Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 727 | 1 April 2022

Light Lunch

In this week's edition...

CLINKS BLOG: concerns about the commissioning of prison family services

Clinks has been gathering feedback from voluntary organisations ahead of and during the competition to commission services that support people in prisons across England and Wales to maintain and develop their relationships with families and loved ones. This blog summarises what we’ve heard, the concerns we have raised with the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), and some of the positive changes the government has made. However, a number of challenges remain. We will continue to work with the voluntary sector, MoJ and HMPPS to understand the challenges, highlight concerns and develop solutions. Read the blog here

CLINKS BLOG: now is a great time to join Clinks

We've seen the massive financial impact the pandemic has had on the voluntary sector working in criminal justice during Covid-19. So in 2020 we were very pleased to obtain funding to help support the sector with a time-limited free membership offer. With this offer now shortly coming to an end on 31 March, we are delighted to be following through on our commitment to make sure Clinks membership continues to be extremely cost effective – in fact this will be free for around 50% of our current members. Read more about why organisations become members of Clinks, and why now is a great time to join, in our blog here

NATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE ARTS ALLIANCE VACANCY: Support and Engagement Officer

We're looking for a Support and Engagement Officer to support the Manager of the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance (NCJAA) to deliver an ambitious programme of work as the leading national network for arts organisations and individuals that work in the criminal justice system [£27,815, full time (fixed term), remote]. This is a wide-ranging role that involves coordinating multiple areas of work and engaging with audiences through a range of ways, including written outputs (including newsletters, websites and social media) as well as meetings, forums and events. Clinks is an equal opportunities employer and we actively encourage individuals with direct experience of the criminal justice system and/or with protected characteristics to apply. Find out more and apply by 8 April here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Gypsy and Traveller people in the criminal justice system

Leeds Gypsy and Traveller Exchange is looking to speak to Gypsy and Traveller people across West Yorkshire who have been in prison or on probation to talk about their experiences with the organisation’s criminal justice advocate. This information can be anonymous and Leeds Gypsy and Traveller Exchange is looking to use it to inform how probation services need to create change for Gypsies and Travellers that are in the criminal justice system. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: children at risk

The Alliance for Youth Justice (AYJ) has published a new policy briefing, A perfect storm for children at risk?: Preventing a post-pandemic surge in the criminalisation of children. The briefing explores the significant risk of a surge in the number of children drawn into the justice system following the pandemic and argues that strong leadership and coordinated action is required to respond to children at risk. Read the full briefing here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: the government sets out next steps for living with Covid-19

New guidance from the government has outlined that free Covid-19 tests will continue to be available to help protect specific groups once free testing for the general public ends on 1 April. Free symptomatic testing will be provided for people living or working in some high-risk settings including in prisons and places of detention (including immigration removal centres), where infection needs to be identified quickly to minimise outbreaks. Find out more here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: changes to Covid-19 testing for prison visitors

Visitors to prisons will no longer be required to take Covid tests from Friday 1 April. HM Prison and Probation Service is making this change because regular Covid testing in the wider community is coming to an end, and testing kits will no longer be provided for free in the community after 31 March. Other safety measures for visits, such as social distancing, mask-wearing and hand-washing, are being kept in place nationally for now because the number of Covid infections in the community is still quite high. Visitors are encouraged to take a test before going to a prison if they can access one. Visitors with a positive result will not be able to visit. Find out more here

FUNDING: Birmingham and the West Midlands

One-off grants are available from William A Cadbury Charitable Trust to UK registered charities based in Birmingham and the West Midlands in the areas of social welfare, medical and healthcare, education and training, conservation, penal reform and the arts. Applications under penal reform can include: restorative justice, prison based projects and work aimed at reducing re-offending. Find out more and apply by 22 April here

FUNDING: IT

Grants of up to £15,000 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. The Company is more likely to fund projects which demonstrate an innovative use of IT, can be developed into a model for wider replication, are sustainable and focus on outcomes which can be formally reported on. Find out more and apply by 25 April here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: drug treatment and the justice system

The Probation Institute is holding a research event on drug treatment in the justice system [25 April, online, free]. Speakers include Professor Alex Stevens from the University of Kent, Tammie Burroughs from the Effective Practice Team at HM Inspectorate of Probation (HMI Probation) and April Wareham from Working with Everyone. Tammie will discuss the issues raised by the HMI joint thematic inspection of community-based drug treatment and recovery work with people on probation. Alex will discuss his research on drugs, crime and public health, and raise questions about the hazards of net-widening. April will talk about her research on integrated treatment, particularly for those leaving prison. Find out more including how to register here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: employment for prison leavers

The Academy for Social Justice is holding an event exploring employment for prison leavers [27 April, online, free]. The event will feature speakers from the New Futures Network, HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) and Greene King. The Lived Experience Lead from HMPPS, Caragh Arthur, will discuss the importance of creating an inclusive environment for staff who have lived experience of the criminal justice system. This in turn will support the government’s ambition to recruit 1,000 prison leavers to the Civil Service by 2023. Graham Briggs will share how Greene King has supported 100 prison leavers into work. 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. Register here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: sentencer and police understanding of crime and gambling harms

The Howard League for Penal Reform is holding a research seminar as part of the Insights22 festival on ‘Sentencer and police understanding, awareness and treatment of crime and gambling harms’ [12 May, online, free]. Chaired by Andrew Neilson, Director of Campaigns at the Howard League for Penal Reform, the session will include Sarah Page, Senior Lecturer, Sociology and Criminology, Co-Director, Staffordshire University Crime and Society Research Group and Dr Helen Churcher, Research and Project Officer, Howard League for Penal Reform. Sarah will discuss examples of sentencing practice in magistrates’ courts in England and Wales when problem gambling is raised as a contextual factor to the crime. Helen will discuss the role of police custody in identification and signposting to support.  Find out more and register here

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: get to grips with Universal Credit

Society Matters CIC is running a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) accredited course on Universal Credit (5.5 CPD points) [13 April, online, £59.50]. This online training is designed and delivered by experts, and its format is designed to make the complex content easy to understand and accessible. Find out more and book your place here

FEATURED VACANCY: Director of Policy and Advocacy  

Unlock is looking for a Director of Policy and Advocacy [£48,000 to £51,000, home based, full time]. This is an opportunity for an exceptional individual with excellent influencing skills and a track record of success in achieving policy change. As Director of Policy and Advocacy you will lead a small team of two Policy Officers. You will be a collaborative, innovative leader who is aligned to Unlock’s aims and able to drive forward its policy and advocacy priorities. Find out more and apply by 12 April here

FEATURED VACANCY: Senior Practitioner - Gender Consultant

Abianda is looking for a Senior Practitioner - Gender Consultant [£33,660, London, full time]. This is a non-case holding role which will eventually line-manage a small number of staff as the team grows. The successful candidate will be the operational lead for Abianda's Gender Consultancy work delivering external borough-based consultation surgeries and providing case reviews to upskill and raise awareness to professionals working with young women and girls. Find out more and apply by 24 April here

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES

Chief Executive Officer with Community Chaplaincy Association [flexible], Young Women’s Worker with Redthread [London], Family Services Worker with Spurgeons [HMP Wayland], Finance Officer with Social Interest Group [London], Senior Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner Rethink Mental Illness [Preston], Prison Facilitator with Shannon Trust [HMP Channings Wood], Insights and Outcomes Officer with The Advocacy Project [London], Case Worker with Mental Health Concern [South Tyneside and Sunderland], Liaison and Diversion Practitioner with Together for Mental Wellbeing [London], Through the Gate Worker with Phoenix Futures [HMP Pentonville], Play Worker with Prison Advice and Care Trust [HMP Springhill]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Oral-B electric toothbrush. £28.99. Details
  • Peppa Pig Hama gift set. £11.20. Details
  • Clematis plant (single or pair). £5.99. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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