Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 698 | 27th August 2021

Light Lunch

In this week's edition...

CLINKS BLOG: an independent review of the probation Dynamic Framework

Richard Oldfield has published an independent review of the probation Dynamic Framework, commissioned in January 2021 by then Minister for Prisons and Probation, Lucy Frazer QC MP. In this blog, he discusses his review and its recommendations: that there should be a large-scale adoption of grants as the funding mechanism for some of the services; simplification of contracts; and a system which obliges large entities to include more specialised smaller organisations in their bids. We welcome this review, which echoes many of the issues we’ve consistently raised and recommendations we’ve made. We are pleased to see in Director General of Probation Amy Rees’ response that HM Prison and Probation Service is looking at how it can make grants the presumptive choice of funding mechanism where commissioning intentions meet specific criteria. Read more here

CLINKS BLOG: grant funding to improve prison leavers’ outcomes

In this blog, London Development Officer Tiegan Mercer outlines details of the Local Leadership and Integration Fund (LLIF) – a Ministry of Justice grant funding scheme to support the development of locally-led pilots to improve outcomes for prison leavers – worth £7.1 million. The competition for the second round of funding is due to open in early September. Tiegan gives details on the aims of the programme, application criteria and what the timelines are. The LLIF recognises the problems facing prison leavers are often location specific and allows local organisations to design interventions that are relevant to their local community and improve the join up and integration of services. Find out more here

NATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE ARTS ALLIANCE EVENT: probation forum

Join the NCJAA for its first arts in criminal justice forum [14th September, online, free], an opportunity to come together to share and learn from each other during these challenging times. This virtual event will bring together people involved in arts and criminal justice to discuss creative activity in the context of probation. Following the unification of the Probation Service in June, the forum will explore current challenges, achievements and opportunities for arts in probation. We will be joined by a variety of expert speakers in both practice and policy to discuss their work in arts in probation and community settings, and look at how provision can work best for all, whether that’s service users, artists or probation staff. Find out more and register here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: thematic inspection on the experiences of Black men in prison

As part of its thematic inspection on the experiences of Black prisoners, HM Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) is interested in hearing from community and voluntary sector groups that either already are, or would be able to, provide support for Black adult male prisoners in the following prisons, identified as part of HMIP’s fieldwork sites: HMP Ranby (pilot site); HMP Berwyn; HMP Swinfen Hall; HMP Sudbury; HMP Forest Bank; HMP Full Sutton; HMP Highdown; HMP Isis; or HMP Channings Wood. HMIP wishes to understand what expertise and support is available and to assess whether prisons are making the best use of them. HMIP also hopes to promote solutions that prisons can implement on the basis of evidence. Contact jade.richards@hmiprisons.gov.uk for further information about this thematic inspection

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: tutoring for Gypsy, Roma and Travellers

The Traveller Movement is running the second round of its online ‘Tutors for Gypsy, Roma, and Travellers’ education project. It has benefited 120 children and young people so far – and it is now accepting applications for the next round which will start later this September. The programme offers one hour of professional online tutoring as additional support every week during school terms for young people aged 4-18 from Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) communities. This tutoring is free and all resources are provided, including technology if needed. There is no set curriculum - the hour is dedicated to any aspect of education that the young person feels they would like additional support with. All tutors have experience working with GRT communities, are trained and DBS checked. Contact info@odet.org.uk to apply or for more information

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: prison, probation, and the pandemic - coming out of Covid-19

Following a series of virtual events discussing the transition out of Covid-19 for those in prison and on probation earlier this year, User Voice has published a report summarising the events and the findings of its engagement with 23,000 service users over the course of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the peer-led solutions put forward as a result. User Voice brought together its National Service User Council and sector leaders Amy Rees, Director General of Probation and Wales, Stephen O’Connell, Deputy Director of prisons and Kate Davies, Director of Health and Justice, Armed Forces and Sexual Assault Referral Centres for NHS England. Read the full report here and watch the event videos here

FUNDING: young people in England and Wales

Peter Cruddas Foundation is offering funding with no minimum or maximum amount, and projects can be funded for more than one year. This funding is available for registered charities in England and Wales that are working to support disadvantaged and disengaged young people as they move towards pathways into education, training and employment. Funding is available for the following priority areas: pathways/support for young disadvantaged or disengaged people (between the ages of 16 and 30 years) into education, training or employment; work experience/skills projects for young people aged 16 to 30 years; and youth work in London, particularly evening work for disadvantaged young people aged 16 to 30 years. Find out more and apply by 1st September here

FUNDING: Avon and Somerset

Grants of up to £1,000 are available from the Avon and Somerset Police – Police Community Trust General Fund for local community and voluntary groups in Avon and Somerset for projects which reduce crime and anti-social behaviour and promote community safety. The grants are for groups and projects which support the Trust's aims to protect local people from crime, educate young people on the dangers of drug, alcohol and solvent abuse, and build good community relations. Find out more and apply by 1st September here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: justice and rehabilitation

The Employment Related Services Association (ERSA), the trade body for employment support in the UK, is hosting a Justice and Rehabilitation Forum, which will bring together organisations who support individuals with experience of the justice system [20th September 2021, online, free]. ERSA regularly hosts online meetings bring together organisations in a community of good practice, to share important updates and network with others supporting jobseekers and learners. If you would like to attend this meeting, please register in advance. Register for the event here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: supporting people with a criminal record

InsideOut Support Wales CIC is running an online training course designed for participants wanting to understand and learn the basic principles of supporting a person who has a criminal record [22nd September 2021, online, £75]. It aims to offer advice, guidance and practical tools for you to support people with criminal records going forward, such as into volunteering, employment or education. It is informative, interactive and empowering – designed to offer a core level of knowledge and resources that can be used over and over again. Find out more and register here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: crime, justice and the human condition

The Howard League for Penal Reform has announced dates for its next bi-annual conference on ‘Crime, Justice and the Human Condition’ [13-14th September 2022, Oxford, price to be confirmed]. Expect conference contributions from academics, practitioners and other experts in many different fields and disciplines to explore crime, justice and the human condition, and the issues that intersect. Complemented by a festival of thought-provoking creative activities, this will be a wide-ranging discussion, considering crime and justice as they relate to life, growth, maturity, hope, emotion, conflict and mortality from myriad perspectives. It will look at how and where the criminal justice system touches people in their everyday lives, and what this means for society at large. Find out more and register here

FEATURED VACANCY: Criminal Justice Resettlement Worker and SAMAS Engagement and Support Worker

Community Led Initiatives CIC is looking for a Criminal Justice Resettlement Worker and two Support, Advice, Mentoring and Advocacy Service (SAMAS) Engagement and Support Workers [FT, Bedfordshire, £20,000 - £24,000, Fixed term] to provide essential services and help people recover from addiction, homelessness, mental ill-health and resettle in the community after prison. Community Led Initiatives is seeking inspiring, compassionate, and energetic people who will motivate and guide others along their recovery journey. Community Led Initiatives welcomes applications from candidates with lived experience of addiction, mental ill-health, homelessness that may also have been in prison or on probation, as this is often the reality for those it supports. Find out more and apply by 7th September here and here

RESOURCE: free data scheme for registered UK charities

Vodafone has launched 'charities.connected', an initiative allowing UK charities to apply for free data. The aim is to help individuals and families supported by charities, as well as enable organisations to improve their own digital capacity. Registered charities can apply for SIM cards with 20GB of data, plus free calls and texts every month for six months. Multiple SIMs can be requested and repeat applications can be made if the organisation has a range of digital exclusion projects underway. The SIMs will work in any SIM-enabled device, for example, a phone, tablet, laptop or Mifi dongle. SIMs are available until 1st November 2022, or until supplies run out. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES

Director of Finance and Business Systems with Imagine Independence [Liverpool], 3x Trainee IAPT High Intensity Therapists with Insight IAPT & Insight Wellbeing at Work [Newcastle upon Tyne], Interventions and Women's Centre Coordinator with ADVANCE (Advocacy and Non-Violence Community Education) [Hampshire], 2x Support Worker with Nacro [Birmingham and London], Support Worker with Hestia Housing & Support [Lambeth], Criminal Justice Resettlement Worker with Community Led Initiatives CIC [Central Bedfordshire], HR Operations Team Leader with Prison Advice and Care Trust (Pact) [London], Board Members with Abianda [London], Outreach Worker with Mental Health Concern [Northumberland]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Solar garden string ball lights. £12. Details
  • Thames river sightseeing. £5.95. Details
  • Four Slumberdown bouncy pillows. £12.99. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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