Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 820 | 16 February 2024

Light Lunch Clinks

CLINKS NEWS: Q-SEED Programme Launch

A new leadership development programme has been launched. Q-SEED has been formed to provide leadership development for Black and Global Majority leaders working in the criminal justice sector (CJS).

Q-SEED is a groundbreaking partnership between Black Men 4 Change, Foundation for Women’s Health Research and Development (FORWARD), Change Grow Live (CGL), CLINKS and Coding Black Females.

Do you lead a medium-sized organisation for Black and Global Majority? Do you want to see how you can grow your expertise while making valuable connections in the sector? Come and check out the launch event in Birmingham next month [7 March, 15:45 - 19:30pm]. Find out more and register here

CLINKS NEWS: Prison Education: A review of the evidence

Clinks published the latest paper "Prison Education: A review of the evidence" as part of its Evidence Library, co-ordinated by Russell Webster on behalf of Clinks.

Written by Jon Collins, Chief Executive of Prisoners’ Education Trust, this new paper explores education for adults in prison, primarily in England and Wales. The paper notes that the benefits of education in prison are widely recognised, and that there is a welcome focus on improving prison education from statutory agencies. Mr. Collins highlights the commissioning of new contracts for providing education in public sector prisons, due in April 2025, as an important next step in ensuring learners can access high-quality education. Areas covered by the review include the educational needs of people in prison, the current state of prison education, the evidence base for the effectiveness of prison education, and critical success factors for high quality prison education. 

CLINKS NEWS: Building a resilient workforce - lessons learnt

Recruitment and retention in the voluntary sector can be challenging, with increasing demand for services and larger caseloads impacting staff wellbeing. This is why we are hosting an event, “Building a resilient workforce - lessons learnt” [20 February, 10:00 - 12:00, online, free].

Guest speakers, Matina Marougka (Together for Mental Wellbeing), Dawn Harrison (Changing Lives) and John Speyer (Hear Me Out) will share their expertise, insights and best practice around Mental Wellbeing, working across teams and building a resilient workforce.

The event will conclude with networking led by Lucy Ball (CEO at New Bridge Foundation). Register here

NATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE ARTS ALLIANCE NEWS: Anne Peaker 2024: Inspiring Futures

The National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance is excited to invite you to our annual Anne Peaker Lecture [26 March, 16:00-18:00, online, free].

At this year’s event we will be publicly sharing the full findings of the Inspiring Futures research project for the very first time. Keynote speaker, Dr Caroline Lanskey, will take the audience through the report and a select panel of key stakeholders will share their thoughts on, and hopes for, the future of the findings. The event will also include performances and an audience Q&A.

Anne Peaker was a pioneer of arts for, and by, people in the criminal justice system. Our annual lecture honours her work and legacy, which forms the basis of the work we do today. Visit our event Linktree for more information on the event and on the Inspiring Futures project. Book your tickets here

MEMBER FOCUS: Saltbox-Restart

Saltbox has been providing caring services for vulnerable people in Stoke-on-Trent for many years. As part of the charity, they run a supported housing service called Restart. They house anyone who is homeless or at risk of homelessness and provide a tailored support package for each client to encourage them to make positive change in their lives and journey towards independent living. Their specialism is in housing clients who are prison leavers or people on probation. They have a dedicated team of support workers, supported by a number of additional posts providing more specialist support around chaplaincy, client activities, dual diagnosis and family reconnections. Find out more

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: 2024 Koestler Awards are open

Submit up to 5 entries in music, writing, or visual art [by 12 April] for a chance to win prizes, have work exhibited, and receive feedback from industry experts. The special themed category for the 2024 Koestler Awards is 'From Now On', but work can be submitted in any of 52 categories. Unlock the talent inside, and get making! Find our more and enter here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: victims’ right to Restorative Justice

Restorative Justice For All International Institute (RJ4All) is advocating for a Victims’ Right to Restorative Justice and invite you to join the Advocacy letter and sign the petition.

The advocacy letter capitalises on the unique opportunity presented by the Victims and Prisoners’ Bill. The Victims’ Code that includes this right is only advisory and thus criminal justice agencies have failed to respect it, letting many victims down.

With immense respect for the impactful work conducted by the Ministry of Justice, RJ4All is seeking to incorporate the right of victims to restorative justice into the Victims and Prisoners Bill. Restorative Justice can transform our justice system by fostering dialogue, empathy, and accountability, offering a unique avenue for healing victims and supporting offenders in bearing accountability.

This aligns with the evolving landscape of justice and signifies a crucial step towards a more human rights centred approach.

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Neurodivergence in the criminal justice system - podcast

Listen to the latest podcast by Transform Justice: A different lens? Neurodivergence in the criminal justice system.

It is estimated that over half the prison population is neurodivergent, including people who are autistic or have ADHD or a brain injury. Is society’s failure to understand neurodivergence leading to disproportionate criminalisation?

In this episode, Rob and Penelope are joined by MP and former Lord Chancellor Sir Robert Buckland and Angela Kirwin, criminal justice author. They discuss the factors that cause neurodivergent people to come into contact with the justice system, how they experience prison differently, and efforts to promote neuroinclusion across justice. Listen here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: ELEVATE CJS applications open

ELEVATE CJS, a transformative leadership programme from the Criminal Justice Alliance (CJA), is now accepting applications for its second cohort. Launched in 2022, this 28-week course aims to empower leaders with lived experience in the criminal justice system, fostering personal and professional growth. The programme includes workshops, coaching, a residential weekend, and practical placements. Eligible candidates, based in Greater London and over 18, must have three years of paid employment in the criminal justice sector. The deadline for applications is [7 March]. Learn more and apply here 

Questions about the course? The CJA is hosting a Q&A session [20 February, online, free] for anybody thinking about applying, sign up here. 

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: What happens to the children when a parent goes to prison?

Support Children Heard and Seen are inviting you to join their ‘Call to Action’ campaign in raising awareness of the impacts of parental imprisonment, and creating change for children with a parent in prison. Register now for a screening of the 11-minute film ‘Invisible Children’ [21 February- 22 March, online, free] followed by a discussion of some of the myths around parental imprisonment. 

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: preventing youth violence

Minus Violence: 7 step safeguarding toolkit preventing youth violence.

Join this innovative online training event by Socio Logical, where practitioners will delve deeper into the world of serious youth violence intervention and prevention. This toolkit is designed specifically for practitioners who work to make a difference in the lives of young people involved in risk. [26 February, online, free] Register here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Addressing prison overcrowding through the Early Release scheme

Four months since the announcements, Catch22’s Hiba Warsame, who is a Prisoner Offender Manager at HMP Thameside, offers her perspective on the Early Release scheme. She explores whether the scheme is likely to achieve its intended goals and how the current challenges within the system may impact its success.

Hiba Warsame concludes "As policymakers and stakeholders continue to grapple with the evolving landscape of the prison capacity crisis, and schemes such as Early Release come and go, one thing remains strikingly clear; there must be wrap-around support in place for individuals before their release into the community." Read the article here

RESOURCE: commissioning drug and alcohol treatment services for women

The Centre for Justice Innovation has published a new guide to commissioning drug and alcohol treatment services for women. Advocating for gender-specific services, the guide also offers examples where commissioners have reconfigured mixed-gendered services to deliver more trauma-informed and gender-responsive treatment and support through collaboration, partnership working and upskilling workforces.

It intends to help commissioners utilise much-needed additional funding under the Government’s 10-year drugs strategy, From Harm to Hope, to support knowledge sharing and lived experience involvement within drug and alcohol treatment to ensure that treatment services can meet women’s gendered needs. The Centre is welcoming anyone interested in putting these ideas into practice to get in touch with Senior Practice Officer, Suzanne, on SSmith@justiceinnovation.org for more information or practical support. Read the guide here

FEATURED VACANCY: Senior Development Manager (Trusts and Foundations)

PACT is looking for an outstanding Senior Development Manager (Trusts and Foundations) [£46,225, Full-Time, Hybrid Peckham] to join their fundraising team. If you have a keen interest in the Criminal Justice System and are passionate about supporting people affected by imprisonment, PACT would love to hear from you. We enjoy warm and committed relationships with a range of trusts and foundations and have a robust trust pipeline contributing to core and specific restricted projects. If you are looking to take on more responsibility and are itching to have greater ownership of a diverse portfolio, get in touch. You will be a skilled communicator with extensive knowledge, skills, and experience of trust fundraising. [Find out more and apply here by 25 February]

FEATURED VACANCY: Sessional Specialist Criminal Justice Outreach Coaches

Changing Lives is looking for a pool of Sessional Specialist Criminal Justice Outreach Coaches [£15.74 per hour, Bank/Sessional] to join their teams based in Newcastle and Stockton, covering Northumbria and Cleveland probation areas. We believe that individuals become involved in the criminal justice system for a complex range of reasons and deliver a range of support to women by women. As a sessional worker you will have the opportunity to learn and develop your skills and experience in a rewarding field; working across multiple projects with the people we support - coaching, supporting, empowering them to achieve their aspirations and encouraging positive steps to improving their life. Female postholders only, subject to Enhanced Level 1 clearance. [Find out more and apply here by 8 March].

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES:

Accommodation Support Officer with Seetec [£24,650 - £24,801, Liverpool, part time]; Treasurer Trustee with NEPACS [Voluntary, Durham City and Bowburn, County Durham, and Online, part time]; Financial Controller with St Giles Trust [£52,000 - £60,000, London (with option to work at one of our regional offices) full time]; Young Persons Advocate with ADVANCE (Advocacy and Non-Violence Community Education) [£26,000 - £30,500, Hammersmith, full time]; Substance Misuse IDVA with ADVANCE (Advocacy and Non-Violence Community Education) [£26,000 - £32,000, Hammersmith, full time]; Reading and Numeracy Support Specialist/ Facilitator - HMP Frankland with Shannon Trust [£27,584, Durham, full time]; Care Not Custody Caseworker with Brighton Women's Centre [£26,181, West Sussex, part time]; Substance misuse practitioner with Phoenix Futures [£23,000, HMP Wayland, part time]; Departure Lounge Assistant with NEPACS [£21,333, HMP Northumberland, full time]; Freelance Bookkeeper with Birth Companions [£31,000, Home based, part time]

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

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EXTRA INFORMATION:

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