Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 836 | 21 June 2024

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In this issue...

CLINKS NEWS: RR3 Special Interest Group on Accommodation report

This week, Clinks published the third and final part of the RR3 Special Interest Group on Accommodation report. It explores the challenges faced by people leaving prison in accessing housing-related support. The report found:

  • A lack of resources and expertise in housing support, particularly for those with complex needs
  • Shortage of specialist move-accommodation
  • Limited women-only options
  • Short-term contracts and stagnant funding
  • Siloed support systems
  • Increased complexity of needs

From ensuring that the necessary level of support is received, to overcoming the limitations of current commissioned services, the report sets out practical measures designed to mitigate key issues. Read the report here

CLINKS NEWS: join Clinks' Member Advisory Forum

Clinks seeks voluntary sector professionals in the criminal justice system to join our Member Advisory Forum. Participants must belong to a Clinks member organisation and have approval to represent their organisation.

We seek additional forum members to represent the diversity of the voluntary sector, especially from small and volunteer-led organisations. For more information, read the value of our member advisory forum blog by our Support and Development Manager, Emma Kidger. Meeting notes and current forum members are available on our Publications page. Find out more about this opportunity and apply here

CLINKS EVENT: Clinks Families Network Forum - Key asks of the next Government

This event [11 July, 13:30 - 15:00, online, free] will provide organisations the opportunity to come together to identify key challenges for families organisations and develop a number of key asks for the new Government.

Clinks has recently established a network for voluntary organisations that support families delivering services in prisons and the community. We aim to give a collective voice to organisations that support the families of people in the criminal justice system and help to strengthen the evidence base for investing in good quality family support.

Family relationships are often the main source of emotional, practical and financial support for people in the criminal justice system, from the time of arrest to after release. Evidence shows that strong family relationships play a key role in reducing the possibility of reoffending. Register here

MEMBER FOCUS: Voluntary Impact Northamptonshire

Voluntary Impact Northamptonshire (VIN) supports new and existing community organisations, helping them grow, develop and thrive. They guide community organisations on the effective use of resources, best practice and extracting the most from networks, connections and opportunities. VIN represent those who are seldom heard and ensure their views are taken into account in local, regional and national policy formulation. Find out more

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Systems shift - a ten point plan for criminal justice

A new Government will face significant challenges in criminal justice reform, given the record backlog of Crown Court cases and prisons nearing capacity. The Centre for Justice Innovations has published the "Systems Shift" paper. It proposes immediate and long-term measures to address these issues.

Key recommendations include shortening prison sentences for low-risk offenders, reducing short sentences and remand, and fast-tracking Crown Court cases. The plan emphasises focusing resources on high-harm crimes, enhancing responses to sexual violence and domestic abuse, and investing in community justice and early intervention. Additionally, it advocates for an independent Institute for Justice to provide forecasts and inform public debate on the justice system's future. Find out more, read the "Systems Shift" paper here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: artists and frontline staff

The Artists’ Care project is a collaboration with three partner organisations who provide music and creative arts projects in challenging and complex settings – Good Vibrations, Irene Taylor Trust, and Hear Me Out, and two research organisations with specialisms in researching arts projects in such settings – the Royal Northern College of Music and the University of Wolverhampton.

The project seeks to answer the following question: How can supervision and care for those working in challenging and complex settings be structured, funded and embedded within organisational structures to ensure that artists and frontline staff are appropriately supported, maintaining the quality of their work and sustaining careers? Find out more about Artists Care: Care and supervision for those working in challenging and complex settings or e-mail icrd@wlv.ac.uk

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: The role of relational and restorative practice

Why me? invites you to join us for the launch of our latest report – The role of relational and restorative practice in Alternative Provision: Reducing violence and overcoming barriers to learning.

Belinda Hopkins, Director of Transforming Conflict and one of the UK's leading experts in the field of relational and restorative practice in educational settings, will share the findings of her research at this event [18 July, 16:00 - 17:00, online, free]. Originally focused upon the issue of violence, the research eventually assumed a wider scope, examining how Alternative Provision establishments can create a safe and supportive environment for all pupils and staff through trauma-informed, relational and restorative practice. Book your place here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: All of us, film screening

“All of Us” follows a family fractured and torn apart by violence and incarceration. As one family member comes to the end of their prison sentence, each of them explores how to move on and heal.

“All of Us is a compelling story with plenty of humour and great dramatic writing.” – Theatreview

The Mint House, Oxford Centre for Restorative Practice is pleased to announce the film screening of the play [27 July, 19:00, The Old Fire Station, Oxford, variable pricing]. The screening will be followed by a live Q&A with Rebecca Abrams (playwright), Miranda Warner (producer and actor), and others.

The Mint House is pleased to bring this play by Oxford playwright Rebecca Abrams to a local audience following a successful tour in New Zealand last year. The film is a recording of the play taken during that tour. Buy your tickets here

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: 

Prisoners and Welfare Benefits CPD Accredited [3 July, online, £89.00 + VAT]. This course delves into the unique hurdles faced by people in prison with a variety of sentence types, exploring their implications on benefits and housing. Real-life case studies, interactive quizzes, and seasoned trainers are all utilised to impart the best practices for navigating this complex system. Book your place here

Get to Grips with Personal Independence Payment CPD Accredited [11 July, online, £89.00+VAT]. This PIP training course is tailored to support individuals and organisations involved in providing social welfare assistance. During this session, you will gain a deep understanding of the key factors influencing PIP assessments, equipping you with the knowledge and skills needed to guide your clients through the application process, increasing their chances of securing their full entitlement on the first attempt. Book your place here

Get to Grips with Universal Credit (Advanced) CPD Accredited [16 July, online, £89.00 plus VAT]. This course provides in-depth guidance on assisting individuals with complex needs in their Universal Credit journey. Our advanced Universal Credit Course delves into the intricacies of this welfare benefit, covering its technical aspects. Book your place here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: new Home Detention Curfew framework

The Ministry of Justice has published a new framework for Home Detention Curfew (HDC). Subject to eligibility, people serving sentences of more than four years can now apply to be released up to 180 days early on electronic monitoring.

The changes being introduced will:

  • Extend HDC eligibility to people serving standard determinate sentences of over four years, dependent on risk assessment.
  • Replace the lifetime ban on accessing HDC for people who have been recalled to prison for breach of HDC curfew conditions, with ineligibility for HDC where such a recall to custody occurred within two years of the date when the current sentence was imposed.
  • Repeal the ban on access to HDC by prisoners who have ever been returned to custody by the courts for committing an offence during the now repealed “at risk” part of their licence period (an “at risk” return was where the courts could order a return to prison for some or all of the at risk period if the prisoner committed a further imprisonable offence between release from custody and the end of their sentence).

Read the full framework here

FUNDING: supporting work with Gypsy and Traveller communities

As part of Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month this June, the Allen Lane Foundation wishes to "support work that raises awareness of the issues Gypsy and Traveller communities face, and work to combat hate crime, stigma, discrimination and inequalities, including the lack of appropriate accommodation or other service provision" by raising awareness of available funding.

The Foundation also has a programme supporting work that supports people in the criminal justice system. The Foundation funds work across the UK apart from Greater London. Organisations can apply for a maximum of £15,000 (either as a one-off or spread over three years), but average grant sizes are between £5,000 - £6,000. The Foundation only supports smaller organisations; for those working locally they will fund organisations with an income of up to £100,000 per year, and for those working nationally they fund organisations with an income of around £250,000 per year.

The next Trustee meeting at which applications will be considered is due to be held in October 2024. Please contact Gill Aconley if you have any queries or wish to discuss your application. Find out more

FEATURED VACANCY: Service Delivery Manager 

Spark Inside is seeking a Service Delivery Manager [£33,437, Full-Time, East Midlands] to lead their delivery at HMP Ranby and across the region. This role is ideal for someone who thrives at building relationships with young people, is highly organised, and has the passion to achieve outcomes in challenging environments. This is an exciting on-the-ground position, working mainly within prisons in East Midlands, but as part of a team working in prisons nationally, as well as in the community in partnership with other organisations. You will be responsible for engaging young people in prison and in the community to participate in Spark Inside's life coaching workshops and one-to-one coaching. [Find out more and apply by 8 July here] 

FEATURED VACANCY: Cluster Manager 

Ormiston Families are seeking a Cluster Manager [£39,408, Full-Time, maternity cover] to lead, manage and develop high quality family support services across your prisons ensuring we provide dedicated support, information and where appropriate signposting through our welcoming and family friendly Visitor Centre’s. You will oversee case management of work with people in prison, group delivery sessions and 1-2-1 based sessions. You will work closely with HMP Governors to ensure our service delivery is contract compliant and agile to meet changing needs / demands within a busy and complex environment. You will have overall responsibility for recruitment, induction and training of new staff. You must have a relevant professional or vocational qualification at minimum NVQ level 3 or equivalent. [Find out more and apply by 15 July here] 

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES:

Chair Of Trustees with Sussex Pathways [Voluntary, part time]; Chief Executive Officer with User Voice [£60,000 - £70,000, London/Hybrid, full time]; StandOut Coach (based in prison) with StandOut [£27,500 - £30,000, London, full time]; Community Coach with StandOut [£27,500 - £30,000, London, full time]; Support Worker (Peripatetic) with Achieve [£26,485 - £30,012, Manchester, full time]; Job Adviser with Achieve [£26,485 - £30,012, HMP Wymott, full time]; Senior Support Worker with Achieve [£26,485 - £30,012, Lancaster Farms, full time]; Support Worker with Achieve [£26,485 - £30,012, HMP Manchester, full time]; Support Worker with Achieve [£26,485 - £30,012, Lancashire, full time]; Support worker with Achieve [£26,485 - £30,012, Lancaster Farms, full time]

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

READS OF THE WEEK:

EXTRA INFORMATION:

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