Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 746 | 19 August 2022

Light Lunch

In this week's edition...

CLINKS NEWS: Clinks annual conference – save the date

We are delighted to invite you to save the date [22 November] for What’s next? Building strength and unity in a changing criminal justice system, our first annual conference and AGM to be held in person in three years. Join us and our keynote speakers Phil Copple, HMPPS Director General of Prisons, and Amy Rees, HMPPS Director General of Probation, Wales and Youth, to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the voluntary sector working in criminal justice and how, as a sector we can work together to become strong and sustainable, overcome barriers and achieve our goals. We will share further details in Lightlunch and on our events webpage soon.

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Arkbound Foundation

The Arkbound Foundation team is thrilled to share that their founder and coordinator Stephen (Steve) McNaught has been shortlisted for the 2022 Social Enterprise Awards Scotland. Steve is one of five who have made the shortlist for the prestigious Social Enterprise Champion Award. We wish him the best of luck for the awards ceremony on 1 November. See the shortlist here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Prison leavers’ subsistence payment increased

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has increased the subsistence payment given to prison leavers to £82.39. This follows their commitment to uplift the subsistence payment in line with the Consumer Price Index until 2024/25. You can read the Prison Service Instruction (PSI) Discharge PSI 72/2011 here

FUNDING: Probation grants

Previous communications from HMPPS advised that they intended to open applications for competed grants for people from ethnic minority groups on the 24th August. Considering feedback around summer holiday leave, and to ensure all organisations have enough time to register on the grants portal, they have decided to delay this launch by a short period.  They advise that organisations should continue to submit applications for the grants portal. A new launch date, plus the dates of upcoming market engagement events will be communicated shortly. You can read more about the launch of probation grants and how to register in the portal in this Clinks blog.

FUNDING: competition for departure lounge services

The North East Probation Service intends to launch a call-off competition via the Probation Service Dynamic Framework (PSDF) to source a provider(s) of departure lounge services within HMP Low Newton, HMP Holme House, HMP Durham and HMP Northumberland. The provider will need to provide a service specific for the Dynamic Framework DF08 – Social Inclusion category. To be invited to bid, providers will need to be qualified onto the PSDF in the DF08 category. The probation team may be looking to speak to providers on a 1-2-1 basis about these services over the next couple of weeks, if you are interested in having a conversation please email ProbationDynamicFramework@justice.gov.uk

 

MEMBERS' EVENT: Advice Services Alliance conference 2022

The Advice Services Alliance conference 'From Covid to Crisis: The Direction for Advice in 2022' will be an engaging and stimulating face-to-face event for anyone with an interest to provide the best possible advice in the challenging post-Covid world [4 and 5 October, Manchester Conference Centre, from £100.00 plus VAT (before 7 September]. Whether you work for an advice service, a voluntary organisation, a funder or other close stakeholder organisation, the conference will both challenge accepted thinking and share key ideas on the future of social welfare advice. The conference will reflect on our history and think forward to the new challenges and experiences facing the sector. The event will explore ways we can work together to tackle the social injustices faced by our communities, by clients and by others facing exclusion and discrimination. Register here

NON-MEMBERS’ EVENT: an expert seminar on loneliness

The Academy for Social Justice, by Her Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) is hosting a seminar on loneliness [22 September, 16:00 – 17:15, online, free]. This event will feature Jennifer Manchester, from the Campaign to End Loneliness, who will help you understand more about loneliness and the impact loneliness has on our health and wellbeing. You will also hear more about the latest research on the factors that make some people more likely to experience loneliness, including Covid-19, and the most up-to-date evidence on how best to tackle loneliness. 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 for your place here

NON-MEMBERS’ EVENT: neurodiversity in business, it’s just “good” business

The Academy for Social Justice, by Her Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) is hosting a seminar on neurodiversity [27 September, 16:00 – 17:15, online, free]. The seminar will explain why neurodiversity is a competitive advantage and explores what can be done to ensure neurodivergent people are accepted and valued as employees. 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

NON-MEMBERS’ EVENT: effective use of the ‘Choices and Changes’ resource pack

Her Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) Insights presents the second thematic event relating to young adults [29 September, 14:00 – 16:00, online, free]. The event will cover psychosocial maturity in young adults with a focus on the delivery of ‘Choices and Changes’. Host, Lisa Short, National Young Adults Team Lead will be joined by panel members who will explore the most effective current practice utilising the ‘Choices and Changes’ resource pack and understand the impact on Young Adults and staff. This resource pack is for key workers or prison offender managers to use in one-to-one sessions with young adults who have been identified as having low psychosocial maturity. The exercises in the pack aim to encourage engagement and help young adults to develop their maturity. Register here

PUBLICATION: Why focus on reducing women’s imprisonment?

The Prison Reform Trust have published a briefing that contains key facts and figures on the number of women imprisoned, the characteristics of women in prison, and drivers to their offending, as well as information about community-based services and solutions. It also provides a concise explanation of the need to focus on reducing the imprisonment of women in England and Wales. Key facts highlighted in the briefing include: 25% of self-harm incidents by women in prison in 2021 were committed by those held on remand; in 2021 50% of prison sentences given to women were for 6 months or less; less than half (47%) of women left prison in the year to March 2022 with settled accommodation. You can download a copy of the briefing here

PUBLICATION: Priced Out: The impact of the rising cost of living on people with multiple unmet needs

A new report by Changing Lives shines a light on the devastating impact of the rising cost of living on the people who access their services. Many have existing vulnerabilities including lasting experiences of poverty, discrimination and trauma. Findings include: over 80% are no longer able to make ends meet; over 75% are incurring unsustainable levels of debt; people aged under 25 are among the most affected. Experiences of food poverty and hunger are becoming commonplace, and a growing number of people are at risk of eviction. People are relying on perilous forms of lending such as loan sharks and sources of high-cost credit. Almost all the people they work with are being pushed further into poverty through an inadequate welfare system and limited routes to employment. Read the report here

PUBLICATION: Research into advice services for prisoners

This report presents the findings from an exploratory study undertaken by the Policy Evaluation and Research Unit at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) and the Advice Services Alliance (ASA) examining social welfare advice services for people with convictions. The aim of the study was to explore the efficacy of advice services for prisoners, specifically: the knowledge gap in the evidence base; research required to address this; and funding/business/policy models to support such research. Read the report here

OPPORTUNITY: Ministry of Justice research to better understand the impact of debt

The MoJ’s Implementation Unit (IU) are carrying out a ‘deep dive’ project [22 August - 2 September], to better understand the scale of the issue surrounding formal debt for prisoners and prison leavers, what support currently exists and any barriers, challenges or suggestions for change. The MoJ are looking to engage with organisations that work with prisoners and prison leavers. Please note, this project is looking at formal debt which is external to prison, such as secured or unsecured loans, credit cards and mortgages. This deep dive does not include debt between prisoners whilst in custody. If you would like to participate, please contact heather.southcott@justice.gov.uk or harriet.matson1@justice.gov.uk

FEATURED VACANCY: Director of Finance & Operations

Switchback, an award-winning charity supporting young men to live life differently after prison are looking to recruit a Director of Finance & Operations [£55,000 - £60,000, depending on experience, Full-time, London/Hybrid]. The Director of Finance and Operations is a key role in the leadership team of a dynamic organisation making a real difference in young people’s lives, with exciting plans for growth set out in their 3-year plan 2022-25. Managing a small team, you’ll have responsibility for a range of essential business functions central to Switchback’s success: financial and business planning, HR processes, infrastructure (including IT), governance, risk management and compliance. You’ll also guide their business development and strategic partnership-building. Find out more and apply here by 12 September

FEATURED VACANCY: Head of Business Development & Partnerships

Switchback, an award-winning charity supporting young men to live life differently after prison are recruiting for Head of Business Development & Partnerships [£45000 - £50000 depending on experience, Full-time, London/Hybrid]. The role will involve reinvigorating existing relationships as well as developing a range of new ones across the public, voluntary and private sectors. A key aim will be ensuring that every Switchback Trainee has a range of fantastic training, job and support options. You will also be responsible for business development, generating opportunities to grow Switchback’s impact and income in line with their strategic aims. This will include exploring government funding opportunities, developing our external training offer, and establishing new delivery partnerships. Read more and apply here by 12 Sept

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES

Night Engagement Worker with Social Interest Group [£23,550, Lambeth, London, full time]; Support Worker - Activity Hubs with Social Interest Group [£25,750, Croydon and Lewisham, London, full time]; Mental Health Recovery Worker with Social Interest Group [£23,550, Croydon, London, full time]; Service Manager with Social Interest Group [£29,664, Bedford, full time]; Support Mentor with Social Interest Group [£23,550, Kensington and Chelsea, London, full time]; Children's Rights and Advocacy Worker with Barnardo's [£24,723 - £26,700, Wetherby, full time]; Housing Intervention Worker - Prisoner Offender Project (POP) with Kaleidoscope Project [£22,500, Pontypridd, full time]; Head of Business Development & Partnerships with Switchback [£45,000 - £50,000, London/hybrid, full time]; Accommodation Support Officer with Seetec [£19,841 - £24,801, HMP Haverigg, Barrow-in-Furness & Kenda, full time]; Head of Communications with ADVANCE (Advocacy and Non-Violence Community Education) [£46,000 - £55,000, London, full time]

For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • one-year breakdown cover. From £16 Details
  • teeth whitening kit. £19.75 Details
  • two ODEON Luxe cinema tickets. £14 Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

About Clinks Light Lunch

This edition of Light Lunch has been sent to the inbox of 13,782 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 4502 6774