Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 658 | 30th October 2020

Light Lunch

In this week's edition...

CLINKS NEWS: RR3 vacancy – education services

Clinks is seeking a senior leader from a voluntary organisation providing education services to people in contact with the criminal justice system to join an influential advisory group to the government. The Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3) is a group of openly-recruited voluntary sector experts that work closely with senior officials in the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) to reduce reoffending and to build a more effective partnership between the government and the voluntary sector. The deadline is Sunday 6th December. Find more information here

CLINKS RESPONSE: black people, racism and human rights

Clinks submitted evidence to the Joint Human Rights Select Committee inquiry on black people, racism and human rights. Our response focuses on the institutional racism faced by black people in contact with the criminal justice system, the impact this has on their treatment and experiences in the justice system and the discriminatory outcomes that result. Clinks believes that criminal justice funding should prioritise black-led services in the recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, in recognition of the structural and overt racism in the criminal justice system against black people and the disproportionate impact Covid-19 has on black communities and the organisations that work to support them. Read our written response here

CLINKS NEWS: Kristyna Steflova

Kristyna has joined the Clinks team as our new Communications Officer. She promotes the work of Clinks across internal and external communications channels, sharing key messages with the voluntary sector working in the criminal justice system. She has previously worked at the Roundhouse advocating for youth leadership and diversifying access to the creative industries. Kristyna has a background in campaigning for human rights, with previous public affairs roles at the Palestinian Return Centre and Palestine Solidarity Campaign. In her spare time, she volunteers with Age UK Lambeth and illustrates for online magazines. She has an MA in Media Practice for Development and Social Change from the University of Sussex, and a BA in Sociology and Digital Media & Information Studies from the University of Glasgow. Meet the team here

CLINKS EVENTS: criminal justice network meetings

Don’t miss our upcoming criminal justice network meetings [5th November, London | 17th November, All Wales | 17th November, England | online | free]. These meetings provide an opportunity for organisations to come together to discuss the impact of Covid-19 on the sector, and responses of services working within the criminal justice system during these challenging times. The meetings will also provide the opportunity to get a policy update from Clinks as well as a chance to share updates and concerns. Please note that the All Wales criminal justice network meeting will have specific information tailored towards organisations who are delivering services in Wales. Book your place here

CLINKS EVENT: feminist leadership

This online training introduces feminism, intersectionality and power through a combination of theory and exercises where participants will get an opportunity to discuss and explore different concepts and terms [6th November, online, free]. It is a repeat of the event with the same name run on 23rd October for those who were unable to attend. During the training, participants will discuss leadership through various exercises and cover topics of what we associate with leaders, traditional assumptions of leadership, how to lead well and the relationship with feminism. This event is for specialist women's organisations that were set up to work with women, and providers of women's services. Find out more and book your place here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: resettlement programme

Imagine If Theatre has launched a new post-release support programme for prison leavers in and around Leeds, which uses the arts to develop key employment and life skills, called Phoenix. Created in consultation with prison leavers, Phoenix works with people who have convictions in a holistic manner, providing practical support and arts opportunities, such as individual artistic development and paid work on theatre and film projects. Weekly workshops will start on 11th November in Leeds. Imagine If is looking for organisations who can deliver practical support sessions for a captive audience of people with convictions on specific issues (e.g. housing, debt, addressing addiction etc.) from January 2021. Organisations can also refer service users through the referral form here. For more information contact tamsin@imagineiftheatre.co.uk or see here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: strategic network

Thames Valley Partnership is establishing a ‘Strategic Network of Charities’ in the Thames Valley, supported by the Lloyds Foundation. The purpose of this network is to facilitate the voluntary sector to establish strong relationships with criminal justice agencies, influence strategic and operational planning, and also build capacity to deliver services. In particular, the network will enable voluntary organisations in the Thames Valley to: collaborate with one another to win contracts and obtain funding; raise their profile, and that of under-represented groups; routinely contribute to discussion on criminal justice policy at an executive level; and strengthen organisational capacity and plug service gaps through partnership work. Membership is free, for more information please contact Anna Fitchett at anna@thamesvalleypartnership.org.uk

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: sexual violence

Changing Lives has published a report, Nowhere To Turn, which highlights that there has been a sharp increase in sexual violence among women selling sex and/or experiencing sexual exploitation since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Covid-19 pandemic has had devastating consequences for women facing abuse and violence. This includes women who have been systematically targeted for sexual exploitation, or who find themselves with no option but to turn to ‘survival sex’, exchanging sex to meet immediate needs such as food, shelter or to provide for their children. Changing Lives is calling for urgent action to support women with existing vulnerabilities who are selling sex and/or experiencing sexual exploitation, including increased provision of specialist services and greater protection under the law. Read the report here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: inspecting probation services

HM Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP) has published a new Research and Analysis Bulletin - Inspecting probation services: a technical review of our standards framework. These Research and Analysis Bulletins are aimed at all those with an interest in the quality of probation and youth offending services, presenting key findings to assist with informed debate and help drive improvement where it is required. The focus in this bulletin is upon the technical performance of the framework, covering five of the case-level delivery standards. Across these standards, HMIP considers whether it is measuring discrete, coherent and critical aspects of service delivery, supporting the accompanying inspection ratings. Read the latest Research and Analysis Bulletin here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: new Chief Executive

Revolving Doors Agency is pleased to announce that Pavan Dhaliwal is its new Chief Executive. Pavan will take up her new post on 2nd November 2020. She succeeds Christina Marriott who stepped down in May this year. Pavan brings a depth and breadth of experience that will be vital in leading Revolving Doors. She is Currently Director of Corporate Affairs at MHA, the largest charity care provider in the UK, previously led policy and public affairs work at The British Humanist Association and Race on the Agenda (ROTA), and was a trustee of the Public Law Project. Pavan has dedicated her career to human rights and equalities in the charity sector. Read more here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: free information assurance and cyber security support

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is offering free access to a limited amount of information assurance and cyber security consultancy to organisations who have qualified onto the probation Dynamic Framework and have an annual income of less than £1 million (in last year for which accounts are shown on Charity Commission / Companies House website). Applications must be submitted by 18th December 2020, and the consultancy must be provided by 31st March 2021. As funding is limited, applications will be treated on a strictly first come, first served basis. If applications are over-subscribed, MoJ reserve the right to close the scheme early and/or limit access to support. Apply using the application form here and return to df_infosec_support@justice.gov.uk

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: probation women’s call-off competition

The Ministry of Justice probation team have amended some key dates in relation to the Women’s Services call-off competition for the probation Dynamic Framework. The call-off competition launch date is now 23rd November 2020 and the call-off competition deadline is now 4th January 2021. All providers that wish to be invited to bid for any of the call-off competitions should have completed and passed the Standard Questionnaire 30 days prior to the competition start. For more information about the probation reforms and the Dynamic Framework, visit our dedicated page here

FUNDING: homelessness during winter

The £2 million Homelessness Winter Transformation Fund is provided by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and will award grants of between £10,000 and £100,000. It will be distributed by Homeless Link in partnership with Housing Justice. The Fund is open to organisations in England directly working with people experiencing homelessness, and where more than 50 per cent of beneficiaries are people experiencing homelessness. Applicants must have an annual turnover of up to £5 million. The deadline for applications for the first round of funding is 4th November and for the second round is 2nd December. Read more and apply here

FUNDING: increasing access

The Peter Sowerby Foundation has invited charities to apply to its Increasing Access Fund, which will make grants to ensure key services can continue amid Covid-19 restrictions. The fund will support work in the key areas of healthcare innovation, supporting communities struggling with disadvantage or isolation, horticulture and conservation, and the arts. The Fund is aimed specifically at ensuring or increasing access to key services and activities for beneficiaries who have struggled with access due to Covid-19. The value of the Fund is £1.4 million and there are three funding strands with grants ranging from £10,000 to £100,000. Apply by 16th November here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: free online events and blogs

The Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service InsightsOnline Platform continues to develop a large and growing open learning resource for all stakeholders working in the criminal justice system. Upcoming online events include: Virtual visit to Parliament - Oral Justice Questions [3rd November, online, free]; Disrupting the Routes between Care and Custody: Exploring self-harm amongst care-experienced women in prison [4th November, online, free]; Hate Crime and Covid-19 [11th November, online, free]; Mind the gap! Redesigning the Safeguarding System for Adolescence and Young Adulthood [10th December, online, free]; Psychological PPE – Tips for self-care [10th December, online, free]. There are also a number of new guest blogs available to read. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: autumn concert

Changing Tunes will be hosting its ‘Annual Autumn Concert’ online this year [14th November, online, free]. The concert promises to be a moving and entertaining experience as musicians-in-residence and beneficiaries perform together and share the difference that Changing Tunes has made in their lives. For the first time ever, performances will take place in different locations across the country and will give specific insights into post-release work. There is no need to sign up in advance. To find out more and watch on the day, simply follow the link here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: partnership working

The South West Reducing Reoffending Partnership is holding an event with the Ministry of Justice, Association of Police and Crime Commissioners and National Police Chief's Council, ‘Managing Vulnerability in Partnership: Women’ [24th November, online, free]. The aims of the event are to identify opportunities for promoting and strengthening joined-up partnership working to improve outcomes for women in the criminal justice system; and to develop proposals to address challenges and barriers. The event is for police forces, Offices of Police and Crime Commissioners, HM Prison and Probation Service, local authorities, NHS, Public Health England, Department for Work and Pensions, voluntary sector organisations, service providers and faith representatives. Register here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: women in the criminal justice system

This event, organised by the Arts and Humanities Research Council Project: ‘Women, Theatre, Justice’, brings together a variety of speakers to reflect on how the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted the lives of women in contact with the criminal justice system at this time [23rd November, online, free]. Kate Paradine, Women in Prison, Paula Harriott, Prison Reform Trust, and speakers from Appeal will each share their perspectives on how the women they work with have been affected by the pandemic. Artists from Clean Break and the Prison Partnership Project will also share short pieces of performance emerging from their creative practice during this period. Register here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: some things we can’t think

Pact invites you to the ‘Sir Harold Hood Memorial Lecture 2020’ given by author and screenwriter Frank Cottrell-Boyce [3rd December, online, free]. This year’s lecture will be followed by the premiere of Pact’s new short documentary by Martin Freeth, ‘Hidden Sentences: Voices of Prisoners’ Families’. Following the film and lecture, there will be a Q&A session with Frank and some of the people with lived experience of the justice system who feature in the film. Read more and book your place here

NON-MEMBERS’ EVENTS AND TRAINING

  • Alcohol Change UK conference | 2nd-3rd December | online | from £25 | Details.

OPPORTUNITY: lived experience leaders

The Centre for Knowledge Equity and Clore Social Leadership are offering a free online programme for leaders with lived experience of the criminal justice system to recognise their potential and strengthen their collective voice. Taking place exclusively online between January and May 2021, 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. People with all levels of work experience are invited to apply, with learning streams available from entry level to senior level. Applications are open until Monday 9th November at 11:59pm. Find out more and apply here

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES

Operations Manager with CASS+ [Devon & Cornwall], Northern Services Administrator (Maternity Cover) with Women in Prison [Manchester], Chief Operating Officer with User Voice [London], Volunteer fundraiser with Sing Inside [Home based], Waking Night Worker with Nacro [Nottingham], Trustee with Imagine If Theatre Company [Yorkshire & the Humber], Trustees x3 with Manchester Action on Street Health [Greater Manchester] and Individual Giving Manager with Clean Break [London]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip I: Retro sweet hamper. £12. Details
  • Tip II: Central Budapest stay for two. 59% off Details
  • Tip III: Bath time advent calendar. 75% off. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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