Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 592 | 12th July 2019

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In this week's edition...

 

CLINKS BLOG: What is Clinks doing on probation reform?

As information from government continues to come at high volume, Clinks are working to keep members informed by publishing responsive, timely and accessible information in the form of blogs and briefings. Anne Fox, Clinks CEO, has also written to all members this week to update on Clinks’ response to probation reform. Read the latest blog on our response to the current proposals for probation service reform here.

 

CLINKS VACANCY: Development Officer – Health and Justice

Clinks has an exciting opportunity to join our highly respected policy team. The Development Officer – Health and Justice, plays a key role in delivering Clinks' core policy functions across a key thematic area. The role coordinates Clinks’ work on health and manages Clinks’ involvement in the VCSE Health and Wellbeing Alliance. The role also leads on Clinks' work on service user involvement. Find out more and apply here.

 

CLINKS EVENT: Network for service user involvement managers

Coordinated by Clinks, the network provides a forum for managers from member organisations to share expertise, ideas and experience and to inspire and learn from one another. The network celebrates successes in involving people with lived experience, supports organisations to overcome challenges and promotes the effective involvement of individuals with experience of criminal justice system. Network members also help to shape Clinks future work and resources on service user involvement. To join a network meeting, or for more information about the network, contact info@clinks.org.

 

NATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE ARTS ALLIANCE NEWS: Arts Council and Ban the Box

Following the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance’s breakfast briefing last month, on Increasing access to employment in the creative industries for those with an experience of the criminal justice system, Arts Council England have committed to ‘ban the box’ taking an important step towards nurturing all creative talent in arts and culture. Read Arts Council England’s blog on the decision here.

 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Does the criminal justice system treat disabled people fairly?

As part of an Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) inquiry into how the criminal justice system treats disabled people, Justice Studio have been commissioned by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to conduct a survey on criminal justice professionals in England, Wales and Scotland. The survey is designed to get a better understanding of criminal justice professional’s first-hand experiences of dealing with defendants with cognitive impairments (problems with a person's thinking, communication, understanding or memory), mental health conditions and neuro-diverse conditions, including autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in the criminal justice system. More information and to contribute to the survey here

 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons annual report

Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons has published his annual report for 2018-19. The report highlights continued concerns about safety in men’s prisons. The high levels of violence, combined with staff shortages, means that prisoners are often unable to attend education and training. Men are spending increasing amounts of time locked in their cells, which also has implications for services delivered by the voluntary sector in prisons. People from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds continue to report more negatively about their experience in prisons and treatment by staff. The inspectorate did find examples of good practice in several men’s prisons to promote family contact but recognised the additional challenges for women in prison who are often held further away from their homes recommending more innovative work in this area. Read the full report here.

 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Probation Review update 

Ministry of Justice and Her Majesty’s Probation and Prison Service have announced that under the new probation model from Spring 2021 Greater Manchester will form a standalone probation area alongside a revised North West area made up of Cheshire, Merseyside, Cumbria and Lancashire. The decision has been made in recognition of the significant caseload volumes in the original North-West region. More information here.

 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Serco fined £20 million over electronic tagging

Serco has been fined approximately £20 million by the Serious Fraud Office over its contract with the Ministry of Justice for electronic tagging. In 2013 it was revealed that Serco had been overcharging the government for its tagging service. Richard Burgon MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Justice, brought an urgent question to Parliament on the continued role of Serco in the justice system following the Serious Fraud Office conclusion. However, the government are satisfied that this process has been successfully concluded. Read more here.  

 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Homeless women in the criminal justice system

In answer to a parliamentary question posed by Richard Burgon MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Justice, Edward Argar MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Ministry of Justice, has revealed figures on the number of women who were recorded as being of no fixed abode on arrival in custody between 2015 and 2018. The data shows a 71% increase from 2015 to 2018.  The increase is even more substantial for HMP Bronzefield where in 2015, 338 women were recorded as of no fixed abode, but in 2018 that number has increased by more than three times to 1,021. More information here

 

FUNDING: Contract to advertise the CF03 programme

Opportunity to promote the work and enhance the publicity of the CF03 programme which is currently delivered in 74 prisons across England and Wales and the advertising campaign should cover all prisons in England. The requirement is for a six month advertising campaign and additionally an implementation, including a content development period, as well as evaluation to be undertaken following the end of the campaign. Full details are available here.
Clarifications can be raised either via the esourcing portal (see above) or via MoJCommercialReset@justice.gov.uk entitling the email with CFO3 Advertising tender.

 

FUNDING: Youth Endowment Fund 

The Youth Endowment Fund (YEF) has been launched as part of the Government’s Serious Violence Strategy. The Home Office has made £200 million available over the next ten years to fund and test interventions aiming to prevent young people from being drawn into crime and violence and to build up knowledge of what works. Up to two years of funding is available. Applicants must be able to spend a minimum of £100,000 within the first six months of the grant (between October 2019 and March 2020). Find out more here. [Applications close 23rd July]

 

FUNDING: Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner's Action Fund

Grants are available to local voluntary and community groups, charitable and not-for-profit organisations, parish, town and district councils developing innovative projects to increase community safety in Hertfordshire. The Commissioner is keen to work with and fund a range of community organisations with a shared interest in delivering positive outcomes and improved services for residents. Find out more here. [Closes 9th August 2019]

 

FUNDING: The Wandsworth Grant Fund

The Wandsworth Grant Fund is a small grants fund for projects and activities benefiting residents and communities of the London Borough of Wandsworth. Funding is available for community-led projects and services in the fields of arts and culture, environment and attractive neighbourhoods, children and young people, citizenship and civic engagement, raising aspirations and potential and health and wellbeing. Find out more here. [Closes 12th August]

 

FUNDING: Funding for employment opportunities

The Forward Enterprise Fund provides funding for charity and social enterprise organisations that focus on creating employment opportunities for ex-offenders and those in recovery. Organisations can receive support of up to £150k, consisting of a mix of grant, unsecured loan and business support packages. Find out more here

 

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Watersports activities for marginalised young people

Restorative Justice for All (RJ4All), in partnership with the Surrey Docks Fitness and Watersports Centre, are running Watersports Youth Matters. The project aims to create cultural awareness and social cohesion through summer water sports activities among marginalised or disadvantaged youth from Southwark. Using the underlying values of restorative justice, WYM will create a safe space and new opportunities for young people to work together as equals. Find out more here. [July 16, 2019, to August 24, 2019, every Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday]

 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE EVENT: ESOL teachers working in prison

The Bell Foundation are organising a free CPD day for people who teach English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) learners in prison, either in ESOL classes or in functional skills. Further information and booking here. [Thursday 26 September 10am-4pm, Birmingham]

 

PUBLICATION: Ex-prisoners and recovery from addiction

The Forward Trust’s latest issue of Pulse gives an insight into a new, highly-targeted initiative to increase the number of service users being released from prison with Take Home Naloxone (THN), a drug that can save lives by reversing the reduced breathing rate caused by an opioid overdose. This is to help address the issue of drug-related deaths in England and Wales, which are at record levels, with death rates among prisoners (especially those on post-release supervision) many times higher than in the general population. Read Pulse here

 

PUBLICATION: Guide to involving people with lived experience

Together with the University of Strathclyde, The Centre For Youth and Criminal Justice has published a practical guide to service user involvement in community justice that could help recovery, support desistance from offending and enhance service effectiveness. Inclusive Justice: Co-producing Change was commissioned by Community Justice Ayrshire and written by Dr Beth Weaver, Senior Lecturer in Social Work at the University of Strathclyde, Dr Claire Lightowler, Director of CYCJ and Kristina Moodie, CYCJ’s Research Associate. As well as providing a background to the theory, principles, methods and approaches, the guide features step by step guidance on supporting service user involvement. Find out more here

 

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES

Service Manager with Waymarks [North East], Employment Coach (Prison Education IAG) with The Forward Trust [England – Nationwide], Curriculum Manager with Weston College (Offender Learning) [HMP Send], Knowledge & Policy Manager with User Voice [London], Claims & Compliance Officer with Changing Lives [North East], Maintenance Helpdesk Administrator with Engaging Nacro [Derby], Dawn Project Support Worker with Cambridge Women’s Resources Centre – The Dawn Project [Peterborough], Senior Administrator with Humankind (formerly DISC) [Leeds], Musician in Residence with Changing Tunes [Isle of Wight], Visits Services Play Worker with NEPACS [HMP Durham], Google Developer Intern with User Voice [Flexible], Housing Assistant with Nacro [Plymouth], Domestic Abuse Services Manager with The Hampton Trust [Ashurst]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip 1 – Summer getaway in Yorkshire.  Up to 57% off.  Details
  • Tip 2 – Blue Skies Helicopter Tour for 1 or 2 .  Half price.  Details
  • Tip 3 – La Tasca - £30 to spend on Spanish food for £15.  Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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