Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 763 | 16 December

Light Lunch

In this issue....​​​​​

CLINKS NEWS: final Light Lunch and office closing dates

Clinks last working day will be 23 December and we will be back from 3 January 2023. This will be the last edition of Light Lunch for this year. Any further submissions received during this time will be published in our first edition for 2022, which will be on 6 January. Please note that our events, membership and support mailboxes will not be monitored during this time and our phone lines will be closed. Any jobs that are posted on the Jobs Board will be reviewed and published when we return on 3 January.

CLINKS VACANCY: Deputy Chief Executive Officer - Interim

We have an exciting opportunity for an interim Deputy Chief Executive Officer to oversee the implementation of Clinks’ delivery plan towards its strategic goals. This is a new role that will support, and report directly to, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to provide strategic and operational leadership of Clinks. Working effectively as a team the Deputy CEO enables the CEO to focus on the future of Clinks ensuring Clinks is currently working well towards its five strategic objectives. The post holder will oversee the delivery of all Clinks’ operations and understand the difference the charity makes. Applications close on 6 January. Find out more and apply here.

CLINKS VACANCY: Head of Influence and Communications

We have an exciting opportunity for an expert communicator to join our team and lead the delivery of our influencing and communications work. The post holder will be responsible for the leadership and management of the influencing and policy function and communications functions within Clinks and the delivery of a clear communications strategy; responding to changes in the Criminal Justice System (CJS) and the needs of the voluntary sector working within it. Working with the Deputy Chief Executive with other senior managers, the post holder will contribute to strategic planning and identifying key issues and opportunities for the voluntary sector and Clinks. Applications close on 20 January. Find out more and apply here. 

CLINKS NEWS: Clinks Annual Report

Clinks have published our annual report for the year ended 31 March 2022, which details our achievements and progress towards our goals. The annual report also outlines our plans for the future, set out across our five strategic objectives, followed by a financial review. Read the annual report here.

CLINKS NEWS: evidence base for procedural justice in the courts

Dr Amy Kirby and Professor Jessica Jacobson will discuss the latest evidence for procedural justice in the courts [16 January, 14:00 – 15:00, online, free]. This is the seventh in our “A matter of fact: what the evidence tells us” series, to accompany our Evidence Library, giving you the chance to ask your own questions of leading academics talking about the latest research on an important criminal justice topic. Amy and Jessica have summarised the evidence base for procedural justice in the courts, starting by explaining what procedural justice is and why it matters. Read our Evidence Library review here: Procedural justice in the courts and reserve your place here.

CLINKS NEWS: share your views on Clinks women’s network

Clinks want to understand more about the impact of our thematic networks. We are trialling methods of gathering evaluation feedback. As part of this, we are using a short survey to ask women’s network members about what they gain from involvement in the network. If you are a member of the women’s network, please share your response before 21 December.

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: parental imprisonment practitioner network

The Children Heard and Seen practitioner network is an opportunity for practitioners who directly support children impacted by parental imprisonment and those who work for an organisation that is a potential touch point for children impacted to come together, and share knowledge, learning and good practice. At each meeting, a member leads a discussion about a specific area of work such as social care involvement, domestic abuse, grief and loss. Current members are teachers, social workers, educational psychologists, prison staff and third-sector colleagues. If you, a colleague or someone in your network would benefit from being a member it is currently free to join. If you have expertise in a specific subject that you could lead a discussion, please do contact Children Heard and Seen. practitionernetwork@childrenheardandseen.co.uk

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: evaluation of "buddy support"

The Buddy support programme, by Recoop, continues to be an incredibly important asset to members of the older cohort in prison who are suffering from health issues. The care they provide ranges from physical help such as cleaning cells and meal collection to helping support their client’s mental health. We have had feedback from prison staff, clients and Buddy's stating how positive the Buddy programme continues to be for all individuals involved in the service. To get a picture of the effect the Buddy Programme has, Recoop asked 14 clients at HMP Wymott a number of questions to assess the impact having a Buddy had on their physical and mental health. View the Buddy Support evaluation here.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: prison leavers innovation challenge pilots

The Ministry of Justice is delighted to announce that two companies have successfully launched digital pilots for prison leavers as part of the Prison Leavers Innovation Challenge. The Innovation Challenge, which was launched last year, aims to stimulate innovation from SMEs to find new ways to improve outcomes for prison leavers. The pilots include a digital learning tool for prison leavers with low literacy levels, learning difficulties and disabilities in the Kent Surrey and Sussex probation region, and a web-based platform which introduces goal-setting and behavioural techniques to help prison leavers in south Wales desist from crime. The solutions will be piloted for 12 months, during which time MOJ will evaluate them to identify what works. You can read more about these apps here.

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: theatre of oppressed, training

Join Ubele for this two-day, weekend workshop [4 & 5 March, 10:00 – 18:00, London, £55.00] that is open to anyone interested in exploring oppression through theatre for behaviour and social change. This two-day weekend workshop will be an intensive and in-depth exploration of the techniques with a focused theme on conflict. It’s useful for teachers and educators, therapists, social workers, psychologists, youth workers, creative facilitators and mental health professionals who work with disadvantaged populations, and for community activists and organisers who are involved with marginalised constituencies and constituencies which have traditionally been the victims of bias, discrimination, police abuse and systemic disempowerment. Register here.

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: workshops to engage people seen as challenging

Join Ubele for an intensive two-day workshop [11 & 12 March, London, £55.00] where you will learn how to engage, and work with, people seen to be ‘difficult’ groups within prisons, pupil referral units, hospitals, probation centres and detention centres. The first day explores a tool-kit of robust games and exercises that can be used in a variety of (closed) settings. During the second day you will be able to experience, practise and learn a variety of techniques in managing and dealing with resistance and disengagement in challenging settings. Learn more and book your place here.

NON-MEMBER’S EVENT: the Procurement Bill and why it's important

Join NCVO, Lloyds Bank Foundation for England & Wales, CAF, Locality and Social Enterprise UK to find out what's happening with the Procurement Bill and why it's important to speak to your local MP about it [11 January, 14:00 – 15:00, online, free]. The Bill sets out new procurement rules that the government are intending to apply to how contracting authorities select and pay for public services. While the Bill includes some positive changes, it doesn't go far enough to address many of the challenges that charities and social enterprises face when it comes to commissioning and procurement, which can have a detrimental impact on the services available locally. As charities and social enterprises that will be impacted by the new procurement rules, you are well placed to speak to your MP ahead of discussions in Parliament. Reserve your place here.

NON-MEMBER’S EVENT: employment conference for the women’s estate

New Futures Network is hosting an Employment Advisory Board conference for the Women's Prison Estate, the theme is “Empowering Women, Changing Lives” [25 January, 10:30 – 16:00, 102 Petty France, London]. The event will Increase awareness surrounding employment opportunities and outcomes for women leaving prison and understand the different challenges that women face when leaving prison. The event will also build an understanding of how Employment Advisory Boards can positively impact the lives of women prison leavers, reduce re-offending as well as meet employers’ recruitment needs. Please register your attendance by completing this form. If you have any questions please contact Rosanna.carbutt1@justice.gov.uk

PUBLICATION: young people’s voices on youth diversion and disparity

This report by the Centre for Justice Innovation explores the experiences of children and young people currently in the youth justice system, and how they perceive interactions with the police, solicitors and youth justice services to have been influenced by their ethnic background. The research, funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, follows on from our previous project ‘Equal diversion? Racial disproportionality in youth diversion’ and is a crucial step towards expanding the limited evidence base on youth diversion in England and Wales. Read the report here.

PUBLICATION: interim evaluation of anti-rip clothing

The Independent Custody Visiting Association (ICVA) has released an interim evaluation report into anti-rip clothing from a pilot undertaken in Dyfed Powys with the Head of Custody and Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner. The pilot was put together following ICVA’s thematic review of inspectorate reports regarding the use of anti-rip clothing which contained widespread and troubling issues with the use of the clothing. The pilot has seen independent custody visitors monitoring custody records where the clothing has been used and providing a robust feedback loop to the force to make improvements in practice. Read the report including implementation detail, the pilot data and recommendations here. If you have any queries, please email info@icva.org.uk

FEATURED VACANCY: Advocate and Link Worker (Prisons)

Women in Prison (WIP) has multiple services in London delivering support to women who are in contact, or at risk of being in contact, with the criminal justice system. WIP are looking for an Advocate and Link Worker [£27,720, full time, HMP Bronzefield] to support women in prison.  Find out more and apply by 3 January here.

FEATURED VACANCY: Post-release Counselling Manager

Choices Islington is looking for a Post-release Counselling Manager [£33,350 - £36,237 FTE, part time, Surrey/Remote] to join their team. Grief and guilt over lost children are one of the most abiding themes for women in prison. Working in a trauma-informed way, our goal is to help women healthily grieve their losses and move on with rebuilt hope and confidence. This is a clinical and managerial role, providing one-to-one counselling remotely and in person for women leaving prison. You will have a caseload of at least four clients each week, as well as assessing potential clients. You will also be responsible for associated project admin, managing volunteers, and proving ongoing support and advice.  Find out more and apply by 6 January here.

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES:

Regional Support Coordinator with St Giles Trust [£29,500 -£36,000, Leeds, full time]; Dawn House Resettlement Manager with Anawim [£31,907 - £34,367, Birmingham, full time]; Young Women's Practitioner - Rescue & Response with Abianda [£29,274, Islington, N5, full time]; Floating Outreach Support Worker with Imagine Independence [£14,858, Sefton, part time]; POST RELEASE SERVICE COUNSELLING MANAGER (PRC) with Choices Islington [£33,350 Hybrid working between Surrey Women's Prisons and remote online working, part time]; Recovery Worker with Phoenix Futures [£26,085, HMP Pentonville, London, full time]; Link Worker (Prisons) with Women in Prison [£27,720, HMP Bronzefield and across South London, full time]; Advocate (Prisons) with Women in Prison [£27,720, HMP Bronzefield, full time]; Programme Facilitator - HMP Lancaster Farms with Langley House Trust [£24,067, HMP Lancaster Farms, full time]; Employment, Training and Education Coach with Seetec [£23,000 - £24,801, Covering Bath & Weston-super-Mare, full time]

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

TIPS OF THE WEEK:

  • Personalised Parker Pen. £10 Details
  • Two cinema Vue tickets. £9 Details
  • LED alarm clock with wireless charger. £16.99 Details

EXTRA INFORMATION:

About Clinks Light Lunch

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