Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 829 | 26 April 2024

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In this issue...

CLINKS NEWS: Probation Re-set, an update

This update follows a Written Ministerial Statement to Parliament laid earlier this month announcing the HMPPS ‘Probation Re-set’, designed to reduce demands on probation and strengthen capacity to engage with people on probation supervision in the community at the points in their sentence that matters most.

From 29 April, HMPPS will commence the re-set-in probation with a view to full implementation by 1 July. The re-set will ensure practitioners prioritise engagement and supervision at the points in the sentence where the evidence shows it has the most impact on people on probation.

Clinks have produced a summary update of the changes.

CLINKS NEWS: MEAM Approach Network

Thanks to the generosity of The National Lottery Community Fund, MEAM are now seeking 10 new areas to join the MEAM Approach network for a period of funded support for 2024 – 2026.

MEAM have now launched an Expression of Interest (EOI) process for areas who are interested in joining. The closing date for applications is [10 June]. Full details of how to apply, the benefits of becoming a member of the MEAM Approach network and the eligibility criteria can be found here.

If you have questions about your application or the process, you can reserve a place on one of the information sessions listed here or email Greg at Gregory.Headley@meam.org.uk to set up a Team’s chat to discuss.

CLINKS NEWS: Employment report 2023-24

We are pleased to publish a report from the RR3 Special Interest Group on Employment.

This report is being published as part of the work of the Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group and focusses on the barriers to employment faced by people, both in prison and on their release into the community and explores: 

  1. Prison workshops
  2. The financial security of people in prison
  3. Employer and training provider engagement
  4. Addressing complex needs
  5. Service coordination

Developed in collaboration with 28 voluntary criminal justice sector organisations, the report sets out a range of recommendations designed to upskill and prepare people in prison for their release, as well as ensuring that there is sufficient support to sustain employment in the community. Read the report here

CLINKS EVENT: Why gender matters in the criminal justice system

Join this 2-part workshop [13 May, 10:00 - 12:00, 14 May, 10:00 - 13:00, online £95 for members] to develop a deeper understanding of women’s gendered experience of the criminal justice system and increase awareness of the ‘whole system approach’.

13 May - Part one: Understanding the policy landscape for women
14 May - Part two: Implementing gendered policy for women

This two part, entry-level workshop, is specifically for organisations who are part of the Clinks women’s network. It would specifically benefit frontline staff or volunteers who are new to working or volunteering in your organisation and wish to increase their understanding of why gender matters for women in the criminal justice system. Find out more and register here

MEMBER FOCUS: Irish Community Care

Responding to the needs of both the Irish and Irish Traveller communities, Irish Community Care offers and develops professional and culturally-sensitive services. They offer support around a range of issues including accommodation, homelessness, offending, physical and mental health, low income, drug and alcohol use, social and cultural isolation, training and employment. Their work focuses on linking Service Users into opportunities, entitlements and services to improve quality of life. They do this both through drop-in information and advice services and through outreach workers in the community visiting people in their own homes, hospitals and prisons, locally and regionally. Find out more about Irish Community Care

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: The life of a Top Boy

The Life of a Top Boy podcast is the latest episode of the Alliance for Youth Justice (AYJ)’s series focuses on 'Reframing Violence' and spotlights a ground-breaking new report "The Life of a Top Boy", which centres the perspectives of young Black men about trauma and violence in the community. The podcast features the author Dr Ron Dodzro, Clinical and Community Psychologist, and Winston Goode, founder and CEO of Juvenis, a grassroots organization in Lambeth helping young Londoners to achieve their potential.

FUNDING: Criminal Justice funding flows to the voluntary sector

Lloyds Bank Foundation are funding and partnering with Clinks, Ministry of Justice and AB Charitable Trust, with support from the Corston Independent Funders Coalition, on a new research project which will map and explore funding flows from central government and philanthropy to the criminal justice-related voluntary community and social enterprise sector. 

Proposals for this research project will be accepted until [15 May]. If this sounds interesting to you as a potential bidder, as a criminal justice voluntary organisation or funder with a vested interest, please read this blog for further detail. 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: market engagement event

Following His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) recent announcement regarding the upcoming Market Engagement event for the recommissioning of Commissioned Rehabilitative Services (CRS) [2 May, 14:00- 16:00, online, free], they are pleased to share the agenda, and questions that will guide discussions during the event.

The agenda:
14:00 – 14:15 Welcome and Scene Setting
14:15 – 14:45 Local Alignment, Integration and Partnerships discussion
14:45 – 15:15 Benefits and Challenges of grants and Contracts
15:15 – 15:55 Facilitating and sustaining the involvement of smaller organisations.
15:55 – 16:00 Reflections and Close

HMPPS will explore a range of questions under each agenda item. In addition to the questions and discussions on the day, HMPPS encourage you to submit questions in advance, allowing HMPPS to fully consider the question and it will allow sufficient time to prepare responses. Moreover, it will enable those unable to attend to share their feedback and allow for further comments to be provided after the event has concluded.

If unable to attend the event, your input is highly valued, and HMPPS eagerly anticipate receiving your questions in advance. Please note that the closing date for questions is [9 May, 17:00]. 

HMPPS request those interested in attending the session to register using this link.

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: a presumption against short sentences for children

Join the Centre for Justice Innovation for their next Expert Voices event looking at a presumption against short sentences for children [7 May, 12:30 - 13:30, online, free].

Whilst the Sentencing Bill, which proposes to introduce a presumption against prison sentences of 12 months or less for adults in England and Wales, journeys through Parliament, many in the sector have called for this presumption to be extended to cover children. This webinar, produced in collaboration with the Alliance for Youth Justice, will look at the implications of the Bill, and the wider opportunity it presents to ensure that custody is used as a last resort for children, and for the shortest possible time. Discussing this, alongside important implementation questions, will be experts Dr Anne-Marie Day, Criminology Lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University, Laura Cooper, Director of the Youth Justice Legal Centre, Richard Goodacre JP, Chair of the Magistrates’ Association Youth Court Committee and chair, Phil Bowen, Director of the Centre for Justice Innovation. Register for your place here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: feeding a rehabilitative culture

What is a rehabilitative culture within prison, and what role can food play in achieving this?

Food Matters is joined by an expert panel of speakers working within prison reform and research, who will be shining a light on an area often left undiscussed - food systems within UK prisons, how we work towards improving them, and why it's necessary [8 May, 15:00 - 16:30, online, free]. With presentations and discussions from Victoria Williams (Food Matters), Hindpal Singh Bhui (HM's Inspectorate of Prisons), Sarah Lewis (Penal Reform Solutions), and Yvonne Thomas (The Clink Chairty).

Whether you're a policymaker, advocate, practitioner, or simply passionate about food and criminal justice reform, this webinar offers valuable insights into the criminal justice system, and strategies for creating a more humane and effective prison system using food. Register here 

NON-MEMBERS’ EVENT: lessons from Scotland around restorative practice

The Scottish Government’s Programme for Government 2018-19 included a commitment to having ‘RJ services widely available across Scotland ... with the interests of victims at their heart.’ The vision wishes restorative justice to be made available to all who wish to access it at a time appropriate to the people and case involved. But this will necessarily be a long journey.

Join Professor Joanna Shapland and Ashley Scotland as they lead a session outlining Scotland’s journey so far and how this may relate to the experience of some other countries [9 May, 12:30-14:00, online, 'Pay As You Feel']. The event will include time for discussion. Register here

OPPORTUNITY: Youth Justice L5 training development

Does your organisation employ Youth Justice practitioners at level 5? Sheffield Hallam University (SHU) is developing new routes into the profession for FE college delivery across the region to provide new routes into the profession for college students. They need employer perspectives to demonstrate the need for this in the region and to ensure that the new qualification meets this need. If you are able to discuss this in relation to your organisation, they would love to hear from you! Please contact lynsey.jefferies@shu.ac.uk for more information or complete this brief form.

FEATURED VACANCY: Family Support Worker – HMP Highpoint

Ormiston Families are looking for a Family Support Worker [Part Time, £12 per hour (£21,840 FTE)] to join their experienced and dedicated Family Services Team working within the visitors’ centre at HMP Highpoint providing a personal welcome to visitors to help them access the services available to them. You will be responsible for the effective and efficient running of the Visitor Centre, Tea Bar, Play Area in the Prison Visits Hall, assist on Family Days to ensure prisoners and their families have a valuable visiting experience, improving the quality of visits for children, young people and families. 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. [Find out more and apply here by 3 May] 

FEATURED VACANCY: Complex Needs & Housing Community Keyworker

One Small Thing are looking for a Complex Needs & Housing Community Keyworker [Full Time, £26,000, Southampton] to provide one-to-one support to women on probation living in the community, and women being released from prison as part of their post sentence supervision. You will manage a caseload of women with complex needs who are facing housing issues, and provide them with advice, guidance and support that helps them connect with other support services in the community, assisting them in overcoming barriers when securing safe and appropriate housing. You will be employed by One Small Thing but will be part of a wider team of Community Keyworkers employed by our partner Advance. [Find out more and apply here by 13 May]

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES:

Board Members with Konnect Communities CIC [Meetings will be face to face in Cornwall, part time]; Family Support Worker - Prisoner Family Services - HMP Highpoint with Ormiston Families [£21,840, HMP Highpoint Visitors’ Centre, part time]; Violence Against Women and Girls Advocate with A Way Out [£24,675, Tees Valley, full time]; Criminal Justice Interventions Community Coach with A Way Out [£27,300, Tees Valley, full time]; Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Specialist (LGBTQ+ Specialist) with Basis Yorkshire [£28,495, Leeds and Bradford, part time]; Family Support Worker - Prisoner Family Services - HMP Norwich with Ormiston Families [£21,840, HMP Norwich Visitors’ Centre, part time]; Women's Accommodation Support Worker - West Sussex with Brighton Women's Centre [£26,181, Worthing based, Local travel expected, part time]; Women's Accommodation Support Worker - West Sussex with Brighton Women's Centre [£26,181, Worthing, local travel expected, part time]; Peer Mentor - FIRST – Birmingham with Shelter Prison Housing Advice Service (PHAS) [£24,102, Birmingham, full time]; IT Project Manager with ADVANCE (Advocacy and Non-Violence Community Education) [£42,000 - £45,000, Hammersmith, full time]

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

READS OF THE WEEK:

EXTRA INFORMATION:

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