Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 600 | 6th September 2019

 

In this week's edition...

 

CLINKS PUBLICATION: commissioning the voluntary sector

Clinks has submitted a paper to the Ministry of Justice and Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service outlining the key commissioning principles that would ensure the voluntary sector’s role in the future probation model. Reflecting on the voluntary sector’s experience under Transforming Rehabilitation, Clinks advocates for a greater utilisation of grants to ensure that voluntary sector organisations - especially small and specialist organisations - can play a full role in working alongside probation services. We also recommend there should be an overarching National Probation Service (NPS) commissioning strategy, to be used as a template to co-produce commissioning strategies with the voluntary sector and service users in each NPS area. Read our full set of principles here and our blog discussing them here

CLINKS NEWS: new staff

Clinks recently welcomed a new Communications Officer, Isobel Archer. Isobel is responsible for writing and distributing ebulletins as well as managing Clinks’ social media profiles. She has a BA from the University of York and MSc from the School of African and Asian Studies (SOAS), University of London and has previously worked and volunteered with several international development charities, with an interest in peacebuilding, justice and human rights. She is delighted to join the Clinks team and to get to know members. Meet the team here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: relationship counselling

Relate is offering a free relationship counselling service, ‘Being Parents First’ for people who have committed offences and are based in Sussex. This is part of a programme to reduce the risk of reoffending and improve outcomes for children by strengthening family relationships. To refer a client they must be within six months of release or on community order and have at least one child aged 5-16. Clients will have a course of six relationship counselling sessions with their partner/ex-partner and a Relate qualified counsellor. Referrals ca be made ahead of release. Referrals can be made via the online form here

CLINKS MEMBER’S SURVEY: women with criminal records

Unlock wants to hear from women with criminal records, and organisations that work with them, about the specific structural barriers they face. This follows on from research Unlock has previously undertaken about people who acquired criminal records for offences in their youth and people from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds. The results of the survey will directly inform its recommendations for structural and practical changes. Unlock is keen to hear from women with every type of criminal record and is also interested in hearing from practitioners and organisations who work with women with criminal records. The online survey only takes 15 minutes, is confidential and can be completed here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: probation publication

The latest issue of Probation Quarterly from the Probation Institute is now published. This issue is dedicated to the memory of Professor Paul Senior. It includes articles on assessing risk, multi-agency working and service user involvement and engagement. Read it here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: prison expansion

The Ministry of Justice has announced an expansion of HMP Haverigg in Cumbria. It will become a Category D open prison with double its previous capacity, using existing space. Prisons Minister Lucy Frazer QC MP said: “The development of Haverigg is one of the smart ways in which we can maximise the existing estate to create prison places that boost rehabilitation. Open prisons allow offenders to gain work placements, rebuild family ties and prepare for release into the community – all vital in reducing reoffending and ultimately protecting the public.” Read more here

FUNDING: making Suffolk safer

Grants of up to £20,000 are available from the Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner’s Fund to support the work of voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations and parish councils that are delivering services that help make Suffolk a safer place to live, work, travel and invest in. Find out more and apply before 3rd October here

FUNDING: inequality in London

The Trust for London is funding grants for work which tackles poverty and inequality in London. The Trust supports work providing greater insights into the root causes of London’s social problems and how they can be overcome; activities which help people improve their lives; and work empowering Londoners to influence and change policy, practice and public attitudes. Find out more and apply by 4th October here

​AWARDS: preventing and tackling poverty

Applications are open for The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) Awards. Six of the very best grassroot charities and social enterprises from across Britain will receive a £10,000 grant and be profiled in front of hundreds of leading figures from across the country including philanthropists and business and charity leaders. The CSJ Awards 2020 are focussed on finding charities and social enterprises who are proving themselves effective at preventing and tackling poverty in Britain. Find out more and apply before 7th October here

AWARDS: volunteer groups

Nominations are open for the 2020 Queen's Award for Voluntary Service – the MBE for volunteer groups. The awards recognise outstanding work done by local volunteer groups, many of which are Clinks members. Applications across the prisons and criminal justice field are encouraged in order to represent the entire diversity of voluntary groups. Nominate before 13th September here

OPPORTUNITY: multiple and complex needs

Applications are open for the January 2020 Scale Accelerator programme for organisations working with adults with multiple and complex needs. Scale Accelerator is a tailored programme that helps organisations to scale their impact and change more lives. Participants benefit from an intensive six-month programme of support, including bespoke consultancy, cohort-based training, technical support and networking. The programme will focus on scaling the impact of organisations which are championing a holistic, coordinated approach to tackling multiple disadvantages, such as homelessness and contact with the criminal justice system. Fully subsidised places are available. Apply for a place here

FILM: employment after release

A Second Chance is a feature-length documentary which focuses on Timpson’s pioneering prison training programme that offers employment at the point of release. Almost two thirds of those released are convicted of another crime within 12 months if they fail to find work – 50 per cent more than those who do find a job. And yet the vast majority of employers openly admit they will not employ an ex-offender. This is a film about hope, the transformative power of work for those that want to change, and how employment can dramatically reduce the rate of reoffending. The film premiers in London on 19th September before touring cinemas across the UK. Book your ticket here

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES

Vacancies on the jobs board this week include: Criminal Justice Worker with Humankind [Selby], Case Manager with Phoenix Futures [Rainsbrook], Project Worker with Changing Lives [York], Diversion Keyworker with ADVANCE (Advocacy and Non-Violence Community Education) [London], Progression Routes Officer with Leap – Confronting Conflict [Finsbury Park], Old Offenders Officer with Age UK North Tyneside [North Tyneside and Teesside], Resettlement Project Worker with Nacro [Denbighshire], Therapeutic CSE Practitioner (Trauma-Informed Approach) with The Magdalene Group [Norwich & Norfolk], Accommodation, Finance, Benefit and Debt Caseworker with St Giles Trust [HMP Peterborough], Lecturer in Functional Skills with Weston College (Offender Learning) [HMP Channings Wood], Community Support Volunteer with The Forward Trust [Hull]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip I: York getaway with cream tea and a bottle of bubbly. 52% off.  Details
  • Tip II: Eat and Drink Festival Christmas Pass. Up to 53% off.  Details
  • Tip III: Luxury Spa Day Pass for two at 13 locations. Only £15.  Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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