Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 759 | 18 November 2022

Light Lunch

In this issue....​​​​​

CLINKS NEWS: annual conference & AGM

With our annual conference & AGM fast approaching, we are excited to share our full programme with you for the day. If you are registered but can no longer join us on the day, or wish to send a substitute delegate, then please do let us know by emailing events@clinks.org as soon as possible. We continue to operate a waiting list for the day and therefore would like to offer up any spaces that become available. Clinks’ members have the right to appoint a proxy to exercise their rights to attend, speak and vote at the AGM. Appointment of a proxy must be made using the proxy form, and completed forms must be emailed back to corporateservices@clinks.org by [21 November 2022].

CLINKS NEWS: Stronger Voice - free communications coaching

Apply before [25 November] for free communications coaching from charity communications and policy expert Gemma Buckland. Clinks members can receive one-to-one coaching as well as the opportunity for peer learning with other organisations, supporting you to develop language and tools that can help you more effectively communicate your work and speak out on issues that matter. You must be a member of staff or volunteer working for the voluntary sector. Preference will be given to organisations specialising in working with women or racially minoritised people and those with an annual income of under £750,000. This offer is part of Stronger Voice, a programme funded by the Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales. Apply here.

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: call to ban short-term prison sentences

More Than My Past, a podcast established by The Forward Trust, has just launched series two with a special one-off interview with former Prisons Minister and chart-topping podcaster, Rory Stewart. Rory uses the interview to, once again, call for all short-term prison sentences to be banned, a call that he made when in Government. He cites the fact that “sending people to prison on a short sentence doesn’t have any deterrent effect at all” and instead it “increases their chance of reoffending rather than had they not been sent there at all”. The interview in full can be heard here.

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: how to help older people in prison

The main function of a Recoop activity hub is to provide a safe space for individuals of a similar age to interact, improving their quality of life while in prison. Members of the older cohort can often feel isolated and lonely. An activity hub can help, giving them a place to go where they can be provided specific support, groups and activities. An example of a Recoop activity hub is the Lobster Pot at HMP Leyhill in Gloucestershire. To better understand why the Lobster Pot works so well, Recoop surveyed individuals, asking them to rate various aspects of the Lobster Pot including staff, groups, support services. Read about it here.

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: ELEVATE CJS applications now open

The Criminal Justice Alliance are excited to announce that applications are now open for ELEVATE CJS, their comprehensive twelve-month leadership programme that promotes the redistribution of power to people with lived experience of the criminal justice system. The programme aims to dismantle the barriers of stigma and tokenism, which prevent emerging leaders who are working in the criminal justice sector from progressing to positions of power and influence. Through personal and professional development training, ELEVATE CJS will equip individuals with the skills, knowledge, and networks to advance systemic change, challenging the criminal justice sector to reimagine who can be a leader. For more information and how to apply, clink here or e-mail nola.sterling@criminaljusticealliance.org.uk

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: the value of women’s centres

Clean Break theatre company is touring a short performance alongside an accompanying workshop and live discussion on the value of women’s centres. The play, Catch, was co-commissioned by Clean Break and Advance Minerva, and is written by Sonia Jalaly, developed in collaboration with women attending women’s centres. It is performed by Clean Break Members (women with lived experience of the criminal justice system and women at risk with drug, alcohol or mental health issues). Bookings are available for [February and March 2023]. Clean Break are keen for it to be seen by practitioners and policy makers in the criminal justice system and judiciary. If you have an event coming up, staff training, or are planning something for International Women’s Day, then Catch is a perfect addition. For more information contact dezh.zhelyazkova@cleanbreak.org.uk

FUNDING: build resilience to prevent suicide and self-harm

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is looking to appoint a supplier or suppliers to help prisoners build resilience to prevent suicide and self-harm. A virtual market engagement event will be held on [25 November, 11:00am, online, free]. The MoJ require a supplier or suppliers to; provide a classroom session on emotional resilience, delivered by someone with lived prison experience, during the induction process for new prisoners in 17 selected reception prisons. They will also operate a peer support service providing wellbeing support and advice about navigating the prison environment to prisoners in those prisons, re-enforcing the messages of the classroom session. The supplier will arrange the recruitment, training, support and supervision of the prisoners providing the service. Click here to find out more.

FUNDING: Prisoner Education Service (PES) engagement event

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) PES Programme Team would like to give notification of a Teams Live event on [30 November, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM, online, free] which will launch their engagement for future Prisoner Education Service (PES) procurement. Hear how plans for the future service have been developed, including how feedback received throughout the course of this year has been incorporated. All interested suppliers are strongly encouraged to attend, as there will be a Q&A section and the chance to provide further feedback and information on how you can stay involved. Register here.

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: something to take off the edge

Written and performed by Errol McGlashan, "Something to take off the edge", is a one-man-show tragicomedy heavily based on lived experience. Ezra and Terry are cellmates who strike up an unlikely friendship flirting with heroin, chocolate Hobnobs and Shakespeare while serving long-term prison sentences during 1980’s Britain. [2 December, 16:00, Brady Arts Centre, Whitechapel, London, free] also [4 December, The Great North Wood Pub, London, £7.50] Free Brady Arts tickets here or tickets for Great North Wood pub here.

NON-MEMBER’S EVENT: a social enterprise using tech and community

At this Academy for Social Justice event, you will hear from award-winning social enterprise Beam on how to harness technology and communities to support vulnerable groups [14 December, online, free]. Register your place here.

PUBLICATION: police, searches and power, a review

The National Appropriate Adult has published "Police searches of people: a review of PACE powers". Inspired by the Child Q strip search case, the report shines a light on the complex system of police powers, and limited safeguards, behind Child Q and similar cases. It highlights the ethnic disparities in the use of search powers, and their traumatic impact, especially on children and vulnerable people. It suggests a range of potential strategic and technical changes relating to police searches, including a new focus on safeguarding. Read the report here.

PUBLICATION: report on shared reading and positive change

New research published by the Ministry of Justice and HM Prison and Probation Service provides evidence that shared reading delivers positive change for individuals in prisons and probation services. The Reader runs shared reading groups in all kinds of settings, including schools, hospitals, care homes, prisons and approved premises (shared reading is currently available in 31 criminal justice settings). Research shows that shared reading improves wellbeing, reduces loneliness and helps us find new meaning in our lives. An independent evaluation of shared reading in Psychologically Informed Planned Environments (PIPES) carried out by Professor Alison Liebling and her team at the Institute of Criminology, University of Cambridge. Find out more and read the full report.

PUBLICATION: the work Himaya Haven

This report provides a robust and detailed account of the work Himaya Haven have undertaken over two years to support and advocate for 'offender and prisoners' families. Moreover, the report highlights key findings, emphasising the necessity of governmental and criminal justice organisations actively engaging with non-profits, like Himaya Haven, to support offender and prisoner families, help reduce reoffending and support young people at risk of crime. Read the report here.

FEATURED VACANCY: Caseworker

INQUEST is looking for a Caseworker [£30,400, full time, London] to join their team to provide specialist advice to bereaved families facing an investigation and inquest process into a state-related death; secure legal representation for families; liaise with external organisations, including lawyers, coroners and public bodies; and identify key cases and issues arising as part of INQUEST’s policy and campaigns work. The successful candidate will have experience in casework and advice provision, preferably in inquest law and related investigations. They will be expected to identify themes and trends arising from cases and contribute to the organisations' strategic work. In addition, they will be required to organise stakeholder meetings and represent INQUEST at external meetings. Find out more and apply by 28 November here.

FEATURED VACANCY: Policy Manager

Criminal Justice Alliance (CJA) is looking for a Policy Manager [£35,000-£40,000, full time, London]. This is an exciting and varied role leading the policy, public affairs and research work of the CJA. You will work closely with member organisations drawing on their expertise and experiences to inform CJA policy work and recommendations to achieve systemic change. You will work across a range of criminal justice policy areas such as increasing access to victim services, tackling racial inequality, improving outcomes for people leaving prison and reducing the number of people in custody awaiting trial. You will also have the opportunity to scope and develop two new projects on reform of drug policy and community scrutiny of probation, as well as promoting lived experience leadership. Find out more and apply by 4 December here

FEATURED VACANCY: Bluebird Service Advocate

Women in Prison have an exciting opportunity to be part of a new project providing enhanced support service to women who have experienced complex trauma. As a Bluebird Service Advocate [£27,720-£28,500, full time, London] you will work collaboratively with partner agencies to provide a cohesive pathway of psychologically informed support service by delivering in-depth advocacy, advice and support to a caseload of women who have multiple intersecting needs including a significant history of trauma, mental ill health and/or a diagnosis of personality disorder. The role will include fantastic opportunities for joint working with the NHS, including being part of a team with psychologists in the NHS, including attending group consultations where a case formulation is developed, and attending training, reflective practice and group clinical supervision with psychology staff. Find out more and apply by 29 November here

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES:

Chief Executive Officer with St Giles Trust [£120,000, London, with some home working flexibility, full time]; Senior Data Analyst with Change, grow, live (CGL) [£30,212 - £32,078 Bristol, full time]; Community Project Worker with Hibiscus Initiatives [£25,200 - £28,840, Resource for London, full time]; Mental Health Support Worker x 3 with Community Links Ltd [£22,571 - £24,920 Leeds, full time]; Casework Coordinator with Julian House [£22,440 - £23,812 Exeter, full time]; Development Manager with Belong - Making Justice Happen [£35,500, remote, with some travel to prison and community locations, UK-Wide, part time]; Recovery Coordinator with Humankind [£19,047 - £23,273 Durham, full time]; Regional Support Coordinator with St Giles Trust [£29,500 - £36,000 Leeds Media Centre with travel across Yorkshire, full time]; Caseworker - Child Criminal Exploitation/Child Sexual Exploitation with St Giles Trust [£23,000 - £28,000 Office based in Coventry & Wolverhampton, full time]; Housing Support Worker (Dispersed Team) with Foundation [£22,571 - £24,920, Leeds, full time]

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

TIPS OF THE WEEK:

  • Simba mattresses Black Friday sale. Up to 60% off. Details
  • ID mobile sim only Black Friday sale. 24GB for £8. Details
  • Dual air fryer. £150. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION:

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