Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 603 | 27th September 2019

In this week's edition...

CLINKS NEWS: seeking new office space

Clinks’ team has grown in numbers and we’re outgrowing our current office space. We’re looking for a larger space, approximately 1000 square feet in Central London. If you have space in your offices and you’d like us to move in with you, or if you know of any suitable space to let, please contact victoria.sadler@clinks.org.

CLINKS EVENT: involving experts by experience

What is the best way to involve experts by experience in a meaningful way? Our event ‘Reducing reoffending – everyone’s business’ [4th December, Sunderland, free] will explore this question and discuss how to share power and decision making to improve the system. The event is aimed at managers, operational staff and experts by experience involved in prisons, probation, local authorities and the voluntary sector across the North East. The event’s main aim is to consider how we can best involve experts by experience, to reduce reoffending and improve access to the seven criminal justice pathways. Book here

CLINKS BLOG: more than my past

The Forward Trust’s CEO, Mike Trace, has written a blog about challenging the stigma of offending and breaking the barriers that prevent people with criminal records from reaching their full potential. He believes that ex-offenders and people in recovery from addiction can be an untapped pool of talent for employers and is encouraging people to get behind Forward’s newly-launched national campaign, More Than My Past, which showcases inspirational stories of people who have successfully confronted their problems around addiction and/or criminality and moved on to prosper in their personal and professional lives. See these stories at www.morethanmypast.org.uk. Read the blog here

CLINKS BLOG: voluntary sector experts needed to advise government policy

Clinks’ Policy Officer Will Downs has written a blog explaining how the Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3) works, its recent activities and detailed information on how to apply to join. We’re looking for voluntary sector leaders working with people in contact with the criminal justice system to use their expertise, knowledge and experience to advise the government on key aspects of the criminal justice system. If you think you have the right experience to help the RR3 to build on its successes, to ensure government policy is continued to be informed by the expertise of the voluntary sector, we would love to hear from you. Find out more about the RR3 and how to apply here

CLINKS NEWS: Labour criminal justice policy

The work of Clinks’ members, including their concerns and recommendations for change, were well represented in the 2019 National Policy Forum (NPF) report, which the NPF submitted to the Labour Party conference to help shape the party’s policy on criminal justice. Two recommendations from Clinks’ consultation response were reflected in the final report: the need for a specific approach for children in contact with the criminal justice system, including a strategy on black, Asian and minority ethnic young people, and a commitment to long-term sustainable funding of women-only services. The NPF also recommended that Labour commit to a presumption against short sentences and institute a ‘whole-systems’ approach to early intervention, so that public bodies work collaboratively to divert young people away from the criminal justice system. Read the report here

CLINKS MEMBERS NEWS: realising potential

Langley House Trust has been awarded accreditation against the Investors in People Standard, demonstrating their commitment to realising people’s potential. Paul Devoy, Head of Investors in People, said: “We’d like to congratulate Langley House Trust. Investors in People accreditation is the sign of a great employer, and an organisation committed to achieving success by realising the potential of their people. Langley House Trust should be extremely proud of their achievement.” The official award trophy will be presented at Langley’s Annual Review Launch at the House of Lords in November. Read more here

FUNDING: marginalised and excluded people

The A B Charitable Trust is an independent, UK based grant-making organisation, supporting charities that defend human rights and promote respect for vulnerable individuals whatever their circumstances. Grants usually range from £10,000 to £20,000. The Trust is particularly interested in charities that work with marginalised and excluded people in society, with a focus on: migrants, refugees and asylum seekers; criminal justice and penal reform; human rights, particularly access to justice. Apply before 27th October here​

FUNDING: reducing crime

The Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner’s Fund has grants available for projects that are helping to reduce crime and make Hertfordshire a safer place to live. Grants of up to £5,000 are available to support innovative local schemes. Apply before 25th October here

CLINKS MEMBER’S OPPORTUNITY: entrepreneurial skills course

Prosper 4 Group is offering an entrepreneurial skills course for ex-offenders, called ReMAKE [starting 1st October, London, free]. The course is for people with experience of the criminal justice system who want to set up or expand a small business. Participants will receive a wide range of information and support, get comprehensive mentoring, and work with business mentors to help them get their business off the ground. Workshops will also include help in applying for funding. The course is being held at London Southbank University every Tuesday, and at King’s College every Thursday, starting 1st October, and running for 11 weeks, from 6.00pm to 9.00pm. To apply or for more information email: remake@prosper4.com

NON-MEMBERS’ EVENTS AND TRAINING

OPPORTUNITY: mental health first aid course

Mental Health First Aid England is offering accredited mental health first aid courses, ideal for line managers and people who come into contact with people who may be experiencing mental ill-health. Its two-day course, which qualifies participants as Mental Health First Aiders, is generally £300 per delegate, but Clinks members can get a reduced rate of £200 per delegate and a five-for-four offer (£800 for five delegates from the same organisation). For more details and dates in London, Manchester, Derby, Nottingham and Birmingham, please email Paddy@paddystanleyandassociates.com quoting reference Clinks2019 and find out more here

FEATURED VACANCY: Team Manager

The main purpose of the Team Manager role at Achieve North West Connect [£35,181, full time, Preston] is to manage the team and have oversight of the day to day delivery of sub-contractors. Sub-contractors offer a range of specialist services including mentoring, training courses, volunteering opportunities and work placements. Additionally, the team manager has a key function in developing and sustaining partnerships and relationships with key stakeholders. The role is based in Preston, but there is an expectation of travel across the North West, including to the head office in Liverpool. Apply before 7th October here

FEATURED VACANCY: Case Manager

The role of the Case Manager [£22,666 - £25,617, full time, several roles in Stockport, Salford, Manchester, HMP Risley, Barrow and Lancashire] at Achieve North West Connect is to engage and work with eligible individuals, providing a case management approach to the delivery of learning, training and employment opportunities. The case manager will deliver bespoke interventions to participants on a one-to-one and group basis. Delivery is focused around the case management model: participants are assigned a case manager who works with them throughout their journey to employment, working in parallel with offender managers who manage their offending behaviour. The project targets ‘hard to reach’ people who require additional support to get them ready for work. Find out more and apply before 7th October here

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES

Vacancies on the jobs board this week include: Trustee with Unlock [England & Wales (meetings will be held in London)], Police Custody Suite Caseworker with St Giles Trust [Coventry Central Police Station], Resettlement Worker Through the Gate with Changing Lives [HMP/YOI Low Newton, County Durham], Lecturer in Barbering with Weston College (Offender Learning) [HMP The Verne], Freelance Writer for Project for Women with Convictions with Prison Advice and Care Trust (Pact), Project Worker – Thrive Barnsley with Humankind [Barnsley], Tenancy Support Officer with Nacro [Teeside, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Stockton and County Durham], Senior Projects Manager – Minerva Violence Reduction Service with ADVANCE (Advocacy and Non-Violence Community Education) [Hammersmith], Business Development Officer with Jigsaw Visitors’ Centre [Leeds]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip I: Two-night hotel stay near Giant’s Causeway. Save 50%. Details
  • Tip II: Two-course carvery meal for two. £14.99. Details
  • Tip III: 160ft bungee jump – eight locations. Save 41%. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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