Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 667 | 15th January 2020

  

Light Lunch

In this week's edition...

CLINKS NEWS: BAME consultancy support still open

We are pleased to announce that we have secured funding from the Ministry of Justice and Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service to offer consultancy support to black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) led and specialist organisations working with, or interested in working with, people in contact with the criminal justice system and their families. Eligible organisations can access up to five days of tailored support. As well as helping organisations identify and overcome any potential barriers to engaging with the new probation arrangements and other statutory partners, we hope this funding will also help to build the capacity of BAME led and specialist organisations in the criminal justice system. Applicants are invited to join a briefing roundtable on 26th January, 2-3:30pm. More information will be sent on receipt of your Expression of Interest. Express interest by Monday 18th January here

CLINKS RESPONSE: women’s prison inspection criteria

Clinks has provided further feedback to Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) on the development of a revised set of Expectations for Women, the criteria used to conduct inspections of women’s prisons. Clinks first responded to the consultation in October 2019, and is delighted to see significant changes made, including our recommendation that trauma-informed care be far more prominent, and to include two indicators specifically focussed on ensuring prisons are coordinating effectively with voluntary sector organisations. A few areas are highlighted which we think can be further strengthened, including the need for HMIP to monitor the longer-term impacts of Covid-19 restrictions on women, such as mental health, wellbeing, and sentence progression. Read our written response here

CLINKS NEWS: Debbie Seddon

Debbie Seddon has joined Clinks on a secondment into the role of North West Development Officer. Debbie brings with her a wealth of experience in managing local and regional criminal justice system projects across the North West, Liverpool and Merseyside areas. Debbie’s first experience of the criminal justice system was as a POPS service user, having supported her partner through a prison sentence. As an active family member, she sought opportunities to platform her concerns and ideas around prison visits maintaining regular, meaningful family contact. Debbie has successfully delivered a range of family focused services in custodial and community settings, managing a complex mix of funding across criminal justice and national health sectors. Please do get in touch to say hello. Meet the team here

NATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE ARTS ALLIANCE EVENT: staying connected during another lockdown

The National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance (NCJAA) invites you to join the first NCJAA network hangout of 2021 to hear from arts and criminal justice organisations and share your reflections, successes, and hopes for the year ahead [28th January, online, free]. Discussion will centre on how we can maintain and build connections with others in the voluntary sector and with people in prison who have now been living under restricted regimes for almost a year. Throughout 2020, arts in criminal justice organisations had to radically adapt to stay connected with the people they serve. The new year brings new challenges - and new opportunities to use the experiences of 2020 to engage creatively and meaningfully with people in the criminal justice system. Find out more and book here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Voices from Lockdown research

Agenda is looking for survey responses for its Voices from Lockdown campaign, investigating the experiences of women and girls and ensuring they are not left exposed to the very worst consequences of the pandemic. The first interim report highlighted that vital organisations supporting some of the most disadvantaged at-risk women and girls faced a ‘perfect storm’ as lockdown eased, leaving thousands potentially at risk and without support. As the pandemic continues, the impact on women and girls and the services that support them will be long-lasting and profound. Now in the third stage of research, Agenda is particularly looking for answers from organisations working with women and girls to develop policy recommendations to directly influence decision makers. Take the survey by 20th January here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: new resources from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation has launched two new resources for probation practitioners, researchers and other stakeholders. Effective case supervision for adults illustrates what ‘good’ looks like against the Inspectorate’s standards. The resource demonstrates how probation practitioners can improve their case supervision skills, using real-life examples and ex-service user feedback. The evidence base – probation services is an easy-to-use resource that offers a deeper understanding of the evidence behind quality probation delivery. The resource summarises key findings from research and inspections across a range of topics: models and principles, organisational delivery and supervision of service users. Download Effective case supervision for adults here, and The evidence base – probation services here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Wales accommodation call-off competition

The Ministry of Justice is reopening the probation competition for accommodation services in Wales from 18th January 2021 via the Dynamic Framework. To bid, organisations need to have qualified in this category and indicated that they are interested to deliver in the relevant area. There are four separate competitions in the following Police and Crime Commissioner areas: accommodation in South Wales, North Wales, Gwent and Dyfed-Powys. If you need more details or have questions, contact probation@clinks.org. Bid online through Jaggaer here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: personalisation, innovation and transforming rehabilitation

Academy for Social Justice is hosting an online seminar focusing on a growing movement in public service reform - personalisation and co-creation of public services [10th February, online, free for Academy members]. Speakers include Chris Fox and Jordan Harrison from Manchester Metropolitan University, and Caroline Marsh from Caroline Marsh Management Solutions. The speakers have collaborated with Interserve to design a series of pilot interventions for people on probation supervision, culminating in a pilot called ‘MyDirection’. The speakers will discuss the development of the pilot, its links to desistance theory and some key findings from its evaluation. Book your place here

FUNDING: £1m digital development fund

Comic Relief and Paul Hamlyn Foundation have launched a £1m digital development fund, offering grants of up to £70,000 over a nine-month period from June 2021. It aims to support UK non-profits to test and develop digital service delivery solutions. The fund is part of their joint Tech for Good programme, originally developed in 2016 in response to the need for charities to use technology to explore different approaches to delivering better services. Applicants should aim to define, test and develop digital solutions that meet a social need or challenge, or aim to adapt or re-purpose existing technology to do so. The application process is open to UK charities with incomes of between £75,000 and £10m. Apply by 12th February 2021 here

FUNDING: isolated children and young people

Woodward Charitable Trust has small grants available to fund core costs of smaller registered charities in the UK working in the following areas: isolated children and young people, disadvantaged families, and prisoners and people with convictions. Grants of up to £3,000 are available (around 100 grants awarded per year). Funding is available for projects that help families and young people and that aim to improve the life chances of the beneficiaries. The Trust favours projects that promote community cohesion and the development of skills that will change people’s outlook and outcomes. Organisations that promote volunteering and involve both past and present beneficiaries in their operations or management are encouraged. Organisations must have an annual turnover of less than £200,000. Apply by 28th January 2021 here

FUNDING: mental health, homelessness and community health

The Mount Trust has grants available to charities in the East of England, South East, and London in the areas of mental health, homelessness, and health in the community. The Trust aims to assist disadvantaged people towards greater independence or a better quality of life. Most grants are up to £5,000 for charities with income up to £1m. Charities providing services to rural communities should have an income of less than £500,000. The grants can be used to cover project costs, core funding, salaries, advice services, equipment, organisational development or refurbishment. Apply by 29th January 2021 here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: the future of Inside Out Support Wales

Inside Out Support Wales is a new social enterprise for Wales, coaching and mentoring people with convictions into self-employment, further & higher education and employment. It is running an online consultation event to help shape the organisation’s future [21st January, online, free]. This consultation will include discussions on supporting people with convictions to successfully become self-employed; how they can be helped to access higher and further education after prison; and how people can successfully transition into life back in the community. Read more and book your place here 

RESOURCE: young adult women

A literature review by Agenda and Standing Committee for Youth Justice (SCYJ) finds that young women aged 17-25 are a minority in the male dominated youth and adult criminal justice system, with little understood about their experiences. As a result of these findings, Agenda and SCYJ call for the integration of an age-informed response to young adult women within the Female Offender Strategy, with dedicated funding to address the underlying causes of young adult women’s criminalised behaviour and recognition of the critical role that women and girls’ services play in providing wraparound support. If you work in a similar space and want to collaborate, contact maggie@weareagenda.org. Download the review here

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES

Payroll Advisor with Changing Lives [Gateshead, home based], Digital Communications Officer with Prisoners' Education Trust [Home based], Communications Assistant with The Traveller Movement [London], Trustee with HACRO [Hertfordshire], Key Worker with Humankind [Newcastle upon Tyne], Peer Support Apprentice-Liaison with Humankind [North Yorkshire], Housing Management Worker with Changing Lives [Stanley], Digital Inclusion Coordinator with Changing Lives [York], Employment Advisor with Working Chance [London], Senior Mental Health Recovery Practitioner with Imagine Independence [Salford, Greater Manchester], Senior Facilitator and Mentor with St Giles Trust [Norfolk, home based], Communications and Campaigns Manager with Peer Power [London]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip I: Hairdressing and barbering online course. £9. Details
  • Tip II: Online British Sign Language course - level one and two. £10. Details
  • Tip III: Flower delivery. 50% off. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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