Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 630 | 17th April 2020

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In this week's edition...

CLINKS NEWS: the latest on Covid-19 and criminal justice

We continue to update our Covid-19 webpage with the latest developments and sources of support for voluntary organisations working in criminal justice. Last week the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) announced work to expand the prison estate by installing the first of 500 temporary, single occupancy cells, as part of its action to protect the public and NHS during the Coronavirus pandemic. Latest figures from the MoJ show that 232 prisoners have tested positive for Covid-19 across 60 prisons; 96 prison staff have tested positive for Covid-19 across 38 prisons; and 7 Prisoner Escort and Custody Services staff have tested positive for Covid-19. See the latest updates here

CLINKS NEWS: joining the team

We’re delighted to announce Nichole McIntosh as our new Director of Support and Development. Nichole will be leading the Support and Development Directorate at Clinks. Nichole’s work will focus on supporting organisations through our membership, events, training, regional and thematic networks and projects and programmes which seek to provide solutions to challenges the sector faces. We look forward to welcoming Nichole when she starts at Clinks on Monday 20th April.

CLINKS VACANCY: Communications and Digital Engagement Officer, NCJAA

We are looking for a Communications and Digital Engagement Officer [£27,539 pro rata, part-time, London] to effectively deliver the digital communications and network engagement priorities for the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance (NCJAA). We are seeking a dynamic individual with excellent attention to detail who is confident working on their own initiative as well as collaboratively. This is to replace a permanent role, however in the context of the uncertainty caused by the current Covid-19 situation, we are currently recruiting this role as a three-month, fixed-term post. We are also open to considering a secondment from a relevant organisation and we can provide flexible working arrangements to suit the best candidate. This is an interesting and challenging time for the right candidate to join the team and be part of this innovative area of work. Apply before 28th April here

CLINKS NEWS: sector support coordination

Voluntary organisations are invited to submit offers to Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) for how they can adapt their service or deliver more support to people in prisons, youth custody or in the community in the context of Covid-19. Our sector is responding in innovative ways, and Clinks and HMPPS have received a stream of proposals and offers. There's now a formal way for your organisation to let HMPPS know how you can help, via Clinks. Your organisation must have an existing partnership or funding relationships with prisons or probation services. Find out more including how to submit a proposal here

CLINKS SURVEY: how is Covid-19 affecting your work?

Take just 10 minutes to complete our second Covid-19 impact survey so we can help the government, funders and other decision makers to understand what you're experiencing. We're running a survey every two weeks, looking to gather evidence from voluntary organisations and arts practitioners working in the criminal justice system on how Covid-19 has impacted your operations, finances and the people you support. Thank you to the 171 people who responded to our first survey - we've shared your experiences with the Ministry of Justice, Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service, the Justice Committee and the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee. Read more on the results here. What challenges persist, and how are things changing? Tell us by Friday 17th April here

CLINKS BLOG: working more effectively with the government

The Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3) again brought together leading experts from across the voluntary sector this week as part of its Covid-19 special interest group (SIG). Policy Officer Will Downs has written a blog which highlights some of the key points from the last meeting. The group took stock of its work over the last five weeks, including looking at key recommendations it has made that remain urgent and outstanding. Officials from Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) also joined, and the group discussed how it could work more effectively with the government. The Covid-19 SIG meets once a week, and submits recommendations to senior officials. Read the blog here

CLINKS NEWS: update your organisation’s entry in our Directory

If your organisation is currently active in the context of the Covid-19 crisis and the response to it, you can now share that information on our Directory of Offender Services. Updating your details is important so we can ensure the Ministry of Justice and Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service understand how many organisations are actively responding to the crisis and what services they are providing. This information will be used to: support people and statutory services to find services; help Clinks make the case for support for our sector and ensure it is able to best take advantage of the government’s funding support; support Clinks’ work with HMPPS to coordinate support offers from the voluntary sector. To update your profile, follow the instructions here

NATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE ARTS ALLIANCE EVENT: virtual hang out

The National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance (NCJAA) is hosting a ‘Virtual hang out’ [22nd April, online, free]. This is an opportunity for the NCJAA network to come together to meet, discuss, share and learn from each other during these challenging times. We’ll focus on how you are meeting the challenges that Covid-19 has posed to your arts in criminal justice practice, projects and long-term plans. Have you had to make some tough decisions? Are you about to? The NCJAA will chair the conversation but this will be a network-led discussion. NCJAA particularly welcome arts in criminal justice freelancers, practitioners and anyone else seeking to connect with others in the sector to give and gain support. See more and book here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: advice sector facing collapse

According to a survey by the Advice Services Alliance (ASA) about the impact of Covid-19, many advice sector organisations - which provide help for those with debt, housing, domestic violence, legal and a range of other issues - are struggling to keep services going, whilst coping with unprecedented levels of demand at this extraordinary time. The ASA is asking the government for immediate triage funding to help advice organisations weather the initial coronavirus storm. Read more

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: short scrutiny visits

HM Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) is developing a new approach to visiting prisons during the Covid-19 crisis. To inform this, it is seeking information on treatment and conditions in establishments, to be sent to intel@hmiprisons.gov.uk. Information will be kept confidential unless there are safeguarding concerns. The inspectorate cannot investigate or advocate for individual cases. Read more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: helpline for older prisoners

Restore Support Network has launched two emergency Covid-19 helplines. The first (0300 102 1032) is for the over 60s in prison with underlying health and social care needs and nearing their release date. It will initially cover the South West and, for women, South Wales. Once further funding is secured, it will be offered to other regions in England and Wales. The second (0300 102 1033) is for older Seafarers (ex-Merchant Navy, Fishing Fleet and other commercial shipping) and older Veterans and will provide access to possible individual welfare grants on release. If your organisation wishes to know more or to have its service details included on the network’s helplines database, contact stuart.ware@restoresupportnetwork.org.uk

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: message from young people for young people

Peer Power has worked with colleagues from NHS England and NHS Improvement to create a message for children who are currently in the secure estate to explain basic information about Covid-19, what it is and how to stay safe. Peer Power’s ‘Peer Power Experts’ co-produced the message and hope it informs and goes some way to reassuring young people who are currently in the secure estate; letting them know that their peers in the community care about them. Peer Power will be co-producing more messages over the next few weeks and will continue to work with its Peer Power Experts and partners to support and advocate for children in custody and the community who may be feeling particularly vulnerable right now. Watch the video here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: instrument appeal

In response to Covid-19, Changing Tunes is launching an urgent instrument appeal, to benefit participants at HMP Bristol, and possibly further afield too. As it can no longer deliver music sessions in person at HMP Bristol, Changing Tunes is now facilitating in-cell learning instead. Prisoners will receive a resource pack, alongside an instrument in working order. This will mean they can continue developing musical skills, even with all the disruption that Covid-19 has brought to prison life. If you are able to donate any instruments (acoustic guitars especially welcome), please email info@changingtunes.org.uk 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: third sector support for additional Covid-19 work

The Treasury has announced money to be allocated via government departments to charities providing key services during the Covid-19 crisis. From a package of £750m, £160m will be shared via individual departments for voluntary organisations in their priority areas. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is seeking funds for organisations supporting law centres and providing legal advice, those working with victims of domestic abuse and those working with people released from prison. The details of how any funds secured by the MoJ will be distributed are being developed rapidly and further information about allocation or bidding processes will be circulated by the MoJ as soon as they are available. See more about the government announcement here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Covid-19 and probation

The Justice Committee held an evidence session this week on the impact of Covid-19 on the probation service. Committee members raised concerns about the availability of accommodation and wraparound support on release. The government is taking steps, including: raising the discharge grant to £80; ensuring everyone has a mobile phone; and setting up a hotline to support prison leavers with Universal Credit applications. Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service is also working with Clinks to coordinate offers of support from the voluntary sector. Concerns were raised about the Dynamic Framework procurement process; the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is considering a delay to ensure voluntary sector engagement. Clinks will continue to work closely with MoJ officials on this issue. For the full transcript, see here

FUNDING: London communities

Wave 2 of the London Community Response fund has now opened with two funding programmes taking applications. The Crisis response programme will distribute grants of up to £10,000 to enable organisations to meet the immediate needs of communities, from food and essentials, to equipment and additional short-term staff costs. The Delivering differently programme will deliver grants of between £10,000 and £50,000 to enable organisations to change the way they deliver work to ensure it continues to meet the needs of communities. There is a weekly rolling deadline until further notice e.g. applications submitted by Friday 17 April will be assessed in the following week. Find out more and apply here

FUNDING: people experiencing homelessness

St. Martin-in-the-Fields Frontline Network is accepting applications from paid frontline workers who provide support to people experiencing homelessness or whose accommodation might be at risk. Frontline workers include staff working in the voluntary, statutory and public sectors. The fund has three broad categories: £150 for basic essential need; £400 for overcoming barriers to support; and £1000 for securing accommodation. Grant awards include, but are not limited to essentials such as food, utility bill payments, deposits for accommodation and Wi-Fi or data access. See more and apply here

RESOURCE: alcohol and substance misuse and Covid-19

The Department of Health and Social Care and Public Health England have published guidance for commissioners and providers of services for people who use drugs or alcohol. This guidance will assist commissioners, managers and staff in addressing coronavirus and associated disease, in substance misuse and alcohol services, including services for young people. The guidance contains key information on what to prioritise within services, the changing nature of contract arrangements, and the potential increased risk of Covid-19 amongst those with alcohol and substance misuse issues. This guidance may be updated in line with the changing situation. Read the full guidance here

SURVEY: Covid-19 and people experiencing homelessness

Crisis is conducting research to better understand the impact that Coronavirus has had on people experiencing homelessness, how it has impacted on the support that is needed, and what that means for both frontline services, local authority and national government responses. The research is intended to be of value to those working to support people currently, but also to help inform Crisis’ influencing work at both a local and national level. Take the survey before 3rd May here

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES

Vacancies on the jobs board this week include: Lecturer in Maths with Weston College [HMP Coldingley], Independent Nursing Prescriber with Humankind [Leeds], Assistant Support Worker (Nights) with Changing Lives [Sunderland], Fundraiser with Imago Dei Prison Ministry [Tonbridge], Relief Worker with Imagine Independence [North West], Community Key Worker with ADVANCE [London], Nurse Team Leader with Kaleidoscope Project [Cardiff], Trustee / Treasurer with Apex Charitable Trust Ltd [St. Helens], Team Manager with Career Connect [Liverpool]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip I: Baking box with recipe and ingredients. £2.99 Details
  • Tip II: Mindfulness online course. £19. Details
  • Tip III: Emma essential foam mattress. Save up to 53%. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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