Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 492 | 7th July 2017

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In this week's edition...

CLINKS BLOG: the challenges of funding

This is the third in a series of guest blogs which feature detailed accounts of the experience of voluntary organisations working in criminal justice, focusing on the needs of their service users, their service delivery and their funding situation. In this blog, the writer talks about the difficulties in accessing funding as a specialist organisation over the last few years, and how that has changed the way they engage with their service users. They write 'There are good services already operating and demonstrating really positive outcomes, and we need to ensure that commissioners recognise that if there isn’t investment into that preventative element, it will cost them and the wider economy far more in the long run.' Read the blog here

CLINKS BLOG: mental health in prisons

In this blog, Clinks Practice Team Leader and Development Officer for Health and Justice, Hazel Alcraft, discusses the National Audit Office’s (NAO) report into mental health in prisons, and how this could be used as a stepping stone to improve mental health services in prisons. Hazel also writes about the work our members are currently doing to support people with mental health conditions. She writes "Our members already provide a huge range of support for people with mental health needs in prison, from direct mental health interventions, to peer support, preventing mental health problems and promoting mental and emotional wellbeing." Read the blog here

CLINKS BLOG: mothers and children

The impact of prison on mothers and their children is the topic of this guest blog from Suzanne Perry, Research Officer for Barnardo’s i-HOP service. The blog discusses the ‘Mapping Maternal Subjectivities, Identities and Ethics’ networking event looking at the key challenges for mothers in prison, examine work already mitigating these challenges and find new ways to work with imprisoned mothers. Suzanne writes: ‘i-HOP’s take on this event centres on a few things; a belief that people can change and in the legitimacy of parenthood regardless of gender or imprisonment. With these sentiments in mind we can work towards improving the wellbeing and outcomes for the children of imprisoned parents’. Read the blog here

CLINKS EVENT: working and volunteering in prison

This one day course [9th August, York, from £75 | 14th August, Taunton, from £75] aims to raise awareness of the prison environment and enable voluntary sector staff and volunteers to have meaningful and professional engagement with prisons, in their shared care of those in custody. It will cover: why you want to work in a prison and any worries you might have, an introduction to the criminal justice system, prison environment and population, reducing reoffending, safe and responsible working and your first month. Find out more and book here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: early intervention for youths

The Realising Ambition Consortium from Catch 22 has published its ninth Programme Insight, one of a series of short briefings which shares key learning from a UK-wide £25m Big Lottery Fund programme replicating 25 services aimed at preventing children and young people from entering the criminal justice system. This Insight describes what a cost-benefit analysis is and why it is important for service delivery organisations, funders and commissioners. During the programme 22 delivery organisations have served over 155,000 young people and considered the impact of services and the realistic costs of delivering high quality services for children and young people. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: new ways of working with women

Khulisa and Working Chance have launched their first pilot project in an all-women's prison. Khulisa has run 'Silence the Violence' in male prisons previously, which helps prisoners to understand the root causes of their violent and disruptive behaviour through the intensive, therapeutic support. Khulisa is partnering with Working Chance, who has experience working with vulnerable women in the criminal justice system, to run the project in HMP Downview. Khulisa says "Our vision is to support female offenders to be ready to engage with employment, training and education that would otherwise allude them and prolong their inability to support themselves effectively in society. Working Chance will support us in broadening participation and will refer beneficiaries of our programme into their employment programme." Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: OBE for supporting women

Congratulations to Maggie Parks from Voluntary Sector Cornwall on her OBE for services to victims of domestic and sexual violence. Maggie has developed services that have supported thousands of women in Cornwall. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: supporting people in prison

PACT is holding its annual meeting [12th July, London, free]. Hear from service users, volunteers and staff. Meet the trustees, Directors, CEO and Senior Leadership Team. Find out about a number of new partnerships, including their collaboration with the Prison Reform Trust. Learn about their work with people in prison, people with convictions, and their children and families, to reduce re-offending, inter-generational offending, and harm. Find out more and book here

CLINKS MEMBER'S TRAINING: mentoring

Vision Housing is offering an NCFE Level 2 Award training in Mentoring [18th-20th July, Croydon, £270]. It covers all aspect of mentoring helping the mentor to gain an insight into the role and practical aspects of mentoring. Participants will develop the specific skills and understanding required to mentor successfully. To enrol email info@visionhousing.org.uk

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: treating sex offenders

The Ministry of Justice has published the impact evaluation of the prison-based 'Core Sex Offender Treatment Programme', a cognitive-behavioural psychological intervention designed by the HM Prison and Probation Service. The aim of the research was to extend the evidence base on the effectiveness of treatment for sexual offenders. This study measures the impact of the prison-based Core Sex Offender Treatment Programme on the reoffending outcomes of sex offenders in England and Wales, while controlling for the different observable characteristics, needs, and risk factors of participants. Find out more here

FUNDING: relief of disadvantage

The Scottish Power Foundation is open to applications for funding of between £25,000 and £250,000. Charitable organisations that address the advancement of education, citizenship and community development or the prevention/relief of poverty by reason of any disadvantage can apply. The deadline for applications is 31st July. Find out more and apply here

FUNDING: reducing crime

The Police and Crime Commissioner for South Yorkshire is now accepting applications applications from local not-for-profit organisations. Grants of up to £5,000 are available for projects addressing one or more of the following: Provide support and intervention to members of the community who may be vulnerable, support vulnerable victims both in awareness and reporting of crime, provide diversionary activities especially for young people, provide education around the risks associated with cyber-crime, provide alcohol/drug education, and to support tactics around managing night time economy and alcohol related crime e.g. domestic violence and violence and preventing burglaries and vehicle crime. Applications can be made throughout the financial year. Find out more here

RESOURCE: rehabilitative fiction

'Breaking the Chain' is a story for prisoners and a free tool for anyone working in prisons with emerging readers. Part of SPCK’s Prison Fiction Programme, this book is low literacy, designed to be easy to read. It tells the story of a young prisoner, Josh, and the rehabilitative journey of an older prisoner, Ken, who becomes his mentor. Each chapter ends with questions for the reader to consider: whether alone in their cell, with a mentor or in a reading group. Find out more here

OPPORTUNITY: family support

West Yorkshire Community Chaplaincy and Jigsaw Visitors Centre, based at HMP Leeds, are working together to deliver a three year project 'Family support in to out' which supports prisoners and their families in the community. They are seeking an organisation to work alongside the project and undertake a quantitative and qualitative longitudinal evaluation which will include an economic impact assessment. This work will run between October 2017 and November 2019 and £15,000 is available to pay for this. Proposals must be submitted by email by 1st August. The final report is to be submitted along with a presentation on 1st December 2019. To receive a brief for the work email kelly.manton@wyccp.org.uk

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 their work with older prisoners within HMP Holme House and HMP Frankland, providing up to two 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 12th July. Email the HR team for an application pack at HRTeam@ageuknorthtyneside.org.uk

FEATURED VACANCY: National Criminal Justice Development Manager

Together for Mental Wellbeing is looking for a National Criminal Justice Development Manager [£38,000, full time, London]. Their criminal justice mental health services work to identify and support people in contact with the criminal justice system who have mental health and other complex needs. Working with the Director of Criminal Justice Services, the key tasks include identifying areas of opportunity as well as negotiating and ultimately securing new service contracts to meet their growth targets. This will include building creative external relationships and partnerships with stakeholders as they develop new service initiatives in both London and regionally. The deadline for applications is 17th July. You can apply on the website here

FEATURED VACANCY: Chief Executive Officer

Lancashire Women's Centres is looking for a Chief Executive Officer [£55,000-£60,000, full time, Lancashire] to lead on the continued development of the organisation locally and nationally. They are looking for a well-established and resilient leader to report to the board of trustees. They will be responsible for raising the profile of the organisation, promoting the reputation, ensuring delivery of high quality, innovative and effective services for women, families and communities and working with strategic partners. They will understand the role of gender in service delivery and look to shape the service in line with this core principle. The deadline for applications is 1st August. For a job description and details of how to apply email recruitment@womenscentre.org

CLINKS MEMBERS' VACANCIES

Vacancies on the jobs board this week include: a Casual Play Worker with Spurgeons [London], a Digital Director with Prison Radio Association [HMP Styal], a Business Development Executive with RAPt [Vauxhall], a Policy Officer with Criminal Justice Alliance, a Bid Writer with PACT, a Policy and Communications Officer with Restorative Justice Council [London], and a Project Worker with Changing Lives [Widnes]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

DID YOU KNOW...

...our members receive early bird rates, generous discounts and exclusive members only Clinks training and events? For example these events covering working or volunteering in prison. You can find out more about member benefits here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip of the week I: 11 nights trekking in Nepal for £499. Details
  • Tip of the week II: 30% off Body Shop products. Details
  • Tip of the Week III: £100 off £800 holidays with Thomson using code SUN100. Details

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Rhiannedd Mclean