Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 722 | 25th February 2022

Light Lunch

In this week's edition...

CLINKS NEWS: take our short survey for your chance to win high street vouchers

If you work or volunteer for a charity, social enterprise, or other voluntary organisation, with people in contact with the criminal justice system – even if that’s not your main purpose – Clinks aims to support, promote and represent you. Your views matter. Tell us what advice you need, how we can best support you – for example with training, access to funding opportunities and networking with your peers – and how we can best influence government policy on your behalf. As a thank you, you’ll be entered into a prize draw for £50 high street vouchers. It will take just 15 minutes. Our survey is not limited to one response per organisation, so you can share this with your colleagues too. Complete our short survey by 24th March here

CLINKS EVENT: the voluntary sector's experience of the probation reform programme

Clinks is launching a report looking at the voluntary sector's experience of the probation reform programme during the commissioning of day one services [8 March, online, free]. Join us for a discussion of the research findings and recommendations. We'll hear from guest speaker Richard Oldfield who will discuss the findings of his Independent review of the probation Dynamic Framework. Dez Brown, Founder and CEO of Spark2Life and Helen Dyson, Director of Justice and Health and Business Development at Nacro, whose case studies are featured in our report, will also discuss their experiences. Jim Barton, Senior Responsible Officer for Probation Reform, HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) will give details on how HMPPS plans to respond to the issues raised by both reports. Book your place here

CLINKS EVENT: campaigning in the face of hostility

In this expert seminar, Ghadah Alnasseri, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at Hibiscus and Greg Sproston, Policy Manager at The Traveller Movement, will reflect on their experiences of advocating for marginalised people, campaigning against damaging policies and maintaining a sense of energy and optimism in the face of social and political hostility [1 March, online, free]. Attendees will come away with: an understanding of different approaches organisations can take to challenge damaging policy; examples of how collaborations, partnerships and solidarity can strengthen campaigns; and ideas for how organisations can maintain energy for their influencing and campaigns work in the face of hostility from those in power. This seminar is part of the Stronger Voice programme. Book your place here

NATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE ARTS ALLIANCE NEWS: conference 2022

We are excited to announce the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance (NCJAA) conference 2022: A new way of working – what does building back better look like for the arts in criminal justice? [31 March, online, free]. With a day packed full of workshops, keynote speakers and panel discussions, all are welcome to attend, participate and learn. Members of the NCJAA network are also invited to run a workshop at the conference. Find out more and book tickets here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: reform criminal record checks and help people move on

This week Unlock and Transform Justice have relaunched Fairchecks, campaigning for reform of the UK's criminal records system. One in six people in England and Wales have a criminal record, many for minor offences, which impacts their employment, education and housing opportunities long after they have moved on. Fairchecks calls for the government to reform criminal record checks so that people have a real chance to move on and work towards a better future. The campaign’s key asks for a fairer system are: remove criminal records for cautions; wipe the slate clean for childhood offences; stop forcing people to reveal short prison sentences forever. Sign up to show your support here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: better benefits for women with convictions

Working Chance has launched a campaign with the lived experience group Changemakers calling for #BetterBenefits for women with convictions. Over 40 organisations joined the campaign call to action, asking the government to make vital changes to Universal Credit so that women with convictions aren’t failed by a system that is supposed to protect them. Together, they are calling for a grant to see claimants through the five-week wait for first payment, all jobcentres to have staff specifically trained to support women with convictions, and a reduced cap on deductions. The campaign is accompanied by a video and a report Fighting for a better benefits system: A case for Universal Credit reform from women with lived experience of the criminal justice system. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: helping over 50s on release from prison

Recoop’s Resettlement Packs are a valuable resource for people over 50 on release from prison. Release from prison can be an anxious time, especially due to the impact the Covid pandemic has had, both in prison and the community. Many individuals are being released into unfamiliar communities with very little support and information on the area. Recoop’s Resettlement Packs help alleviate some of the concerns they might face by providing information on services that offer support, together with information on job centres, local authorities, housing providers, doctors and other useful information. Find out more here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Covid-19 update for families of people in prison

HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) has provided an update to families of people in prison following the Prime Minister’s announcement on 21 February. As prisons fall under the category of vulnerable settings, there will be no immediate changes to how prisons operate, and new guidance will be issued at a later stage. Prison visitors will still be required to test negative with a lateral flow test on the day for the visit to go ahead. Prison staff will continue with routine testing, and staff will also be advised not to attend work if they have symptoms or have tested positive for Covid-19. People in prison will still be tested for Covid-19 where appropriate and will be able to isolate if they test positive. Read the full update here

FUNDING: homelessness

Grants of up to £5,000 are available from the Help the Homeless grant scheme to small and medium-sized charities registered in the UK working to assist people who are homeless to rebuild their lives and return to the community. The grant scheme only accepts applications towards the funding of ‘capital’ projects and is unable to accept applications towards running/core costs. Find out more and apply by 15 March here

FUNDING: people in contact with the criminal justice system

Grants of up to £15,000 are available from the Weaver's Company Benevolent Fund for smaller UK based charities working with people in contact with the criminal justice system and young disadvantaged people, especially those at risk of criminal involvement within the UK. Preference is given to pump-priming new projects, especially those that are innovative and can serve as a model elsewhere. Find out more and apply by 17 March here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: procedural justice - a communicative story

HMPPS Insights is holding the second of its thematic online events relating to the use of procedural justice in HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) focusing on the importance of communications [3 March, online, free]. Flora Fitzalan Howard from the Evidence Based Practice Team will host the event and will be joined by panel members Suzy Talbot (HMPPS Communications Team), Jayne Kirkpatrick (National Rehabilitative Culture Project), David Vaughan (HMP Leeds) and Frankie Grant (Assessment Team, Prison and Probation Ombudsman). Topics for discussion will include how HMPPS utilises procedural justice in its national communications, procedural justice in complaint response, the lived experience perspective and instilling a culture change in everyday communications. There will also be a question and answer session. Book your tickets here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: supporting families affected by imprisonment

The Ebb Leicester is providing a workshop on improving support for families affected by imprisonment for professionals in the East Midlands. [9 March, online, free]. The workshop will showcase work taking place in Leicester by the Families Affected by Imprisonment project. It will explore the impacts of imprisonment on families and how to identify families affected by imprisonment and link with local partners working on the ground. Book your place here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: farming, nutrition and brain health

Think Through Nutrition is collaborating with FarmED to run an education day that explores the links between the soil beneath our feet, food quality, nutrition, brain health, and behaviour [22 March, Shipton under Wychwood, £33-£96]. The event will offer a background to food in a prison environment, share findings from Think Through Nutrition’s nutrition pilot at HMP Eastwood Park, and showcase opportunities for improving food and education across the prison estate. Suzy Dymond-White (former Governor of HMP Eastwood Park) and Heather McKenzie (Pilot Nutrition Champion and participant) will join to share their experiences of the pilot and its legacy from their perspective. Book your place here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: suicide - risk, prevention and recovery from Covid

In this seminar from The Academy for Social Justice, Professor Louis Appleby will discuss those most at risk from suicide and suicide prevention [30 March, online, free]. He will then reflect on how Covid-19 has affected suicide and self-harm statistics and consider what should be covered in a revised national strategy for suicide prevention. Professor Appleby is Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Manchester and Director of the National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Safety in Mental Health. 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. Book your place here

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: why employ people with convictions?

This training course will explore the social and business benefits of recruiting people with convictions [8 March, online, £100]. There are over 1.2 million individuals that receive a conviction each year. But people with convictions are the least likely ‘disadvantaged group’ to be employed – only 12% of employers have knowingly employed someone with a conviction in the last three years. Book your place here

FEATURED VACANCY: Day Support Coach

Social Interest Group is looking for talented, passionate and ambitious Support Coaches to join its Penrose criminal justice division for the mobilisation and delivery of a flagship new service [£25,500, London, full time]. The service will be supporting men assessed as high-risk and/or with complex needs and will offer intensive levels of support and supervision to provide a vital bridge between prison and the community, reduce reoffending and protect the public. Find out more and apply by 1 March here

FEATURED VACANCY: Foundations of Education, Training and Employment Advisor

Change Grow Live (CGL) is looking for a Foundations of Education, Training and Employment Advisor [£24,193 - £28,116, Lincoln, full time]. As a Foundations of Education, Training and Employment Advisor you’ll work with people who use CGL services, helping them get to where they want to be. The post holder will work as an integral part of CGL and Ingeus and will be responsible for the delivery of FoRehab modules across the Lincolnshire region. You will be delivering sessions to adults that are referred from the Probation Service, to work towards improving their skills and ability to enter Employment, Training or Education. Find out more and apply by 11 March here

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES

Child Therapist with Foundation [North Yorkshire], Community Co-Ordinator with Rethink Mental Illness [North East England], Regional Lead with The Wise Group [home based], Independent Advocate with The Advocacy Project [Berkshire], Volunteering Team Leader with Community Links [Leeds], Outreach Project Coordinator with Junction 42 [Newcastle], Female Education, Training and Employment Coordinator with Anawim [Balsall Heath], Innovative Practice Intern with Centre for Justice Innovation [London], Case Worker with Mental Health Concern [North Tyneside], Senior Practitioner with Spurgeons [Maidstone], Visiting Mum Family Resettlement Worker with Prison Advice and Care Trust (Pact) [HMP Eastwood Park]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

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EXTRA INFORMATION

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