Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 654 | 2nd October 2020

Light Lunch

In this week's edition...

CLINKS NEWS: trauma-informed work

In this evidence review, Patricia Durr, former Director of Operations at One Small Thing provides an in-depth look at trauma-informed practice with people in contact with the criminal justice system in England and Wales. Experiencing traumatic events has deep and far-reaching effects. The links between childhood adversity, trauma and involvement in crime and the justice system are well evidenced. This evidence review explains the core values behind trauma-informed services and defines the three stages to becoming trauma-informed in your practice. It then examines the emerging evidence of the impact of trauma-informed care with people in contact with the criminal justice system in the UK. This article forms part of a series from Clinks, created to develop a far-reaching and accessible evidence base. Read Trauma-informed work here

CLINKS VACANCY: Director of Support and Development

We are hiring for a senior role in our team and want to hear from talented people who are committed to doing what they can so that people in the criminal justice system and their families can rely on a vibrant and well supported voluntary sector. Our Director of Support and Development [£58,545, London (temporarily home-based), full time] will work with our CEO and Director of Influence and Communications to develop and deliver activities across Clinks to ensure we can implement our strategy. Their 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. Find out more and apply before 19th October here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: new helpline launched

A helpline has been launched to support people in the North East navigating their way through the criminal justice system. Nepacs has introduced the helpline to offer information and support to individuals and their families and loved ones at the point of arrest, at court, throughout a prison sentence, and on release. Their team of volunteers are available for those who need someone to talk to and provide important information. The helpline can be contacted on 0800 012 1539; support@nepacs.co.uk; or by text to 07983 437 457 and is open Monday and Friday 12 noon-8pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am-2pm. Nepacs is recruiting more volunteers to join the helpline team. Anyone interested can contact the Nepacs volunteer coordinator at volunteering@nepacs.co.uk. Read more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: going nationwide

This month, Liberty Choir – which supports people in prison and the community through a network of choirs - starts broadcasting to every prison in the country in partnership with National Prison Radio. The show, ‘The six building blocks of modern music’, is hosted by MJ Paranzino and Liberty Choir’s first graduate and new ambassador Richie Simms. It explores the influence of spirituals and gospel music on the later development of jazz, rhythm and blues, culminating in the mix of styles we now recognise as popular music. This is a huge expansion of Liberty Choir’s reach which will now start to impact on the lives of over 80,000 prisoners in the UK prison estate. Listen to a promo for the show here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: have your say

HM Prison and Probation Service InsightsOnline wants to hear your ideas about how it might grow and improve the Insights brand. InsightsOnline brings people together from across the criminal justice system to learn, share, connect and celebrate excellent and innovative work. The website provides shared learning content through blogs, videos and virtual events. InsightsOnline is carrying out a full review of its content with the intention of making it bigger and better than ever. Take the short survey to tell the team what you think here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: spending review

HM Inspectorate of Probation has submitted information to HM Treasury’s Spending Review. It calls for more funding for probation services and associated support in the community. The submission states that “If probation services continue to be underfunded, this will lead to poorer outcomes for society – more people at risk, more victims, and more communities blighted by crime. Prioritising funding for probation services and associated services in the community will help to cut the cycle of reoffending and support individuals to move towards crime-free lives.” Read the Inspectorate’s representation to the Spending Review and an interview with HM Chief Inspector of Probation Justin Russell in the Financial Times here (paywall).

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: CEO to step down

Rod Clark is stepping down as Chief Executive of Prisoners’ Education Trust (PET) after seven and a half years in the role. Rod joined PET as its CEO in 2013. During his tenure, the charity has funded over 16,000 courses for people in prison. Over the last seven and a half years, Rod has worked with the team to launch the charity’s Alumni Network for former learners, its prison-university network to promote partnerships inside and outside prison, and the PLAN hub for researchers working in the field of prisoner learning. Rod will be continuing as PET’s Chief Executive while the recruitment process progresses and to ensure a smooth handover with his successor. Read more here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: update on video call roll-out in prisons

Video calling is now available at 103 prisons and is available to all female prisoners and in all Young Offender Institutions. HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) is currently working with the few remaining prisons to implement the technology. Privately managed prisons are also entering into their own contractual arrangements. Over 24,000 calls have been made so far. HMPPS is aware that there have been challenges - in particular, the security features causing some calls to pause unnecessarily. In response, HMPPS has been working closely with the supplier, Purple Visits, to make changes to how the software responds to potential security breaches. This current video calling service is a temporary measure due to Covid-19. HMPPS will shortly be setting out plans for delivery beyond this. For further information contact familyservices.management@justice.gov.uk

FUNDING: infrastructure organisations

One-off grants of up to £30,000 for core costs are available from the Lloyds Bank Foundation’s Infrastructure Fund. The fund is for local and regional charitable infrastructure organisations working in areas that face particularly acute challenges in England and Wales. A quarter of the grants for the programme will be ring-fenced for infrastructure organisations that are specifically supporting black, Asian and minority ethnic-led charities and that are led by members of black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. Find out more and apply before 9th October here

FUNDING: disadvantaged people

Grants are available from the Mrs Smith and Mount Trust’s Mount Fund to registered charities in the East of England, South East and London. The Fund supports charities working in the areas of: mental health; learning disability; homelessness; and health in the community. The Trust aims to assist disadvantaged people towards greater independence or a better quality of life. Applications are accepted from registered charities with an annual income of less than £1 million. Most grants from the Mount Fund are for up to £5,000. Find out more and apply before 9th October here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Lyn Brown MP and Sir Bob Neill MP

The Howard League for Penal Reform is holding two ‘In Conversation’ events with Lyn Brown MP, Shadow Minister for Prisons and Probation [12th October, online, free] and Sir Bob Neill MP, Chairman, Justice Select Committee [13th October, online, free]. The Howard League’s Chief Executive, Frances Crook will discuss the huge challenges that the criminal justice system is facing as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and the ongoing process of probation reform. Book your place for In Conversation with Lyn Brown MP here and In Conversation with Sir Bob Neill MP here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: domestic abuse

The Probation Institute is hosting an online event on work with domestic abuse [15th October, online, free]. Professor Nicole Westmarland from Durham University will make an opening presentation on her research and speakers responding will be Nicole Jacobs (Domestic Abuse Commissioner), Chris Edwards (Regional Director NPS and Lead on Domestic Abuse), Stacey Musimbe (Criminal Justice Researcher at Kent Surrey Sussex CRC) and Alistair Sherlock (Accreditation Manager at Respect). This is an important subject for practitioners in probation and in the voluntary sector. Hear about online interventions, work with perpetrators and support for survivors. Read more and register here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: prisoners' mental health

Mind would like to hear the views of Clinks members with experience of working with people in prison on what, if any, mental health information you think would be helpful for the people you work with. In a focus group [20th October, online, free] Mind’s Information Team will be asking for your thoughts on the information needs of people who are in prison so that they can understand how best to meet these needs. If you’re unable to attend the online event but would still like to share your views, you can do so using this survey. Find out more about the event here [Password: MindClinks1020]

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: life imprisonment

Join Professor Ben Crewe, Dr Susie Hulley and Dr Serena Wright in celebrating the launch of their book Life Imprisonment from Young Adulthood: Adaptation, Identity and Time [30th October, online, free]. This online panel discussion will begin with a summary of the book’s key themes and findings, and their implications for policy and practice and will be followed by a Q and A Panel members include: Professor Nicholas Hardwick (Professor of Criminal Justice at Royal Holloway University); Erwin James (Editor in Chief at Inside Time); Peter Dawson (Director of the Prison Reform Trust); Rachel O'Rourke (Head of Psychology at HMYOI Aylesbury); and Dr Giles McCathie (Directorate Lead Psychologist, Youth Custody Services). Book your place here

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: social welfare support

Society Matters CiC is offering online training ‘Get to Grips with Universal Credit’ and ‘Get to Grips with Personal Independence Payment’ [several dates available, online, £145 + vat (charity discount available)] for organisations and people that provide social welfare support. The training is more person-centred than traditional welfare benefits courses, with thought-provoking content and discussions. In post-training surveys, 100% of training participants said that they believe the knowledge and understanding they have gained will enhance the service provided by their own organisations. Find out more and book a place here

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES

Vacancies on the jobs board this week include: Digital Communications Officer with Prisoners' Education Trust [London], Engager Worker with Imagine Independence [Liverpool], StandOut Lead Coach with StandOut [London], HALT Care Coordinator with Humankind [Staffordshire], Housing Management Worker Nights with Changing Lives [York], Director of Operations with WISH - A Voice for Women's Mental Health [London], Operations and Partnership Managing Consultant with Liberty Choir [Home based], Business Development Manager with Lancashire Women [Accrington]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip I: Two- or three-course meal for two at Café Rouge. Up to 53% off. Details
  • Tip II: Online counselling and psychotherapy diploma. Level 3 Course. £12. Details
  • Tip III: Kent two-night Georgian manor stay. Save 47%. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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