Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 812 | 08 December 2023

Light Lunch Clinks

In this issue...

CLINKS NEWS: “Clinks Thinks” re-launched

Read our Clinks Thinks blog to find out more about the re-launch of Clinks Thinks, a new influencing resource for the criminal justice voluntary sector. The key principles, ambitions and recommendations found in Clinks Thinks have been created in collaboration with our members and networks.

Our principles are:

  • Recognise the role of the voluntary sector in supporting people in the criminal justice system to realise their potential
  • Ensure criminal justice services have strong foundations
  • Understand and meet the needs of people in contact with the criminal justice system

We highlight the importance of the sector’s voice being sought out and heard in campaigning, policy, and the shaping of service delivery. We call for all criminal justice services to be person-centred, and joined up to ensure they enable people to access the help they need to desist from crime, to realise their potential, and to thrive. This all needs to be underpinned by a sustainable voluntary sector, supported by grant funding and contracts that deliver full cost recovery for contracted organisations. Take a look at our ambitions on the Clinks Thinks website

MEMBER FOCUS: Inside Out Support Wales win two Enterprise Awards

Inside Out Support Wales celebrated as they won two awards from SME News as part of the Wales Enterprise Awards, including:

  • Best Ex-Offender Support Charity 2023
  • SME Social Justice Award 2023

Co-director Chris Leslie stated “these awards are a recognition of our unique and successful approach to supporting people with convictions in Wales. I’m very proud of all the hard work the team have put in since we’ve been in existence.” Inside Out Support Wales is a social enterprise and has been supporting people with convictions into self-employment and further and higher education in Wales, since 2019. Their process is also successful, with a reoffending rate of just 3%, their work is now being noticed by those outside the sector. Find out more

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Unlawful Killing a new Podcast series

Drawing on four decades of campaigning and in conversation with those at the forefront of these struggles, hosts Lee Lawrence, advocate and son of Cherry Groce, and Lucy Brisbane from INQUEST, shine a light on injustice, amplify stories of resistance and explore the best way forward.

INQUEST says "every year hundreds of people die preventable deaths at the hands of police, whilst in prison, or in the care of mental health services in the UK. Some of the names you’ll know. Most of them you won’t".

"Bereaved families are left fighting for answers, demanding justice, and campaigning for change, in a system that is stacked against them. Unlawful Killing is a unique new podcast series shining a light on state violence, death, grief and resistance". Listen now to the podcast series

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Insights23 celebration and legacy

His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) Insights23 Festival was a fantastic success, with over 350 events and more than 19,000 ticket registrations, and 59% of ticket holders being frontline operational staff. Thanks to all the hosts who made this possible.

HMPPS Insights are delighted to offer you the chance to look back over the Festival and celebrate what the justice community achieved. The Celebration Document summarises some of the hundreds of amazing events that took place, with images and feedback from staff and hosts. You can watch back a selection of Insights23 online event recordings, and read the Insights23 blogs from hosts and attendees (including the visit to Number 10).

For further information, e-mail Insights@justice.gov.uk

 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: An inspection of work with children subject to remand in youth detention

On 23 November, HM Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP) published a joint thematic inspection of work with children subject to remand in youth detention.

This inspection was led by HM Inspectorate of Probation with colleagues from Ofsted and HM Inspectorate of Prisons. HMIP will be hosting a launch event [19 December, online, free] where you can hear inspectors discuss their findings and you can put your questions to the panel.  Book your ticket here

FUNDING: supporting people experiencing homelessness

Do you work in a role supporting people experiencing homelessness? Need more training?

St Martin in the Fields Charity Training Fund can help you and your colleagues access training courses on a range of topics, including homelessness legislation, trauma-informed practice, motivational interviewing or any other course that directly supports your work with people experiencing homelessness. Find out more or email: frontline@stmartinscharity.org.uk

FUNDING: HMP Drake Hall grants

HMP Drake Hall have launched two grants open to VCSEs, both to the value of up to £10,000.

One grant is for Arts and Crafts provision and the second is for Animal Therapy activity. Both grants are live on Find a Grant and can be found by searching “HMP Drake Hall”. Applications can be made directly on the Find a Grant website. The closing date is [19 December at 23:59]. If you have any questions, please contact HMPPSGrants@justice.gov.uk

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Connecting Communities through parkrun

In this free HMPPS Academy seminar, James Thomas, will talk about the growth of parkrun and the positive impact it has had on individuals and communities [23 January, online, free]. Paul Bruce, HMPPS, will be discussing how parkrun events operate in the custodial estate and the positive benefits this initiative is having within prisons, both for residents and staff. Get your tickets here

RESOURCE: Electoral commission guidance

The Electoral Commission has published its Non-Party Campaigner Guidance. This accompanies the Non-Party Campaigner Code of Practice, which has been approved by parliament and came into effect on 1 December. The guidance is for individuals and organisations thinking of campaigning during the run-up to the general election but not standing candidates as a political party or as an independent candidate. The guidance seeks to clarify whether you might need to submit a notification to register and whether the campaigning you have planned is regulated. It also provides clarity around spending and donations.

RESOURCE: Distraction packs

Recoop understand that this time of year can be tough for a number of individuals. That's why they are offering a free download of their December Distraction Pack.

The Distraction Packs include a number of articles, puzzles, word searches quizzes and much more, and are ideal for individuals facing challenging circumstances or just for those who need something to keep their minds active over the festive period. The packs can help alleviate stress, encourage mindfulness, increase productivity and help contribute to an improved mood. Download your copy here

PUBLICATION: Spotlight: Dual Contact

Birth Companions shares this briefing paper “Spotlight: Dual Contact” that shines a spotlight on the issues faced by women who have contact with both the criminal justice and children’s social care systems during pregnancy and the first two years of their child’s life.

It outlines the context, highlights key evidence, shares recommendations, and present powerful contributions from our Lived Experience Team who have experienced this ‘dual contact’.

Birth Companions believe that significant change is needed in order to improve the experiences and outcomes of women with this dual contact; and to prevent contact with one of these systems leading to otherwise avoidable contact with the other. Read the briefing paper

PUBLICATION: Harm to healing

Harm to Healing: Resisting Racial Injustice in the Criminal Legal System of England and Wales, explores the purpose, role and experiences of Black-led ‘by and for’ groups and organisations that are working at the intersections of racial injustice and the criminal legal system of England and Wales.

Read the report to learn about the crucial work of Black-led groups and organisations focussed on addressing racial injustice and criminal legal system harm.

PUBLICATION: Probation Quarterly

Issue 30 of Probation Quarterly includes articles from academics, practitioners and people with experience of the criminal justice system covering the following subjects:

• Probation practitioners’ experiences of unification
• Engaging young black fathers in the criminal justice system
• Young adults’ understandings and perceptions of social justice

Download Issue 30 here for free

FEATURED VACANCY: Trustees

Clinks is seeking two committed people to join its board of trustees, as one trustee has come to the end of their trusteeship, and another has joined Clinks' leadership team.

To ensure we have a range of experiences and skills within our board we are particularly interested in hearing from people with experience in prison and probation, income generation and business development. Additionally, people who are skilled in communication, influence, and networking. We especially encourage applications from groups of people that are under-represented on trustee boards, including those with lived experience of the criminal justice system, first time trustees including young people, and racially minoritised people. One trustee will be appointed from April 24 and will be required to take a seat on Clinks F&HRC and board and the other will be appointed in November 2024 at our AGM. [Find out more and apply here by 22 January]

FEATURED VACANCY: Director of Programmes

Fine Cell Work (FCW) is looking for an experienced Director of Programmes [Up to £55,000, full-time, Battersea, South London] to lead their in-prison and post-release rehabilitation initiatives. Your pivotal role in the Senior Management Team involves overseeing programme development and delivery, spearheading the Programmes Team, and contributing to their 5-year business plan. FCW is a rehabilitation charity and social enterprise that teaches prisoners and prison-leavers work skills through making embroidered handmade products. They are looking for someone with experience managing and delivering programmes, influencing stakeholders, in-service development, and managing risk. With the confidence to motivate a team. It would be desirable if you had experience working with vulnerable adults, knowledge of the criminal justice system, a previous role within a social enterprise or charity. [Find out more and apply here by 5 January].

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES:

Team Leader - Departure Lounge with NEPACS [£24,130, full time]; Departure Lounge Assistant with NEPACS [£21,333, full time]; SOS Caseworker (Maternity Cover) with St Giles Trust [£26,000 - £29,000, Brent, full time]; Kids Matter Prison Volunteer with Kids Matter [London, part time]; Settling-In Facilitator with CXK Limited [£23,438 - £28,015, HMP Elmley, full time]; Support Worker with Seetec [£24,650 - £29,000, Hastings, part time]; Community and Women’s Centre Manager with Hibiscus Initiatives [£33,000 - £37,000, London, full time]; SOS+ Embedded Mentor with St Giles Trust [£27,000 - £28,500, West Midlands, full time]; SOS+ Embedded Mentor with St Giles Trust [£27,000 - £28,500, South Wales, full time].

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

READS OF THE WEEK:

EXTRA INFORMATION:

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