Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 705 | 15th October 2021

Light Lunch

In this week's edition...

CLINKS NEWS: what's the state of the sector in 2021?

We have launched this year's State of the sector survey. This is one of our biggest and most important information collection projects we conduct every year. We really can't do anything without hearing the voice of voluntary sector organisations working in the criminal justice system. Help us build on last year's evidence and identify changes and challenges for the sector. Your answers will help us to advocate on your behalf and prioritise our work so that we can meet your needs. If you're a voluntary organisation working in criminal justice, take our 20 minute survey by 8th November here

CLINKS NEWS: join the Covid-19 Special Interest Group

It’s your last chance to apply to join the Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3) Covid-19 Special Interest Group (SIG). The RR3 is a formal advisory group to the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS). The SIG meets to discuss the impact of Covid-19 on people in contact with the criminal justice system, with a particular focus on the recovery of regimes in prisons and the delivery of voluntary sector services. We are looking for leaders from voluntary organisations that: provide specialist support to women; are led by and focussed on racially minoritised people; deliver services to those deemed of high risk of harm to others; deliver services in prisons (both contracted and non-contracted); or work to elevate the voices of service users. To express interest in joining, please email noori.piperdy@clinks.org by 9am 22nd October 2021.

CLINKS NEWS: Victoria Abrahams

Victoria joined Clinks in July 2021 as Income and Impact Manager. Originally working in prison law, she represented women and men in prison and probation settings, supporting with their access to justice and services. She then moved to the voluntary sector, specialising in business development and sustainable strategic planning for various women's charities. She is passionate about racial justice and is trained in facilitating conversations in anti-racism and decolonisation practices. Victoria’s role within Clinks is to support income generation and refine impact measurement to best support internal and external needs for our members, during a transitional period for the criminal justice voluntary sector given both the impact of the pandemic and the ways in which criminal justice has been shaped over the last few years. Meet the team here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: research opportunities - women in the criminal justice system

After 20 years sponsoring practitioner-led research into the treatment of women in criminal justice, The Griffins Society will be closing its doors in 2024. There will be one last opportunity this Autumn for practitioners to apply to become a research fellow and carry out a piece of their own research.  Run in partnership with the Institute of Criminology, University of Cambridge, the fellowships offer public or voluntary sector practitioners working with young or adult women, an opportunity to contribute to the practice and policy debates around women in criminal justice. There are five research fellowships available (including one jointly funded by the Barrow Cadbury Trust).  The deadline for applications is Friday 21st January 2022. E-mail Director Chris Leeson Chris.Leeson@thegriffinssociety.org for more information. Read more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: advisory panel

Are you a woman with experience of the criminal justice system? Do you believe that no woman should be held back by her past? Do you want to help other women like you in their journey to employment? Working Chance is setting up an advisory group of women who have a conviction and/or caution to drive ideas about the right support for other women like them. It's an opportunity to create change, build skills and meet new people. The first session will take place next week on 21st October from 2pm at Working Chance’s London office, however there will be an option to join remotely via Zoom too. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: impact of MEAM approach

Cordis Bright has published its latest findings from the independent evaluation of the MEAM Approach network. The five-year evaluation began in 2017 and assesses the impact of the MEAM Approach on people experiencing multiple disadvantage, local services and systems. The main report has eight key findings, including details on the impact on individuals, improvements in the effective use of resources, and the impact on systems. MEAM is a coalition of Clinks, Homeless Link, Mind and associate member Collective Voice. Read more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: racism, apartheid and forgiveness

The Forgiveness Project is excited to announce the launch of the second season of The F Word Podcast exploring the complex, messy, gripping subject of forgiveness. The first episode features Father Michael Lapsley, discussing racism, apartheid and when forgiveness requires repentance. There are ten new episodes in this season and a new episode will be released every fortnight. Listen here  

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: the voluntary sector and Covid-19

The latest round of NCVO’s Respond Recover Reset barometer survey is open until 25th October. The survey looks at the pandemic’s effect on voluntary organisations’ finances, operations, employees and volunteers. NCVO has been running this survey throughout the pandemic to monitor the impact of Covid-19 on the voluntary sector. This survey round will look at how charities are adapting as we move to a post-restrictions era, how ways of working from the pandemic are being adapted, embedded or rejected, and how the changing landscape of the pandemic is affecting the health of the voluntary sector. The survey will take approximately 10-15min to complete and there is the option of being entered into a prize draw to win £200, and a further £2000 draw at the end of the whole project. Take the survey here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: children with a mother in the criminal justice system

Sarah Beresford, Prison Reform Trust Associate, is currently leading a project looking at the use of Child Impact Assessments for children with a mother in the criminal justice system. Co-created through the Merseyside Women’s Services Alliance with women and children with lived experience, the project will involve using the assessment tool with children to gather feedback on whether this framework is helpful, and how it might be offered at the earliest opportunity, as well as getting feedback from women in the criminal justice system and staff who support them. At the same time, the project will engage with policy influencing organisations to explore how Child Impact Assessments are best embedded into existing systems and structures. Find out more about the project and how to get involved here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: digital solutions to support prison leavers

The nine shortlisted suppliers from the Prison Leavers Innovation Challenge will be showcasing their digital solutions for prison leavers at a Pitch Day Showcase [8th November, online, free]. The Prison Leavers Innovation Challenge is part of the cross-government Prison Leavers Project that aims to test innovative ways to improve social inclusion of people leaving prison, and reduce reoffending. The Prison Leavers Innovation Challenge invited organisations to look specifically at developing new technological tools and solutions, for example apps and web portals, to support prison leavers on their release from prison. Nine ideas were shortlisted to develop prototypes. Up to four of the best ideas will be awarded with funding up to £350k to pilot their solution on the ground. Find out more and book your place here

FUNDING: Hertfordshire

Grants up to £5,000 are available from the Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner's Action Fund to local voluntary and community groups, charitable and not-for-profit organisations, and parish, town and district councils developing innovative projects to increase community safety in Hertfordshire. The Commissioner particularly welcomes innovative projects proposed through local collaborations and partnerships and which can make a lasting difference to communities in terms of safety. Applications which involve young people, particularly in the design or the delivery of a project, are also encouraged. Find out more and apply by 26th October here

FUNDING: IT

Grants up to £10,000 are available from the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists Charity for the development of innovative IT projects with a charitable or educational focus in the UK. Priorities include: enhancing opportunity for young people through more effective education; improving the quality of life for those who are disadvantaged, disabled or socially excluded; helping charities get the best out of IT; and improving the public's understanding of IT and its capabilities. Find out more and apply by 26th October here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: procedural justice

HMPPS Insights is holding an event exploring how HMPPS has begun to embed the principles of procedural justice into the management of prisons, specifically relating to safety, stability and security [11th November, online, free]. The event will be hosted by Flora Fitzalan Howard, from the HMPPS Insights Group Evidence Based Practice Team. Flora will be joined by panel members Governor Ralph Lubkowski, HMP Hewell; Phil Riding, Head of Residential at HMYOI Hindley; Amy Freel, Risk and Capabilities Unit; and Winston Carnegie, Head of Safeguarding at HMYOI Werrington. The event will offer a unique insight into how successful implementation of procedural justice practice can enhance both individual functions and the wider prison community. Book your place here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: 30th anniversary

Prisoners’ Advice Service (PAS) is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and is delighted to be hosting an in-person event to celebrate [25th November, London, free]. The event will include contributions from leading Prison Law solicitor, Simon Creighton, a long-standing PAS Caseworker and spoken word artist, Kelly Roberts. It will be held at the London offices of White & Case LLP.  Speakers will begin at 6pm, with drinks from 5.30pm. To attend, please e-mail your details to: list@prisonersadvice.org.uk

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: communicating with the public about diversion from prosecution

Join Transform Justice for a free, in-person workshop on how to communicate about resolving crimes without going to court in a way that leads to public support and acceptance [2nd December, London, free]. The session will explore current public attitudes towards diversion and what terminology, language and framing works best to increase support. The workshop, based on focus groups and a nationally representative survey of the public funded by Lloyds Bank Foundation, will be useful for any voluntary sector organisations advocating for diversion and out of court disposals. Book your ticket here

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: harmful online behaviour

The Social Switch Project Frontline Training has reopened spaces for its interactive half-day course [October 2021-January 2021, online, free]. It is aimed at professionals working with young people in Greater London and delivered by Redthread and Catch22, thanks to funding from the Mayor of London’s Violence Reduction Unit. The course aims to support professionals in dealing with both harmful online behaviour and the real-life violence which can escalate as a result. It has already helped more than 1,100 frontline professionals switch on to the language young people use, understand how to approach harmful online activity, and learn how to encourage positive online behaviour. Sign up here

PODCAST: the power of reconciliation

The latest episode of the More Than My Past podcast is now available to listen. Presented by actor Jason Flemyng, the podcast features guests who have overcome addiction or offending – exploring their stories and finding out how their lives have changed. The latest episode includes guest Magnus Appiah, who co-founded early intervention charity Squash Da Beef. Magnus describes how he and co-founder Nicky Harris turned rivalry into partnership, and how they use their experience to work with young people, aiming to intervene before it’s too late. “We go into schools, reform schools, young offender’s institutions, prisons and other establishments to give our story to young people to stop them making the same mistakes we did.” Listen here

FEATURED VACANCY: Senior HR Manager

Women in Prison is looking for a Senior HR Manager [£39,660, London/Remote, full time] to help shape its detailed strategy around people development and agile working. This is a new role where you will be part of the management team, operating across the whole organisation to embed refreshed HR practices and procedures. You will work on delivering a people development programme which reflects Women in Prisons’ values of feminism, asset based empowerment and inclusion. The deadline for application is 18th October. Find out more and apply here

FEATURED VACANCY: WomenMATTA Manager

Women in Prison is looking for a WomenMATTA manager [£31,000, Hulme, full time] to provide strategic oversight and operational management to all WomenMATTA services delivered through hubs across multiple sites in Manchester, ensuring quality standards are consistently met, staff are effectively managed, partnerships are established and maintained and budgets are appropriately managed. The deadline for applications is 25th October. Find out more and apply here

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES

Supported Housing Officer with Tyne Housing Association [North Tyneside], Employment Team Adviser with Clean Sheet [Home based], Chief Executive with Sixty-One [Bristol], Personal Wellbeing Coach with St Giles Trust [Dyfed Powys], Volunteer Literacy Tutor with Irish Community Care [Liverpool], Community Partnerships Manager with YSS [Flexible], Routes2Change practitioner with Prison Advice and Care Trust [HMP Isis], Liaison and Diversion Caseworker with Anawim [Balsall Heath], Head of Accommodation Services with Imagine Independence [Merseyside], Support Worker with Mental Health Concern [Gateshead], Support Coach with Social Interest Group [Medway]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

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EXTRA INFORMATION

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