Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 636 | 29th May 2020

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In this week's edition...

CLINKS NEWS: Covid-19 update

We continue to update our Covid-19 page with the latest developments, guidance and sources of support for voluntary organisations working in the criminal justice system. The Ministry of Justice and Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service have published guidance on how to use the new secure video call service in prisons. This service is available in a number of prisons across England and Wales to support family ties while physical visits remain suspended. Applications are open for government funding for charities during the pandemic via the National Lottery Community Fund. £200m is available to support organisations to continue to deliver services to people and communities affected by Covid-19. See more here

CLINKS BLOG: never more needed

The responses to our latest Covid-19 impact survey highlight concerns about the mental health of those isolated and those locked in prison cells for 23 hours a day; the impact of lockdown on families of people in the criminal justice system; and the exacerbated effects of disadvantage during the pandemic. The survey also reveals more about organisations’ financial concerns, with 43% of respondents saying they have had to use their reserves due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We are continuing to monitor the impact of Covid-19 on the voluntary sector working in the criminal justice system and will conduct this survey regularly. Read more here

CLINKS VACANCY: Stronger Voice Project Co-ordinator

There are just a few days left to apply to join our team as a Stronger Voice Project Co-ordinator [£32,029 (FTE), part time, London] to lead a new three year project, funded by the Lloyds Bank Foundation. Clinks’ Stronger Voice project aims to strengthen the voice and influence of the voluntary sector in order to affect positive change in the criminal justice system. Through a programme of information, collaboration, training and capacity building, the project will support the criminal justice voluntary sector to be confident, informed, coordinated and evidence-based in its messaging. Find out more and apply before 1st June here

CLINKS EVENT: accommodation network forum

This online meeting [4th June, online, free] is for voluntary sector organisations working in the criminal justice system that support accommodation needs and deliver additional support services. The aim of the meeting is to provide an opportunity to share updates and concerns and to discuss the impact of Covid-19 on: access to accommodation on release; sustainability of accommodation provision; and wrap around services. The meeting will also provide information regarding the recently established Regional Homelessness Prevention Taskforce (HPT) and details of how organisations can work with them to support accommodation needs in your area. Register here

CLINKS EVENT: health and justice response to Covid-19

This virtual network meeting [1st June, online, free] is for voluntary sector organisations working in the criminal justice system that deliver health-based services. The aim of the meeting is to provide an opportunity for organisations to come together to discuss the impact of Covid-19 on service delivery, service users and contract and grant requirements during these challenging circumstances. If you deliver services to people in contact with the criminal justice system relating to any of the following: substance and/or alcohol misuse, mental health, physical health, or disability – this online meeting is for you. Register here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: probation system not learning from mistakes

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP) has published a report from its thematic inspection of the Serious Further Offences (SFO) investigation and review process. HMIP concludes that the probation system is not doing enough to learn lessons from serious crimes committed by individuals under supervision. Nearly a quarter of a million people are on probation in England and Wales. Around 0.2% of these individuals are charged with serious further offences each year while under supervision. HMIP examined the way probation services review and learn lessons in these cases. Inspectors also looked at how Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service quality assure those reviews, and use information to improve national policies and practice. Read the report here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: podcast for frontline professionals

Taye Training has produced a free podcast ‘Training 4 Influence’ for frontline professionals and volunteers who are unable to take part in face to face training due to Covid-19. The podcast covers several topics including: safeguarding; risk management and assessment; professional boundaries; lone working; and The Mental Capacity Act. The podcast has been developed by operational workers, people with frontline experience who know how important it is for information to be relatable, easy to understand and to have a direct impact participants’ work. Facilitators present their five top takeaways in an engaging and discursive format. For more information please email enquiries@tayetraining.org.uk. To find the podcasts, just search ‘Training 4 Influence’ on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or any podcast app.

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: young women, poverty and self-harm

Agenda has published a new report Often Overlooked: Young women, poverty and self-harm which explores how self-harm among young women is often linked to poverty and disadvantage. This new research, undertaken by analysts at the National Centre of Social Research, is one of the first to focus on connections between poverty and non-suicidal self-harm in young women across England. It is based on new analysis of data from more than 20,000 people. The research found that one in five women with severe money problems has self-harmed in the past year. Agenda is calling for the conversation about young women's mental health to be widened to include the impact poverty and disadvantage has on young women's mental health. Read more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: new deadline for the Koestler Awards

The Koestler Awards 2020 deadline for submissions was postponed this year due the huge challenges faced by entrants, and the staff who support them, during the pandemic. It has now been announced that the last date for entries will be Tuesday 7th July 2020. Koestler Arts has made the new deadline as late, and with as much notice as possible, to enable people to still share their creativity this year. The Koestler Awards is an annual arts programme for people in the UK criminal justice system. Entry forms and further information can be found here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: finding employment

Tempus Novo is continuing to find employment opportunities for its service users during the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges Covid-19 has presented, the Tempus Novo team has adapted to new ways of working to produce more life changing opportunities. Three more service users have recently secured employment thanks to the team’s innovative work. They started working with Culina Logistics who were looking for candidates to work in their chilled food warehouse. Tempus Novo staff ensured that although the service users couldn’t interview in the usual way, they still had a chance of getting the positions. Read more here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: dynamic framework procurement paused

The Ministry of Justice has paused the Probation Delivery Partner procurement while they consider the impact of Covid-19 on the commissioning timeframe. Any queries regarding this should be directed to the programme. The Dynamic Framework qualification is still planned to launch in June and a second tranche of market warming documents are due soon. You can access the first set by pre-registering interest on the Ministry of Justice esourcing portal (Jaggaer, previously known as Bravo) here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: video calls in prisons

The Ministry of Justice and Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service have published guidance on the newly available video call service in prisons. This service is currently available at a number of prisons following a successful trial at HMP Berwyn. Video calls last 30 minutes and each prisoner can have up to four visitors on the call. The video calls are free of charge during the Coronavirus outbreak, but are limited to one a month. Read more here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: ‘sobriety tags’ come into force

The government has announced that a national roll-out of the Alcohol Abstinence Monitoring Requirement (AAMR), often referred to as ‘sobriety tags’, will begin later this year. New legislation has come into force that will enable all Crown and magistrates courts in England and Wales to give an AAMR as part of a community sentence to people who have committed a crime where alcohol is a contributing factor. A tag can be fitted for up to 120 days, monitoring someone’s alcohol consumption through their perspiration. The scheme will offer a chance for some people to be diverted away from custody, though it will be vital that people are given support alongside this and that responses to any breaches of requirements are proportionate. Read more here

FUNDING: multiple disadvantage

The European Social Fund Community Grants Programme provides small grants between £5,000 and £20,000 to community groups and organisations working in the Black Country region. The aim of the programme is to engage with local communities to deliver a range of skills and employment support activities to enable people from the hardest to reach communities, who may be experiencing multiple disadvantage, to make progress towards and enter the jobs market. Read more and apply before 3rd July here

FUNDING: education, health and the elderly

Grants are available from the John James Bristol Foundation for charitable organisations working for the benefit of Bristol residents. The main areas of focus are education, health and the elderly. The trustees make every effort to grant money diversely in each financial year so that the overall wellbeing of as many residents of Bristol as possible is enhanced. Find out more and apply before 15th July here

PUBLICATION: impact of Covid-19 on excluded people

Doctors of the World UK has published a report on the impact of Covid-19 on excluded people in England. Based on a rapid needs assessment carried out at the height of the Covid-19, the report shows that excluded groups are being left behind in the UK’s Covid-19 response as control measures amplify existing health inequalities and put life-saving advice and care further out of reach. Researchers looked at the pandemic’s effect on a wide range of groups, including people recently released from prison. Recommendations of the report include enabling people who are living in challenging and vulnerable circumstances to follow Covid-19 guidance, and providing sustainable housing solutions for people who have been placed in emergency accommodation during lockdown. Read the report here

OPPORTUNITY: coding courses

Code Your Future offers free courses to people from disadvantaged groups, including those in contact with the criminal justice system. The courses teach people to code, help them improve confidence, and can go on to help participants get professional jobs in tech. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES

Vacancies on the jobs board this week include: Support Worker with Changing Lives [Durham], Family Worker with EDP Drug and Alcohol Services [HMP Dartmoor], VRF Coordinator with St Martin-in-the-Fields Frontline Network [London], Night Support Manager with Social Interest Group [London], Senior Facilitator and Mentor with St Giles Trust [Hampshire], Community Outreach Worker with Sussex Prisoners' Families [Brighton & Hove], Behaviour Change Worker with Splitz Support Service [Gloucester/Cheltenham]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Two-in-one pet water bottle and bowl. £4.99. Details
  • Watch free performances from Shakespeare’s Globe. Details
  • 4.5 foot outdoor trampoline. 30% off. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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