out what prisoners’ friends and family members think is important. Please pass on the details of the survey to friends and family members of prisoners. The survey is open until 31st January 2017. Complete the survey here

FUNDING: win a year of support

Weston Charity Awards 2017 is now open to applications in the Midlands and North of England. The Awards aim to enable charities to develop, raise their profiles, become more sustainable and face the future with greater confidence. Registered charities that are working in youth, welfare or community can apply. The Awards offer a package of support intended to deliver long-term benefit to the winning charities who will receive a fully funded year of support from Pilotlight, £6,500 to support the work with Pilotlight, and other benefits. The application deadline is 13th January 2017. Read more here

FUNDING: Communities Fund programme

The Department for Communities and Local Government is inviting bids to its new funding and support programme. The Communities Fund for small-scale local projects that address a broad range of social issues. There is a total sum of £2.5million in funding to deliver new services that help those in the communities they serve. The deadline for completed bids is 16th January 2017. Read more here

NON MEMBER'S EVENTS AND TRAINING

Webinars for small charities | 16th December, online, free| Details

CLINKS MEMBERS' VACANCIES

This week's job vacancies include: a Support Worker with Changing Lives [Nottingham], an Area Manager with  Sova  [home based], Volunteer Board Members with Reformed East Sussex Services CIC [Eastbourne/Hastings], a Resettlement Case Worker with St Giles Trust [HMP Swansea], a Production Facilitator with EDP Drug and Alcohol Services [HMP Dartmoor], a Case Manager with Achieve North West Connect [Workington], a Female Outreach Worker with The Nelson Trust [Gloucester/Swindon/Wiltshire], a Community Family Support Worker with Jigsaw Visitors Centre [HMP Leeds], an Offender Resettlement Worker with Social Interest Group [Plumstead], and a Trainee Navigator with DISC [Batley]. For more information about these vacancies and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip of the week I: Marks and Spencer have 50% off all Christmas decorations online. Details
  • Tip of the week II: 30% off main meals at Strada. Details
  • Tip of the week III: 50p off Clipper tea plus free gift. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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

 

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Rhiannedd Mclean

Clinks