Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 876 | 11 April 2025

Light lunch

In this issue...

CLINKS NEWS: State of the Sector 2024 - recommendations

Our new report is now live! The voice of the criminal justice voluntary sector has been heard. Our recommendations are in response to the sector's voice:

  1. The Government should work with the voluntary sector to develop a national framework of service delivery and evaluation.
  2. Statutory and charitable funders should consider how to support long-term funding opportunities.
  3. Statutory and charitable funders should create opportunities for unrestricted and core funding.
  4. Statutory and charitable funders should work with the voluntary sector to strengthen partnership working and embed co-commissioning.
  5. Statutory and charitable funders should provide meaningful feedback for unsuccessful funding applications.
  6. Statutory and charitable funders should ensure their funding processes are culturally competent funding processes.

Explore the report findings and our recommendations in further detail - read the report here

CLINKS NEWS: blog - Commissioned Rehabilitative Services (CRS) - Update

The Commissioned Rehabilitative Services (CRS) are part of His Majesty's Prison Probation Service (HMPPS). They provide flexible support to those in the criminal justice system and are delivered by organisations who have bid for and have been awarded contracts across different regions. With these contracts due to be recommissioned, this blog provides an update on the content of the contracts, timelines and how to engage in the process. Read the blog here

CLINKS NEWS: The new Civil Society Covenant

In this blog, we explain the new Civil Society Covenant and how the Government is seeking to develop a ‘more collaborative approach’ to tackling any challenges in the relationship between the voluntary sector and the government.

Led by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), in partnership with the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), four principles of the Covenant have been developed, and shared, as part of a consultation looking to draw on the experiences of voluntary organisations working with statutory partners. 

Read the blog here and our response to NCVO's call for feedback on their draft Covenant principles here.

CLINKS NEWS: Improving community mental health support in the criminal justice system

Matina Marougka, Head of Regional Operations (London) at Together for Mental Wellbeing and the Mental Health seat holder on the Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3), shares her reflections in this blog on the group’s first report on mental health treatment in the community for people in contact with the criminal justice system.

The report highlights key challenges, including: short-term and inaccessible funding, fragmented commissioning, and persistent racial disparities in access and outcomes. 

Recommendations include the need to focus on early intervention, person-centred care, and culturally responsive services. A follow-up report on drug and alcohol services will be published later this year. Read the RR3 Special Interest Group on Community Provision 2024-25 – Report 1

CLINKS NEWS: RR3 seat for small organisations – apply now

Clinks is recruiting a voluntary sector representative to the Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3), specifically for individuals representing small organisations (income between £10k–£100k). 

We are looking for a senior leader with experience delivering criminal justice services through small, locally based organisations, and who can support effective collaboration between the voluntary sector, Ministry of Justice and HMPPS. This is a voluntary role, but appropriate expenses will be reimbursed. The deadline for applications is [6 May, 17:00]. Find out more and apply here

MEMBER FOCUS: Oak London 

Oak London provides a residential course and mentoring programme for young men aged 18+ who have faced challenges. They are especially inclusive of young men who are at risk of offending or reoffending. Their programme is always small and participant centred. It provides the means to inspire positive decision-making and hope-filled futures. Find out more about Oak London here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Recoop is now independent

As of the 1 April 2025, Recoop will officially be operating as an independent organisation, completing its demerger from the BCHA Group family. This marks a significant milestone in their 15-year journey, allowing Recoop to focus entirely on its mission and continue delivering dedicated support to those they support, older individuals, struggling in a justice system designed for much younger people.

Recoop want to take this moment to acknowledge the long-standing relationship between BCHA and Recoop, and to thank everyone who has contributed to making the transition as smooth as possible. While this change represents a new chapter, the shared values and commitments that have shaped their work together remain strong. 

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: A release planning and support pilot

Inside Out Support Wales have launched a pilot project in HMP Swansea. The pilot service is designed to support men with pre-release, personalised release planning, post release support and specialist mentorship and will work with six people over several weeks both within the prison and on release.

The pilot commenced on 1 April with a launch event at the prison where interested men were given information about how the pilot will work and what support they could get being part of the project. Interviews and initial 1:1’s took place with the men in the subsequent days with support starting now.

To find out more about the work of Inside Out Support Wales please follow this link or email Chris Leslie.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Family and friends of people in prison

His Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) is seeking feedback from family members and friends of people currently in prison. The inspectorate wants to understand:

  • What prisons do to support your relationship
  • What your visiting experience has been like
  • Whether you’ve accessed any family support or interventions.

This forms part of a wider consultation to improve prison experiences and ensure relationships are maintained wherever possible. To share your experience, email: hmiprisons.enquiries@hmiprisons.gov.uk

Visit the website for more on HMIP consultations

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Mayor’s Police and Crime Plan 2025–2029 

The Mayor of London has published the Police and Crime Plan for 2025–2029, setting out priorities for policing and community safety across the capital. Key priorities include:

  • Fighting crime and reducing reoffending, with a focus on violence against women and girls, and knife crime
  • Building public trust and confidence in policing, especially among communities who currently have low levels of trust in the police
  • Protecting young people from harm and providing them with positive opportunities
  • Better supporting victims of crime through tailored services
  • Tackling inequalities and disproportionality in the criminal justice system.

The plan was developed with input from over 3,000 Londoners and stakeholders across the justice system. Read the Mayor’s Police and Crime Plan 2025–2029.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Ethical and human-centred digitisation in Probation

A new Academic Insights paper from HM Inspectorate of Probation, authored by Dr Victoria Knight, outlines a comprehensive guide for advancing ethical and responsible digitisation in probation. The paper addresses digital poverty and exclusion risks and provides a framework that supports digital recovery and rehabilitation.

Drawing on concepts such as digital desistance, justice capital, and recovery capital, the paper calls for a human-centred, rights-based approach to digital tools that enhance rather than replace human interaction. It includes practical examples such as Breaking Free Online and the Changing Lives app, and outlines ethical principles for implementation. Read the Academic Insights paper here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Expert Voices and women's experiences of attending court

There is growing recognition of the detrimental impact that contact with the criminal justice system, particularly custodial sentences, disproportionately has on women and their children. Yet one related area often overlooked and under-researched is how contact with our criminal court system impacts women.

Join the Centre for Justice Innovation (CJI) on the [22 April, 12:30-13:30, online, free]  for the next event in their Expert Voices series where they will be exploring women's experiences of attending court.

Sign up to hear experts:

  • Katy Swaine Williams, Associate of the Centre for Justice Innovation and a freelance research and policy consultant specialising in criminal justice reform for women and children accused or convicted of offending;
  • Lucy Slade, Policy Officer at the Centre for Justice Innovation, who has recently undertaken research exploring how women with caring responsibilities experience the criminal court system; and
  • Anna Watchman, a Researcher at the Centre for Justice Innovation, who has explored women’s experience of Highbury Magistrates’ Court.

Register for your place

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Women's perspectives on effective substance use treatment

Join the Centre for Justice Innovation (CJI) [28 April, 12.30-14.00, online, free] for the launch of their new research looking at women's perspectives on effective substance use treatment and support. This research, funded by the JABBS Foundation for Women and Girls, involved speaking to women with experience of accessing treatment across seven different locations and asking about their experiences of various treatment provision and what they actually wanted from treatment services.

The launch event will be chaired by Emma Plant from Red Rose Recovery and will include:

  • An introduction from Dame Carol Black, author of the Independent Review on Drugs;
  • An overview of the main findings with Senior Researcher at the Centre for Justice Innovation, Lydia Clark, and Suraksha Ujjainwal, the peer researcher on the project;
  • Insights from Chris Line, the CEO of the Nelson Trust.

Following hearing from each of the speakers, they will host a Q&A with the panel speakers to discuss the themes raised in the report. Register here to attend

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Supporting pregnant women and mothers of young children

Join Birth Companions and Advance for this free webinar exploring the importance of specialist support for pregnant women and mothers of children under two who are under probation supervision [20 May, 11:30–12:30, online, free].

The event will reflect on the first 1001 days – from conception to age two – and how targeted community services can improve outcomes for both mothers and babies. With criminal justice reform on the horizon, this is a timely opportunity to consider how services can work together to break intergenerational cycles of harm.

Speakers include Naomi Delap (Birth Companions), Dr Summer Alston-Smith (Advance), Abbi Ayers (NWJC), and others. Register here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: An evening with Imago Dei 

You are invited to an evening with Imago Dei [12 July, 18:30-21:00,  Eastgate church, Northfleet, free]. Come and hear about Imago Dei's work supporting women in prison and beyond. Meet the team, hear form the women they work with and about their four projects and how you can get involved. If you would like to attend please follow this Eventbrite link and register.

CLINKS NON-MEMBERS' EVENTS OR TRAINING: The importance of reading and basic skills in justice

Join the University College London (UCL) Centre for Education and Criminal Justice for an important discussion led by Dr Carina Spaulding (The Reading Agency) on how reading and basic literacy skills can transform the lives of people in the criminal justice system [24 April, 17:00–18:15, hybrid (online and UCL), free].

Drawing on Ministry of Justice data and frontline experiences, the session will explore the literacy crisis in prisons, the role of libraries, and the wider benefits of reading for wellbeing, confidence, and rehabilitation. This talk is relevant for all those interested in education, criminal justice, and systemic change. Register here

OPPORTUNITY: Minority ethnic prison educators research

NIANRO Consulting is carrying out research to understand the career experiences of Black, Asian, and minority ethnic prison educators. They seek your views and experiences so they can identify ways to help improve your workplace experiences. Interviews will be confidential and last about 75 minutes. Find out more by viewing their Black Prison Educators leaflet or e-mailing reserach@nianro.com before [17 April]. 

FEATURED VACANCY: Trustees 

Abianda is seeking passionate and creative Trustees to join their Board [Voluntary, part time, London/hybrid]. Their mission is to support young women harmed by criminal exploitation and violence to develop independence and agency - they do this through specialist provision and systems-change programmes. Abianda is looking for Trustees who will enter collaborative spaces with young women, learn from them and support a culture where their expertise is celebrated and prioritised. Their Board provides essential scrutiny, with warmth and humour, focusing on the needs of girls and young women. Abianda is a women’s-only employer; therefore, this position is exempt under Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010. Abianda are trans and non-binary inclusive. Find out more and apply here by 29 April 2025

FEATURED VACANCY: Switchback Mentor

Switchback is seeking a passionate individual to join their team as a mentor, building relationships with young men leaving prison. [£31,344-£34,702, full time, London/hybrid]. You will play a vital role in transforming the lives of young prison leavers, helping them break free from the justice system and build stable, rewarding futures. This is a unique opportunity to work 1-to-1 with young prison-leavers from different backgrounds; many of whom are from marginalised communities. You will be responsible for building your own caseload by engaging directly with young men in prison and providing intensive support after their release. In addition, you will also support Trainees referred to the programme after they have been released. Find out more and apply by 28 April here  

FEATURED VACANCY: Practice Officer (Youth Justice) 

The Centre for Justice Innovation (CJI) is seeking a creative, pragmatic and committed individual to join their team as a Practice Officer. [£35,000, full time, London/hybrid]. They are looking for a committed individual to support the delivery and development of our youth justice practice work, specifically to provide support to police and youth justice services in the delivery of youth diversion - both developing existing diversion schemes and supporting to set up new ones. This will include delivering multi-agency workshops, assessing practice against the evidence base, reviewing guidance and protocols and providing recommendations for improvement. Find out more and apply by 27 April here

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES:

Serious Organised Crime (SOC) Caseworker with St Giles Trust [£23,000 FTE, Newport (Gwent), part time]; Prison Recovery Coordinator with Change, Grow, Live (CGL) [£27,861–£32,002, Liverpool, full time]; RR3 Small Organisations Seat Holder with Clinks [voluntary, part time]; Operations Manager with LandWorks [£40,000–£45,000, Dartington (Totnes, South Devon), full time]; Core IDVA with Advance [£26,000–£32,000, Hammersmith, full time]; Fundraising Manager with Onwards & Upwards [£33,000–£42,000, London, full time]; Family Support Worker – Probation Services with Ormiston Families [£25,880 FTE, home based in Suffolk, part time]; Family Support Worker with Ormiston Families [£22,932 FTE, Visitors’ Centre at HMP Wayland, part time]; Family Support Worker with Ormiston Families [£22,932 FTE, Visitors’ Centre at HMP Bure, part time]; Case Worker (2 roles) with Hibiscus Initiatives [£30,000, London, full time].

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

READS OF THE WEEK:

EXTRA INFORMATION:

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