Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 671 | 12th February 2021

Light Lunch

In this week's edition...

 

CLINKS BLOG: securing accommodation

Clinks welcomes the Ministry of Justice’s announcement that it will provide additional funding to support prison leavers into temporary accommodation and to prevent rough sleeping. For people in the criminal justice system, accessing safe and appropriate accommodation is challenging, and we know people continue to be released from prison with nowhere to go. In 2018, a specialist interest group of the Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group made a series of recommendations to address these challenges, including the need for a cross-departmental accommodation strategy owned and led by the Ministry of Justice. This recent announcement, alongside Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service’s Accommodation Framework and funding scheme to support people at risk of homelessness during the pandemic, marks important steps towards meeting these recommendations. Read more here

CLINKS VACANCY: Policy Officer

We have an exciting opportunity to join our team as a Policy Officer [£27,539, full-time, currently home based] within the Influence and Communications Directorate, to provide vital support in the delivery of Clinks’ core policy functions. We’re looking for someone with a good and critical understanding of issues relevant to the voluntary sector working in criminal justice. Great analytical skills and an ability to articulate complex issues and nuanced policy positions succinctly are essential for this role. Clinks is an equal opportunities employer and individuals with direct experience of the criminal justice system and/or with protected characteristics are actively encouraged to apply. This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, there is no requirement to disclose any convictions. Find out more and apply by 26th February here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: consulting with people from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds in prison

Belong consulted with people from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds in prison in order to explore their experiences, thoughts, feelings in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement. Evidence shows that the impact of Covid-19 on black, Asian and minority ethnic communities has been more severe than on other communities. This, along with the killing of George Floyd in May 2020 and other events leading to the Black Lives Matter social movement, has meant that for some people, their experience of Covid-19 has become synonymous with their experiences of racism. Belong have written the findings into a report. Feedback, thoughts or queries are welcomed by email to hannah.w@belonglondon.com. Read the report here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: criminal records

Are you working with someone who has had difficulty finding a job, university place, tenancy or insurance because of their criminal record? Nacro wants to be able to tell real stories of the people it works with to help influence the government about the issues that make a difference. If you or anyone you have worked with has been affected by any of the following: the lengthy disclosure period for motoring convictions attracting a ban or licence endorsements; the impact of ancillary orders on disclosure periods, including restraining orders, disqualifications, forfeiture orders, compensation orders; or a child who committed an offence and turned 18 prior to their trial or conviction, and are interested in sharing your experience, please contact policy@nacro.org.uk

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: rapping workshop

I4YPC, a Greater Manchester based organisation that provides arts and education to young people in contact with the criminal justice system or at risk of exclusion, has launched a new project. ‘RapYourTown’ is an online rapping workshop and competition for young people in England during lockdown. The competition challenges young people aged 13 – 19 to write and submit rap that expresses their feelings, observations and thoughts about the area they live in. Any young person aged 13-19 in England can take part, and the workshop is a free resource for youth justice organisations to use with the young people they work with. The workshop and competition are available until 8th March 2021. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: green start for prison leavers

This blog explores Groundwork’s new Green Start programme, funded by the City and Guilds Foundation’s Future Skills Commission for Prisons, which focuses on employment pathways into the green economy for people leaving prison. Green Start will work closely with employers to prepare participants for real ‘green job’ opportunities – for example, domestic insulation, retrofit, sustainable construction – upon their release. By offering through the gate employability support, the programme will offer continuity and support to participants in the crucial period following their reintroduction to society, aiming to secure employment that is critical to reducing the risk of reoffending. Read more here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: target operating model for new probation programme

The Ministry of Justice has published its Target Operating Model, setting out how it anticipates that the key features of the future model of probation services in England and Wales will work once implemented, and providing an overview of what services will be in place as of June 2021. This replaces the Draft Target Operating Model published in March 2020. The Target Operating Model promises an additional £155m per year in the unified probation service split into three main parts: sentence management, interventions, and rehabilitative services. Changes to interventions will include more promotion of unpaid work as an alternative to custody, improving the range of placements and improving the availability of education and training within unpaid work. Read it in full here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: youth justice

The Justice Committee has published the second report from its inquiry into youth justice. Clinks in partnership with Equal and Barrow Cadbury Trust submitted evidence to the inquiry and we also gave oral evidence. This report is focused on the youth estate and resettlement. We are pleased to see the Committee take on board our concerns about safety in custody and use of segregation restricting children’s access to vital services and interventions. The Committee recommends regular publication of data on the use of separation and taking steps to improve the consistency of this practice across institutions. The Committee also recommends a national accommodation strategy for children released from custody and asks for an update on plans to implement outstanding Lammy review recommendations. Read more here

FUNDING: North East of England

Grants up to £100,000 from the Sir James Knott Trust are available to charities in the North East of England to help improve the conditions of people living and working in Tyne and Wear, Northumberland, County Durham, and Hartlepool. The funding can be used for both core costs, including salary costs and multiple year funding, as well as capital costs for charitable activities in the following areas: arts and culture; community issues or events; education and training; homelessness, housing and hardship; or public services. Find out more and apply by 1st March here

FUNDING: arts and local community

One-off capital grants up to £1,000 are available from the Lady Neville Charity to grassroots charitable organisations in the UK that are offering a diverse range of activities and interests within one of the charity's areas of priority: local heritage, local community; and performing arts and visual arts. Grants for arts and heritage projects can be given anywhere in the UK, but other grants must be for charitable activity in London or West Kent, specifically in The City of London, Camden, Enfield, Hackney, Hounslow, Tonbridge and Malling, Tunbridge Wells, or Romney Marsh. Find out more and apply by 12th March here

 

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: creativity and youth justice

The first Creativity in Youth Justice Symposium [18th March, online, free] will bring together artist educators, youth justice workers and others interested in finding out more about how creative practices can be used in the youth justice system. Led by In Focus Education and Development CiC, the event will celebrate successes and highlight the challenges that both sides face working in the sector. On the programme are keynote speakers, access to resources, and focused workshops from experienced professionals. You can read more about the story behind the symposium in a guest blog on the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance website, written by organiser Xavier Fiddes and available to read here. Sign up for the symposium here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: approach to procurement

The government is currently consulting on its approach to procurement. Join members of the #nevermoreneeded campaign: Children England, Clinks, Locality, NAVCA, NCVO and Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales and more to hear about the proposals and talk about how we can ensure the government's new approach to procurement works for charities and those they support [25th February, online, free]. For many years, the voluntary sector working in criminal justice has been facing challenges in commissioning and procurement, with too many vital services undermined by competitive tendering that has seen large scale contracts awarded to the lowest bidder. It is therefore vital that the needs and experiences of this sector are represented in the consultation. Your input at the event will help to inform our response. Sign up here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: prison education in Wales

At this webinar from the Prisoner Learning Alliance, Gemma McDowell, Operational Assurance Lead at Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service in Wales and Nadine Young from the Welsh Government will be talking about how prison education is managed and delivered in Wales [17th February, online, free]. It is part of a series of ‘Wednesday Webinars’ that Prisoner Learning Alliance has been hosting throughout the past year. Email info@prisonerlearningalliance.org.uk if you are interested in hosting or chairing a webinar. Register here

RESOURCE: free help on digital, data or design

If you work for a voluntary organisation and could use an hour of help on digital, data or design from a volunteer expert, take a look at Digital Candle. An initiative of Platypus Digital, supported by Catalyst, the free service matches voluntary organisations up with one of more than 300 volunteer experts for an hour of free advice. Simply submit your question and within 48 hours you will receive an email matching you with an appropriate expert, who will provide advice and possible signposting on to additional support resources. No question is too broad or too niche; whatever you need to know, Digital Candle will find someone who can help. Ask your question here

OPPORTUNITY: young adults

The Young Justice Advisors, a national project from Leaders Unlocked that enables young adults with lived experience to influence change in the justice system, would like to arrange an opportunity to gather the views of one or more young adults (18-27) from different organisations, either through interviews or workshops, to voice their opinions and develop solutions on particular priority topics. These include: mental health; resettlement and life after prison; racial disproportionality; and the care system. The workshops and interviews can be conducted virtually during March and April. If this is of interest to you, the Young Justice Advisors would welcome the chance to discuss the best way to engage the young adults you work with. Please contact nadine@leaders-unlocked.org

OPPORTUNITY: redevelopment of Holloway Prison

Community Plan for Holloway is delighted to launch the ‘Make Space for Women’ competition, open to organisations, schools and individuals, with £100 prizes, with a deadline of 21st March 2021. The competition is seeking art/writing entries to express what you think girls or women need, and to inform the redevelopment of the former Holloway Prison, which will include services for women as a positive legacy. See more here

OPPORTUNITY: connecting with people in HMP Exeter

HMP Exeter is trying to improve the opportunities for residents to develop links with community organisations prior to release. If your organisation works in the area, supporting people in contact with the criminal justice system, could you take phone calls directly from prison residents in HMP Exeter who are interested in what your organisation offers for them for release? If so, for further information, contact the HMP Exeter Voluntary Sector Coordinator MarcEva@edp.org.uk

FEATURED VACANCY: Specialist Director Lead - Treatment and Recovery

Syncora, part of The Calico Group, is searching for an experienced, innovative, and dynamic individual [£68,000 | full-time | Burnley] to develop and grow services within its Treatment and Recovery function. The Specialist Director Lead – Treatment and Recovery is new to the organisation structure and is therefore a key appointment. You will play a pivotal leadership role in creating opportunities for Syncora’s business and customers. You will have the full support of the senior leadership team and work alongside many colleagues to help make Syncora’s ambitions reality. If you have significant experience in this field, have operated at this level previously and think that you have the skills and experience to help take this area of Syncora’s business to the next level, do consider applying. Find out more and apply by 25th February here

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES

Women’s Services Manager with Pecan [London], Peer Mentor Coordinator with ADVANCE [London], Caseworker – Youth Peer Support with St Giles Trust [London], Trainer Practitioner with Wales Restorative Approaches Partnership [Cardiff], Weekend Project Worker with Humankind [Barnsley], Project Worker with Oasis [Hastings], Group Lead – criminal justice settings with The Reader [Northern Ireland], Night Project Worker with Changing Lives [Halton], Development Officer with Clean Break [London], Female Senior Transforming Care Practitioner with Imagine Independence [Lancaster], Senior Policy and Parliamentary Officer with INQUEST [London]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK:

  • Adult football jumpsuit. £15.98. Details
  • iFlorist fresh flowers delivery. £4. Details
  • 11-piece resistance band home gym set. £10.99. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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