Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 606 | 18th October 2019

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In this week's edition...

    CLINKS NEWS: probation reform updates

    This blog summarises the key updates on the future probation model from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). The MoJ has announced that during October they will be undertaking a period of market warming for the Probation Delivery Partners (previously Innovation Partners). In support of this, it has published draft contract and procurement documentation. The blog summarises the key things that these documents, in particular the service specification, tell us about what role Probation Delivery Partners will play in the future probation model. Read it here

    CLINKS NEWS: Think Family

    Clinks has published four Think Family briefings providing insight into current family practice within the prison estate and practical guidance on how to develop a Think Family approach. These are accompanied by a series of resources which can be downloaded, adapted and used to support the development of Think Family working in prisons. In 2018 Clinks was commissioned by Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service to deliver a family engagement programme, as part of the 10 Prisons Project, with the support of Pact, Lincolnshire Action Trust and Jigsaw. The project aimed to support prisons to ensure that the role of ‘families and significant others’ was integrated into decision making and development processes. Find out more and download the resources here

    CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: giving back in Bolton

    Bolton CVS is looking for people to fill in its short survey on recruiting volunteers with criminal records as part of its Giving Back in Bolton project. Bolton CVS is working hard to develop best practice guidance for volunteering organisations so that people with criminal records are fairly represented in volunteering opportunities. Take the survey here  

    CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: new director announced

    The IARS International Institute is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Frank Fitzpatrick as its new director. IARS' Founder Dr Theo Gavrielides stepped down as Director in July, after setting up the organisation 18 years ago. Dr Frank Fitzpatrick said: "I am very excited to be joining IARS, which seems to me to be a unique organisation that both encourages people to participate in society, while documenting valuable academic research that can influence people’s lives and social policy.” Read more here

    CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: advent for change

    Emmaus, Tempus Novo and Forward Trust are included as charities supported by Advent of Change this year. Advent of Change creates and sells Christmas advent calendars and donates the proceeds to multiple charities. Find out more here

    CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: prisons continue failing on safety

    The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) has published her annual report 2018/19, in which she reports that prisons are failing to act on the same safety recommendations repeated year after year to prevent self-inflicted deaths. There were 91 self-inflicted deaths last year (an increase of 23%), and the PPO highlights the repeated failings in the way Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork (ACCT) is managed in prisons (the process of supporting and managing prisoners at risk of suicide and self-harm). The report details problems in healthcare provision, the treatment of older people and the use of segregation. The PPO is a public body which investigates complaints made by people in prison, all deaths of people in prison and some deaths of people recently released from prison. Read it here

    CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: supporting people with convictions into work

    The Cabinet Office has published the summary from its call for evidence last year on supporting people with convictions into employment. Clinks and the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance (NCJAA) submitted a letter to the call for evidence outlining our recruitment policy and giving examples of charities that support people with convictions into employment, including Unlock, Synergy Theatre, and Offploy. The summary shows the voluntary sector as leading in the most inclusive recruitment practices – charities were more likely to ask about convictions later in the recruitment process. The public sector was worst for this and significantly more likely to ask at application stage, emphasising the importance of boosting good practice in the public sector. Read more here

    CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: youth resettlement

    Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) has published its action plan in response to a thematic review of youth resettlement work by HM Inspectorate of Probation and HM Inspectorate of Prisons, which showed that resettlement work is failing many children making the transition from custody into the community. The action plan shows that the Ministry of Justice will review and refresh the approach to resettlement and revise the way Youth Offending Teams collect data on resettlement activity so it is more in-depth. It will also consider developing a policy framework for the transition from youth to adult custody which will require appropriate staff from the adult estate to be involved early in the transitions process. Read more here

    CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Justice Committee session with Secretary of State

    The Justice Committee held an evidence session with Robert Buckland QC MP, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice and Sir Richard Heaton, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice. Buckland and Heaton responded to a wide range of questions from the committee’s cross-party group of MPs, covering the government’s new approach to sentencing, the building of new prisons and the challenges facing the courts and tribunals service. Buckland stated that he does not support the committee’s recommendation to stop the use of short custodial sentences, and defended the government’s decision to abolish automatic half-way release, and instead require ‘the most serious violent and sexual offenders’ to serve two thirds of their sentence in custody. These sentencing changes will be subject to a white paper and consultation. Watch the session here

    CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: youth offending services

    Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation has published its annual report on its inspections of Youth Offending Teams (YOT) over the past year. The report highlights the inconsistency of out of court disposal schemes across YOT areas and the need for a national approach to the decision making and scope of those schemes. The inspectorate also raises the lack of support for transitions to adult services and reoccurring issues with education and training provision across YOTs, with many children not getting their statutory entitlement to education. Read it here

    CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: probation monthly bulletin

    Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service’s monthly probation change bulletin has been published. This monthly bulletin is produced by the HMPPS probation programme team to provide updates on the progress they have made to reform probation services. This month’s bulletin details the move from the design to delivery phase and the renaming of Innovation Partners as Probation Delivery Partners. Read it here

    FUNDING: homelessness

    The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government is providing up to £1 million of the Cold Weather Fund to Homeless Link to administer funding to charitable organisations that are not commissioned by local authorities. Organisations can apply for a grant up to £25,000, and larger grants up to £50,000 may be considered for projects working across multiple authorities. The project’s overall aim is to financially support local providers in helping get people sleeping rough off the streets this winter. The grant application window closes on Friday 6th December. Find out more and read guidance on how to apply here

    CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: become a champion

    Changing Tunes is looking to recruit a small group of Changing Tunes Champions to become ambassadors. They are holding a Changing Tunes Champion launch event [22nd October, Bristol, free] for interested people to learn more about the opportunity. No specific experience is required, just a passion for social justice and Changing Tunes’ power to make a difference. The Champion launch will give: a clear overview of the work; resources and how to use them; statistics and outcomes of the work; and case studies of how Changing Tunes has made a difference. Attendees will hear directly from the Chief Executive, Musicians in Residence and an ex-beneficiary. RSVP to info@changingtunes.org.uk and find out more here

    CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES

    Vacancies on the jobs board this week include: Invitation to Tender: External Evaluation with Women in Prison [Home-based], Impact and Evaluation Manager with Only Connect [London], Service Manager with Changing Lives [North Yorkshire], Headstart Programme Facilitator (Probation Pilot) with The Challenge [London], Family Support Worker with Ormiston Families [HMP Highpoint], Recovery Coordinator with Humankind [Selby], Lecturer in English with Weston College (Offender Learning) [HMP Guys Marsh], Justice Practice Officer with Centre for Justice Innovation [London], Team Leader (Custody Suite) with St Giles Trust [London], Development Assistant with Koestler Arts [HMP Wormwood Scrubs], Health & Safety Officer with Humankind [Bowburn]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

    TIPS OF THE WEEK

    • Tip I: Two-night South Devon escape with dinner. Save 59%. Details
    • Tip II: Sushi Café: 40-piece sushi platter for two. Only £22. Details
    • Tip III: ‘Grimms’ Scary Tales’ Halloween Experience at Yorkshire Wildlife Park. Only £19. Details

    EXTRA INFORMATION

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