Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 784 | 26 May 2023

Light Lunch Clinks

In this issue...

CLINKS NEWS: Third sector partnership approach

HMPPS Third Sector Partnerships and Programmes Team, in partnership with Clinks, are planning a series of events to gather feedback on the organisation-wide Third Sector Partnership Approach. 

The approach provides a guiding set of principles to strengthen and maximise the department’s engagement with the Third Sector to highlight and raise the profile of the valuable services the Third Sector provides across England and Wales.

The events will also provide an opportunity to engage with regional HMPPS colleagues and hear about the upcoming Innovation Grants programme. The next event is [22 June, Manchester, 10:30 - 12:30]. Book your place here. Further events: [Newcastle, 6 July; Virtual, 12 July]. Find out more here.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SECTOR: call for evidence into community sentences

The House of Lords Justice and Home Affairs Committee has opened a call for evidence as part of its inquiry into community sentences. It is particularly looking to hear responses to questions across three themes: historical trends, delivery of community sentences, and impact on the community. Clinks strongly encourages voluntary organisations to respond to any questions relevant to them and their work. The call for evidence can be read in full here.

Clinks is also preparing its own response to the Committee, and we would welcome feedback and evidence from the sector to feed into this. We are particularly keen to hear about the sector’s views on the delivery of community sentences, and whether or not organisations are currently involved in delivering community sentences.

If you would like to feed into Clinks' response, please share your views using this form by the end of the day on [Friday 2 June].  

CLINKS EVENTS: NCJAA presents the Inspire online exhibition

Inspiring Futures has seen an ambitious programme of work, led by the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance (NCJAA), delivered over three years. The Inspiring Futures project was a unique collaboration bringing together leading arts in criminal justice organisations and the University of Cambridge’s Institute of Criminology. Through a ground-breaking artistic programme in prisons and the community with embedded participative research, the programme addressed why arts interventions impact on the lives of people in the criminal justice system and how to optimise the effect. 

In March 2023 the NCJAA showcased the work and achievements of the project through a week-long exhibition at Rich Mix, London, which has been recreated in this online virtual exhibition for audiences to access remotely. The exhibition showcases the work of the Inspiring Futures project arts partners; Clean Break, Open Clasp, Helix Arts, Geese Theatre, Only Connect, Good Vibrations, The Irene Taylor Trust and Koestler Arts and Inspiring Futures project partners at the  University of Cambridge’s Institute of Criminology. View online here.

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: The National Facilitators Awards are now open!

The National Facilitators Awards are now open! The awards celebrate facilitators who are making a real impact on the industry and the lives of those they work with.

The awards will celebrate exceptional facilitators and give them the national recognition they deserve, whilst also highlighting that high-quality training makes all the difference! The esteemed judges from Charity, Criminal Justice and Social Care will be assessing 10 categories including Transforming Lives, Inspirational Facilitator, Engaging Excellence and Equity Award. 

If you facilitate training, apply now! If you are a manager, colleague, friend, or delegate – nominate now here.

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: Recoop's mindfulness booklet available now

Recoop’s mindfulness booklet was produced to help individuals deal with the stresses of prison life through exercises, journaling and meditation. Prisoners Abroad, an organisation which supports British prisoners overseas, have purchased a large number of copies and distributed the booklet to every prisoner who is allowed to receive it. The feedback they have received has been incredibly positive and it has become a valuable resource to so many individuals. Purchase yours here.

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: Rupture created with women from HMP Low Newton

Open Clasp are delighted to be showcasing their new production; Rupture, this year at West End Women and Girls Centre in Newcastle. Following a private performance of Rupture in HMP Low Newton, they will be opening the showcase to the public with two performances [Friday 16 and Saturday 17 June, Newcastle]. 

“There is a code blue. Destiny escapes onto a prison roof. It’s bonfire night, the country is exploding and so is Destiny.” Created with women from HMP Low Newton, and based on true-life experiences, Rupture is their story about being mothers in prison. Rupture was made in partnership with NEPACS and Criminal Justice, Social Harm and Inequalities Research Group, Durham University. Support the show and buy tickets here.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SECTOR: CFO partnership opportunity - the Growth Company

The Growth Company are a social enterprise with experience of delivering a number of contracts within the criminal justice system. They intend to bid for the upcoming CFO evolution contracts in the regions of the North West and Yorkshire and Humber and are currently seeking voluntary sector partners to join their supply chain. The deadline for expressions of interest is 2 June. For more information on the contract click the link. Or please contact ellie.couldstone@gcemployment.uk

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: Tackling health inequalities in Manchester

Manchester is a great city, but not all residents have the same opportunities to be healthy and well, or to reach their full potential. This results in health inequalities – the preventable gaps between people with the worst health and people with the best health. This free online event on [Thursday, 22 June, 16:00] run by the Academy for Social Justice will gather speakers to discuss the Making Manchester Fairer five year action plan for tackling health inequalities with a focus on the social determinants. Sign up to reserve your free space here.

CLINKS MEMBER'S TRAINING: Restorative justice from a children's rights perspective

Whyme? is offering this two day in-person training course which will connect the themes of Restorative Justice, children's rights and trauma informed practice in relation to young people. It will identify not only the tensions between these practices but also their potential to provide a coherent framework of practice which restores what has been lost, damaged or violated in the lives of young people. If you work with young people who have been harmed or have been responsible for harming others, this course will offer you fresh perspectives and skills that will enhance the quality and effectiveness of your practice.

By attending you will:

  • Work interactively with experienced trainers who will share insights from their book on the topic.
  • Learn new skills around Restorative Justice, children's rights and trauma-informed working.
  • Get involved in discussions and networking with other professionals in the field.
  • Receive a certification of completion of the course.

Wednesday 20 - Thursday 21 September, 9:00 - 16:30 - Book here.

RESOURCES: Women veterans in the CJS

Forward Assist and Salute Her UK have produced the Forgotten Women Veterans report. The research and analysis that went into this report have highlighted a shortage of existing UK-specific research into the experiences of women veterans, particularly when compared to the research picture in North America. The report contains useful and important lessons for, among others, UK and devolved administrations, police forces and the criminal justice system. Read the report here.

RESOURCES: Mental health and women's prisons

In National Mental Health Awareness week, the Independent Monitoring Boards (IMB) drew attention to the high level of mental health need and self-harm incidents in women’s prisons. They found that a number of women are still being sent to prison as a “place of safety” under the Mental Health Act or for their “own protection” under the Bail Act. Though there are currently proposals to change this, the number of mentally unwell women held in prisons under these provisions has increased. The IMB found that where they existed, both inpatient and specialist facilities in women’s prisons were often full due to high levels of mental health need. The need for prison staff to care for the complex needs of these women has exacerbated staffing shortages. You can read the report here.

RESOURCES: Motherhood in the justice system podcast

One Small Thing has launched a new series of their JUSTICE podcast which explores motherhood in the justice system - from women who enter prison pregnant and give birth inside, to those who are separated from their children through imprisonment and involvement from social services. With those working on the front line, and those with lived experience, each episode will shed light on the untold stories of mothers in the justice system, and their children, and will explore what needs to change. The first three episodes have been published – with more to come. Episodes are released every two weeks. Find them here.

FEATURED VACANCY: Forensic Psychologist

Seetec are looking for a Forensic Psychologist [£42,930 - £47,000 FTE, part time, remote] to join their Behavioural Change and Support Services Unit (BCSSU) and provide their professional opinion to our colleagues whilst they conduct suitability screening and assessments for participants joining our service. Find out more and apply by the 8 June here.

FEATURED VACANCY: Stakeholder Engagement & Referrals Lead

Catch22 have one full time or two part time vacancies available, to cover Dorset, Devon and Cornwall [£29,000 (FTE), full time or part time, Poole/Exeter]. The base for the role will be the nearest of their offices to your location. The priority objective of the role will be to to generate a healthy pipeline of appropriate referrals of People On Probation (POP’s) into to Catch22’s CRS services to extend our reach & maximise the beneficiaries of our rehabilitative services. Find out more and apply by the 29 June here.

CLINKS MEMBERS' VACANCIES:

SOS+ Mentor & Facilitator with St Giles Trust [£23,000 -£25,500, Avon and Somerset, full time]; Project Co-Ordinator with Sussex Pathways [£27,000 FTE, Brighton & Hove, part time]; Young Women's Practitioner - Islington (10-16) with Abianda [£30,006, London, full time]; Wellbeing Coach with Seetec [£23,000, Kent, full time]; Women's Wellbeing Coach with C2C Social Action [£22,880, Northamptonshire, full time]; Stakeholder Engagement & Referrals Lead with Catch22 [£29,000, Dorset/Devon & Cornwall, full time]; Advocate (South London) with Women in Prison [£29,110 FTE, London, part time]

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

READS OF THE WEEK:

EXTRA INFORMATION:

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