Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 548 | 17th August 2018

light lunch header no strapline

In this week's edition...

CLINKS EVENT: strengthening probation, building confidence in Wales

As part of the Ministry of Justice market and stakeholder engagement activity for their consultation on the future of probation services, Clinks is hosting an event specifically for the voluntary sector in Wales [4th September, Bridgend, free]. Come along to find out more about the proposals for arrangements in Wales, ask questions, and feed in your views. The Ministry of Justice has announced a public consultation on proposals to stabilise the delivery of probation services over the next two years and a longer term strategy for probation services beyond 2020. Book your place to have your say here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: women's mental health network

Wish is launching a Women’s Mental Health Network. It would like women with experience of mental health issues and/or the criminal justice system to tell them the top three service provision issues that it needs to campaign to change. The aim of the network is to involve organisations from across different sectors working together to provide a user-led campaigning platform to give women with mental health needs a voice, and drive forward change. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: additional prison days

The Howard League for Penal Reform has published The rising tide: Additional days for rule-breaking in prison. The report reviews additional days added to sentences for rule breaking, and recommends England and Wales follow Scotland's lead and abolish the use of extra days as punishment. This would reduce strain on the prisons' already overcrowded environments. The report reveals that punishments totalling almost 1,000 years were handed down in 2017, with the total number of additional days of imprisonment handed down nationwide more than doubling in three years. It suggests alternative to extra days, such as restorative justice processes. Read the report here (PDF)

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: supported housing

The government has responded to two consultations on supported housing. They will retain funding (for rental costs) for supported housing, including for short term accommodation within the benefit system. Alongside this, the government will work with providers, local authorities, membership bodies and resident representatives over the coming months to develop a robust oversight regime for supported housing and will work to ensure quality and value for money across the whole supported housing sector. Prison leavers often find themselves reliant on supported housing upon release. Find out more here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: rough sleeping strategy

The government has released its Rough Sleeping Strategy, with the aim of ending rough sleeping entirely by 2027. Justice Minister Rory Stewart has written a blog about a new pilot launched as part of the strategy, designed to support prison leavers. He writes "The particular focus of these pilots will be prisoners on very short sentences – often the most difficult group to engage with. The officers will ensure that the prisoners are fully signed up to the benefits, an employment support system and that their bank accounts are setup before they leave prison. But their key task will be to find suitable housing, and to provide support for prisoners to sustain their new accommodation." Read the blog here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: sport in prisons

Professor Rosie Meek’s report, A Sporting Chance: An Independent Review of Sport in Youth and Adult Prisons has been published by the Ministry of Justice. The report is part of the Department’s response to Charlie Taylor’s review of the youth justice system. It highlights the role that sport and physical activity can play in rehabilitation and reducing reoffending, as well as best practice from across the custodial estate and recommendations for enhancing provision. Clinks helped gather evidence for the review. Find out more here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: benefits of employment on recidivism

The Ministry of Justice has published a range of case studies in video format encouraging employers to consider giving jobs to people with convictions. A series of employers, prison staff and people with convictions themselves explain how prisoners and ex-offenders can be some of the most committed and hard-working employees. Find out more here

FUNDING: community projects in Birmingham

Birmingham International Airport Community Trust Fund is looking to fund community groups and charitable organisations within Birmingham International Airport's area of benefit. Grants of up to £3,000 are available to support local projects. Both capital and revenue projects will be considered. Proposals that benefit older people and people with special needs are particularly encouraged. The deadline for applications is 31st August. Find out more here

FUNDING: women's grants update

The deadline for the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) grant funding competition as part of its Female Offender Strategy has been extended from 29th August 2018 to 10am on the 12th September 2018. There is £3.5m for 2018/19 and 2019/20, which includes £2 million of funding explicitly for female offenders who have experienced domestic abuse. Details can be accessed under reference ITT 2020. All details on MoJ portal here

FUNDING: innovation grants awarded

HM Prisons and Probation Service (HMPPS) has released the recipients of its Innovation Grants 2018-2020. They went to: St Giles Trust, Safer Living Foundation, Barnardo’s, Nepacs, National Autistic Society, Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Centre (Darlington & County Durham), Shared Enterprise CIC, No Place Productions, Birth Companions, Samaritians, Design Against Crime Research, Code4000 and Institute of Criminology, University Of Cambridge. Digby Griffith, Executive Director for Rehabilitation and Assurance, and Chair of the HMPPS Grants Board said: “We received a high calibre of applications and it is fantastic to be able to give these voluntary sector and social enterprise organisations the opportunity to test their innovative ideas within an HMPPS setting. I am delighted to award this funding and I look forward to seeing the projects progress over the next two years”.

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: ending homelessness

Academy for Social Justice Commissioning is holding 'What would it take to end homelessness?' [11th September, London, free]. This interactive seminar will give an overview of the Everybody In plan from Crisis, which presents policy solutions to end homelessness in Britain, cutting across themes around prevention and rapid re-housing. There will be a group discussion on how commissioning models at national, regional and local levels can help deliver this. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: forgiveness

The Forgiveness Project is holding its annual lecture [13th September, London, from £12]. Sally Kohn is the keynote speaker. A commentator on Fox News and now CNN, she will be exploring the epidemic of hate all around us - from internet trolls to school bullies, from racist chants to homophobia - and what we can do to repair our humanity. Find out more and book here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: annual symposium

Safe Ground is holding A Matter of Life and Death [27th September, London, £10]. This event aims to raise questions about how we use prison, the purpose of punishment, its impact and the ways in which the idea of 'exile' and exclusion do and do not effect positive change. The afternoon will include performances and panel discussions asking how we got here and where do we go from here? With special guests from Zahid Mubarak Trust, Inquest, HM Prisons and Probation Service and many more. Find out more and book here

OPPORTUNITY: free cookery books

Beyond Food is offering free cookery books called 'How to Cook and Keep on Cooking' to organisations helping vulnerable young people. The book is aimed at young disadvantaged people to help them, through food and cooking for themselves, to reenergize their health and wellbeing. For more information email: khaing@beyondfood.org.uk

FEATURED VACANCY: Team Manager

Achieve North West Connect has a vacancy for a Team Manager [up to £35,181, Greater Manchester, permanent]. The role of the manager is to manage the team (along with a colleague manager) and have oversight of the day to day delivery of sub-contractors. The subcontractors offer a range of specialist services including mentoring, training courses, volunteering opportunities, work placements and employment brokerage.  Additionally, the manager has a key function in developing and sustaining partnerships and relationships with key stakeholders. There is expectation of travel across the region, including to the head office in Liverpool. The deadline to apply is 28th August. Find out more here

FEATURED VACANCY: Business Systems Co-ordinator

Achieve North West Connect has a vacancy for a Business Systems Co-ordinator [up to £21,082, Liverpool, permanent]. The purpose of the role is to support the Business Unit with all aspects of quality assurance, compliance monitoring, finance and administration to contribute towards an efficient and quality service. Those wishing to apply must be qualified to GCSE level or equivalent in English Language and Mathematics (at Grade “C” or above). The deadline to apply is 28th August. Find out more here

FEATURED VACANCY: Case Manager

Achieve North West Connect has a vacancy for Case Managers [up to £25, 617, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside, permanent]. Achieve is looking to employ a number of confident and performance driven individuals who can positively motivate offenders/ex-offenders into education, training and employment. The role of the Case Manager is to engage and work with eligible individuals, providing a case management approach to the delivery of learning, training and employment opportunities. They will deliver bespoke interventions to participants on a one-to-one and group basis, including the delivery and assessment of accredited courses and employability related training. The role will require liaison and referral to external agencies/partners. The deadline to apply is 28th August. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBERS' VACANCIES

Vacancies on the jobs board this week include: a Young Women's Worker with Leap [London], Team Leader with The Forward Trust [HMP Wandsworth], Women’s Complex Needs Worker with Changing Lives [Chester le Street], Children, Young People and Families Worker with Humankind [Peterlee], Prison Postvention Officer with Samaritans [Surrey], Children's Services Manager with Barnardo's [Essex], Waymarks Support Person with Waymarks [Hertfordshire], Treasurer with Clinks [London], and a Specialist Case Manager with Project 507 [Essex]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip of the week I: Up to five nights in a four stay hotel in Iceland, flights and Northern Lights tour from £199. Details
  • Tip of the week II: Kurt Geiger shoes from £9. Details
  • Tip of the week III: M&S pizza, two sides and a dessert for £10. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

About Clinks Light Lunch

This edition of Light Lunch has been sent to the inbox of 11,321 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

Clinks logo

[Disclaimer]

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

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

© Clinks, 2018

Registered office: Tavis House, 1-6 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9NA

Registered charity: 1074546 | Company limited by guarantee in England & Wales: 3562176