Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 684 | 21st May 2021

Light Lunch

In this week's edition...

CLINKS STATEMENT: probation contracts

The reformed and reunified probation service will launch on 26th June. Today Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) has announced which organisations will deliver contracts to provide resettlement and rehabilitation services. After our campaigning, we are pleased to see recognition of the knowledge and expertise in our sector, which has emerged as the main partner in the delivery of rehabilitation and resettlement services. Still, many are again being shut out or given a back seat. A limited few in the voluntary sector are involved – and these are mainly larger organisations. In our blog we look at the announcement in more detail and make recommendations for change. See our statement here. Read the blog here

CLINKS SURVEY: tracking probation reform

We have launched a survey to understand the voluntary sector’s experience of the probation reform programme. We want to hear your views, including perspectives from organisations: that chose not to qualify onto the Dynamic Framework or bid for contracts; that chose to engage but were unsuccessful at some point in the process; and those that won contracts. Clinks is undertaking this research with three partner organisations: the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research at Sheffield Hallam University, the University of Wolverhampton and the Institute for Voluntary Action Research. The responses and additional case studies will be used to create an in-depth report which will reflect the voluntary sector's experiences and detail lessons learnt that can be used to inform future commissioning processes. Take the survey here

NATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE ARTS ALLIANCE NEWS: enabling creativity in a restricted regime

Join us to launch our new guide, Creativity in a restricted regime: a guide for prison staff, at an event made possible by the Rothschild Foundation [8th June | online | free]. We will be joined by speakers from voluntary and arts organisations, HM Prison and Probation Service and policy experts to hear their perspective on enabling creativity in prisons throughout Covid-19. Over a challenging year, we have seen incredible resilience and creativity on the part of those working to provide ongoing Covid-19-safe arts provision in prisons. The guide, produced by the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance (NCJAA) on behalf of the Arts Forum, showcases examples of this work and includes guidance for prison staff. Book your place here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill

A coalition of criminal justice voluntary sector organisations have launched a petition calling for the government to withdraw the parts of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill most likely to deepen race inequality, and to launch a proper public consultation. The coalition, which includes EQUAL, Criminal Justice Alliance, Clinks, Prison Reform Trust, Alliance for Youth Justice, Agenda, Zahid Mubarek Trust, Barrow Cadbury Trust, and The Transition to Adulthood Alliance believe the PCSC Bill will further entrench racial disparities in the UK and continue to reduce public trust and confidence in the criminal justice system. We raised our concerns in an open letter to the Prime Minister at the start of March, signed by over 70 signatories, which you can read in full here. Sign the petition here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: preparing for the unification of probation services

HM Inspectorate of Probation published A thematic review to prepare for the unification of probation services last week. The Inspectorate found, overall, the transition programme is being well led, and it was satisfied all eligible staff would be transferred to the new structure for day one. However, the report states it seems inevitable there will be gaps in services provided through the Dynamic Framework on day one, and the resettlement workstream appears to be behind and under-developed compared to other parts of the programme. The Inspectorate’s recommendations to HM Prison and Probation Service includes ensuring clearer strategic oversight of resettlement, and ensuring services commissioned in regions are informed by a current analysis of strategic need of the full probation caseload. Read the Inspectorate’s report in full here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: consultation on future inspections of probation services

HM Inspectorate of Probation has set out its plans for inspecting probation services after unification and is consulting on a number of questions. The Inspectorate intends to give people on probation a stronger voice in inspections and to assess the quality of work on diversity and outcomes. Read the consultation and give your views by 1st June here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: prison release and multiple disadvantage

The Fulfilling Lives Programme has launched a report, Improving service transitions for people experiencing multiple disadvantage: Prison release. The Fulfilling Lives Programme is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund and supports people across England who are facing a combination of homelessness, substance misuse, offending, domestic abuse and mental ill health. The report details examples of effective practice from Fulfilling Lives areas and insights into how the process of prison release for people experiencing multiple disadvantage could be improved. Alongside the report, Fulfilling Lives is running a national #seethefullpicture campaign, considering the challenging cycle of prison release experienced by people facing multiple disadvantage. Find out more here. Read the report in full here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: poverty fuelling women’s offending

As the financial crisis continues, Working Chance looks at how poverty can drive women to commit offences, in its latest blog. It says, as the pandemic and lockdown conditions have seen the economy largely shut down, we’ve entered a jobs crisis and watched unemployment rise. Government policy has deepened inequality and meant that women have had to juggle job insecurity with increased amounts of childcare and housework. Read the blog here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: women demand better

Advance has published a report looking at the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s mental health and calling for better mental health support for women experiencing abuse and trauma. Advance has found that during the pandemic, the mental health of the women it supports, who often experience multiple disadvantages and high levels of need, has been acutely impacted. Women have reported to Advance significant increases in anxiety and depression, suicidal thoughts and self-harm. Advance calls for trauma-informed, longer-term specialist services funded for women and children. Read the report here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: discharge grant increase

The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice Robert Buckland has announced an increase in the one-off subsistence payment (currently known as the Discharge Grant) available to eligible prison leavers upon release. The one-off subsistence payment has been set at £46 since 1995 and is paid directly to eligible prison leavers to assist them in meeting their immediate expenses in the first few days after release. Voluntary sector organisations have consistently raised concerns about the inadequacy of the current amount available. The one-off subsistence payment will increase from £46 to £76 with changes coming into effect during Summer 2021. See more here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Queen’s Speech

Last week, the government announced its legislative plans in the Queen’s Speech. In the speech, the government reaffirmed its commitment to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, which Clinks believes will have a number of adverse effects on people in the criminal justice system. Other announcements include: the Violence against Women and Girls Strategy will be updated to better protect women and improve outcomes for rape cases; a Dormant Assets Bill to free up around £880 million for good causes; and a Procurement Bill to reform the public procurement regime. Clinks has responded to the government’s green paper on procurement, and we will be publishing our response soon. Read a round-up of all the announcements, or the government’s full background briefing notes here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Advisory Board on Female Offenders

The Ministry of Justice is seeking to appoint specialist external independent stakeholder members to the Advisory Board on Female Offenders (ABFO). It is looking for applicants with expertise in addressing the complex needs of women in or at risk of contact with the criminal justice system in specialist areas at all points of the system. Full details of the specialist areas can be found in the expression of interest document. Applications from the voluntary sector and statutory organisations are welcome, as well as independent candidates including those with lived experience of the criminal justice system. Successful applicants are likely to be Chief Executive/Directors or senior members of their organisation. Applications close at midnight on 6th June. Further information on the ABFO can be found here. Read the expression of interest and apply here

FUNDING: arts organisations

Grants up to £6,000 are available from D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust for UK registered charities working in the areas of advancement of the arts, health and medical welfare, and improvement or protection of the environment. The funding is to be used for core costs and projects. The Trustees favour small-scale, locally based initiatives. Find out more and apply by 16th June here

FUNDING: North East

Grants up to £2,000 are available to help social welfare and charitable organisations working to improve the lives of people in the North East of England, particularly those working in the fields of social welfare, youth, disability, the elderly, women, ethnic minorities, education, arts and the environment. Organisations working with people in contact with the criminal justice system and their families are welcome to apply. Find out more and apply by 21st June here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: 5th Birthday celebration

Offploy is holding a virtual celebration of its 5th Birthday [27th May, online, free]. The event will include a presentation from former Justice Secretary, David Gauke; personal stories of colleagues and candidates supported as well as interviews with leaders on social investment and employment focussed services for people in the criminal justice system. Register here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: audio play

Walking the Wing, a Rideout (Creative Arts for Rehabilitation) production audio play about being in prison during the Covid-19 pandemic, is premiering online [28th May, online, free]. It is produced in collaboration with men serving sentences and staff at HMP Hewell, alongside people with experience of the criminal justice system, and academic Dr Sarah Bartley. The audio piece is performed by people with lived experience of prison and supported by the Prison Reform Trust. The piece will be followed by a live Q&A with artists and performers. Register here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: in conversation with Professor David Wilson

The next Howard League for Penal Reform ‘In conversation’ event will feature Professor David Wilson [1st June, online, free]. David Wilson is Professor Emeritus of Criminology at Birmingham City University and former Trustee and Vice Chair of the Howard League for Penal Reform. David and Howard League CEO Francis Crook will talk about the history of prisons and penal reform. The event will launch a week of celebrations to mark the centenary of the merger of the Penal Reform League and the Howard Association to form the Howard League for Penal Reform. Register here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: overcoming barriers

St Martin-in-the-Fields Frontline Network is hosting its Annual Conference 2021 with the theme: overcoming barriers [24th June, online, free]. The conference is open to frontline workers in the voluntary, statutory and public sectors working across the UK with people experiencing homelessness. All sessions are being offered as webinars to offer the choice and flexibility to dip in and out through the day. Sessions will be recorded and shared after the conference. Further speakers and session detail will also be released soon. Register here

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: theatre in prisons

Imagine If Theatre is hosting a training session: 'A CAPTIVE AUDIENCE: PRISON TOURS' for theatre companies, freelance artists and criminal justice staff who want to look at the process of taking professionally produced theatre into a prison setting [27th May, online, £20]. By the end of the session, artists and theatre companies will be able to understand the unique challenges of touring theatre to prison settings and the steps that must be taken to plan a successful theatre tour. Find out more and book here

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: delivering online training

Does the thought of delivering training sessions live online fill you with fear? Are you worried your training won’t be engaging when you’re not face to face? Taye Training can help you work out how to convert your training to online delivery [7th June, online, free]. The session will include: how to structure an online session; converting a face-to-face session for online delivery; online confidence; meeting learning styles when delivering online; dealing with emotive subjects online; and looking after attendees’ wellbeing. After the session, all attendees will receive a variety of additional resources, including facilitator delivery guides and videos to support skills practice. Book here

FEATURED VACANCY: Women's Accommodation Support Worker - female

Brighton Women’s Centre (BWC) is looking for a Women's Accommodation Support Worker [£24,799 pro-rata, part time, Worthing] to deliver one-to-one, trauma-informed case work support and co-facilitate a Women’s Hub for women who are homeless or insecurely housed. The Hub offers women access to practical and emotional support including advice, information and signposting to other relevant services. As a frontline practitioner you will have experience of working with women who have experienced multiple disadvantages and will be committed to working in a women-centred, strengths-based way, recognising women as experts of their own lives. BWC Women’s Accommodation Support Service supports women across a range of underlying needs, with the overarching aim of securing and/or sustaining safe accommodation. Find out more and apply by 1st June here

FEATURED VACANCY: Prison Link Worker - female

Brighton Women’s Centre (BWC) is looking for two experienced female Prison Link Workers [£24,799, full time, Brighton & Hove] to provide trauma-informed, collaborative support, to empower women in prison to move forward towards their goals and break cycles of trauma, disadvantage and abuse. The Prison Link Workers will seek to develop relationships with prison staff and build a team of Women’s Centre Champions, made up of serving women prisoners. Champions will work alongside the Link Workers to improve the availability of information about women’s centres and the services they offer to all women in the prison. Find out more and apply by 1st June here

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES

Senior Support Worker at Imagine Independence [Lancashire], Criminal Justice Recovery Navigator with Humankind [Barnsley], Interim Operations Assistant with Clean Break [London], Family Support Coordinator with Circles South East [flexible], Senior Caseworker with St Giles Trust [Camberwell], Community Keyworker with ADVANCE [London], User Development Worker with Mental Health Concern [North Tyneside], Training, Education and Work Mentor with Achieve North West Connect [Crewe], Prison Release Practitioner with Ara Recovery 4 All [Bristol], Partnerships Development Manager with IARS International Institute [Bermondsey], Intern with Centre for Justice Innovation [London], Project Coordinator with Sussex Pathways [HMP Lewes], Partnership Manager with Kaleidoscope Project [Newport]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

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EXTRA INFORMATION

 

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