Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 625 | 13th March 2020

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In this week's edition...

CLINKS NEWS: our operations during Covid-19 delay phase

Following the UK government announcement to move to the delay phase in its plan for tackling Covid-19, all Clinks staff are now temporarily working remotely. We will continue to support, promote and represent the voluntary sector while working in this way. We feel this is the best way to prevent staff falling ill and continue to provide the support you need. We will be minimising physical meetings for the foreseeable future in favour of digital and phone contact. Any existing booked meetings with Clinks staff will now take place in this way and individual staff will be in contact with stakeholders to arrange this. Please keep an eye on Light Lunch for further updates. We are also working with HMPPS to ensure that appropriate information regarding their response to Covid-19 is reaching the sector and we will keep you informed.

CLINKS NEWS: event postponement

As a result of the evolving situation regarding Covid-19, we have unfortunately had to take the decision to postpone all Clinks and National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance (NCJAA) events being held in March and April including next week’s NCJAA research think-tank: “The work of the arts and culture in prisons and probation” that was scheduled to take place on 18th March. All delegates are being notified. Keep an eye on Light Lunch and our events page for updates.

CLINKS BLOG: policy update

This blog from Policy Manager Nicola Drinkwater gives an update on what Clinks’ policy team have been working on this month, and gives key information on current priority criminal justice policy issues. In an ever changing policy landscape, especially in relation to criminal justice policy, Clinks keeps a keen eye on developments in the external environment. This enables us to determine what opportunities there might be for the sector to engage in policy debates and discussion and to provide timely updates about priority policy areas and what we might expect in the future. The blog gives updates from the latest Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Board meeting, our recent consultation responses and changes at the Ministry of Justice. Read it here

CLINKS BLOG: funding for the criminal justice voluntary sector

In this blog, Policy Officer Lauren Nickolls takes a closer look at funding changes and trends for voluntary organisations working in the criminal justice system, based on the findings of our state of the sector research 2019. We found that overall grant funding for specialist criminal justice organisations has fallen by 17% over a nine year period, reducing the availability of such a vital source of income for a lot of the sector. As grant funding decreases, we are seeing a corresponding increase in the earned income of specialist criminal justice organisations - suggesting some organisations are using this strategy to plug the gap. We also continue to find that organisations delivering under contract or sub-contract are struggling to achieve full cost recovery. Read more here

CLINKS VACANCIES: join our team

Following the restructure to our senior team, we are recruiting a Director of Support and Development [£58,545, full time, London] and Head of Business Development [£51,324, full time, London]. We are also recruiting a London Development Officer [£32,029, full time, London] to join our Area Development Team and A Stronger Voice Project Coordinator [£32,029 FTE, part time, London] to strengthen the voice and influence of the voluntary sector in order to affect positive change in the criminal justice system. Read more and apply here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: health matters

Women in Prison has published an external evaluation report of its three year health project: Health Matters, which was funded by the National Lottery Community Fund. Health Matters aimed to make a difference to health outcomes for women in the criminal justice system through providing advocacy, support, advice, workshops, information and health promotion. By building an evidence base of the health needs of women in the criminal justice system, the project aimed to facilitate systems change and improve health structures for women facing multiple needs. Against Violence and Abuse (AVA) produced the external evaluation report which outlines the success of the project and makes a number of recommendations to various stakeholders in relation to women, health and criminal justice. Read the full report here

CLINKS MEMBER’S BLOG: what women lose

Olivia Dehnavi, Policy and Research Officer at Working Chance has written a blog for International Women’s Day about the devastating impact of short prison sentences on women’s lives and the importance of employment for women who have been in contact with the criminal justice system. She says: “Employment can provide an income, and is one of the strongest factors in reducing reoffending. But a job means more than money. It means more, even, than the financial autonomy that could keep your children in your care, or sustain a life independent of an abusive partner. For many, a job is a sense of purpose and a reason to get up in the morning.” Read the full blog here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Insights20 tickets are now live

Tickets for Insights20 from HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) are now available to book. In the digital brochure, you will find over 400 free events taking place from 11th-22nd May, open to anyone who works for, or alongside, HMPPS. Tickets are selling fast but there are still a number of opportunities available. Follow @HmppsInsights for updates. Clinks’ Anne Fox is hosting two events for Insights20 and is featured in this promotional video here. Book your tickets here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: victims’ code

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is conducting a consultation on improving the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime (the Victims' code). The Victims’ Code is a statutory government document which sets out the minimum level of services that victims of crime should receive from criminal justice agencies and other organisations in England and Wales. It enables victims to receive the information they need about their case, the criminal justice system, and the support services available, so that they can navigate the system and make their own informed decisions about what services to access, and what they are entitled to expect. The MoJ wants to hear what people have to say about its proposed changes. Read more here

FUNDING: faith, race and hate crime

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has grants available from £100,000 to £450,000 through its Faith, Race and Hate Crime Grant scheme for 2020-2021. This grant scheme will support organisations that are working to bring different faith and ethnic groups together and tackle racially and religiously motivated hate crime to create integrated communities. These are places where people, whatever their background, live, work, learn and socialise together, based on shared rights, responsibilities and opportunities. The scheme will seek to promote shared values and integration, whilst tackling the harmful behaviours which lead to religiously and racially motivated hate crime. Find out more and apply before 17th April here

FUNDING: disadvantaged young people and isolation in later life

Charities with incomes of under £500,000 can apply for a grant between £500 and £15,000 over one to three years from The Masonic Charitable Foundation. These grants are unrestricted. Its current target areas are: creating the best start in life for disadvantaged children and young people; reducing isolation in later life; medical research into degenerative disease; and care services in the hospice sector. Find out more and apply before 17th April here

FUNDING: Activity Hubs

Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) European Social Fund (ESF) Co-Financing Organisation has published a draft specification setting out the delivery requirements for a number of new Activity Hubs designed to provide safe and supportive spaces for people in the criminal justice system. Contract values range from £3.3m to £9.9m with the exception of a pilot veterans’ hub which is worth £1m. Contracts will run from 4th January 2021 until August 2023. Bids are invited from 30th March. This is being brought to the attention of organisations engaging in activity such as arts and crafts, sports and general community project work who may also be interested in this opportunity. Find out more on Bravo, the Ministry of Justice’s Procurement Portal here, or email MoJCommercialReset@justice.gov.uk

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: children and young people in custody

Join the Sheila McKechnie Foundation (SMK) for the next ‘Change Network’ event [22nd April, London, £10] to discuss a dramatic, but partial success story: the fall in the number of children and young people in custody. Numbers are down 73% in the last decade, but the proportion of black, Asian and minority ethnic children in custody has increased significantly, and the use of remand is rising. Speakers include John Drew CBE, former chair of the Youth Justice Board, Jennifer Twite from Just for Kids Law, Penelope Gibbs from Transform Justice, Whitney Iles from Project 507 and a member of Leaders Unlocked. Some bursary places are available for grassroots groups and individuals, contact grace.wyld@smk.org.uk to request one. Book tickets here

RESOURCE: insurance and Covid-19

Scrutton Bland Insurance Brokers has published guidance for charities and businesses on Covid-19 and insurance. Epidemics and pandemics are usually excluded from most insurance policies, so it is important to check if your organisation is covered and what measures you can take. Read the guidance here

FEATURED VACANCY: Peer Mentor – Complex Needs

Shelter is looking for a Peer Mentor – Complex Needs [£17,550, full time, Birmingham] who has lived experience of mental ill health and the criminal justice system and would like to use this experience to help others. In this role, you'll focus specifically on supporting individuals with multiple and complex needs who are going through the criminal justice system. Your challenge will be to build a relationship of trust and help clients to achieve personalised support outcomes. If you would like additional information, a chance to meet the Shelter and Liaison and Diversion Team, or have limited access to a computer, you can attend an open day on 20th March at Shelter’s Birmingham Office. Find out more and apply before 29th March here

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES

Vacancies on the jobs board this week include: Communications Officer and Content Creator with Switchback [London], Switchback Mentor with Switchback [London], Northumberland Alcohol Outreach (NAO) (x3 posts) with Changing Lives [Northumberland], Admin & Comms Co-ordinator with Good Vibrations [Commutable to Oxford], Deputy Financial Controller with Imagine Independence [Liverpool], Regional Manager with User Voice [North East], Fundraising Manager – Trusts and Foundations (part-time) with Unlock [Maidstone], Lecturer In English with Weston College [HMP Coldingley], Open Access & Engagement Worker with Humankind [Harrogate], Independent Advocate (IMCA) with The Advocacy Project [London], Outreach Resettlement Caseworker with St. Giles Trust [HMP Peterborough], Drug and Alcohol Worker with EDP Drug & Alcohol Services [HMP Exeter]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip I: Handmade gift-wrapped bath bomb and soap sets. 65% off. Details
  • Tip II: 5-star London hotel getaway with cocktail. 45% off. Details
  • Tip III: Two course carvery meal for two at Toby Carvery. Up to 39% Off. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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