Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 816 | 19 January 2024

Light Lunch Clinks

In this issue...

CLINKS NEWS: RR3 recruitment - Youth Justice, Resettlement, Mental Health and Families seats

We are seeking four senior leaders with criminal justice voluntary sector expertise in Mental Health, Families, Youth Justice or Resettlement to join The Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3). The group works closely with senior officials in the Ministry of Justice and HM Prison and Probation Service to reduce reoffending and to build a more effective partnership between government and the voluntary sector. For more information, click the links below.

Resettlement application : Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group – Resettlement  | Clinks 
[Application deadline: 29 January]

Mental Health application: Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group – Mental Health Specialist | Clinks 
[Application deadline: 5 February] 

Families application: Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group – Families Specialist | Clinks 
[Application deadline: 5 February]

Youth Justice application : Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group – Youth Justice Specialist  | Clinks 
[Application deadline - extended: 12 February]

CLINKS NEWS: Welsh Affairs Committee inquiry on prisons in Wales

Clinks provided a response to the Welsh Affairs Committee inquiry on prisons in Wales. Clinks has prepared this response drawing on publicly available data, Clinks’ own research, its knowledge and intelligence gathered through its regular and ongoing engagement and support to the criminal justice voluntary sector. On 17 January 2024, our Senior Development Officer for Wales, Bryn hall, provided oral evidence to the Committee. Read our written evidence here

CLINKS NEWS: Funding guidance for the criminal justice voluntary sector

As a sector support organisation, providing information, advice and resources to voluntary organisations is an important part of Clinks. We have heard from many of our members about how difficult it is to identify, understand and navigate funding opportunities for the criminal justice voluntary sector, and know that this is becoming even more challenging. We have therefore published new information and guidance on our website which explores this topic and includes guides to statutory and charitable funding, fundraising support, and information on securing alternative sources of income. Have a look at our new Funding and Income webpages here

CLINKS NEWS: could you be the next Chair of the Board of Trustees

We're excited to extend our recruitment for you to apply to be Clinks Chair of the Board of Trustees. Our new chair will be committed to voluntary action, our organisation, our values, and anti-racism. This role is pivotal in creating the conditions for overall board and individual director effectiveness, both inside and outside the boardroom. We aim to onboard our new chair as a trustee from April 2024 to ensure efficient handover, ahead of the AGM. We welcome applications from across society and we aim to have a diverse board representative of the communities impacted by criminal justice and the challenges they face. The deadline for applications is [5 February]. Click here for more information and how to apply

CLINKS NEWS: working with people on probation who experience mental health problems

Read the latest evidence review as part of our comprehensive Evidence Library. In this publication, Professor Charlie Brooker, honorary professor at Royal Holloway, University of London and Dr Coral Sirdifield, Senior Research Associate at the University of Lincoln, look at:

  • The benefits of focusing on the mental health of people on probation
  • What we know about the mental health of people on probation
  • The organisation of mental health care, current initiatives, and challenges to providing high-quality care
  • What good quality care for people on probation looks like
  • Improving the evidence base and provision of care.

Charlie and Coral will discuss this topic in a webinar as part of our 'A matter of fact: what the evidence tells us' series - Date TBC. Read the review here

National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance News: Writing Development Workshops: Writing funding applications 

This year the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance (NCJAA) will be working in partnership with the Royal Literary Fund to deliver free writing development training for individuals and organisations delivering arts-based services and projects in the criminal justice system. Writing grant applications and funding bids is challenging and time consuming. This two-part training programme [27 & 29 February, online, free] will guide you through the process of project planning while helping you to understand the key principles of writing applications and avoiding commonly made mistakes. 

Book your place for workshop one and workshop two online.

CLINKS EVENT: Working and volunteering in prisons training

Working or volunteering in a prison can be quite daunting due to the many complexities associated with its unique environment and establishing the role of the voluntary sector within that can be challenging. Join us at this three-hour training session [24 January, online, £95] for voluntary sector staff and volunteers in which we aim to raise awareness of the prison environment and provide information on key aspects such as staffing structures and departments, prison procedures and current challenges associated with working in prisons. Find out more

CLINKS EVENT: Building a resilient workforce – lessons learnt

At Clinks we have heard consistent feedback from our members about ongoing recruitment challenges within the voluntary sector and how difficult it is to retain skilled and experienced staff. Join us [20 February, online, free] to hear from our guest speakers, Matina Marougka, Head of Regional Operations for London services at Together for Mental Wellbeing; Dawn Harrison Criminal Justice Service Manager at Changing Lives and  John Speyer, Director at Hear Me Out as they explore the challenges of building a resilient workforce.The event will end with an optional networking space led by Lucy Ball, CEO at New Bridge Foundation, where attendees can reflect on their learnings from the event and share their own best practice. Book your place here 

MEMBER FOCUS: No Excuse for Abuse CIC 

No Excuse for Abuse CIC aim to affect cognitive and behavioural change by working with perpetrators (male and female) to end the cycle of domestic abuse. By holding them accountable for their actions, we have seen changes in their attitudes which have had significant effects on the family dynamics and has kept survivors safe. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Lived Expert join LLoyds Bank Foundation advisory group

In August 2023, Lloyds Bank Foundation announced a new research project exploring the unique value of by-and-for organisations, aligning with their strategic goals to influence policy and support small, local charities aiding those with complex challenges. The Foundation is excited to have recruited a diverse Advisory Group, including Founder of Clinks member, Lived Expert, Mark Johnson MBE, to shape this vital research. The first meeting in January 2024 will focus on research objectives and moving towards selecting a research partner in the Spring.

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Dr Andrew Henley appointed CEO of Unlock

Unlock is delighted to announce the appointment of their new CEO, Dr Andrew Henley. Andrew is a renowned expert on the many and varied impacts of criminal records, having spent over a decade working as an academic criminologist at Keele University and the University of Nottingham. Andrew also has a long association with Unlock, including volunteering for the charity and serving as a trustee for six years. Andrew will take up the role of CEO on 1 February. Read more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Society Matters training offer January- February 2024

  • Understanding Immigration and Benefits (Advanced) [24 January, online £89] offers a comprehensive overview, delving into the diverse categories of immigration status in the UK and elucidating the support options accessible to individuals of all age groups.
  • Get to Grips with Understanding Current Welfare Benefits [1 February, online, £69] offers a valuable introduction to the 16 current welfare benefits that continue to be claimed and unclaimed by millions of individuals, and is designed specifically for those engaged in providing social welfare support.
  • Get to Grips with Disability Living Allowance for Children [7 February, online, £69] equips you and your team with a comprehensive grasp of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children.
  • Get to Grips with Universal Credit (An Introduction) [13 February, online, £89] is tailor-made to assist organisations engaged in diverse aspects of social welfare in gaining a strong grasp of Universal Credit.
  • Prisoners and Welfare Benefits [20 February, online, £89] is designed to offer learners a concise guide to benefits for prisoners. It seamlessly complements expert advice on topics such as debt management, financial literacy, and housing, thus expanding the support network for individuals confronting the prospect of sentencing.
  • Housing and Homelessness Matters [22 February, online, £89] this session can be customised to cater for specific requirements, and includes learning around housing and housing issues.
  • Carer and Caring Matters [28 February, online, £100] is thoughtfully crafted to support individuals and organisations involved in delivering social welfare assistance. 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: early release on licence 

Following plans laid out in October 2023, under the government’s End of Custody Supervised Licence (ECSL) scheme certain people in some prisons are currently eligible for release 18 days before their automatic release date. The power to release will be used only for people serving fixed determinate sentences (not, for example, those serving life sentences or extended determinate sentences). Anyone with questions regarding how this policy may impact their work with prison leavers can get in touch at sam.julius@clinks.org 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Supporting People with a Criminal Record training

This training course [9 April, Cardiff, £100] from Inside Out Support Wales is designed for participants wanting to understand and learn the basic principles, and introduce some practical tools required to support a person who has a criminal record. It aims to offer advice and guidance and practical tools for you to support them going forward, such as volunteering, employment or education. It is informative, interactive and empowering – designed to offer a core level of knowledge and resources that can be used over and over again. Find out more

FEATURED VACANCY: Family Support Worker 

Ormiston Families are seeking Family Support Workers [£21,840 FTE, HMP Highpoint, part time] to join the team in providing effective and efficient running of the Visitor Centres and Play Area in the Prison Visits Hall at HMP Highpoint and assist on Family Days to ensure prisoners and their families have a valuable visiting experience. Ideally you will have experience of dealing with people in a customer service-based role and be able to demonstrate excellent communication and problem-solving skills, sometimes under challenging circumstances whilst embracing a non-judgmental and empathetic work ethic. You will be required to obtain and retain enhanced security vetting for this role. Find out more and apply by 29 January here 

FEATURED VACANCY: Lead Coach 

StandOut are looking for a Lead Coach [£30,000 - £33,000, London, full time] to lead their work in a London prison, delivering the StandOut programme and working alongside and line-managing a StandOut coach. You will be key to StandOut's unique through-the-gate approach and will support people to find the stability they need to realise their potential, achieve their goals, and rebuild their lives after prison. This role is ideal for someone with a good understanding of the challenges faced by those caught up in the criminal justice system, gained through working in prison or with a connected organisation. Find out more and apply by 22 January here

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES:

Health & Wellbeing Practitioner with The Forward Trust [£24,000, Surrey, full time]; Substance Misuse Practitioner with Phoenix Futures [£23,000, HMP Warren Hill, full time]; Under 25's - Trainee Music Director - Prison Choirs with Beating Time [£36,000 FTE, West Midlands, part time]; Visits Centre Assistant with Pact [£23,400 FTE, HMP The Verne, part time]; Education Inclusion Mentor with St. Giles Trust [£25,000 - £28,000, Leeds, full time]; Bounce Back for Kids (BB4K) Support Workers with Alana House [£23,793 - £26,436, Reading, full time]; Accommodation Support Officer with Seetec [£23,088 - £24,801, Liverpool, full time]; Women's Wellbeing Coach with C2c Social Action - women's services [£21,000 FTE, Northampton, part time]; Operations Lead with Sussex Pathways [£35,000 - £38,000 FTE, Sussex, part time]

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

READS OF THE WEEK:

EXTRA INFORMATION:

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