Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 488 |9th June 2017

[[{"fid":"199","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Light Lunch header","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Light Lunch header"},"type":"media","link_text":null,"attributes":{"alt":"Light Lunch header","title":"Light Lunch header","class":"media-element file-default"}}]]

In this week's edition...

CLINKS NEWS: run a session at our Annual Conference

At the Clinks' Annual Conference this year, our theme is 'Resilience: responding to adversity and change in the criminal justice system'. Resilience unites all voluntary organisations: the passion of staff and volunteers alike, and their adaptability to respond to the challenges they encounter. We are inviting you to explore, examine and celebrate the resilience of voluntary organisations in the criminal justice system. The event will be held in central London and will run from 9.30am to 4.30pm and will be followed by the Clinks’ Annual General Meeting and a drinks reception. Early bird tickets are on sale to Clinks members until the 5th July. If you are a Clinks member and would be interested in running a workshop session, we'd like to hear from you. To propose a session, please fill in the application form and send to events@clinks.org by Wednesday 5th July.

CLINKS NEWS: rethink supported housing

Clinks is one of eleven organisations that submitted an open letter in the Guardian asking the next government to rethink plans to change how supported housing works. The letter urges the government to rethink the reforms and ensure supported housing can continue to provide people, including those who have had contact with the criminal justice system, with a safe place to live. Read the letter here

CLINKS EVENT: inspecting probation services

If you were the Chief Inspector of Probation, what standards would you set for the work of the National Probation Service, Community Rehabilitation Companies and Youth Offending Teams? HM Inspectorate of Probation want to ensure that future inspection plans are well informed about the role and contribution of the Voluntary and Community Sector. Clinks is holding a series of workshops  [28th June, Manchester, 6th July, Newcastle, 17th July London, 21st July Cardiff] with HMI Probation so that voluntary organisations can learn about the inspection framework and help to set standards which will be used for future inspection of probation services. Draft inspection standards will be published towards the end of June and will be available here. You can find out more and book your place here

CLINKS RESOURCE: prison pages

Clinks staff have recently updated the prison information pages on the Clinks website with the most recent prison map, links to our current prison project and useful resources and guides. There are over 120 prisons in England and Wales and there are thousands of voluntary organisations' staff and volunteers working in prisons, playing a key role in supporting the reduction of reoffending, helping families and children impacted by imprisonment and working through the gate to resettle individuals back into the community. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: mental health and learning difficulties

The Bradley Report Group brings together voluntary organisations to support and encourage implementation of the Bradley Report (2009), Lord Bradley's review of people with mental health problems or learning disabilities in the criminal justice system. The group’s purpose is to offer advice, scrutiny and support to the government and public services. Members of the group include organisations that were previously members of the National Advisory Group for mental health and criminal justice and those of the Mental Health and Criminal Justice Third Sector Forum. The next meeting will be on the theme of: 'Suicide and suicide prevention throughout the criminal justice system' on June 20th, with Nigel Newcomen CBE, Prison and Probation Ombudsman, as one of the speakers. If you would like to join the group please email admin@revolving-doors.org.uk

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: who we lock up and why

Progressing Prisoners Maintaining Innocence is holding a talk called ‘Who we lock up and why: from the dangerous and difficult to the innocent’ [6th July, London, free]. The talk is by John Podmore, is professor of applied social sciences at the University of Durham, freelance criminal justice consultant and former prison governor at HMP Brixton. He is the author of 'Out of Sight Out of Mind: Why Britain's Prisons Are Failing'. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: employment for prisoners

The Prison Reform Trust has published a report 'Out for Good', which details the findings of a two-year action learning project based in HMP Brixton in south London. The report finds that an increase in availability of release on temporary license would give more businesses the opportunity to employ prisoners in the community as part of preparation for their release. It found it was not the attitudes of employers but national prison policy and practice which was the main barrier to opportunities for work and training. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: under one roof

Homeless Link is holding its Annual Conference 'Under One Roof' [4th-5th July, Hinckley, from £185]. Two days of networking, learning and debate sharing collaborative responses that tackle rough sleeping and homelessness. The conference will cover a wide range of topics that affect accommodation, support and care provision. It will bring together supported housing and homelessness services to share innovative approaches, policy updates and insights into the future of service provision, and will feature different strands, tailored for frontline workers, managers and leaders. Find out more and book here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: improving the justice system

The Criminal Justice Alliance is holding its next Members' Meeting [6th July, London, free]. The alliance is a coalition of 120 organisations committed to improving the criminal justice system. Peter Clarke, Chief Inspector of Prisons, will be guest speaker. Find out more and book here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: The Disappearing Trial

Fair Trials has published a research report called 'The Disappearing Trial', discussing how out-of-court mechanisms, across 90 countries, can impact fair trial rights and the criminal justice system. The use of trial waiver systems such as plea bargaining, abbreviated trials and cooperating witness procedures have increased about 300% since 1990. The research report assesses the legal and human rights implications and provides recommendations for the development of a rights-based approach to trial waiver systems. Find out more here

FUNDING: building communities

The Guinness Partnership Aspire Awards has up to £10,000 worth of grant funding available to support activities which will make a difference to Guinness Partnership communities through one-off projects and longer-term initiatives which build community spirit or help to resolve a local issue or address an area of particular need, and show how the project will make the local community, block or scheme a great place to live. To be eligible for funding applicants should be a Guinness Partnership resident, group of residents, service user, advocate or recognised group of service users who have the proven support of their local community. The deadline for applications is 20th June. Find out more and apply here

OPPORTUNITY: family services at HMP Ranby

HMP Ranby are holding an half-day engagement event [HMP Ranby 4th July, free] to engage organisations interested in developing and leading on family work in HMP Ranby. If you are interested in attending please contact Allison Palmer at partnershipofficer@bcvs.org.uk

OPPORTUNITY: charity IT services

The Charity IT Association has free consultations available for charities looking to get started on IT improvements. Using volunteers, they offer tech surgeries, IT consultancy and IT project delivery. Find out more here

FEATURED VACANCY: Older Offenders Officer

Age UK North Tyneside and Age UK Teesside are looking for an Older Offenders Officer [£17,628 - £21,904, full time, Tyneside and Teeside]. This role will involve supporting the coordination and development of Age UK Teesside’s and Age UK North Tyneside’s work with older prisoners within HMP Holme House, Stockton-on-Tees and HMP Frankland, County of Durham, providing up to 2 days per week activity in each prison including preparation and liaison work. The candidate will need community development experience, as well as experience of working with volunteers, developing group activities, and working with a wide range of stakeholders across the public, private and third sector, plus demonstrable understanding of the offender management sector. The deadline for applications is Friday 30th June. Email their HR team for an application pack HRTeam@ageuknorthtyneside.org.uk

FEATURED VACANCY: Sessional Group Leaders

Samaritans has a recruitment opportunity for people with lived experience of the criminal justice system. They are recruiting up to fifteen people to deliver two-hour workshops for new prisoners in two London prisons as part of a pilot programme [£120 per session, HMP Wandsworth and HMP Wormwood Scrubs]. Successful candidates will lead sessions which focus on how to stay emotionally well during a prison sentence. Applicants will ideally have experience as a Samaritans Listener during their time in prison but no prior skills in training or group leading are required. Samaritans will provide full training and provide support and supervision on a regular basis. The deadline for applications is Friday 30th June. Find out more and apply here

VOLUNTEER VACANCIES SPECIAL

It was Volunteers Week 1st-7th June. If you've been inspired to consider volunteering, our jobs board has voluntary roles as well as paid roles in the criminal justice charity sector. Voluntary roles this week include Volunteer Cooking Co-ordinators with The Nelson Trust [Swindon], a Chair with Rosa UK, a Trustee with Prisoners' Advice Service [London], Volunteer Mentors with Nacro [Essex], a Front of House Receptionist with Only Connect [London], a Peer Supporter with Together for Mental Wellbeing [London] and a Treasurer with Clean Break [Kentish Town].For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

CLINKS MEMBERS' VACANCIES

Vacancies on the jobs board this week include: a Support Worker with The Clink Charity [HMP Styal], a Youth Worker and Youth Project Co-ordinator with The IARS International Institute [London], a Financial Controller with Prisoners Education Trust [London], a Female Peer Mentor Volunteer with Advance [London], a Drug and Alcohol Practitioner with RAPt [HMP Wayland], an Operations and Office Manager with Unlocked Graduates [London], a Compliance Administrator with St Giles Trust [London], and an Entourage Support Worker with Only Connect [London]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

DID YOU KNOW...

Clinks members have unlimited access to a funding portal with over 4,000 UK and EU funding programmes? Find out more about member benefits here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip of the week I: Two courses for two people at Jamie's Italian for £29. Details
  • Tip of the week II: Three nights' hotel stay and tickets for Warwick castle from £79. Details
  • Tip of the Week III: Four star break in Sardinia from £79. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

Get involved Donate | Become a Member | Follow Clinks on Twitter | Join Mailing List

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

 

About Clinks Light Lunch

This edition of Light Lunch has been sent to the inbox of 10,790 people working (or with an interest) in the criminal justice system of England & Wales. Who are they?

To submit content, read the Notes for Contributors here

To unsubscribe, email rhiannedd.mclean@clinks.org

[Disclaimer]

 

Designed, composed and circulated every Friday by...

Rhiannedd Mclean