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Welcome to the first edition of Clinks' new monthly news round-up for voluntary sector organisations involved in, or with an interest in, the health and care of offenders, ex-offenders and their families. This bulletin is funded through the 'Health and Care Strategic Partnership programme' - a partnership between the Department of Health, NHS England, Public Health England and 21 voluntary organisations including Clinks. Below you'll find the latest news, interesting resources, upcoming events, and funding opportunities relevant to this area of work.
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In this edition...
2015 New Years Honours list nomination deadline approaching
The Department of Health are seeking nominations for the 2015 New Years Honours list. They are looking for nominations for people who work for, volunteer or have made an outstanding contribution at any level within the health and care system, perhaps from someone in a healthcare charity that wants to acknowledge an exceptional colleague. Nominations are particularly welcome for those who continue to be severely underrepresented, for example women and ethnic minorities. The deadline for completed nomination forms is 31st March. To request a form, and for more information, email honours@dh.gsi.gov.uk
The role of faith communities in supporting mental health
To celebrate the role of faith groups as communities that support and welcome those who are troubled with their mental health, and tackle mental health stigma and discrimination, Faith Action are encouraging people to sign their Friendly Places Pledge. Speaking at the launch event on the 4th March, Norman Lamb MP said the Pledge will "encourage all faith communities to play their part in developing individual and collective understanding of mental health; building mental health friendly communities that are responsive to the needs of individuals". You can find out more here and sign the Pledge here
Events
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Involving diverse communities in the policy, planning and delivery of services
Shaping Our Lives are launching the findings of a national research study [28th April, Birmingham, free] showing how people can be more involved in shaping how they live their lives and the services they use in order to improve their wellbeing. Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss why people who experience poor access and support from services also have fewer opportunities to be involved, often leading to greater inequality and disadvantage. For bookings email information@shapingourlives.org.uk or call Eamon Andrews on 07852 727149
Explore aspects of the current health agendaNAVCA are holding a series of 'health roadshows' [Next date: Milton Keynes, 26th March; free] to explore aspects of the current health agenda and which aim to support the increased inclusion of the local voluntary and community sector and the communities they serve in meeting local health needs. The sessions will cover: effective engagement to identify health needs; influencing the health agenda; social prescribing; and assets based community development. For more information and bookings, click here Funding
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Improve health outcomes for young, homeless people
The £15 million payment by results Fair Chance Fund from the Department for Local Government and the Cabinet Office aims to improve outcomes for young, homeless people whose needs are difficult to address using existing services but, if not addressed, are likely to lead to long-term benefit dependency, health problems and increased crime. Organisations working with vulnerable young people, and that have the ability to work with the identified client group to achieve positive accommodation and employment, education and training outcomes, are eligible to apply. Funding of between £500,000 and £3 million is available and the deadline for expressions of interest is 22nd April 2014. Click here to apply.
Helping those who have fallen on hard times
The Dowager Countess Eleanor Peel Trust are offering grants of over £5,000 to registered charities with the emphasis on helping: medical charities and research; older people; and those who have fallen on hard times through no fault of their own. Categories supported include: Disabled; Hospices; Ex services; Mental Health; and Homelessness, and applications from small to medium charities operating in Lancashire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Merseyside will receive preference. The current funding round has a deadline of 30th April 2014. More information can be found here
Prize for drug prevention projects involving young people
The European Drug Prevention Prize are offering a prize of €5,000 to be awarded to three organisations in Europe currently running drug prevention projects that fully involve young people, either in the development and implementation of activities, the decision making, the project management or the evaluation. The deadline for applications is 30th March 2014. More information and how to apply can be found here
Publications
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Study finds TB disproportionately affects vulnerable groups
A recent Public Health England (PHE) study has found that Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) spreads most commonly between people born in the UK with a history of drug use, and that it tends to disproportionately affect communities who share ethnicity or social risk factors, rather than spreading outside their specific ethnic or social groups. Ibrahim Abuhakar, head of TB at PHE, says "In order to reduce TB cases in the future, it’s very important that health commissioners, especially in parts of the country with the highest rates of TB, prioritise the delivery of appropriate clinical and public health TB services." Read the report here
The links between anti-social behaviour and mental health
This report by London Councils presents data from a survey of heads of community safety in 15 London boroughs examining the links between anti-social behaviour and mental health, and its impact in London boroughs. It has been estimated that at least a third of young people given anti-social behaviour orders (ASBO) have a mental health condition or learning disability, but it is also known that people with mental health conditions are at risk of being the victims of crime and ASB. Download the report here
Report asks "what's next for social care?"
This report by Age UK outlines the increasing social care problems older and vulnerable people are facing in England and calls on Government to invest in the social care system. With more people living longer, and the amount spent on social care services for older people dropping, older people, their families and carers are being left with no help and a confusing and unfair system to navigate through. The report covers issues addressed in the Care Bill and highlights several recommendations for the future, including: Having access to care and support with no chance of being left without it; ensuring carers are supported so that family or friends providing care are not expected to sacrifice health, career or financial security; and having a simple, easy to understand system in place. Download the report here
Improving outcomes for people experiencing mental health crisis
The Department of Health has written a 'Mental Health Crisis Care Concordat' that sets out the principles and good practice that should be followed by health staff, police officers and approved mental health professionals when working together to help people in a mental health crisis. It spans the health, care and criminal justice systems, and supporters include Clinks members Rethink Mental Illness and Turning Point. The document also includes an interesting case study on the mental health triage car operated by Leicestershire Police and Leicestershire Partnership Trust that aims to improve the service provided to the people police encounter who may be experiencing difficulties with their mental health or learning disability. See the full list of supporters and read the document here
Data gaps seriously undermine efforts to prioritise the local needs of vulnerable groups
‘Hidden needs: identifying key vulnerable groups in data collections: vulnerable migrants, gypsies and travellers, homeless people, and sex workers’ is a National Inclusion Health Board (NIHB) report that finds that the health needs of some of the most vulnerable people in society continue to be invisible to health commissioners and the wider health system planners because of gaps in health information. It concludes that there is no clear data strategy for vulnerable groups and there is a case for one to be produced, and that “significant early progress could be made through partnership between PHE, NHS England, OGDs, HSCIC and the Third Sector”. Read the full report here
Resources
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Podcasts for women's organisations on the changes to health and care
Clinks' Health and Care Strategic Partners WHEC (Women's Health and Equality Consortium) have produced two podcasts covering the significant changes the Health and Social Care act has made to the way that health care services are designed, commissioned and delivered across the NHS, what these mean for women's organisations and how they can engage with the new system. Listen to both podcasts (total running time: 18 mins.) here
Framework for providers supporting people with learning disabilities
Public Health England and the National Development Team for Inclusion have launched a new Health Charter for providers. The Charter is designed to support social care providers improve the health and well-being of people with learning disabilities, thus improving people's quality of life generally. People with learning disabilities not only have worse health than the general population, they die younger than their non-learning disabled peers but much can be done by social care providers, working together with people with learning disabilities, family carers and their health colleagues to improve the situation. You can use their self-assessment tool to see how your organisation is doing relative to each of the Charter's statements, and download the Charter on the website
Guide to dyslexia for those working with offenders in custody or the community
This practical guide covers dyslexia and learning difficulties including dyspraxia / developmental co-ordination disorder, attention deficit disorder, and dyscalculia for staff working with offenders. The guide explains that although there is no direct link between dyslexia and offending, when dyslexics experience lack of appropriate support from the early years of education, this can lead to factors that play their part in the climate of offending. Independent specialist Melanie Jameson explores the implications of these learning conditions in the Criminal Justice System; the identification of them in offender settings; showcases good practice across Europe; and more. Download the guide here
Blogs
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NOMS grant funding for social care advocacy
As part of the 2014/2015 NOMS Grants programme, there are grants of £150,000 available in the category of Social Care Advocacy. Nathan Dick of the Clinks Local Development team offers his insight into this category having attended one of the NOMS information dissemination events: "This (grant) would involve developing best practice models around advocacy for prisoners to access social care. It is expected that this would be developed and delivered in partnership with relevant agencies such as Public Health England and appropriate Local Authorities. This is linked to new requirements around the social care of prisoners that are being introduced through the Care Bill, as well as the new offender health commissioning arrangements led by Public Health England." Presentations from these events, and details of the other grant categories, can be found in this handy blog
Catch up on the 2014 Health and Care Innovation Expo
This event held in Manchester on the 3rd and 4th March, hosted by NHS England, was designed to give everyone the tools and inspiration to make positive changes in health and care. Speakers delivered programmes over the two days from the health and care sectors, the voluntary sector, and overseas. Clinks, as one of the 21 voluntary organisations in the 'Health and care voluntary sector strategic partnership' had resources on display at the Expo. You can see pictures from day here, look back at real—time updates from delegates by following this Twitter hashtag #Expo14NHS, and read Olivia Butterworth of NHS Citizen’s blog as she reflects on her experience at the Expo here
Extra Information
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About Clinks Offender Health Bulletin
This regular bulletin provides Clinks members with the latest news for voluntary organisations involved in the health and care of offenders.
If you have any comments or ideas about how this bulletin could be improved, or to unsubscribe, please email ben.watson@clinks.org
Designed, composed and circulated by Ben Watson, Clinks.