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Dear colleague,
We are pleased to announce the launch of our State of the sector 2022 report.
State of the sector 2022 explores the landscape of the criminal justice voluntary sector as it emerged from the pandemic into an increasingly challenging operational environment.
As Clinks’ role is to represent, support and advocate for the voluntary sector working in the criminal justice system our annual State of the sector research is produced, in partnership with the NCVO, as a free resource evidencing what our members and sector are experiencing and the impact on their service users.
Below is a summary of the key findings from the State of the sector 2022 report most applicable to you:
Short-term and long-term financial sustainability and funding
- Not achieving full cost recovery on contracts and running costs increasing – women’s sector organisations often report subsidising shortfalls with money from their reserves, and by using other funding.
- Increases in premises costs is a particular concern – energy price increases are leading to service charges being significantly higher than budgeted for.
Increased demand for services
- Supporting more people, with more complex/urgent needs -The cost of living crisis is impacting on women and children and increasing demand on women’s services, producing a greater need for support with basic essentials for families: food; clothing; energy.
Staffing/volunteer issues
- Staff levels remain stable but recruiting skilled and experienced staff is increasingly challenging. The women’s sector have spoken about how difficult staff recruitment and retention can be. Organisations are looking to offer non-cash benefits to enhance employment but in some cases staff themselves are affected by the cost of living crisis.
- 46% said they were taking on larger case loads, which could have significant implications for service quality and sustainability, and staff welfare and retention.
Clinks’ Women’s network
Clinks' women’s network members support women who have experienced repeated trauma (often from childhood), including domestic abuse, sexual violence, criminal exploitation and racism/discrimination. These experiences often result in mental health needs, substance/alcohol misuse, children lost to the "care system" and criminal justice system sanctions. Specialist organisations offer a trauma-informed, gender-specific, women-led approach; from safe, women-only spaces. They work in partnership with other agencies and provide co-location opportunities so that women can be supported with all their needs under one roof. Gender-specific assessment and case management systems underpin holistic service models. Some of our members provide early intervention/diversion services as well as being contracted to provide probation Community Rehabilitative Services as part of community sentences. Many support women in prison and after release, and in some areas in England and Wales they are part of a "whole system approach" for women.
The Value of Women’s Centres, a report from Women in Prison and Alma Economics, found that a hypothetical example Women’s Centre receiving £1m investment in a given year can support over 650 women and generate £2.75m in socio-economic benefits, plus produce savings for public services and gains in welfare for women and their children. These economic and social benefits are paid back over a five-year time period, outweighing all costs related to service delivery.
Involving people with lived experience
The women’s sector is leading the way in valuing and understanding lived experience expertise, and promoting lived experience leadership. Work is being carried out by the National Women’s Justice Coalition (NWJC), involving Birth Companions, Working Chance and several women’s centres across England and Wales to ensure access to women-led services that reflect the priorities, needs and real lives of the women they serve. This entails ensuring funded routes for women with lived experience of the criminal justice system to be involved in the NWJC via structures for longer-term participation.
Our pledge to you
The sector’s voice is one of its key strengths, and Clinks will continue working to make sure it is heard. Over the coming year, Clinks will continue to advocate for improved commissioning practices; to share learning amongst the sector and provide opportunities for connection; and to provide a strong platform from which the sector can come together to speak out on the issues that matter to organisations and the people they work with.
Download the State of the sector 2022 report here
Creating change together – please consider sharing the State of the sector report on Twitter and LinkedIn
Best wishes,
Jackie
Jackie Lowthian
Women’s Network Coordinator
Clinks
020 4502 6774 | 07891 293093
she/her
#MyNameIs JAH-KEE LOH-TH-EE-AN
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