Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 474 | 24th February 2017

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In this week's edition...

CLINKS NEWS: membership pricing

Clinks is making some small changes to its membership pricing. Clinks’ strength lies in its membership and we have over 500 members that are at the heart of everything we do. We make every effort to keep our membership charges low and we continue to work hard on behalf of our members. To make our membership pricing fairer and more consistent with other infrastructure organisations we will be changing to a turnover based charging system from the end of March 2017. This will replace our current system which is based on number of paid employees. For many members their membership fees won’t change, and some will be charged less. We are sure those of you who do see a small increase in your membership fee will continue to consider membership good value for money. We will be publishing the new pricing structure in the next couple of weeks and will be implementing the changes as members renew throughout the next financial year. If you have any comments at this stage, please contact our Membership Manager Helen at helen.carter@clinks.org

CLINKS BLOG: supporting families

In this guest blog, Charlotte Caldwell, Research & Policy Assistant at i-Hop, looks at the role of family ties in improving outcomes for people involved in the criminal justice system and their families. The blog discusses the 'Promoting family ties in the changing criminal justice system' conference jointly held by Clinks and i-Hop in December 2016, as well as the role of the voluntary sector in supporting families, the impact of the Farmer Review and the ongoing challenges faced by families of prisoners. Charlotte writes "With the prison service under increasing pressure, the role of the voluntary sector in supporting offenders and their families not only to maintain, but also improve their relationships, is paramount". Read more here

NATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE ARTS ALLIANCE: annual meeting

It is the last opportunity to book a place on The National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance’s (NCJAA) annual meeting [1st March, London, free]. The meeting will provide an opportunity for NCJAA members to come together, learn about the current policy landscape and share good practice in arts and criminal justice. They will also look back at their achievements as a network and elect a new Steering Group who will work collectively to support the work of the Alliance and establish new priorities for the coming year. Book your place here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: office space needed

Why me? is seeking office accommodation of approximately 9m2, to fit 6 desks, inside zone 2 in London. They need a dedicated and quiet space for two people to take calls for their helpline and to talk to victims of crime. Extra staff can hot desk or sit in an open office. They have limited storage requirements consisting of a four drawer filing cabinet and small cupboard for books and DVDs. Access to meeting rooms is required for 2-15 people. For more information please email lucy.jaffe@why-me.org

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: Gypsy, Traveller and Roma children

The Traveller Movement has published research which found that Gypsy, Traveller and Roma (GTR) children continue to be overrepresented in the youth justice system. 'Overlooked and Overrepresented: Gypsy, Traveller and Roma children in the youth justice system' analyses the data from HM Inspectorate of Prisons ‘Children in Custody’ report. The research shows that GTR children also reported worse experiences in custody compared to other children; particularly in relation to safety, health, understanding procedures and being prepared for life after release. Read more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: homeless couples

Brighton Women's Centre (BWC) is looking for researchers to join a panel to undertake research into homeless couples living on the streets. The project will be looking at service provision and accommodation. If it is found that no current suitable housing provision exists, BWC will seek to create a housing based pilot project to test possible solutions. The researcher will be engaged to produce a feasibility study with recommendations for best practice for services working with couples on the street as well as possible housing solutions. The project will commence by March 2017 and be completed within 1 year. The closing date is 6th March. Read more here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Prisons and Courts Bill

The Prisons and Courts Bill has been presented to Parliament by Justice Secretary Elizabeth Truss on the 23rd February. It underpins measures in the recently published Prison Safety and Reform White Paper as part of overall reform plans. It sets in law that a key purpose of prisons is to reform prisoners and that the Secretary of State has overall responsibility for ensuring that prisons are rehabilitative, safe and functional. It extends the role of the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman to have greater investigatory powers and it puts prison governors in charge of budgets for education and health. Read more here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: devolution of criminal justice

'Breaking Barriers: Doing it Justice' is an independent review that explores a devolved approach to criminal justice. Led by the Rt. Hon Hazel Blears, Professor Lord Patel of Bradford OBE and Dr Jon Bashford, the report looks at prevention and early intervention, custody and rehabilitation, and continuity of care. It looks at the case for devolving criminal justice powers, funding and accountability and taking a place-based approach to remodel the criminal justice system around the dynamics of the community. Contributors include those working in the criminal justice system, Community Rehabilitation Companies, social sector providers, and local government. Read more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: women's stories

Open Clasp’s new production 'SUGAR' will be previewed over two weeks [6th-17th March, North East and Manchester, up to £10] for International Women's Day 2017. The production was devised with women in HMP Low Newton, Women's Direct Access Homelessness Service and women on probation attending a Women’s Hub through Changing Lives at West End Women & Girls Centre. It portrays the routes into prison, life behind bars and the revolving door that catapults women back. Read more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: preventing youth crime

Ambition, alongside the Home Office, is running an interactive workshop [6th March, London, free]. ‘Preventing Youth Crime: discussing associated aspects of character and potential interventions’ looks at evidence that certain aspects of character are strongly linked with committing crime, for example impulsivity and lack of empathy. They will explore evidence which suggests that these traits are not necessarily innate, for example they can be affected by negative early-years experiences, nor are these character traits immutable. The workshop will go on to discuss potential interventions. Read more and book here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: friends and families of prisoners

Nepacs is inviting friends and families of prisoners in north east prisons to an event [15th March, County Durham, free] to have their say on how services they receive can be improved. The 'Visitors' Voice' event focuses on how to make prisons safer, and how to ensure that prisons make best use of vital information from visitors who are concerned that a loved one in prison is vulnerable. For more information about the event or to book a place please email training@nepacs.co.uk

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: relationship education

Pact is holding a morning lecture and symposium on the topic of prisoners and families [17th March, London, free]. This year’s lecture will be responding to the question ‘Is relationship education a key ingredient to prison safety and reform?'. The lecture will be given by Dr Galena Rhoades, Research Associate Professor and Associate Clinical Professor from the University of Denver. Other speakers include Dr. Samantha Callan, Parliamentary Advisor to Lord Michael Farmer and Senior Fellow with the Centre for Social Justice and Bishop Richard Moth. Admission is free to Clinks members, on a first-come, first-served basis. Read more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: people with autism

The National Autistic Society is holding a conference [4th-5th April, Manchester] on the care and treatment of people in the criminal justice system with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, including autism. The conference aims to help participants learn about new strategies and keep up with research and best practice. It will include thinking from international speakers, and smaller scale research. Read more and book here

FUNDING: smaller organisations

The Allen Lane Foundation has released funding from £500-£15,000 for groups working with prisoners and former prisoners as well as asylum-seekers and refugees, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, Gypsies and travellers, migrant workers, older people, people experiencing mental health problems, and people experiencing violence or abuse. Applicants must have an income less than £100,000. The deadline for applications is 1st March. Read more here

FUNDING: disadvantaged communities

NatWest Skills and Opportunities Fund offers grants of up to £35,000 to charities, community groups, social enterprises or state-funded schools or colleges with a project or idea that focuses on a disadvantaged community within the UK or Republic of Ireland. The project should help people to develop, create or access the skills and opportunities they need to help themselves; skills that will increase their financial capability, or enable them to get into work or start a business, now or in the future. The deadline for applications is 3rd March. Read more here

FUNDING: ex-services personnel

National Offender Management Services (NOMS) Co-financing Organisation (CFO) is offering grants of up to £30,000 to organisations that deliver services or complementary activity for ex-services personnel involved with NOMS CFO or the wider criminal justice system. NOMS is currently in receipt of a Covenant Fund grant from the Ministry of Defence to provide these grants. Organisations should contribute to identifying gaps in provision for ex-services personnel and improve links between the Military Corrective Training Centre, Colchester and English prisons. The deadline for applications is 14th March. Read more here

FUNDING: website and digital projects

Digital agency White Fuse is giving away a £5,000 grant each month to help a charity transform its website or get online for the first time. Grants are for small and medium sized charities/non-profits in the UK with a turnover of less than £1million. The funding covers setup costs of the website including content strategy, design, development and launch to a value of £5,000. The charity will need to cover the support and maintenance costs on a monthly basis. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Read more here

AWARDS: Lottery funded projects

Entries are open for the National Lottery Awards 2017. The Awards are open to projects that have received Lottery funding at any time since 1994. The main beneficiaries of the project must be based in the UK. Entries can be made in several award categories including voluntary and charity, education and health. The winner in each category will receive a cash prize of £3,000, which can be put towards their project. Winners will be determined by a public vote and will appear at a BBC One Awards Ceremony. The deadline to enter is 7th April. Read more here

FEATURED VACANCY: Policy and Impact Officer

Switchback is recruiting a Policy and Impact Officer [£30 – 35K pro rata (depending on experience), London, 22.5 hours a week]. They are looking for someone who is committed to their work with young adult offenders, with excellent professional credentials, an analytical mind and a strong policy and data background to join them. This is 12 month contract, flexible post that will support the CEO and the rest of a busy team. Applicants must have excellent communications skills, be comfortable with and inquisitive of complex data, have a good knowledge of the criminal justice system, and be able to influence and represent policy themes to a range of stakeholders. The closing date for applications is 6th March. Find out more and apply here

CLINKS MEMBERS' VACANCIES

Vacancies on the jobs board this week include: a NCS Advisor (Prisons) with Career Connect [HMP Liverpool], a Wonderlink Worker with The Magdalene Group [Norfolk], a Family Worker with RAPt [HMP Lewes], a Community Responsible Officer with Social Interest Group, an Employability Co-ordinator with Back On Track [Manchester], a Policy and Impact Officer with Switchback [Spitalfields], a Non-Executive Director with Pact [London], a Reducing Reoffending Worker with Nacro [Doncaster], Freelance Facilitators with Safe Ground and an Interim Service Manager with Social Interest Group. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip of the week I: Get a mystery 4 star holiday for £89. Details
  • Tip of the week II: Free Covent Garden soup with voucher. Details
  • Tip of the Week III: 33% off Papa John's pizza. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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Clinks