Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 605 | 11th October 2019

In this week's edition...

 

NATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE ARTS ALLIANCE BLOG: one year on

Rebbecca Hemmings, Development Officer, has written a blog about her first year in the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance (NCJAA) team at Clinks. The blog gives an insight into her journey, which Rebbecca describes as “fast paced, shocking, humbling, motivating, sad, celebratory and encouraging” and shares learning points, such as addressing poor outcomes experienced by black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) people in the criminal justice system. Rebecca’s first year focused on building the NCJAA network in the West Midlands, and this blog celebrates her move to focus on engaging with artists, practitioners and organisations in the North West. Read the blog here

NATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE ARTS ALLIANCE NEWS: local practice development

The National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance (NCJAA) wants to hear from artists, arts organisations, prison staff and policy-makers interested in arts in criminal justice settings in Buckinghamshire. The NCJAA is embarking on a 12-month local practice development project to scope arts in criminal justice settings in the Buckinghamshire region. Funded by the Rothschild Foundation, the project will explore models of good practice and foster collaborative working in order to support the Foundation’s further investment in this area. Find out more and get in touch here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: mental distress and the criminal justice system

For World Mental Health Day 2019, Together for Mental Wellbeing has produced a series of films on mental distress and the criminal justice system. The films show the varied and multifaceted reasons people can become involved with the criminal justice system and what can be learnt from their experiences. The people featured in the films have all used or volunteered with services provided by Together for Mental Wellbeing and they were involved in all stages of film production. They describe their experiences of living with a variety of different mental health conditions ranging from depression and drug and alcohol dependencies to trauma, and experiences of psychosis. Watch the films here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: recovery and belonging

The Forward Trust has published the latest in its monthly briefing series Pulse, this month looking at the work being done at The Bridges, Forward’s residential rehabilitation centre in Hull. The Bridges is the only one of its kind in the UK, specialising in supporting prison leavers who have substance misuse problems. Pulse is a series of briefings that draw on the experience of working with ex-offenders and people in recovery from addiction, sharing insights from analysis of client data and practice, examples of innovation and service improvement, as well as evidence of personal, social and economic impact. Read it here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: youth resettlement

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons have published the final report of their joint inspection on youth resettlement work. The report shows that resettlement work is not effective and outcomes are poor. Three months after release, 10 of the 50 young people they followed had already been convicted of a further offence, half were under police investigation and six had gone missing. The report makes recommendations to government departments and agencies, including for a national accommodation strategy for children released from custody and for the government to review the national transitions protocol to ensure that children are only transferred to adult services when it is demonstrably in their interests to do so. Read it here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: traumatic brain injury in the prison population

The Disabilities Trust is pleased to see the recently published guidance from Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service summarising the evidence on Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) within the prison population, with information on its effects and how best to help people with TBI. A moderate TBI can result in a range of cognitive and developmental impairments and difficulties, like difficulty in processing information, social impairments and aggression. People with TBI can find adjusting to prison life difficult. The guidance suggests that routine, effective and standardised screening and assessment for TBI should be in place across the courts, prison and probation. Read more here

FUNDING: making communities safer

Grants of up to £5,000 are available from the High Sheriffs’ Fund, which was established to recognise and support community initiatives that address crime and anti-social behaviour. Voluntary and community organisations, local charities and Community Interest Companies (CIC) can apply for a grant to support their work making their communities safer and better places to live. Find out more and apply before 2nd December here

FUNDING: disadvantaged children

BBC Children in Need’s small grants programme is open for applications. Charities and not-for-profit organisations can apply for any amount up to and including £10,000 per year for up to three years. The grants programme funds projects working with children and young people of 18 years and under experiencing disadvantage through: illness, distress, abuse or neglect; any kind of disability; behavioural or psychological difficulties; living in poverty or situations of deprivation. Children in Need funds projects that make differences in children’s lives that help prevent or overcome the effects of the disadvantages they face. Find out more and apply before 2nd December here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: concert

Changing Tunes is hosting their Autumn Concert [26th October, Bristol, £5], an evening of live music performed by ex-prisoners and its Musicians in Residence. Changing Tunes uses music and mentoring to help people lead meaningful lives, free from crime. This evening brings to life its transforming work in prison and in the local community. Whether you are new to Changing Tunes, or you have been a supporter for years, this concert promises an inspiring evening with a hopeful message. Light refreshments will be available. Buy tickets here

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: intrafamilial child sexual abuse

The Lucy Faithfull Foundation's training course ‘Assessing the protective skills of mothers, partners and adult carers in intrafamilial child sexual abuse' [30th October 2019, Epsom (Surrey), £150+VAT] will give participants a full overview of adults who have committed child sex offences and include case discussion. Participants will gain the skills to assess a carer's strengths and weaknesses in relation to future child protection, and develop an understanding of an abuser's relationships, the context for non-abusing parents/carers and the effect of denial, both in perpetrators and carers. Find out more and book here

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: women in the criminal justice system

Safer Spaces [1st November, London, £85 | £55 concessions] is a one-day training course run by Clean Break for theatre makers, criminal justice professionals and early career front line workers interested in developing their toolkit for working with young women in the criminal justice system and young women at risk of offending. This course will be led by Clean Break's Participation Manager, Lorraine Maher and guest co-facilitator, Cassandra Conteh. Find out more and book here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: families affected by substance use

Adfam’s 2019 Conference ‘It’s not that simple’ [4th December, London, £40] will explore the way forward in tackling the multiple challenges facing families affected by substance use. Adfam’s conference brings you the rare chance to hear from commissioners, practitioners, service managers, influencers, and families affected by substance use, all in one day. There will be breakouts aimed at different delegates, so whether you are affected by these issues, you work in the sector, or you just have a general interest, there will be something for you. Find out more and buy tickets here

AWARDS: promoting independence in Wales

The Promoting Independence Awards 2019 is open for entries. The awards offer an opportunity to shout about the fantastic work your organisation is doing to support vulnerable people in Wales. The awards are open to organisations, projects and individuals commissioning or delivering support services to vulnerable people in Wales. There are nine award categories including: homeless prevention; personal achievement; supporting survivors; commissioning beyond boundaries; promoting inclusion; embedding psychologically informed approaches; co-production; skills and strengths; and inspirational colleague. You may enter as many award categories as you wish. Enter before 20th October here

AWARDS: prisoner re-integration

Applications for the 2020 Robin Corbett Award are now open. The award celebrates the best in prisoner re-integration programmes. The winner will receive £5,000, highly commended will receive £3,000, and commended will receive £1,000. The award also raises awareness of the work the winning organisations do, highlighting it as an example of good practice. The winner will be invited to the award ceremony at the House of Lords, alongside afternoon tea at the House of Lords Member’s Dining Room hosted by Lord Ramsbotham and Lady Corbett and short tour of the House of Lords by Lord Ramsbotham. Apply before 9th December here

WEBINAR: health and the voluntary sector

NHS England is running a series of free webinars for voluntary sector organisations.  Topics include: Health Inequalities Menu of Evidence Based Intervention; Primary Care Networks: Introduction & How to Get Involved; and An update on Volunteering for the VCSE sector. Find out more and register here

FEATURED VACANCY: Senior Caseworker

This is an opportunity to join the casework team of INQUEST [£30,000 - 35,000 pro-rata, 4 or 5 days a week, London], a charity providing essential advice and support to families bereaved as a result of statutory failure or neglect. INQUEST is looking for a committed individual who is passionate about social justice. The successful candidate will have substantial experience in advice and casework and understanding of related strategic policy work. They will possess outstanding communication and organisation skills and will enjoy working in a very fast-paced environment. Find out more and apply by 25th October here

FEATURED VACANCY: Community Payback Coordinator

Sue Ryder is seeking a Community Payback Coordinator [£27,000, part time, Doncaster or home working] to build and maintain relationships with Community Rehabilitation Companies and internal staff. They will help to grow placements across the charity’s retail network (individual placements), care centres (supervised groups) and central offices. Over 30% of all volunteers at Sue Ryder are made up of those on unpaid work (community payback/service) or through release on temporary licence from an HM establishment. Although knowledge of unpaid work is essential you will also be comfortable working on your own initiative and with team members who work remotely. You will be involved in building relationships with the newly formed innovation partners from Spring 2021. Find out more and apply by 26th October here

FEATURED VACANCY: Specialist Case Manager

Project 507 is looking for a Specialist Case Manager (Custody) [£25-27,000 pro rata, part-time, HMP Woodhill] to support a caseload of young men aged 18–25, who are within the last three years of their custodial sentence and who received convictions for violent offences. The aim of the work is to reduce violent behaviour or the likelihood of violent behaviour and increase participation in education, employment, workshops and other prison-based/voluntary sector services. You will need to have experience of engaging successfully with young men affected by violence, who have complex needs and display challenging behaviour. This role would be good for someone with experience of working within secure settings and knowledge of services for young adults in custody. Find out more and apply by 3rd November here

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES

Vacancies on the jobs board this week include: Contact Centre Team Manager with Census Life [HMP Swansea], Complex Needs Worker with Changing Lives [Chester le Street], Stronger Families Key Worker with Humankind [Leeds], Volunteer Peer Mentor with ADVANCE (Advocacy and Non-Violence Community Education) [Pan London], Specialist Case Manager with Project 507 Limited [HMP Woodhill], Curriculum Manager with Weston College (Offender Learning) [HMP Dartmoor], Head of Delivery with Unlocked Graduates [London], EQUAL Head of Policy & Campaigns with Black Training and Enterprise Group (BTEG) [London], OWRS Manager and East Sussex Lead with Oasis Project [Hastings], Advice and Information Officer with Prison Reform Trust [London], Apprentice Drug and Alcohol Practitioner with The Forward Trust [HMP Rochester]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip 1: Wales: two-night seaside break. Up to 52% off. Details
  • Tip 2: Marco’s New York Italian two-course meal for two. Multiple locations. Only £19. Details
  • Tip 3:  Bruges day trip and return coach with Christmas market.  Save up to 62%. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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