Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 580 | 12th April 2019

[[{"fid":"6444","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":false,"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false},"link_text":null,"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":false,"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false}},"attributes":{"class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"1"}}]]

In this week's edition...

LIGHT LUNCH NOTICE

There will be no Light Lunch next week due to the Easter bank holidays. The next edition will be sent to you on 26th April. Members can submit news for the next edition by noon Wednesday 24th April.

CLINKS BLOG: the voluntary sector and the future of probation

In this blog, entitled 'Ensuring the voluntary sector’s role in the future probation model', Jess Mullen, Clinks’ Head of Policy and Communications, argues the changes currently proposed for the future of probation do not go far in the light of eight Community Rehabilitation Companies affected by collapse and administration and recent reports from the Chief Inspector of Probation and National Audit Office. She outlines Clinks’ five recommendations to ensure the voluntary sector's role in any future model. Read the blog here

CLINKS BLOG: rethinking prisons

Jess Mullen, Clinks' Head of Policy and Communications, has blogged about the House of Common's Justice Select Committee report Prison population 2022: planning for the future. She writes, "Members will have seen many of the headlines, particularly that the Committee has asked the Ministry of Justice to consider curbing prison sentences of less than 12 months – Justice Minister David Gauke has already announced that the Ministry of Justice is looking into restricting the use of sentences of six months or less. However, the report is much more far-reaching." Read the blog here

CLINKS BLOG: how our sector is funded

The fourth in our State of the sector in focus blog series looks at how voluntary organisations working in the criminal justice system are funded. The series aims to give a snap-shot of the key trends and issues our research uncovered, as well as what we think needs to change for the challenges organisations are experiencing to be addressed. Read the blog here

CLINKS EVENT: health care in Welsh prisons

Clinks is holding a consultation workshop [24th April, Cardiff, free] with voluntary organisations working in Wales to inform our response to the Welsh Assembly’s Health, Social Care and Sport Committee's inquiry into Welsh prisoners’ experiences of health and social care services in the adult prison estate. How effective are the current arrangements? Are healthcare services meeting the needs of prisoners and tackling health inequalities? What are the current pressures on health and social care provision? How well are prisons in Wales meeting the complex health and social needs of a growing population of older people in prison? Have your say, find out more here

CLINKS EVENT: tackling homelessness

Clinks is holding a consultation workshop [29th April, London, free] with voluntary organisations with expertise in housing and homelessness for people in contact with the criminal justice to inform our response to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's consultation Tackling homelessness together: a consultation on structures that support partnership working and accountability in homelessness. The consultation focuses specifically on how non-statutory and statutory structures might play a stronger role in facilitating local partnership working, enabling delivery partners to work together both strategically and operationally to reduce homelessness and rough sleeping, and holding them to account for their actions. Book your place here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: call for papers

Howard League for Penal Reform has launched a call for papers for its 'Crime, Justice and Social Harms' conference held 31st - 1st April 2020 in Oxford. It is seeking theoretical, policy, practice-based and more innovative contributions around a wide range of issues that encompass the broad theme of justice and the wider conference themes. Abstracts should be a maximum of 200 words and include a title and 4–5 key words. The deadline for submissions is 2nd December. Find out more here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: learning, networking and development

Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) is curating 'Insights 19' during May 2019, offering over 150 free learning, networking and development events across England and Wales. Insights 19 is open to anyone who works or volunteers in the criminal justice system. This is a chance for the diverse and vibrant criminal justice community to learn and share together and to build their professional networks. Expressions of interest in the events are invited by 21st April to join this celebration of justice activities. Register your interest, get the brochure, or find out more here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: in-work progression

The Work and Pensions Committee wants to hear the views of individuals and organisations on the government’s plans to encourage people who are already in work and claiming Universal Credit to increase their hours or increase their pay. The government is considering introducing conditionality to in-work-progression. This could mean that people will face sanctions if they fail to prove that they have sought extra hours of work, or are looking for higher paid work while in an existing job. This could impact people with convictions who may face barriers finding work, and require flexibility and support once in work. The closing date for written submissions to the Universal Credit inquiry: in-work progression is 26th April. Find out more here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: survival sex inquiry

The Work and Pensions Committee is inviting written submissions from people who have had to exchange sex for basic living essentials as a direct consequence of welfare reform. It is thought that features of Universal Credit, such as the five week mandatory wait for payment, the ease at which people can accumulate debt, and the use of sanctions, has led to an increasing number of people—overwhelmingly women—being pushed into 'survival sex' to meet their basic needs. People who wish to respond can ask for their evidence to be anonymous or confidential. The deadline for written evidence to the Universal Credit and Survival Sex inquiry is 29th April. Find out more here

FUNDING: community safety in the North East

Durham Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner has launched a £150,000 fund for voluntary community safety projects and initiatives in County Durham and Darlington. Funding is available to help keep communities safe and contribute towards inspiring public confidence. Preference will be given to projects that can show they are embedded in a community, and focus on a specific locality, as opposed to projects with a wider but lighter touch approach. Grants of between £2,000 and £7,500 are available. The application deadline is 28th April. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENTS: theatre season announced

Clean Break has announced its 40th anniversary second season. The season includes a play which takes a kaleidoscopic view of what happens when a woman goes to prison; an anthology of 40 monologues from 40 Clean Break voices; a production touring the UK in a prison van; plus talks, events and workshops. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S TRAINING: hard to reach groups

Ubele's 'Beyond Resistance' course [24th May, London, £63.47] is arts-based training suited to facilitators and group leaders who want to acquaint themselves with the challenges involved in working with hard to reach groups within prisons, probation and pupil referral units. You will be able to experience, practise and learn a variety of techniques in managing and dealing with resistance and disengagement in challenging settings. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S TRAINING: teaching entrepreneurship

Grow Inspires' 'Phoenix' programme teaches the practical side of starting or growing your own businesses. It is now available through digital channels so you can access it from anywhere. Applications are welcome from people serious about starting a business and prepared to invest the time and effort required to do so. Five National Lottery funded places are left. Find out more here

BLOG: fundraising event in prison

Liam McKinnon of One to One Maths has blogged about a recent visit to HMP Rye Hill where prisoners had organised a fundraising event for One to One Maths and the Shannon Trust - two charities focusing on peer mentoring-style education within prisons. Liam writes, "As we arrived, the room was packed and animated, with a music round well underway. The charismatic quiz host was blasting out hits from the likes of Soft Cell and Human League for the teams to guess. He writes, "It was a great success and a really powerful demonstration of people working together". Read the blog here

RESOURCE: understand your impact

Inspiring Impact has launched a new website. The site provides free tools, guidance and stories to help you on your journey to understand your charity's impact. The website brings together the best content from Inspiring Impact and the Impact Management Programme, so you can find inspiration, real life examples and advice quicker. Find out more here

FEATURED VACANCY: Project Workers

Project Workers [£24,000 FTE, full and part time, Thames Valley] are required to join Thames Valley Partnership’s Family Matters Programme, working to support the families/friends of people who have been imprisoned or are involved in serious offending. You will offer information, support and advice and work strategically to help break the cycle of criminality and improve access to support for families and children of offenders and prisoners within Thames Valley. Good partnership work is crucial to the role and there will be opportunities to innovate and contribute to the development of new interventions. The roles require travel across the Thames Valley region. The application deadline is 8am on 6th May. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBERS' VACANCIES

Vacancies on the jobs board this week include: Gangs Groupwork Caseworker with St Giles Trust [Ipswich], Homelessness Recovery Worker with The Forward Trust [East Kent], SPOC Administrator with Humankind (formerly DISC) [South Tyneside], Programme Facilitator with Kainos Community [Cumbria], Support Worker with Waymarks [Kent], Lecturer in ICT – HMP The Verne with Weston College [Weston-Super-Mare], Learning & Engagement Manager (Young People) with Synergy Theatre Project [London], Service Manager with Change, grow, live [East Sussex], Master Gardener Trainer – HMP Rye Hill with Garden Organic [Coventry], HR People Advisor with Changing Lives [Gateshead], Director of Operations with The Lucy Faithfull Foundation [Bromsgrove or Epsom]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip of the week I: Free Easter in-store workshops at Hobbycraft. Details
  • Tip of the week II: Two-course Italian meal for two for £18 or three courses for £21 at Bella Italia. Details
  • Tip of the week III: Save 51% on a family Blackpool glamping holiday. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

About Clinks Light Lunch

This edition of Light Lunch has been sent to the inbox of 11,751 people working (or with an interest) in the criminal justice system of England & Wales.

Click here to manage your subscriptions. For assistance, email info@clinks.org

Get involved Become a Member | Follow Clinks on Twitter | Terms and conditions

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

© Clinks, 2019

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

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