Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 775 | 24 March 2023

Light Lunch

In this issue...

CLINKS NEWS: Reflections on the Race and Justice Network

In this blog Kaiya Caines, Clinks Race and Justice Network co-ordinator, reflects on individual, and collective, progress in challenging discrimination in our organisations and across the criminal justice system. Kaiya outlines our planned approach for the the future. Read the blog here

CLINKS NEWS: discussing the ageing prison population

Louise Ridley, a senior lecturer in Criminology at Northumbria University, will be discussing the latest Evidence Library publication “No place for old men” which outlines the challenges and key issues associated with the ageing prison population [20 April, 14:00 - 15:00, online, free]. The discussion is part of the "A matter of fact: what the evidence tells us" series, which provides an opportunity to ask leading academics about the latest criminal justice research. Louise has previously taught criminology at the University of Teesside for 15 years and has expertise in prison mental health, the arts in criminal justice, and older people in prison. Book your place here

CLINKS NEWS: Making Every Adult Matter (MEAM), Annual Conference

The topic of the MEAM Annual Conference is “Maintaining Momentum on Multiple Disadvantage” [10 May, 10:00 – 16:30, Mary Ward House, London, £99].

Over the last decade, significant progress has been made on tackling multiple disadvantage. Local areas across the country are increasingly working to transform services and systems, while national government is exploring how to support and enable reform. At this year’s annual conference, we invite you to join the 42 local areas that form the MEAM Approach network, and a wide range of other areas, to explore how we can collectively maintain the momentum on multiple disadvantage. Register here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: a new storybook for World Book Day

Nepacs charity has launched a new storybook, “Buddy and the Box”, for World Book Day to help young children when they are separated from their mum or dad and struggling with missing seeing them. Buddy and the Box, tells the story of a little boy called Joe and his pet dog Buddy, and ‘highlights important emotions and issues which a child in their situation may experience, in a format that is accessible to children. Joe is helped in the story by his family, Buddy, and a teacher to talk about his feelings, keep in touch with his dad and look forward to the time he gets to spend with his dad. Learn more and read Buddy and the Box here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Insights23 festival, apply to participate

His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) is delighted to announce that the award-winning HMPPS Insights Festival is back and will be taking place 25 September to 6 October 2023.

The Insights Festival is free to attend and is delivered by, and for, staff across the Criminal Justice System. It is a great opportunity to connect with colleagues to learn about evidence-based practice, visit projects and establishments across England and Wales, and get exclusive behind the scenes access to different parts of the system.

Insights23 will showcase the breadth of innovative work taking place across prison, probation, youth services, voluntary sector and wider justice services and we are looking for organisations who wish to participate in the programme. If you would like to discuss your ideas in advance, contact the Insights Engagement Team: insights@justice.gov.uk

See the Insights website or apply to be a part of the festival here [Applications close on 2 June]

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Regional Third Sector Stakeholder events

HMPPS Third Sector Partnerships and Programmes Team, in partnership with Clinks, is planning a series of events to gather feedback on the organisation-wide Third Sector Partnership Approach. This work provides a set of guiding principles to strengthen and maximise the department’s engagement with the Third Sector.

The first confirmed event to cover London and the South East will be on [24 April, 10:00 – 12:15, 102 Petty France, London, SW1H 9AJ]. Clink here to register to attend.

Further events will be held in the South West, North East, Midlands, North West, and Wales, across May-July, with a virtual event taking place at a later date for those who are unable to attend in person.

We will update you on the dates for the remaining events as soon as they are confirmed.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: content wanted by HMPPS for Mental Health Awareness week and The Content Hub

HMPPS is making plans to mark Mental Health Awareness Week 2023 [15 to 21 May] and is seeking content themed on anxiety and mental health to be made available on prisoners’ laptops. If your organisation has produced content that could benefit the mental health of adults and young people in custody and are willing to share it, they would love to hear from you. Any existing audio, video and text content will be considered – please note this is not a request to produce new content. Selections will be uploaded to the HMPPS Content Hub, an internal platform used by prisoners at some establishments for educational, training, and learning & development purposes. 

They would be grateful if you could submit any content for consideration to: Jasmin.Bhimani@justice.gov.uk 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Dynamic Framework improvements

Over the past year HMPPS has been gathering feedback from suppliers and utilising this to streamline the systems under the Dynamic Framework (DF). Changes will be made to documentation as well as the financial and technical evaluation for onboarding. Over the next few months there will be various communications issued to enable the sector to understand these changes along with a webinar event to provide an opportunity to clarify any questions. 

HMPPS recognises this is an ongoing process and continue to welcome feedback from the sector on the DF. Feedback can be sent to probationdynamicframework@justice.gov.uk

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Sharing key findings

Transition to Adulthood (T2A) is hosting a free Zoom webinar on [28 March, 13.30-15:00, online, free] to share the key findings from our Young Adults and the Parole System report, co-authored by Rob Allen and Dr Laura Janes. Register here to attend

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Shakespeare and working with marginalized communities

Join the Prisoner Learning Alliance for a conversation with Rowan Mackenzie, founder of Shakespeare UnBard and author of ‘Creating Space for Shakespeare: Working with Marginalized Communities’ [5 April, 17:00 – 18:00, online, free]. Practitioners and academics are increasingly keen to understand how performing Shakespeare’s works offers opportunities for reflection, transformation, dialogue regarding social justice, and challenging of perceived limitations.

In her new book, Rowan draws on projects with people in prison, people with mental health issues, learning disabilities or who have experienced homelessness. Shakespeare, Rowan shows us, can be used to alter the spatial constraints of people who feel imprisoned - enabling them to speak and be heard. Join Rowan for a short reading of her new book, a chaired conversation and audience Q&A. Register here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Trauma Informed regional network event

One Small Thing Charity is hosting a regional network event that provides an opportunity to meet and reflect with colleagues upon trauma informed work, and share insights and ideas [24 May, Engine Shed, Bristol, BS1 6QH, free].

Hear Changing Tunes who will share their trauma informed journey, their learning, and examples of their trauma-informed practice, plus: An overview of a trauma informed approach and how the five core values can be applied; and an opportunity to with meet others and share trauma informed practice. Register here

OPPORTUNITY: creative writing competition

A creative writing competition by IS IT A CRIME TO BE POOR will close on [31 March].

Entries welcome on this topic: Is It a Crime to be Poor? Entries from all, young, old, and those who have experienced imprisonment or detention are welcome. There are money prizes and a chance to be published on the Crime to be poor website. For more information, contact icp.organisation98@gmail.com

OPPORTUNITY: partner with SEETEC (Interventions Alliance) 

SEETEC have opened an opportunity for organisations to share their Expression of Interest (EOI). This is for charities to complete, sharing who may be interested in being a substantial partner or supply chain partner for a couple of justice opportunities. Share your details with SEETEC here

REPORT: Care experience matters, a guide

HMPPS have recently published a beneficial practice guide 'Care Experience Matters' which provides suggestions on how prisons, probation and local authorities can work together to support people with care experience in custody and on probation. Read the guide here

REPORT: Understanding barriers to restorative justice

Drawing together findings of Why me?’s three-year youth justice project, 'Understanding barriers to Restorative Justice for young people, young adults and victims of crime‘ is a new report which identifies the key barriers preventing young people from accessing Restorative Justice, and how we might improve access to Restorative Justice for young people. This report showcases an exciting and innovative piece of work, which has embodied the restorative principle of being participant-focused throughout. Read the report here

FEATURED VACANCY: Interim Caseworker Manager

Switchback has a fantastic opportunity for an Interim Caseworker Manager (fixed term: 6mths) [£36,225 - £42,435 FTE, part time, London] to work with and manage a dynamic, hardworking team who work directly with men in prison and prison leavers. You will work alongside the Acting Head of Delivery to support, develop and motivate the team of Switchback Mentors to deliver the Switchback programme to a high standard in line with the Switchback methodology. Switchback are looking for someone who has belief in their radical person-centred way of working, that will support Switchback Mentors to deliver their sector-leading work supporting young men leaving prison. Find out more and apply by 20 April here

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES:

Visits Services Play Worker with NEPACS [£19,305, Northumberland, part time]; Trainer/ Caseworker (Female only) with St Giles Trust [£22,000 - £28,000, Leeds with travel across West Yorkshire, full time]; Finance Business Partner with Inspire North [£38,296, full time]; Trustee with The Forward Trust [voluntary, Remote with occasional travel to Head Office in London, part time]; Employability Tutor/Coordinator with Back on Track [£26,000 - £30,500, Manchester, full time]; Interim Caseworker Manager with Switchback [£36,225 - £42,435, Office based on Commercial Street, part time]; CAVDAS - Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Outreach Worker - Substance Use with Kaleidoscope Project [£23,500 - £25,500, Cardiff, full time]; Criminal Justice Resilience Worker with Kaleidoscope Project [£21,000 - £23,000, Wrexham, part time]; Regional Support Coordinator with St Giles Trust [£29,500 - £36,000, Leeds Media Centre with travel across Yorkshire, full time]; Trustee with The Forward Trust [voluntary, Remote with occasional travel to Head Office in London, part time]

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

READS OF THE WEEK:

EXTRA INFORMATION:

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