Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 589 | 21st June 2019

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In this week's edition...

CLINKS SURVEY: the collective voice of the sector 

There’s still time to take this year’s State of the sector survey. Our research provides vital evidence on the voluntary sector in criminal justice, the challenges you’re facing and the successes you’ve had. This year we’re also aiming to present standalone evidence on the women’s sector and the sector in Wales. So if you work for a women’s specialist organisation or an organisation based in Wales, don’t miss this chance to have your voice heard. For all voluntary organisations working in criminal justice it’s vital we hear from you so that we can advocate on your behalf, maximise opportunities for the sector, and provide the support that meets your needs. Make sure you take this opportunity to help influence key decision makers and raise the collective voice of the voluntary sector. It takes just 15 minutes to complete and responses must be received by 5 July. Take our short survey here

CLINKS BLOG: Farmer Review for women

Our blog takes a closer look at Lord Farmer's review of family ties for women in the criminal justice system, published this week. It highlights six key areas of particular significance to the voluntary sector and the people it supports. We sat as a member of the expert panel informing the review and led its call for evidence. We heard from approximately 10% of the female prison population along with their families, the voluntary organisations who support them and academics. We are delighted that the voice of these experts has been able to help shape the focus and recommendations of the review and we are grateful to our members for facilitating this engagement. Read our blog here

CLINKS BRIEFING: the future of probation

Clinks has published a briefing to summarise the key points from the government’s response to both the Strengthening probation, building confidence consultation and the recently published The Proposed Future Model for Probation: A Draft Operating Blueprint. From spring 2021, all offender management will become the responsibility of the National Probation Service. The briefing looks at the Ministry of Justice’s decision to reunify offender management, the timescales, the priorities, future structure, who will be delivering services, procurement, funding and equalities. Find out more here

CLINKS RESPONSE: men and boys’ mental health

Clinks submitted evidence to the Women and Equalities Committee inquiry into the mental health of men and boys. The inquiry asked about the most pressing issues affecting men and boys’ mental health, and our response focused on their experience in the criminal justice system (CJS). Clinks’ response highlights that many people in contact with the CJS experience poor mental health and that this can be exacerbated by a CJS ill-suited to provide them with the support they need. It further emphasised the vital role of voluntary sector organisations in supporting people’s mental health and wellbeing. Read our full response here

CLINKS RESPONSE: the sector’s views on CSTRs

As a member of the Health and Wellbeing Alliance, Clinks undertook focus groups and interviews with service users and voluntary sector practitioners to understand their views about Community Sentence Treatment Requirements (CSTRs), which fed into the evaluation of the CSTR pilots. The focus groups explored individuals' experience and views of Community Sentence Treatment Requirements, their experience of engaging with mental health or substance misuse services and any perceived facilitators and barriers to them working well. Find out more about our response here

NATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE ARTS ALLIANCE NEWS: employment in arts

The National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance (NCJAA) is asking arts, media and cultural organisations to review their recruitment approaches and take positive action to develop opportunities for people with experience of the criminal justice system. This week, Robert Buckland QC MP, Minister of State at the Ministry of Justice, and Darren Henley OBE, Chief Executive of Arts Council England, addressed delegates at Universal Music UK, urging high-profile organisations to consider positive action to improve diversity, inclusion and skills gaps. A new resource was launched at the briefing to further support organisations to Ban the Box and adopt fairer recruitment practices. Developed by NCJAA with the support of Unlock, the briefing’s message to employers is this: don’t let a tick box stop you harnessing talent. Read the briefing here

CLINKS PARTNER'S NEWS: charities in prisons

NPC has published Independent, Effective, Humane: The case for funding charities in the prison system, a report produced in partnership with Clinks. NPC argues that charities continue to have an impact despite working in a prison system which is in crisis, and whilst there are legitimate reasons for funders to be worried, this is outweighed by the potential for impact. Read the report here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: pre-sentence report use

Revolving Doors Agency has launched a new report: 10 Years On, calling on the government to strengthen the law so that anyone being considered for a prison sentence must have a relevant, up to date pre-sentence report before a court can imprison them. The report, co-authored by Centre for Mental Health, argues that far too many people are still being sent to prison despite significant vulnerabilities including mental ill-health and learning disabilities. Read more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: emergency accommodation

Rough Sleepers Cymru, facilitated by Cymorth Cymru, is building a set of standards for emergency accommodation. It is conducting a consultation with people with experience of accessing emergency accommodation. This stage is for people with experience only, others will be able to feed in at a later stage. Contributions must be submitted before 16th August. Download the consultation sheet here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: custody-community transitions

The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs has published its report on Custody-Community Transitions and submitted its recommendations to the Home Secretary. Clinks responded to the call for evidence last year and is pleased to see many of the issues raised reflected in the recommendations. The report also calls on the Department of Work and Pensions to accelerate improvements to Universal Credit so that people can access it immediately on release. It is also recommended that services providing individualised support to prisoners in the run-up to release and through community transition are extended. We are disappointed not to see recommendations for improving information sharing and engagement by statutory services with voluntary sector services. Read the full report here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: community sentence treatment requirements

The government has announced the expansion of the Community Sentence Treatment Requirement (CSTR) programme to nine more courts and two new areas. Through CSTRs, courts are able to order mental health, drug or alcohol treatment as part of a community sentence. Clinks undertook focus groups and interviews with service users and voluntary sector practitioners to understand their views, which fed into the evaluation of the initial CSTR pilots. Find out more about the evaluation here

FUNDING: arts organisations in Wales

The Colwinston Charitable Trust is accepting applications for grants in the range of £5,000 to £20,000. Its funding focus is particularly directed to the support of live performing arts, the visual arts, plus library and archive projects in Wales. Projects that help young people to better appreciate the possibilities the arts can offer, and those that aim to improve access to the arts are of particular interest. Applicants must be fully Registered UK Charities and over 80% of grants are directed to organisations in Wales. The application deadline is 30th September 2019. Find out more about how to apply here

FUNDING: homelessness, health and wellbeing, employability and education

Grants of up to £5,000 are available from the DWF Foundation. The foundation supports registered charities with an impact in one or more of the following areas: homelessness; health and wellbeing; employability; and education. The foundation gives grants to initiatives which are either: tackling a specific community issue; helping voluntary and community groups become more effective and efficient; encouraging the involvement in the community of those too often excluded; and enabling young people to develop skills for the benefit of the community. The application deadline for this round is 31st July 2019. Apply here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: peer support learning and film premiere

Together for Mental Wellbeing is holding a peer support learning event [27th June, London, free] bringing together a mix of people who have lived experience, volunteer or work within the field or have a vested interest. There will be a chance to view a new film which showcases individual experiences of the criminal justice system from people who have accessed Together services. The event also includes: live music from Eve McDougall; theatre from Sarah J Warren; films created by Flexible Films; and a keynote speech from Linda Bryant, CEO, Together for Mental Wellbeing. Please RSVP to: fmhp-admin@together-uk.org by 6th June with your full name and job title (if applicable). 

CAMPAIGN: multiple disadvantage day

A new media campaign has been launched to raise awareness of people facing multiple disadvantage. Wednesday 3rd July will be the first ever Multiple Disadvantage Day, aiming to reduce the stigma experienced by some of the most disadvantaged and forgotten about people in society, encouraging members of the public to #seethefullpicture.  Multiple Disadvantage is when a person experiences a combination of homelessness, addiction, re-offending behaviour and/or mental ill health at the same time. The campaign website includes ‘true stories’ from people facing multiple disadvantage on a daily basis, many of whom have received vital support from voluntary organisations after struggling to access appropriate public services. Read their stories and get involved in the campaign here

PODCAST: Prison, politics and faith

In this Faith in politics podcast, former cabinet minister Revd Jonathan Aitken discusses his time in prison, his experience of politics and his work within prisons since his release. In particular, he discusses how his experiences in prison have affected his role as a prison chaplain, and his views on prison reform under the current and future governments. Listen here

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES

Women’s Accommodation Support Worker with Brighton Women’s Centre [Brighton], Muslim Community Chaplaincy Development Worker with Community Chaplaincy Association [commutable to Birmingham],  Referral Officer with Nacro [Leeds], BeWise Caseworker with St Giles Trust [Holloway Road], Wellbeing and Recovery Worker with The Forward Trust [Surrey], Musician in Residence, Rainsbrook Secure Training Centre with The Irene Taylor Trust [Rugby], Substance Misuse Administrator with EDP Drug & Alcohol Services [HMP Portland and HMP The Verne], Therapeutic Lead with Changing Lives [Newcastle], Male Actor & Assistant Drama Worker with Odd Arts [Manchester], Partnerships and Training Consultant with Recoop [East Midlands], Early Years Practitioner/s with Oasis Project [Brighton]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip of the week I: Clifftop Cornwall escape with dinner – 47% off.  Details
  • Tip of the week II: 2hr Pottery Workshop – save up to 81%.  Details
  • Tip o the week III: Bella Italia Two-course meal for two - £18.99.  Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

About Clinks Light Lunch

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