Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 708 | 5th November 2021

Light Lunch

In this week's edition...

CLINKS NEWS: new trustees

We are delighted to announce that we have added five trustees and two board fellows to our Board of Trustees. During this round of trustee recruitment, we worked to ensure that people with lived experience of the criminal justice system, racially minoritised people and people under 30 were represented. Our board fellow scheme is for people under the age of 30 who want to gain the insight and experience of being on a board, without holding the full legal responsibilities for governing a charity. Clinks’ Governance and Executive Manager Joni Emery has written a blog about the recruitment process and the value of lived experience and diversity on trustee boards. She says, “Having a diverse, fully representative board, including people with lived experience is not a “nice to have”, it is an essential part of great governance.” Read the blog here

CLINKS NEWS: Clinks Member advisory forum

Clinks is seeking voluntary sector leaders and practitioners from our membership working in the criminal justice system in England and Wales to join our new member advisory forum. This is an exciting opportunity where you will be able to provide Clinks with strategic and operational advice, to ensure that Clinks is best informed by the organisations that it supports. Meetings of the forum will be held once a quarter. If you are interested in becoming part of the forum, please send an expression of interest by 9am Monday 6th December. See more information here

CLINKS NEWS: working with life sentenced prisoners

In case you missed it, we’ve published a video recording of the first in our event series “A matter of fact: what the evidence tells us” with Dr Serena Wright and Dr Susie Hulley. The event series gives you the chance to hear from our Evidence Library authors - experts in key criminal justice topics – and put questions to them directly. Serena and Susie presented the findings of their research on men and women serving life sentences in prison from an early age. They have summarised the key findings of their research in a review for our Evidence library, published earlier this year. Watch the event recording here

CLINKS NEWS: last days to fill out State of the sector survey

You have until Monday 8th November to complete the State of the sector survey. Take this opportunity to make sure your organisation is represented in our research so that we can best support you and advocate on your behalf in our work with policymakers, for the benefit of your organisation and the communities you work with. The information you provide is paramount to help us meet your needs. Complete the survey here by Monday 8th November

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: mental health discharge

The Making Every Adult Matter Coalition (MEAM), of which Clinks is a member, has published a briefing exploring the experience of discharge from inpatient mental health care for people experiencing multiple disadvantage and those who support them. MEAM found that over half the areas across its network said there were ‘always’ or ‘very frequently’ problems with discharge from inpatient mental health support for their clients. Problems include people being discharged with little or no support in place, particularly around continuity of mental health care in the community and accommodation, and delayed discharges, often to allow more time to put suitable community support plans in place. The briefing gives examples of positive practice including patient involvement, local multi-agency partnerships, specialist discharge staff and Housing First support. Read the briefing here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: launch of the Civil Society Group

The Civil Society Group launched this Thursday to increase collaboration between charity bodies, improve efficiency and effectiveness, and streamline engagement with the government. Clinks is delighted to be part of the group. It is an informal collaboration of organisations representing members and groups from across the charity sector and wider civil society. Its mission is to increase collaboration between the infrastructure, representative and member organisations working across civil society. It aims to harness the collective strengths of their diverse networks, improve efficiency and effectiveness, and allow civil society to clearly articulate shared priorities and views to the government. The group will build on the successes and vital role played by charities and social enterprises in communities during the pandemic. It will be open to any civil society representative, infrastructure, and member organisations. Read more here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: innovative solutions to reduce reoffending

The nine shortlisted suppliers from the Prison Leavers Innovation Challenge will be showcasing their prototype solutions at a ‘Pitch Day’ event [8th November, online, free]. The Prison Leavers Innovation Challenge invited tech companies and start-ups to develop new tools and solutions that can support prison leavers. It is part of the Ministry of Justice’s Prison Leavers Project – a £20 million Shared Outcomes Fund initiative which aims to develop innovative new solutions to the challenges faced by prison leavers and tackle reoffending. At the event, the suppliers, which include several partnerships with voluntary sector organisations including The Disabilities Trust, Include and The Shannon Trust, will showcase their prototypes. Up to 4 of the most promising prototypes will be awarded up to £350,000 funding to pilot their solution on the ground. Register here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Justice Committee Evidence Session with the Minister for Prisons

On 2nd November, the House of Commons Justice Committee heard evidence from Victoria Atkins MP (Minister of State for Prisons), Dr Jo Farrar (Second Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, and Chief Executive Officer at HM Prison and Probation Service), and Kate Davies CBE (Director of Health and Justice, Armed Forces and Sexual Referral Centres (SARCs) at NHS England). The Minister said a whole systems approach needs to be driven forward across the government, recognised the importance of pre-sentence reports in informing sentencers, and said she was keen to continue the previous Lord Chancellor’s work on neurodiversity. There was also emphasis on a ‘trauma-informed’ approach, including training for staff. You can watch the session in full here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: strategic grants – emotional support to prisoners

Following a market engagement event that took place in September, The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has launched the competition for an “Emotional Support to Prisoners” grant. The purpose of the grant programme is to provide and/or enable the provision of emotional support to prisoners in distress or crisis and to ensure that such support is available across England and Wales. This scheme makes a significant contribution to Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service’s (HMPPS’) safer custody agenda of keeping prisoners safe and reducing self-inflicted deaths. The duration of the grant funding will be from 1st April 2022 to 31st March 2025.  The total funding available is £625,000 per annum. Applications can be made via the MoJ e-sourcing portal. Once logged in, search for “ITT_5631”. Applications are open until 10am on 3rd December 2021. Access the e-sourcing portal here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: strategic grants - infrastructure

Following a market engagement event that took place in September, The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has launched the competition for an “Infrastructure Grant to support Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise Organisations”. The purpose of this grant is to support the voluntary sector in developing its role in reducing re-offending by providing it with practical resources, up to date information on key criminal justice developments, and support with income generation. The duration of the grant funding will be from 1st April 2022 to 31st March 2025. The maximum funding based on current scope is £550,000 per annum. However, it is possible that as HMPPS / MoJ seek to work and support the voluntary sector the scope / funding may be expanded if required subject to mutual agreement. Applications can be made via the MoJ e-sourcing portal. Once logged in, search for “ITT_5677”. Applications are open until 10am on 6th December 2021. Access the e-sourcing portal here

FUNDING: change in communities

Grants up to £10,000 are available from the Comic Relief Community Fund for England to support local not-for-profit groups in England to drive change in their communities. Funding is intended to support community-led organisations to deliver change by drawing on people’s lived experiences. These issues should align with one of Comic Relief's four strategic themes: Children Survive and Thrive; Fighting for Gender Justice; A Safe Place to Be; and Mental Health Matters. Up to £1,000 is available for capacity building and up to £9,000 for project delivery. Find out more and apply by 12th November here

FUNDING: rights and justice

Grants are available from the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust - Rights and Justice Programme to support projects in four priority areas: protection and promotion of human rights and their enforcement in the UK; promoting rights and justice for those who face the most severe forms of racism; promotion of rights and justice for refugees and other migrants by identifying and tackling structures and systems that may deny them their rights; and responding to the dual harms of Covid-19 and systemic racism. To apply, you must register by 12th November and complete an application by 29th November. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: faith and moral obligation in criminal justice

The Community Chaplaincy Association (CCA) is hosting an event with Mike Nellis, Emeritus Professor of Criminal and Community Justice, University of Strathclyde who was formerly a social worker with young people in contact with the criminal justice system in London [11th November, online, free]. The event will explore the tension between the established evidence base and the current ideology driving prison reforms. Mike will discuss how practitioners can work in this environment and maintain moral integrity whilst supporting clients, but also ask some fundamental questions about what prison is actually for and what we can do to promote progressive practice in the current climate. This event will look at how people of faith can guide policy as well as individual journeys. Please email gemmagreenbank@communitychaplaincy.org.uk to register to join.

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: music and insights

Changing Tunes is hosting its annual concert - an inspiring evening of music and insights from participants that Changing Tunes has worked with in prison and post-release [13th November, online/Bristol, free]. The event will showcase some of the first artists to be represented by Red Tangent Records – Changing Tunes’ new record label and artist development scheme for people who’ve been in the criminal justice system. The Manager of Red Tangent Records, who is also a Musician-in-Residence and former Changing Tunes participant, will introduce the label, which aims to nurture budding musicians who’ve been in prison or the youth justice system. The event will be livestreamed so you can join online or in person. See more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: vision for volunteering

The Vision for Volunteering team is hosting a series of workshops covering six focus areas as part of its consultation process to establish a shared ambition for volunteering over the next decade [16th November – 15th December, online, free]. Vision for Volunteering is an ambitious, cross-sector, and actions-focused consultation, highlighting the opportunities and challenges across England that we collectively face in enabling volunteering activities to thrive into the future, recognising the vested interest and influence a range of stakeholders play in delivering a robust action plan. Vision for Volunteering is a collaboration, led by NAVCA, NCVO, Volunteering Matters, the Association of Volunteer Managers and Sport England. Learn more about the vision and its ambitions here. Sign up to the workshops here

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: person-led, transitional and strength-based approaches

The Mayday Trust is offering a training course and qualification in Person-led, Transitional and Strength-based Approaches (PTS) for those working in homelessness, social care and the criminal justice system [Full course £1800, single module £900, online, 17th January]. This is a Certificate of Professional Development, a level 4 on the National Qualifications Framework and worth 40 credits. The qualification is made up of two modules, each module will involve 200 hours of distance learning, which includes digital learning, self-directed study, and completion of a portfolio. Applications close on 3rd December 2021. Find out more here

NON-MEMBERS’ EVENTS AND TRAINING

  • Briefing launch: The Public Health Case Against the Policing Bill | 15th November | Details

FEATURED VACANCY: Resettlement Support Worker

The Clink Charity is looking for a Resettlement Support Worker [£28,000, London, full time] to provide a high quality and responsive service to both male and female cohorts who creatively addresses the needs and risks of clients to enable them to avoid further offending and maintain employment. You will be based at HMP High Down but also work in HMP Downview as well as receiving cases from other The Clink Charity projects and areas. The Support Worker 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. Find out more and apply by 30th November here

FEATURED VACANCY: Inside and Out Project Officer

Food Matters, a charity working on prison food reform, is looking for an Inside and Out Project Officer [£28,672 FTE, Brighton, part time] with facilitator/trainer experience and a nutrition, dietetic or health related background, who is confident working in challenging situations. The role is office (Brighton) or home-based with regular travel to a women’s prison in Surrey. You will work with the project lead to deliver Food Matters Inside and Out including participatory courses and in-cell learning at a Surrey women's prison. You will provide administrative support to the project and contribute to the dissemination of the project findings. Find out more and apply by 30th November here

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES

Bank Accommodation Adviser with Shelter [Yorkshire and Humberside], Support Worker with Nacro [Braintree], Workshop Programme Facilitator with AVision for Empowerment CIC [various], London Programme Manager with Redthread [London], Support Coach with StandOut [HMP Wandsworth], Casework Assistants with INQUEST [London], Chief Executive with New Bridge Foundation [London], Information and Governance Officer with Inspire North [Leeds], Housing Management Officer with Hestia Housing and Support [London], Recovery Coordinator with Humankind [Morpeth], Accommodation Support Officer with Seetec [Ashford], Specialist Caseworker with St Giles Trust [Newham Hospital], Refuge Support Worker with Changing Lives [Middlesbrough]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Refurbished Lenovo Chromebook. £49. Details
  • Wireless phone charging pad. Save 89%. Details
  • St Ives Bay Hotel. 68% off. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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