Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 696 | 13th August 2021

Light Lunch

In this week's edition...

CLINKS BLOG: neurodiversity in the criminal justice system: a review of evidence

This blog by Policy Officer Noorjehan Piperdy explores the review of neurodiversity in the criminal justice system, published by the Criminal Justice Joint Inspectorates, alongside two service user reports published by KeyRing and User Voice. The blog highlights the key issues from the reports, including lack of data and screening, and explores how the findings can lead to better outcomes for people with neurodivergent conditions in contact with the criminal justice system. Clinks welcomes this review and the proactive steps the inspectorates have made to engage with voluntary organisations and the people they work with who have neurodivergent conditions. We are engaging with the Ministry of Justice to ensure voluntary organisations can act as strategic partners as they respond to the report’s recommendations. Read more here

CLINKS BLOG: a growing catalogue of evidence

We are delighted to announce four new additions to our online evidence library. The online evidence library, curated by Russell Webster on behalf of Clinks, is designed to support voluntary organisations working in the criminal justice system with access to the most up-to-date evidence about a range of different activities and interventions. We have published four new reviews on the topics of peer mentoring in the criminal justice system, the needs of people serving long life sentences from a young age, engaging people with convictions, and working with Class A drug users in contact with the criminal justice system. These reviews are written by leading academics with a specialism in the area they are reviewing, are concise, and purposefully written in non-academic language. Read more here

CLINKS NEWS: RR3 vacancy – youth justice seat

The deadline to apply for the youth justice seat on the Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3), is 9am, 20th August. The RR3 is an influential advisory group to government, consisting of senior experts from the voluntary sector that work closely with senior officials from Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) to reduce reoffending and to build a more effective partnership between government and the voluntary sector. We are looking for individuals with expertise and experience in supporting children in contact with the criminal justice system. Find out more information here

CLINKS MEMBERS NEWS: brain injuries in criminal justice settings

The Disabilities Trust is hosting a second wave of its #ThroughOUReyes campaign, which aims to spark debate and change the narrative for people with complex and challenging disabilities. This time, the campaign is focusing on the impact of living with a brain injury in the criminal justice system. There are a number of resources available to see through the lens of people with a brain injury in prison, including ‘Invisible Me’, a film featuring the powerful insights of a former prisoner rebuilding his life and living with a brain injury.  The Disabilities Trust has also published a new evidence sheet covering its research and experience supporting those with brain injuries in the criminal justice system over the last 10 years. Find the resources here

CLINKS MEMBERS NEWS: funding in the criminal justice system

NPC, think tank and consultancy organisation for the social sector, is currently creating a systems map that will guide funders through the criminal justice space by highlighting ways for them to better target their resources. This map will be a public tool that can also be used by campaigning and advocacy organisations to support their asks to the government and to funders. NPC is now looking to add detail on funding priorities across the system through a survey that should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete. All responses will remain anonymous, if you have any questions about how your data will be used please email abigail.rose@thinknpc.org. Take the survey here

CLINKS MEMBERS NEWS: young people's education services

Shaw Trust is intending to bid for young people’s education services in four Youth Offending Institutions this September - in Cookham Wood (Kent), Feltham (London), Wetherby (West Yorkshire) and Werrington (north Staffordshire). If you are a local or nationally based organisation and would like to be part of Shaw Trust’s bid and deliver services as part of this initiative, register your interest online. For further information please contact partnerships@shaw-trust.org.uk. Register your interest by 20th August 2021 here and search for ‘Shaw Trust’

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: language awareness for practitioners

The Bell Foundation is developing a training course for practitioners in the criminal justice sector, focused on language awareness and enabling better communication with speakers of English as an additional language. The Bell Foundation is seeking input from practitioners to help it tailor this training to the different contexts and areas of work within the criminal justice sector. If you would like any more information, or would like to meet to discuss your experiences in more depth, please contact emily.giles@bell-foundation.org.uk. Fill out the survey here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Local Leadership and Integration Fund

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is moving forward with the second round of the Local Leadership and Integration Fund, its grant funding scheme aimed at empowering local leaders and agencies to improve the join-up of services and find innovative ways to work together towards improved outcomes for prison leavers. This will open for applications in early September 2021. There have been some changes to the application process and a series of webinars are being held to outline these. The first webinar took place on 28th July – contact LLIF@justice.gov.uk for the recording. The second webinar will focus on the evaluation process for successful bidders [24th August, online, free] and the final webinar will answer questions ahead of the launch [2nd September, online, free]. Sign up to the second webinar here and the final one here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: regional reducing reoffending plans

Following the unification of the Probation Service in June, each of the 12 Regional Probation Directors (RPDs) has published a Regional Reducing Reoffending Plan, which sets out how they will work with partner organisations to cut crime and make communities safer by reducing reoffending. RPDs bring together direct delivery of sentence management, unpaid work and interventions with significant regional commissioning budgets for rehabilitative services. The plans, which will be renewed annually, allow RPDs to highlight specific priorities and ambitions for their individual regions. They also reflect and align with the broader HMPPS approach to reducing reoffending - strengthening supervision, engaging people in rehabilitative activity and improving the support they receive to resettle in the community. Read the plans here

FUNDING: Suffolk community groups

Grants of between £2,500 and £20,000 are available from the Suffolk Community Foundation Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner’s Fund for local voluntary and community groups, charities, social enterprises and community interest companies that are delivering services that help make Suffolk a safer place to live, work, travel and invest in. The foundation is looking to support local organisations who help victims of crime, and reduce crime and disorder. They are looking for projects that will demonstrate partnership working, working with hard to reach groups, volunteering, and evidence of need for the service. Find out more and apply by 20th August here

FUNDING: young people and inclusion

Art Fund is providing grants of up to £50,000 to a range of UK arts organisations for projects to transform their activities and build expertise, capacity and connections within and beyond the arts sector. The fund has a total budget of £2 million, with small grants available between £5,000 and £15,000, and large grants between £15,000 and £50,000. The aims of the Reimagine programme are to support arts organisations as they reimagine their activities following the Covid-19 pandemic, and to help organisations build knowledge, ability and networks within and outside the arts sector. Find out more and apply by 23rd August here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: outdoor theatre performance

A team of theatre professionals and community members will come together to perform an outdoor theatre performance over the bank holiday weekend [28th and 29th August 2021, Leeds, pay what you decide]. ‘Is Anyone there?’ has been devised by the participants of imagine if’s Phoenix Programme, which works with prison leavers and people with convictions. Through Phoenix, imagine if is able to offer arts-based and employability workshops, creative experimentation, and holistic mentoring to people with convictions by allowing them to develop their skills and build confidence. Is Anyone There? has a range of Phoenix participants involved, and they are all paid the real living wage and are involved in the casting, devising, performing, sound design, set design and front of house. Book your tickets here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: leading women and women prisoners exhibition and panels

The View Magazine is launching its ‘Someone’s Daughter’ campaign at Photo London [8-12th September 2021, in person and online, £12] with an exhibition by top photographers including Hannah Starkey, Nadav Kander, Nick Knight and Laura Pannack, revealing portraits of leading women and women prisoners/activists. Every woman is someone’s daughter and by photographing women who have been stigmatised by the law, the courts and the media in the administration of justice, their stories are portrayed through a fresh lens. The View Magazine is hosting a series of live and online panels hosted by broadcaster and journalist Bidisha, activists and former prisoners, exploring the relationship between the subject and photographer, creativity and rehabilitation, how art can change the world and whether women with lived experience can create positive change. Book your place here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: hiring ex-prisoners

Working in partnership with prison and rehabilitation charities, The Corbett Network and The Lord Mayor of the City of London are hosting a ‘Recruiting from a Different Talent Pool’ conference [23rd September 2021, London, free]. The conference will guide participants to a pool of skilled people who need a chance to change their lives – people with a criminal record. The conference will raise awareness of the work of voluntary organisations in this field and help shift attitudes and perceptions among employers. Expect panel discussions and speakers such as the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State of Justice, Rt Hon Robert Buckland QC MP, businesses employing returning citizens, voluntary organisations supporting rehabilitation and those with lived experience. Book your place here

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: housing matters and personal independence payment training

Society Matters CIC is running a series of training events across August and September. The first focuses on getting to grips with Personal Independence Payment (PIP) applications, aimed at people and organisations that provide social welfare support [23rd August, online, £59.50]. The second event, ‘Housing Matters’, is designed for professionals who support people with any aspect of their financial or emotional wellbeing, focusing on demanding housing issues. [6th September, online, £45]. Delivery online in a virtual classroom environment makes these half day courses highly accessible, and expert trainers can build your knowledge and confidence. Book tickets for Housing Matters here and for PIP training here

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: funding strategy

NCVO has a training session coming up on funding strategy and diversification in the current climate, aimed at people responsible for funding in small and medium-sized charities [30th September, online, from £55]. This online course will help you understand and analyse the current funding situation of your organisation and teach you how to plan for the future. Expect to find out how to use key strategic tools, use a funding strategy template and learn to consider various sources of funding that are most suitable for your organisation including looking at diversification. This course is best suited to those who have responsibility for developing a funding strategy and those seeking to diversify their income. Book your tickets here

FEATURED VACANCY: Operations Manager

The National Appropriate Adult Network (NAAN) is looking for an Operations Manager [£33,500 FTE, full time or part time, remote]. This is a new and broad role involving: responsibility for operational management and administration across the charity, working to increase effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability. Appropriate adults safeguard the interests of children and vulnerable people in police custody and voluntary interviews, including effective participation, fair treatment and rights. As the centre of expertise for England and Wales, NAAN works to maximise the effectiveness of appropriate adults. It works with practitioners, service providers, commissioners, academics and policymakers, providing leadership and support to 100 member organisations. Activities include standards, training, qualifications, events, resources, e-updates, advice, research, and strategic advocacy. Find out more and apply by 6th September here

FEATURED VACANCY: Chair of Trustees

The National Appropriate Adult Network (NAAN) is looking for a Chair of Trustees [voluntary, part time, remote] to lead its Board of Trustees and support the strategic development of the charity. Trustees oversee the work of the charity, ensuring it is financially stable, well-run and fulfilling its charitable objectives. Operational matters are delegated to a small staff team. As the centre of expertise for England and Wales, NAAN works to maximise the effectiveness of appropriate adults. It works with practitioners, service providers, commissioners, academics and policymakers, providing leadership and support to 100 member organisations. Activities include standards, training, qualifications, events, resources, e-updates, advice, research, and strategic advocacy. NAAN encourages applications from underrepresented and disadvantaged groups. Find out more and apply by 31st August here

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES

Trustee with Koestler Arts [Remote], Project Manager with Innovation Unit [West Midlands], Head of Operations with Imagine Independence [Greater Manchester], Chair of Trustees with National Appropriate Adult Network [Remote], Ex-Prisoner Exhibition Hosts with Koestler Arts [London], Diversion Advocate – female with Women in Prison [London], Night Engagement Worker – female with Social Interest Group [London], Veterans Transition Worker with Changing Lives [Newcastle and Gateshead], Restorative Justice Caseworker with Resolve West [Bristol], Data Insights Manager – female with ADVANCE [Hammersmith], Psychological Interventions Group Facilitator with Emerging Futures CIC [Crewe, Macclesfield, Warrington and Halton]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Aqua Bounce entry. £12.80. Details
  • 30-minute deep tissue massage. £18. Details
  • Crystal Palace spa for one. £39. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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