Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 720 | 11th February 2022

Light Lunch

In this week's edition...

CLINKS NEWS: guide to the criminal justice system

We have published a new guide - Navigating the criminal justice system. The criminal justice system in England and Wales can be daunting to understand because of both its size and complexity. If you’re new to working or volunteering in this field, this Clinks guide will help you understand how the criminal justice system is organised and how it works. Follow useful links within this interactive document to delve deeper on areas such as sentences, prisons, probation, children in the criminal justice system, and more. We also hold information sessions for voluntary sector staff and volunteers to increase awareness of how the criminal justice system is organised, its complexities, and how it works. Visit our website for upcoming opportunities or email events@clinks.org. Download the guide here

CLINKS NEWS: identifying children impacted by parental imprisonment

In this guest blog by Children Heard and Seen, Cara Mohan-Carr, Policy and Campaigns Co-ordinator, explores the context for parental imprisonment and outlines a new pilot for Early Identification of Children Impacted by Parental Imprisonment in collaboration with Thames Valley Police and Thames Valley Violence Reduction Unit. According to Crest Advisory, an estimated 312,000 children experience parental imprisonment each year in England and Wales. Despite this figure, there is currently no statutory mechanism for identifying children with a parent in prison. This latest blog details more about the pilot project aiming to address this issue, identify children impacted by parental imprisonment, so they can receive appropriate support. Find out more about Children Heard and Seen’s Breaking the Cycle campaign in partnership with the Daily Express here. Read the blog here

CLINKS NEWS: Join the RR3 – large provider seat

There is one week left to apply for the vacant position on the Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3). 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 the government and the voluntary sector. This vacancy is for a senior manager in an organisation with an income of over £10 million, who has experience and expertise of the commissioning and delivery of public services. The deadline is 9am, 18th February. Find out more here

CLINKS EVENT: Yorkshire and The Humber Rehabilitation Partnership

The Yorkshire and The Humber Rehabilitation Partnership, in conjunction with Clinks, would like to invite voluntary sector organisations to an introductory information session [28th February, online, free]. This session will provide organisations based in and delivering services across Yorkshire and Humber the opportunity to find out more about the work of the partnership, their vision, and outcomes for those who come into contact with the criminal justice system and highlight current priorities and workstreams. It will also aim to provide organisations with contact points to support and enable information sharing and further opportunities for partnership and collaboration. Register here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: support for Muslim-led organisations

The Community Chaplaincy Association is currently offering free consultation, operational support and advice to Muslim-led organisations and potential start-ups working with prison leavers anywhere in England and Wales. This support will be client led and could include diversification support and/or access to free training such as Equality and Diversity Programmes accredited by Birmingham City University and Mental Health First Aid Toolkit workshops. Please email Community Chaplaincy Association Muslim Development Project Lead Qasim at QasimFarid@communitychaplaincy.org.uk for more details.

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: supporting prison leavers

Fresh Start has been featured in the Norwich Evening News, in an article celebrating their work to transform the lives of prison leavers. All of Fresh Start’s peer support mentors have lived experience of being in custody, which helps to break down barriers and provide an additional layer of support and empathy. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: improving victims’ experiences of the justice system

The Restorative Justice for All International Institute (RJ4All) has published its response to the Ministry of Justice’s consultation on improving victims’ experiences of the justice system alongside an open letter to Rt Hon Dominic Raab MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Justice.  The response is based on evidence that RJ4All has gained over years of practicing restorative justice and specific consultation with a group of victims and related professionals at its International Conference. The open letter states: “It takes an exceptional level of honesty, integrity and moral judgment to help victims gain their own voice in the justice system. A key underlying value of restorative justice is power sharing. This must be pursued at all levels when engaging with victims.” Read in full here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: response to Omicron in prisons

Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service has provided an operational update for partners about its response to the Omicron Covid-19 variant in prisons. The risk of Omicron has now been re-assessed and as a result of the reduced disease severity and the protection provided as a result of vaccination, it is now possible for some prisons to progress to stage 2 of the National Framework. As ability to progress will be determined by local circumstances and risk assessments, progression will not be uniform nationally. To receive the full update, please email covid19@clinks.org.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Gypsy, Roma and Traveller engagement with the London Probation Service

The Ministry of Justice has scheduled a further market engagement session for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Engagement with the London Probation Service [28th February, online, free]. The Ministry of Justice is seeking to deliver an engagement service for people on probation who identify as members of the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) community. This is with a view to building stronger relationships between the GRT community and the London Probation Service, both on an individual and wider organisational level. The market engagement session is open for anyone to attend, however in order to be eligible for this opportunity, providers will need to be qualified on the Dynamic Framework under the relevant categories by submitting or updating their Selection Questionnaire. Find out more about the opportunity here. Register for the event here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: autism support services in the Thames Valley

The Ministry of Justice would like to highlight a potential opportunity for the provision of Autism Support Services in the Thames Valley Region. If you would be interested in this potential opportunity, the Probation Dynamic Framework Commercial Team is offering one-to-one sessions to discuss the details. Request a session by emailing ProbationDynamicFramework@justice.gov.uk, with the subject line: “Autism Support Services: Thames Valley” by 5pm 16th February.

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 Trust’s aims and objectives include: diverting young people away from crime and anti-social behaviour and building good community relations. Find out more and apply by 1st March here

FUNDING: young people into employment

Grants of up to £10,000 a year are available from Lawrence Atwell's Charity - Charities Programme to registered charities in England and Wales for projects to support young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) to move into employment or become employment ready. The charity particularly (but not exclusively) looks to support programmes of work where young people receive a vocational qualification. It looks to support projects with a track record of success, or where the specific model of work is proven to be successful. Find out more and apply by 4th March here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: #SpeaksWithSwitchback

Switchback has launched a new series of talks: #SpeaksWithSwitchback. During the series, a range of inspiring speakers will meet with Switchback Trainees and share their stories, reflections and advice. The events will be livestreamed on social media. The series begins with a conversation with Patrick Hutchinson - activist and writer, who many might recognise from an iconic photo from a 2020 Black Lives Matter protest which showed him carrying a counter-protester to safety [6pm 22nd February, online, free]. Patrick will speak about his experiences growing up as a Black man in London, the catalytic moment which inspired so many, and how he used the momentum generated by the image to start his organisation United to Change and Inspire. Watch online here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: volunteering

New Philanthropy Capital (NPC) is holding an event to discuss the current volunteering landscape, how the social sector can leverage the recent interest in volunteering, and the role for government and funders in supporting volunteering [1st March, online, free]. “Are we in danger of failing to capitalise on the pandemic volunteering boom?” will include several guest speakers: Jarina Choudhury, Strategic Volunteering Lead at NCVO and partner in Vision for Volunteering and Chris Reed, Director of Volunteer Mobilisation, British Red Cross. The event will be chaired by Lucy de Groot, NPC Trustee. Find out more and book your place here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: call for papers

The Howard League for Penal Reform has opened the call for papers for its next bi-annual conference “Crime, Justice and the Human Condition: Beyond the cris(es) – reframing and reimagining justice” [13th-14th September 2022, Keble College, University of Oxford, from £175]. The conference will bring together contributions from academics and researchers at all levels, practitioners, policy makers and other experts from different fields and disciplines to explore crime, justice and the human condition, and the issues that intersect and think about how the criminal justice system can work. The deadline for abstract submissions is 16th May. Find out more information about conference themes, confirmed speakers, submission guidelines and conference fees and attendance here

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: domestic abuse

Respect, in partnership with SafeLives and the Drive Partnership, is pleased to announce a new package of training courses designed to safely meet the growing demand for effective responses and programmes for perpetrators of domestic abuse [February-July, online, from free]. If you're already working with this client group and you'd like to develop your skillset, or you're someone with transferable skills who would like to explore a career working in this area, take a look at the range of courses available and make an expression of interest. Please note, some of the courses listed are fully booked and no longer available. Find out more here

PUBLICATION: success of wellbeing grants

The Tudor Trust has published a report based on feedback from recipients of its wellbeing grants, which were given in 2021 to support grantees’ staff and volunteer wellbeing. The report found that the gesture of the wellbeing grant, with money being ring-fenced specifically for wellbeing, was significant, deeply felt and had an impact on all involved. While the grant was a response to a particular moment in time, it also revealed that workforce wellbeing is an area that many organisations struggle to legitimise spending money on. Ring-fencing the money sent a clear message that it’s okay to prioritise wellbeing and flexibility enabled grantees to fund a wide range of activities. Find out more here

FEATURED VACANCY: Switchback Mentor

Switchback is looking for a Switchback Mentor [£28,000 - £31,000, London, full time] to take ownership of building positive, motivational relationships with young men in prison and maintain them through the gate and into being a Trainee. You will generate your own small caseload in prison and must be willing to become the most important person in each Trainee’s life whilst also working towards that no longer being the case. A Mentor helps a Trainee learn how to make the right choices, be reliable, get the help he needs and work towards his goals. Most importantly, you will do this in a way that is true to Switchback’s key values, having high expectations and being authentic in all interactions. Find out more and apply by 21st February here

FEATURED VACANCY: ELEVATE CJS Project Manager 

The Criminal Justice Alliance is looking for an ELEVATE CJS Project Manager [£38,000 - £40,000, London, full time] with lived experience of the criminal justice system to lead its exciting new leadership programme. ELEVATE CJS (Elevating Lived Experience Voices Advocacy Training and Expertise in the Criminal Justice System) aims to help emerging lived experience leaders progress into rewarding careers where they can influence change in the criminal justice system or other social justice areas. You will lead on finalising and implementing the project plan for the ELEVATE CJS leadership programme pilot, tender for facilitators to support the delivery of the programme, develop partnership agreements and co-ordinate facilitators to ensure effective delivery against project milestones. Find out more and apply by 20th February here

FEATURED VACANCY: Resettlement Support Worker 

The Clink Charity is looking for a Resettlement Support Worker [£27,000, HMP Styal, full time] to join the team. You will provide a high quality and responsive service, both pre and post release from custody, which creatively addresses the needs and risks of clients to enable them to avoid further offending and maintain employment. This will include clients from Clink Restaurant, Clink Kitchen and Clink Garden projects across the North West of England. The Resettlement Support Worker will be based at HMP Styal (Restaurant, Garden and Kitchens) but will have a mix of community, remote and multi-site working within the role. Find out more and apply by 26th February here

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES

Operational Development Manager with Wales Restorative Approaches Partnership CIC [Cardiff and home working], Salesforce Administrator with Mental Health Concern [Seaton Burn], Administrator with Phoenix Futures [HMP Hollesley Bay], Support Worker with Imagine Independence [Oswaldtwistle], Building Recovery in Communities Coordinator with Humankind [HMP Frankland], PA with Change, Grow, Live [London], Skills Centre Trainer with St Giles Trust [London], Employment and Training Advisor with Foundation [Huddersfield], Programme Manager (Digital Delivery Lead) with Khulisa [London], Project Worker with The Lucy Faithfull Foundation [Surrey]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Two-pack of fleece lined leggings. Details
  • A5 personalised hardcover photobook. 84% off. Details
  • Helicopter flight for two. Save 50%. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

About Clinks Light Lunch

This edition of Light Lunch has been sent to the inbox of 13,630 people working (or with an interest) in the criminal justice system of England and Wales.

Click here to manage your subscriptions. For assistance, email info@clinks.org

If you would like to include something in a future edition of Light Lunch, use our submission form.

Clinks logo

Get involved Become a Member | Follow Clinks on Twitter | Terms and conditions

Contact us www.clinks.org | info@clinks.org | 020 7383 0966

© Clinks, 2022