Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 697 | 20th August 2021

Light Lunch

In this week's edition...

CLINKS NEWS: Community Sentence Treatment Requirements programme in action - Plymouth

Second in a series of blogs on the Community Sentence Treatment Requirements (CSTR) programme, this blog by Clinks and Nacro focuses on the Plymouth site, looking at how it became a CSTR site, what the team have learnt, and how service users benefit from this change. Plymouth was one of the five original test-bed sites, and has been live since November 2017. Prior to becoming a CSTR site, they knew that there were groups of people that were falling through gaps in existing mental health services. This is not just an issue in Plymouth – many people in contact with the criminal justice system have mental health needs that are too complex for primary care due to intersecting issues and multiple disadvantage, but not severe enough to qualify for secondary care services. Read more here

CLINKS EVENT: meet the funders – North East

This event will provide an opportunity for the voluntary sector working in criminal justice in the North East to hear from a number of funders and to find out what to expect when applying for funding. The aim of the event is to increase the number and quality of applications funders receive from North East organisations and provide clarity about criteria and timescales. Confirmed speakers include: Neil Shashoua, Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales; Catherine Stocks – The National Lottery Community Fund; and Nicky Lappin - Tudor Trust. Find out more and book here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: teachers working in prisons

The Prisoner Learning Alliance and the University and College Union have published a new report, Hidden voices: The experience of teachers working in prisons. Exploring the findings of a survey completed by over 400 prison educators, this report aims to highlight their experiences and advocate for the changes that they would like to see. Read it here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Covid-19 and prisons updates

As of 17th August, 45 adult prisons and three Youth Custody Service sites have progressed to Stage 2 of the National Framework, with the remainder of establishments at Stage 3. On 5th August the Lord Chancellor agreed to allow prisons which meet the criteria to progress to Stage 1 to lift Covid-19 controls such as social distancing, which have a significant impact on regime delivery and other activities. However, in light of current infection rates, few establishments are expected to progress to Stage 1 in the immediate term. For the most up-to-date information about individual prisons, including which have resumed social visits and which are Covid-19 testing for physical contact during visits, use the gov.uk webpage here. Stay up to date on Covid-19 and the criminal justice system through our dedicated webpage here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Covid-19 and probation updates

All national pauses put in place earlier in the year across the Probation Service in response to Covid-19 have now been lifted. This now enables wider delivery for more people on probation, although detailed risk assessments remain in place. With the easing of restrictions in Wales, which took place on 7th August, the Probation Service is currently evaluating what this means for Exceptional Delivery Models within Wales in line with Public Health Wales and Welsh Government guidance. Stay up to date on Covid-19 and the criminal justice system through our dedicated webpage here

FUNDING: structural support to the voluntary homelessness sector

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is holding a webinar giving an overview of its priorities for future voluntary and community sector grants and possible procurement processes [8th September, online, free]. MHCLG currently provides capacity and capability support to the homeless voluntary and community sector through a range of grants. MHCLG is considering how these grants can best support the wider homelessness sector, as we emerge from the pandemic, and wants to engage with stakeholders across the voluntary and community sector to gather their views. There will be a brief presentation, followed by time for questions and feedback. Please note this webinar is designed for organisations that might have the capacity to deliver structural support to the voluntary homelessness sector. Register here

FUNDING: arts and young people

Grants of up to £1,500 are available from the Ragdoll Foundation’s Small Grants Programme to support arts, cultural and youth-focused organisations working with children and young people in the UK through the arts, artists and creative media. The grants are for innovative, arts-based small projects, pilots, or research and development to inform a new project or programme of work. The programme supports newer or smaller organisations with annual turnover below £300k. Find out more and apply by 27th August here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: understanding the needs of care experienced people

This seminar, from the Academy for Social Justice in conjunction with Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service Insights, will explore what the justice system can do to meet the needs of people with experience of the care system [16th September, online, free]. Alison O’Sullivan, Former President of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services and Chair of Trustees for the National Children’s Bureau, will reflect on the two years since the ground-breaking Care Experience Conference in Liverpool at which people with experience of the care system said what’s important to them and what needs to change. Please note you must be a member of the Academy to attend an event. Membership is free and you will be prompted to join when registering. Register here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: prison punk-rock

Clean Break and Sheffield Theatres’ latest production, Typical Girls, is premiering in the Crucible Theatre [24th September – 16th October, Sheffield, from £15]. In a specialised unit inside a prison, a group of women discover the music of punk rock band The Slits and form their own group. An outlet for their frustration, they find remedy in revolution. Find out more and book your ticket here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: violence and young people

The Academy for Social Justice in conjunction with Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service Insights is hosting a seminar on violence and young people [29th September, online, free]. The seminar will include speakers from Agencia, an organisation leading collaborative work in this area, who will share their approach and learnings. Please note you must be a member of the Academy to attend an event. Membership is free and you will be prompted to join when registering. Find out more and register here

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: understanding welfare benefits

Since the introduction of Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in 2013 with the objective of simplifying the welfare system, there are still multiple ‘legacy’ benefits that are being claimed by millions of people. This short course from Society Matters CIC provides people and organisations that are providing social welfare support with an overview of 14 welfare benefits that are currently being claimed in the UK [24th August and 22nd September, online, £35 + VAT]. The course is interactive including case studies, exercises, quizzes and insights. Find out more and book your place here

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: criminal justice monitoring and evaluation

Birkbeck’s Institute for Crime and Justice Policy Research and the Centre for Justice Innovation are holding a free taster session and Q&A on their upcoming short course, 'Monitoring and evaluation of criminal justice initiatives' [16th September, online, free]. The full course will run online in November 2021, and will equip attendees with knowledge about different aspects of monitoring and evaluation, including: different approaches to monitoring and evaluation of criminal justice practice; methods of data collection and analysis; using and disseminating findings; supporting creative and innovative practice through monitoring and evaluation. The taster session will provide an opportunity for interested participants to learn more about the course and see if it is the right fit for them. Register here

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: restorative thinking at work

Restorative Thinking has produced a short e-Learning Continuing Professional Development (CPD) course: Restorative Thinking at Work [Anytime, online, cost dependant on number of participants and level of support needed]. The course is for people working in social care, healthcare, housing, community services, education and prison and probation services, and those managing the wellbeing of their team/s. The course offers flexibility for workforce training, with all staff having their own link to the course, and the opportunity to return to the course as often as needed. Learning outcomes focus on improving relationships and communication to support a better way of working within and between teams and with people who engage with your services. Find out more here

RESOURCE: review and improve governance

The Directory of Social Change (DSC) has launched a free resource to help trustee boards to review and improve their governance, together. The Governance App can help: gather responses from your whole board; get a performance score out of ten in seven different areas; highlight where board members have different views on performance; have targeted discussions about what’s going well and where to focus on improving. If you’re looking to review your governance but don’t quite know where to start, visit the Governance App website to register your organisation. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES

Registered Mental Health Nurse with Mental Health Concern [Gateshead], ICT Support Officer with The Advocacy Project [London], Active Treatment Worker with Kaleidoscope Project [Haverfordwest], Operations Assistant with Clean Break [London], Office Volunteer with Prisoners Penfriends [London], Peer Support Worker with Inspire North [West Yorkshire], Senior Support Worker with Nacro [Taunton], Health Regional Manager with User Voice [London], Peer Outreach Coordinator with Social Interest Group [Kent], Personal Wellbeing Advisor with Prison Advice and Care Trust [Kent], Community Keyworker with ADVANCE [Hertfordshire]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Five Odeon cinema tickets. £25. Details
  • Vacuum storage bags. 67% off. Details
  • Personalised water bottle. £8.99. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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