Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 688 | 18th June 2021

Light Lunch

In this week's edition...

CLINKS BLOG: supporting you to strengthen your voice

We have published three case studies and video recordings to support you to strengthen your voice and develop your criminal justice policy influencing skills. Find out about Unlock’s ‘strategic litigation’ approach of using the law to create change, Prison Reform Trust’s strategy for influencing policy with a particular focus on Indeterminate Public Protection sentences, and learn from Clinks what we mean by policy influencing, how we approach this and why. These resources were developed as part of our Stronger Voice project funded by Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales, which kicked off earlier this year with a series of expert seminars focused on helping the voluntary sector working in criminal justice develop a unified and influential voice, at both a national and regional level. Read more here

CLINKS SURVEY: we want to hear from you

The deadline to contribute to our research on the voluntary sector’s experience of the new probation model is coming up soon. The new probation model, due to be introduced in June 2021, has a clear policy intention to involve the voluntary sector in the delivery of rehabilitation and resettlement services. We have launched a survey to understand your experience so far of the commissioning of these services. We want to hear your views, including perspectives from organisations chose not to qualify onto the Dynamic Framework or bid for contracts; organisations who chose to engage but were unsuccessful at some point in the process; and those who won contracts. Your 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. The deadline is 2nd July and the survey takes around 15 minutes to complete. Take the survey here

CLINKS NEWS: response to Transforming public procurement

Earlier this year, Clinks responded to the Cabinet Office’s consultation on the Green Paper, Transforming public procurement, and we have now published our response. We welcome the government’s intentions to simplify the current procurement processes, and add greater transparency and accountability into procurement practices. However, we raise concerns that the proposals do not do enough to take into account the needs of the criminal justice voluntary sector, and that they risk creating a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach that could disadvantage, particularly, smaller organisations. To try to address these challenges, we set out some key principles for future commissioning, and a number of recommendations. Our recommendations include the involvement of service users throughout the commissioning cycle, and grants being the default funding option for voluntary sector organisations. Find out more in our full consultation response

CLINKS VACANCY: Events and Membership Officer

We are seeking a dynamic individual with excellent attention to detail to join our team as our Events and Membership Officer [£27,815, full time, London (currently home working]. You will lead on delivering our busy programme of events; sourcing and managing relationships with training and event partners and evaluating the impact and effectiveness of Clinks’ training and events offer. The role requires someone with experience in organising events who is confident working on their own initiative as well as collaboratively. 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. Find out more and apply by 5th July here

CLINKS VACANCY: Health and Justice Policy and Development Officer

We are seeking someone to join our team as our Health and Justice Policy and Development Officer [£32,996, full time, London (currently home working)]. You will be responsible for co-ordinating Clinks’ influencing activity in this area and developing and supporting voluntary sector organisations. Doing so will mean organisations are strategically connected to and have a voice in developments, emerging issues and policies that impact on health and justice. The role is also responsible for leading and developing Clinks’ activity to influence and promote service user involvement across the sector. Experience of leading on a policy brief and project managing grant funded activity are essential for this role. Find out more and apply by 12th July here

CLINKS NEWS: small charities big impact

We know that small charities have a big impact and we are celebrating all the small and specialist organisations working in the criminal justice system this Small Charity Week. To celebrate we took the chance to speak to Unlock Drama, Sussex Pathways and Belong: making justice happen about their work during the pandemic. These organisations were awarded Covid-19 response grants during the pandemic which Clinks distributed on behalf of The Ministry of Justice, Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service and the Paul Hamlyn Foundation. The grant programme targeted small organisations with annual income under £500,000. Read more about all the recipients here. Watch the video here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: promote and celebrate your achievements

There are just a few weeks left to nominate your work for a Howard League for Penal Reform Community Award. The deadline for nominations is 15th July 2021. The awards recognise projects and organisations whose work and practice are delivered above and beyond normal service delivery, showcasing the most successful community projects across the country which are encouraging desistance from crime. The awards present an opportunity to promote and celebrate your achievements and for your work to be recognised and celebrated nationally. Winners’ work will be promoted following the awards through open days or ‘in conversation’ events so that people all round the country can learn about what you are doing. Winners will be announced on 21st October 2021. Further information can be found here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: testing of prison visitors

Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) is piloting testing of social visitors so that they can have contact with the people they are visiting. These pilots are currently taking place in Huntercombe, Peterborough (male and female sites), The Mount, Ranby, Nottingham, and Oakwood prisons, with more sites being added in the coming days. Visitors with a negative rapid Covid-19 test will be allowed physical contact with the person/people they are visiting. Find out more here and here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: prisoners with learning needs

Justice Secretary Robert Buckland has announced an overhaul of the education on offer for prisoners with learning needs, which will be led by a team of educational specialists with experience in supporting those with neurodivergent conditions. The team will identify prisoners with learning needs such as autism and dyslexia far quicker, so HMPPS know where to target improved education and training. Find out more here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: through the gate mentor service

The Mayor's Office for Police and Crime (MOPAC) is leading a tripartite project with the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and Kent PCC to commission a through-the-gate mentor service for Cookham Wood Young Offender Institution (YOI). The mentor service will be a holistic, trauma-informed service for young people preparing to leave the YOI. MOPAC is interested in exploring models which involve delivery led by the voluntary sector. MOPAC is hosting a market warming event [25th June, online, free] to shape its approach to commissioning and provide an opportunity for potential providers and broader stakeholders to comment on the service and ask any questions about the upcoming procurement. Find out more here

FUNDING: community support

One-off grants between £1,000 and £10,000 are available to community groups in the UK from the Boost Choose Now Change Lives Programme for projects or activities that will facilitate change and benefit local people. The grants will be managed by Groundwork, a specialist charity working locally and nationally to transform lives in the UK's most disadvantaged communities, and will help groups make a difference in their local areas, truly facilitating change that will benefit communities for years to come. Community sports clubs, community action groups, youth work, music groups and food banks are invited to apply. Find out more and apply by 18th July here

FUNDING: social and economic disadvantage

Grants up to £25,000 are available from the Steel Charitable Trust to registered charities in the UK working in the areas of arts and heritage, education, environment, health, or social and economic disadvantage. Applicants may apply for support towards capital projects, specific projects, research programmes or core costs. Find out more and apply by 20th July here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: employment discrimination

How does racial inequality in the criminal justice system carry over into employment discrimination? Working Chance is hosting an online panel discussion with the chance to hear from experts in racial inequality, criminal justice, and employment, including women with lived experience [29th June, online, free]. Gender and racial inequality in the criminal justice system amounts to a second punishment for racially minoritised women, who struggle to find work due to criminal records more than their white peers. Based on new analysis and the lived experiences of women in the criminal justice system, Working Chance’s latest research, Worst-Case Scenario, highlights the barriers faced by racially minoritised women with criminal convictions when they look for jobs, and makes recommendations on how to dismantle them. Register here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: recruiting differently

Liverpool City Council, New Futures Network, HMP Liverpool and Inside Connections are working in collaboration to reduce re-offending and are hosting an event to promote the benefits of hiring people with convictions [29th June, online, free]. ‘Recruiting Differently’ will include the chance to hear from employers who currently work with those who have convictions, who will talk through the process, the benefits, including financial benefits, retention of staff and increase in productivity across the workforce. The event will also include speakers who have gone through the criminal justice system and have moved on to have successful careers. Book your place here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: how to promote effective diversion

Diversion and out of court disposals can reduce reoffending and address the needs of victims, but is nervousness about public reaction holding back their use? And is that nervousness justified? Join Transform Justice for the online launch of a new messaging guide on diversion from court [8th July, online, free]. The seminar will present findings from Transform Justice’s research into public attitudes towards diversion, with reflections from Commander Alison Heydari, the National Police Chief’s Council lead for out of court disposals. Book your place here

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: protective skills

The Lucy Faithfull Foundation's training course ‘Assessing the protective skills of mothers, partners and adult carers in intrafamilial child sexual abuse' [21st and 22nd July 2021, online, £180+VAT per person] will give participants the skills to assess a carer's strengths and weaknesses in relation to future child protection and will develop an understanding of the often difficult context for non-abusing parents/carers and the effect of denial, both in the people who have sexually abused a child and carers. It'll help participants consider their own beliefs and responses when assessing non-abusing parents. Find out more here

OPPORTUNITY: pro-bono support offer

Global software consultancy ThoughtWorks is holding a Social Change Lab to provide pro-bono tech advice and development for UK-based not-for-profit organisations. This offer is ideally aimed at tech savvy not-for-profit organisations with a minimum annual income of £1m. There are two offers. First, up to three separate Discovery/Advisory projects where in each project an experienced digital expert/developer will be put into an organisation for up to three weeks to work on whatever they want - coaching, ideation, strategic advice and more. Second, a big Delivery project where a full tech team (up to six full-time people) will be placed into an organisation for up to eight weeks to build a tech solution. Applications close 9th July. Find out more here

FEATURED VACANCY: Alana House Manager

Alana House - Parents and Children Together is looking for an Alana House Manager [part time, Reading, £37,227 to £45,499]. This is a part time post to job share the day-to-day operational management of Alana House and to take the sole management lead of its new rehabilitation service. This new service will support women leaving prison and on probation in the Thames Valley area (predominantly Berkshire). Alana House is a women’s community project run by Parents And Children Together. It provides a holistic approach to support women facing multiple disadvantages, including those at risk of offending. Alana House is actively seeking candidates with personal or work experience of the criminal justice system. Find out more and apply by 5th July here

FEATURED VACANCY: Head of Volunteer Engagement

Prison Fellowship England and Wales is looking for a Head of Volunteer Engagement [full time, London, £40,000] to enable its 3,000 volunteers to reach their full potential in delivering the organisation’s mission to prisons across England and Wales. Specifically, you will lead and grow the national volunteer leadership structures as well as training and development approaches. You will recruit and develop a cadre of volunteer leadership with the knowledge and skills required to enhance the satisfaction and performance of the volunteer base. You will develop new expressions of Prison Fellowship’s local group structure to encompass a wider demographic whilst respecting and enhancing established approaches. Find out more and apply by 8th July here

FEATURED VACANCY: Liaison and Diversion Practitioner

Together for Mental Wellbeing is looking for a Liaison and Diversion Practitioner [full time, London, £34,605] to assess, liaise, refer and provide guidance for people who have become involved with criminal justice-seeking outcomes that are person-centred and appropriate for the individual. The successful candidate will be part of a multi-disciplinary team and will benefit from being part of a dynamic and growing organisation. The ideal candidate would be someone who is a registered health care practitioner, with an interest and training in mental health. Candidates should have experience in undertaking specialist mental health assessments and have a sound knowledge of the Mental Health Act, the Mental Capacity Act and the criminal justice system. Find out more and apply by 16th July here

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES

Community Link Worker Team Leader (RECONNECT) with Together for Mental Wellbeing [London], Transformational Coach with Recycling Lives [Preston], Trainee High Intensity Therapist with Insight IAPT and Insight Wellbeing at Work [East Midlands], Trainee Independent Prescriber with EDP Drug and Alcohol Services [Barnstaple], Project Worker with Changing Lives [York], Housing Advice Worker with Single Homeless Project [London], Project Worker with Hibiscus Initiatives [London], Support Worker with Nacro [Manchester], Recovery Worker with Social Interest Group [London], Advanced Practitioner with Trevi House [Plymouth], Health Link Worker with Mental Health Concern [Tees Valley]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

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EXTRA INFORMATION

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