Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 724 | 11th March 2022

Light Lunch

In this week's edition...

CLINKS NEWS: probation reform and the voluntary sector

We've published our report on the voluntary sector's experience of the probation reform programme during the commissioning of day one services. It finds the commissioning process was complex, cumbersome and bureaucratic and the financial costs of involvement were significant. Many small, specialist organisations were unable to engage with the process. The report makes nine recommendations aimed at supporting future commissioning processes. We continue to work constructively with the Ministry of Justice and HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) to explore how they can implement our recommendations. At the report's launch event Jim Barton, Senior Responsible Officer for Probation Reform, HMPPS outlined the work currently underway to respond to our recommendations - including a commitment to using grants in the future. Read the report here

CLINKS CONSULTATION: use of remand for adults

The Justice Committee has opened an inquiry into the use of custodial remand for adults and has put out a call for evidence that closes on Friday 22 April. To inform Clinks’ submission to this inquiry we are holding a consultation event for voluntary sector organisations with knowledge and expertise in working with people on remand to provide feedback [28 March, online, free]. We’re particularly interested in the following questions: What data on remand should be collected and published that isn’t already? What effect does the increasing remand population have on the prison population? What support is available for remand prisoners? Are there differences in the use of remand in custody between men and women? and What alternatives are there to the use of custodial remand (such as more effective tagging)? Find out more and register here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: the next three years

Switchback has published its 3-year plan: A platform for change. It sets out ambitions to grow the organisation’s delivery to support more young men than ever before, by supporting Trainees to take an even bigger role in championing change across the system, and by working in creative collaboration with a wider range of organisations – all while ensuring Switchback operates from an ever-stronger foundation as it grows. Switchback launched the plan at an event on 8 March where the new podcast Time & Again also made its debut. Read the plan here and listen to the podcast trailer here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: the latest on probation

Issue 23 of Probation Quarterly from the Probation Institute has been published and includes a wide range of articles from academics and the voluntary sector covering the following subjects: the experiences of people on the Building Better Relationships programme; maternal trauma for women in prison; and politicians’ accounts of penal policy-making over the last 30 years. It also includes an article from Clinks on our latest report: Tracking the voluntary sector’s experience of the probation reform programme: the commissioning of day one services. Download Probation Quarterly here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Gypsy and Traveller focus group

The Traveller Movement is looking for six Gypsy or Irish Traveller people that have served time in a UK prison to take part in a focus group. The aim is to explore how best to meet the education and work needs of Gypsy and Irish Travellers within the criminal justice system. This session will be an hour-long, in-person in The Traveller Movement’s office in Stockwell, London on Wednesday 13th April. The Traveller Movement will not be reporting any personal details or keeping names on record after the focus group is finished. If you are interested in taking part, please phone: 020 7607 2002 or email: research2@travellermovement.org.uk

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: vulnerable women in Brighton and Hove

Fulfilling Lives has released a report evaluating the impact of Brighton and Hove’s Looking Forward service. Looking Forward is a service for women who have had a child or children permanently removed from their care and is delivered by women’s drug and alcohol service, Oasis Project.  Women who have had a child or children removed from their care due to safeguarding concerns often have multiple and compound needs including experience of abuse and neglect as children (50% of women in Looking Forward are care leavers), and domestic and sexual abuse as adults, exploitation and involvement with the criminal justice system, poor mental health, substance misuse and issues with housing. Read the evaluation here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Covid-19 testing for staff

Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) has provided an update to voluntary sector partners on changes to Covid-19 testing requirements for those working in prisons, including non-directly employed staff. Voluntary sector partners operating in the prison estate may request this update from covid19@clinks.org.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: construction training and work-related training programmes

Essex Youth Offending Service (YOS) is commissioning Entry Level and Level 1 City and Guilds accredited construction training and work-related training programmes and work experience for young people in contact with the criminal justice system who are: post statutory school leaving age; under statutory supervision of Essex YOS (i.e. they are subject to interventions determined by the police and by Magistrates, Crown Courts or conditions set by secure institutions); and are not in employment, education or training (NEET). The closing date to bid is 14 March. Find out more here

FUNDING: Leicestershire

Grants of up to £10,000 are available from the Leicestershire Police and Crime Commissioner's Safety Fund for community-based groups, parish councils, schools, and businesses to support community projects that help reduce the risk of crime and increase public safety in Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland. Funding can be used for projects and initiatives that meet any of the objectives of the Police and Crime Plan and can include new initiatives/provision, to expand existing provision or as replacement funding. Find out more and apply by 28 March here

FUNDING: South Yorkshire

Grants of up to £7,500 are available from the South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner. The Community Grant Scheme is available to non-profit organisations in South Yorkshire for activities that give communities the opportunity to tackle issues of concern, break down barriers and encourage partnership working in an effort to make them a safer place to live. The money should be used to contribute to local communities and should meet the aims of the Police and Crime Plan. Find out more and apply by 31 March here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: probation inquiry

Join Revolving Doors Agency and its lived experience team for a discussion of the main findings and recommendations of its inquiry into probation [4 April, online, free]. Over an 18-month period, Revolving Doors Agency spoke to 141 people with lived experience of probation and 35 probation practitioners, and with the lived experience team it has developed a report containing key themes, findings, and recommendations. The launch event will feature a keynote speech from Jim Barton, Director of the Probation Reform Programme at HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), as well as the probation lived experience team and Revolving Doors Agency’s researchers and Executive Director. Register here

FEATURED VACANCY: Deputy Operations and Development Manager

Together for Mental Wellbeing is looking for a Deputy Operations and Development Manager [£41,820 - £45,450, London, full time]. This role offers the opportunity to work with a high level of autonomy at both an operational and strategic level, within a voluntary sector organisation where you can immediately see the positive impact of your hard work. With a focus on the quality and governance of Together for Mental Wellbeing’s service delivery, you would also be expected to build and maintain effective partnerships across the health and justice sectors at a strategic level, as well as working closely with the central Business Development team on new opportunities. Find out more and apply by 1 April here

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES

Support Worker with Community Links Ltd [Kirklees], Navigator with Mental Health Concern [Tyne and Wear], Criminal Justice People and Project Manager with The Reader [Cambridgeshire], Regional Lead (Engaging with People on Probation) with The Wise Group [home based with travel], Family Engagement Manager with Prison Advice and Care Trust [HMP Huntercombe], Youth Violence A&E Hospital Caseworker with St Giles Trust [West Midlands], Coordinator: Peterborough Prison Health and Perinatal Peer Support Services with Birth Companions [HMP Peterborough], Senior Practitioner with Phoenix Futures [HMP Styal], Resettlement Worker (Prison Leavers Caseworker) with West Yorkshire Community Chaplaincy Project [West Yorkshire]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

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EXTRA INFORMATION

 

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