Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 656 | 16th October 2020

Light Lunch

In this week's edition...

    CLINKS NEWS: the future of probation

    Clinks has submitted a response to the Justice Committee inquiry on the future of the probation services, in which we focus on opportunities and challenges for voluntary organisations. Director of Influence and Communications Jess Mullen also gave oral evidence to the Committee on 13th October alongside Laura Seebohm, Changing Lives and Mat Ilic, Catch 22. Clinks believes the probation service needs the expertise and experience of the voluntary sector to achieve improved outcomes for the people under its supervision and the communities they live in. We continue to be concerned that despite the increased investment in rehabilitation and resettlement services through the new model, the contracts for day one services do not provide significant enough opportunity for the voluntary sector. Read our written response here. Read Jess’ blog here

    CLINKS VACANCY: Co-ordinator - race and justice network

    This secondment opportunity is for voluntary sector staff to join our team for 18 months [£33,535 FTE, part-time, flexible]. The Race and Justice Co-ordinator is responsible for leading and co-ordinating Clinks’ work which aims to strengthen the voice of specialist organisations led by and providing support to black, brown and Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people in the criminal justice system and their families. The post holder will need to understand relevant structures and build relationships with key partners across sectors. Read more and express interest before 9th November here

    CLINKS VACANCY: National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance – Development Officer

    We are seeking a dynamic individual with excellent relationship building skills to develop and strengthen the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance (NCJAA) network in all regions of the UK, with initial focus on the West Midlands and the North West [£32,670, full time, home based]. The role involves inspiring and developing best practice and capacity across arts and criminal justice, feeding into local and national policy to support the NCJAA to promote the role of arts in criminal justice settings. This is an exciting and challenging time for the right candidate to join our team and be an integral part of this innovative area of work. Find out more and apply before 2nd November here

    CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: inspectorate of probation updates

    The Chief Inspector of Probation Justin Russell has written a blog on the latest developments at HM Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP). He gives details on HMIP’s recent representation to the Treasury’s spending review, changes to its youth inspection standards and its new shadowing scheme for black and Asian probation officers and managers. Read more here

    CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: video calls can’t replace visits

    Pact CEO Andy Keen-Downs has written a comment on the introduction of video calling technology into prisons and how - whilst this a very welcome addition to the ways in which prisoners and their loved ones can keep in touch - they must not be considered a replacement for in-person visits. Read more here

    CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: work with Shaw Trust

    Shaw Trust has launched a new Delivery Partner Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) allowing local small to medium enterprises, charities and voluntary organisations to work with them. Shaw Trust is currently prime contractor for a number of contracts in the criminal justice system both in the prison estate and in the community. The Shaw Trust Delivery Partner DPS is for any operational delivery contracts up to the value of £150,000 per annum. Once registered, you can specify areas of interest and search for opportunities – search ‘The Shaw Trust DPDPS’. Contact partnerships@shaw-trust.org.uk for further information. Register using the Proactis portal here

    CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: pop-up shop

    Fine Cell Work has opened a pop-up shop at Pentreath and Hall from 12th – 24th October. Visit to discover new and exclusive designs alongside favourites and best-sellers. This year, Fine Cell Work will have a different team member from across the charity in every day, from production and design to prison and post-release programmes. Fine Cell Work is a charity and social enterprise which trains people in prison in high-quality, skilled, creative needlework. Its aim is to allow participants to finish their sentences with work skills, money earned and saved, and self-belief. See more about the pop-up shop here

    CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: through the gate support

    Relate has produced a series of videos and a webinar explaining its Being Parents First service which continues to provide support for parents coming out of prison. The service includes up to 10 free relationship counselling sessions to enable co-parents to have space to discuss the transition, their worries and concerns and how they will parent together, whether they are in a relationship or not. You can call, text or email Relate with referrals for families that have a parent due for release that could benefit from this support. Call 0300 003 0270, or text 07990 453 013. See further details here

    CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: adapting during a pandemic

    Run For Your Life CIC Founder Andy Mouncey tells how his organisation has changed course during the pandemic in his latest blog. Run For Your Life was working with serving prisoners in the North West prior to Covid-19 and now finds itself supporting prison governors online. Andy writes how finding another way is rarely straightforward and how Run For Your Life ended up in a very different place. Read it here

    CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: impact of Frontline Network

    The St Martin-in-the-Fields Frontline Network has launched a report, detailing its impact in its first three years of existence. The Frontline Network was created in 2016 to support frontline workers who work with people experiencing homelessness. The Frontline Network works with over 1,200 frontline workers from across the UK to network and share best practice. It also provides funding to support the people frontline workers are supporting, as well as their own professional development. Read the report here

    CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: health and care during Covid-19 and beyond

    National Voices has launched its report What We Need Now - What matters to people for health and care, during COVID-19 and beyond, detailing people’s experiences which were self-contributed through National Voices’ Our Covid Voices platform. From these experiences, National Voices has drawn up a set of practical recommendations for people to use in health and care settings, as well as creating a new set of National Voices ‘I Statements’, which express what people want and what they should expect from health and care. Read more here  

    CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: delivering distance learning education courses

    Prison Education, through its Dynamic Purchasing Framework, is looking for current suppliers already qualified onto the Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) and new suppliers to come forward and present innovative ideas for education that can be delivered remotely for prisoners i.e. in cell. They are especially keen to hear from providers who specialise in distance learning solutions. The deadline to respond is 30th October. If you are interested, further information is available here. You can also attend a one hour Skype briefing on 21st October 2pm-3pm by emailing your request to commercial.prisoneducation@justice.gov.uk.

    CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Covid-19 prisons update

    In response to the introduction of Local Covid Alert Levels by the government, HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) is keeping its operating models under review. Some restrictions to face-to-face social visits may be necessary where, for instance, prisons are located in “very high” Covid-19 alert level areas. As a result, there may be changes to visits at some prisons; HMPPS encourages visitors to always check with the prison before booking a visit. See the Covid-19 prison pages for the latest national guidance here

    CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Covid-19 probation update

    In the probation service there are no immediate changes foreseen in response to the most recent government announcements. The service continues to operate in line with the Probation Roadmap to Recovery framework. Covid-related risks for the service will remain under review as the risks in the wider community continue to change. Read the Probation Roadmap to Recovery here

    FUNDING: black and minority ethnic led social enterprises and charities

    PwC has grants in the range of £2,000 to £25,000 available for UK based social enterprises and registered charities that have black and ethnic minority leadership or beneficiaries. This is a part of PwC’s commitment to build an inclusive culture and tackle racial inequality. Find out more and apply before 30th October here

    FUNDING: criminal justice and penal reform

    Grants are available from AB Charitable Trust for small to medium-sized charities registered and working in the UK that defend human rights and promote respect for vulnerable individuals. The grants range in size, with most grants being in the range of £10,000 to £20,000. To be eligible, projects should address at least one of the following categories: migrants, refugees and asylum seekers; criminal justice and penal reform; human rights, particularly access to justice. Charities should have an annual income of between £150,000 and £1.5 million and no substantial investments or surpluses. Find out more and apply before 31st October here

    CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: community awards

    The Community Awards 2020 celebratory event is now open for bookings [20th October, online, £10]. Successful community projects that reduce crime and transform lives for the better will be honoured with prestigious Howard League Community Awards and celebrated at the event. Speakers include: Frances Crook, Chief Executive, Howard League for Penal Reform; Keith Fraser, Chair, Youth Justice Board for England and Wales; Gerry Marshall, Trustee, Howard League for Penal Reform; and Professor Fergus McNeil, Professor of Criminology and Social Work, University of Glasgow. Read more and book your place here

    CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: annual conference

    The Traveller Movement’s annual conference [12th November, online, free] will look at speaking truth to power and reclaiming the narrative that dominates the media and political discourse. The conference will bring together activists and changemakers who will discuss how this can be achieved. The conference is a time to discuss solutions for the advancement of Gypsies, Roma and Travellers across every area of life. Read more and register here

    CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: outdoor installation of artworks from prisons

    ‘No Lockdown in the Imagination’ is an outdoor installation from Koestler Arts taking place across the windows of London’s Southbank Centre, and online [12th November – 13th December]. On show will be a selection of audio, visual and written works selected from the 2020 Koestler Awards. During the pandemic, many prisoners have been under 23-hour lockdown. Using limited materials and limitless creativity, people across our criminal justice system have kept themselves going with the power of their imagination. ‘No Lockdown in the Imagination’ celebrates this achievement and is a chance for their vibrant work to be shared with the general public. Many of the artworks in the installation will also be for sale, via the Koestler Arts website. Find out more here

    CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: lived experience leaders

    In partnership with a group of experienced leaders with lived experience of the criminal justice system - including Paula Harriot from Prison Reform Trust and Peter Atherton from Community Led Initiatives - the Centre for Knowledge Equity and Clore Social Leadership have launched a bespoke online programme for lived experience leaders [11th January - 21st May 2021, online, free]. The programme will include an array of leadership development tools and opportunities, including an introduction into key social leadership skills and behaviours, professional coaching, and action learning sets designed to fuel innovations for solutions to real-life challenges and systemic inequalities. Applications are open until 9th November at 11:59pm. Find more information and apply here

    OPPORTUNITY: part-time masters course

    The Institute of Criminology at the University of Cambridge runs a two-year part-time Masters course (MSt) in Applied Criminology, Penology and Management, which is now accepting applications for the 2021 intake. The course is designed to be compatible with full-time careers in criminal justice and aims to produce highly informed and research-literate future leaders. It is taught through a series of two-week residential study blocks in Cambridge, by internationally renowned researchers and guest speakers, with an emphasis on interactive learning. If you are interested in joining the next course, which begins in April 2021, contact mst.administration@crim.cam.ac.uk before 14th January. Further details of all aspects of the course, including fees, dates and admission requirements can be found here

    CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES

    Team Administrator with Abianda [London (currently home-based)], Substance Misuse Recovery Worker (Female*) with Oasis Project [Brighton], Deputy Head of Service Delivery with The Advocacy Project [London], Legal Caseworker with The Howard League for Penal Reform [London], Sexual Exploitation Caseworker with Together Women Projects [Bradford], Corporate Fundraising and Events Manager with Brighton Women’s Centre [Brighton], Community Link Worker with St Giles Trust [London] and Support Worker with Nacro [Peterborough]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

    TIPS OF THE WEEK

    • Peekaboo singing elephant plush toy. £10.50. Details
    • £10 off first order at Uber Eats. Details
    • Adidas Asweerun men’s trainers. £22.48. Details

    EXTRA INFORMATION

    About Clinks Light Lunch

    This edition of Light Lunch has been sent to the inbox of 13,541 people working (or with an interest) in the criminal justice system of England and Wales.

    Click here to manage your subscriptions. For assistance, email info@clinks.org

    Clinks logo

    Get involved Become a Member | Follow Clinks on Twitter | Terms and conditions

    Contact us www.clinks.org | info@clinks.org | 020 7383 0966

    © Clinks, 2020