Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 695 | 6th August 2021

Light Lunch

In this week's edition...

CLINKS NEWS: RR3 vacancy – youth justice

Clinks is seeking a senior leader from the voluntary sector who specialises in Youth Justice to join an influential advisory group to the government - The Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3). We are looking for individuals with expertise and experience in supporting children in contact with the criminal justice system. The RR3 works closely with senior officials in the Ministry of Justice and HM Prison and Probation Service to reduce reoffending and to build a more effective partnership between the government and the voluntary sector. The deadline is 9am, 20th August. Find more information and apply here

CLINKS RESPONSE: women in prison

We have published our response to the Justice Select Committee’s Inquiry on women in prison. The response is based on ongoing engagement with our members and our consultation event attended by 20 organisations. Clinks recommends that any future grants programmes led by the Ministry of Justice be proportionate and offer funding on a longer term basis. We also ask for an update regarding the implementation of the Farmer Review recommendations and the development of an action plan to support and monitor the remaining commitments from the Female Offender Strategy. Jess Mullen, acting Co-Chief Executive and Director of Influence and Communications, recently gave oral evidence to the Justice Committee for this inquiry. Read more here and watch the oral evidence session here

CLINKS RESPONSE: women’s health and wellbeing in prisons

We have published our response to the Howard League’s APPG on Women in the Penal System’s Inquiry into women’s health and wellbeing in prisons. Our response is informed by our ongoing research and engagement with our members, particularly through our women’s network. The response details evidence regarding the acute health inequalities of women in prison compared to their male counterparts and general population, and provides further information into the access women have to healthcare in prison. Clinks recommends that the voluntary sector must be recognised as a key strategic partner, that a ‘whole prison’ approach should be taken towards mental health and wellbeing, and that the voluntary sector should be consulted in the design and delivery of services in women’s prisons. Read more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: face-to-face workshops restart

In this blog, John Sampson reflects on his first six months as Lead Coach in HMP Pentonville and delivering StandOut’s first face-to-face workshops since the pandemic began. He writes, “My first six months at StandOut have blazed past in a whirlwind of learning.” After well over a year of heavily restricted regimes, with just the bare essentials of daily exercise and showers due to social distancing restrictions, StandOut has now delivered four two-day employment preparation workshops with twenty-five men at HMP Pentonville. Read the blog here

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

Liberty, Bond, Friends Families and Travellers, Quakers in Britain and Friends of the Earth are coordinating a joint letter to the Home Secretary and Secretary of State for Justice on the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill. The letter highlights how the Bill will have a profound impact on the right to protest, constitutes a direct threat to Gypsy and Traveller communities and includes a host of expansive policing and sentencing powers that will further entrench racial disparity in the criminal justice system. Clinks has signed the letter. The letter will be published in September as the Lords begin debating the Bill. The statement will be open to sign-on until 31st August. Sign it here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: neurodiversity and youth justice

HM Inspectorate of Probation has published a new Academic Insight: Neurodiversity – a whole-child approach for youth justice by Professor Amanda Kirby. This report summarises the evidence base around neurodiversity and the lessons for those working in youth justice and youth offending services. At least one in three people moving through the justice system are thought to be neurodivergent, and there is extensive evidence of co-occurrence between conditions, as well as interlinking with adversity and childhood traumas. Read it here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Covid-19 testing for physical contact

Covid-19 testing for physical contact during visits can now be introduced in all prisons. This will not happen at the same time for all prisons and will depend on local circumstances and risk assessments. Once a prison has introduced testing for physical contact, visitors will be allowed some physical contact with their loved one after showing a negative Covid-19 test result for a test taken that day. Individual prisons will make their own decisions about what physical contact is allowed and this will be based on pre-Covid-19 visits policies. Prisons should tell visitors, prisoners and staff exactly what to expect. Read more here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: prison regime recovery update

As part of planning in advance of progressing prisons and Youth Custody Service sites to Stage 1 of the National Framework, Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) has produced an operational update for voluntary sector partners. Stage 1 is the last point of the National Framework governing Covid-19 recovery in prisons and Youth Custody Service sites, and it is not yet possible for sites to move to this stage. The update includes details on the Stage 1 model and guidance released for those at Stage 2 in relation to the reintroduction of refreshments at social visits. This operational update can be shared by email on request with voluntary sector organisations working alongside the prison service who want to understand how the easing of restrictions will affect their operations. To request the update, please email covid19@clinks.org.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: information pack – vaccines

HMPPS has compiled an information pack to help others get the right information about Covid-19 vaccines. In the pack information can be found on vaccine ingredients, vaccine side effects, the Delta variant, the effects on fertility, vaccine hesitancy amongst racially minoritised groups, and much more. The pack labels each resource as ‘Easy Read’, ‘General’ or ‘Enhanced’ to cater for different reading abilities. If your organisation supports those in contact with the criminal justice system and will find this information pack useful, please request this document by emailing covid19@clinks.org

FUNDING: North and West Yorkshire

Grants in the range of £500 to £2,500 are available from George A Moore Foundation for registered charities supporting the local community in North and West Yorkshire. Applications should be made in writing and sent by post. Find out more and apply by 13th August here

FUNDING: North East

Grants of up to £10,000 are available from the Bernicia Foundation for voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations in the North East of England that are committed to delivering real community benefits, such as tackling loneliness and accessing employment opportunities, as well as providing support for young people to flourish. The funding is intended for projects and initiatives in the North East of England that deliver real and lasting community benefit, alongside helping inspirational young people to fulfil their potential. Find out more and apply by 16th August here

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: employment in the construction sector

Entrepreneurs Unlocked CIC has a number of fully funded opportunities for prison leavers to gain access to its Build Back Up project. Its aim is to enable people to learn how to gain work in the construction sector, preferably as self-employed subcontractors in this growing sector. The support on offer includes access to its Smart Subcontractor programme, along with the opportunity to gain a set of PPE, basic tools and equipment to enable the person to accept an offer of work on site. If your organisation is supporting someone who would benefit from this support, you can request an information sheet and a copy of the simple referral form, outlining the criteria for acceptance of the support on offer. Email David Morgan (Founder and Director) at david@entrepreneursunlocked.org

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: problematic sexual behaviours

The Lucy Faithfull Foundation's training course ‘Therapeutic parenting for adopted or foster children with problematic sexual behaviours' [7th and 8th September, online, £180 +VAT] will help carers to explore the challenges of parenting a child who has problems emotionally connecting with others, often due to past trauma. Participants will gain the necessary skills to respond to a child’s problematic sexual behaviour and help to develop and maintain positive relationships. Find out more here

NON-MEMBERS’ EVENTS AND TRAINING

  • Leading in uncertainty peer support sessions. Weekly | online | free | Details

RESOURCE: film on education in prisons

A group of prison tutors have produced a short film to share their perspective on the importance of education in prisons, and changes that would improve it for learners. They discuss the importance of good IT, the importance of interlinking courses and the need for non-vocational courses including yoga, drama and art classes which “help to build self-worth and self-knowledge.” Watch it here

FEATURED VACANCY: Alana House Manager, Women’s Community Project - female

Parents And Children Together (PACT) is looking for an Alana House Manager [Part time, Thames Valley, £37,227 - £45,499 FTE] to job share the day-to-day operational management of Alana House services in the Thames Valley (predominantly in Berkshire). This includes managing rehabilitation services for women and managing a small team of support workers to ensure smooth delivery of the Alana House service throughout Berkshire. The postholder will report directly to the Head of Communities and will be responsible for co-ordination and day to day management, ensuring all aspects of the service are safe and delivered to the highest quality. On this basis, PACT is actively seeking candidates with personal or work experience of the criminal justice system. Find out more and apply by 9th August here

FEATURED VACANCY: Abstinent Accommodation Link Worker

Tyne Housing Association is looking for an Abstinent Accommodation Link Worker [Full time, Newcastle, £24,393] to support existing and new specialist accommodation services for people in recovery from drug or alcohol misuse to support their continued progression, through development of partnerships and appropriate referral pathways into it. The post will involve establishing/understanding data around demand for an abstinence-based accommodation programme, to support creation of an evidence base around efficacy, as well as providing direct support to residents. You will be working to develop relationships with stakeholders in the community and directly with the people on your caseload. This is a one-year fixed term post, with the possibility of an extension, subject to funding. Find out more and apply by 9th August here

FEATURED VACANCY: Resettlement Support Worker - North West Region

The Clink Charity is looking for a Resettlement Support Worker - North West Region [Full time, HMP Styal, £27,000] to provide a high quality and responsive service which creatively addresses the needs and risks of clients to enable them to avoid further offending and maintain employment. You will develop action plans with each client and support them in developing employment and independent living skills and in working towards their long-term goals and aspirations. The Clink Charity provides opportunities for change, offering prisoners the chance to gain food preparation, food service and cleaning qualifications as well as experience within an operational business and in-depth guidance to find full-time employment within the hospitality industry upon release. Find out more and apply by 25th August here

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES

Artist with Crave Arts [West Mercia], Case Manager with Achieve North West Connect [Styal], Youth Violence and Community Caseworker with St Giles Trust [Coventry], Sessional Tutor with Back on Track [Manchester], Senior Family Support Worker with Ormiston Families [Suffolk], Female Caseworker with Anawim [Balsall Health], Trusts and Foundations Manager with Switchback [London], Peer Support Worker with Mental Health Concern [South Tyneside and Sunderland], Recovery Pathway Capacity Builder with Recovery Connections [Middlesbrough], Executive Assistant and Office Manager with The IARS International Institute [Bermondsey], Mental Health Support Worker with Inspire North [Leeds]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Stratford trampoline park entry. £7.50. Details
  • Clothes storage bags. 77% off. Details
  • Full body heated massage mat. £39.99. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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