In this issue...
- CLINKS NEWS: HMIP report lays bare scale of challenge
- CLINKS NEWS: Lack of language support for victims of crime
- MEMBER FOCUS: Co-operative Community Investment Foundation
- CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Do out-of-court resolutions work for victims?
- CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Do out-of-court resolutions work for victims?
- CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: Creating trauma-informed policies
- CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: CRS Regional market engagement events
- CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Released following a Miscarriage of Justice
- NON-MEMBERS’ EVENT: Gaming, blaming & shaming: tackling online hate & harm
- CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES:
- READS OF THE WEEK:
- EXTRA INFORMATION:
CLINKS NEWS: HMIP report lays bare scale of challenge
In this Clinks blog, we review the latest annual report by the Chief Inspector of Prisons. The report highlights severe overcrowding, limited time out of cell, and poor access to education and mental health support. Prominent among the findings was the alarming ease of access to illicit drugs, linked to rising violence.
Women in prison face a particularly stark situation, with self-harm rates over eight times higher than in men’s prisons. These issues add weight to the Sentencing Review’s call for fewer short custodial sentences and more community-based support. Urgent funding and action are needed to turn these recommendations into reality. Read the blog and annual report
CLINKS NEWS: Lack of language support for victims of crime
In this guest blog by The Bell Foundation, they interview Pamela Fitzpatrick (Director, Harrow Law Centre) and Nimrod Ben-Cnaan (Head of Policy, Law Centres Network) reflecting on research following Freedom of Information requests to 49 police forces across the UK by the Law Centres Network.
The findings reveal widespread inconsistencies in how language needs are assessed and supported, with many forces only offering interpreters when a victim speaks no English at all. In some cases, untrained staff or even children were asked to interpret during serious cases.
The interview highlights how this undermines access to justice and calls for standardised data collection and improved support for victims with limited English. Read the blog: Language support for victims of crime: “a big mountain to climb”
MEMBER FOCUS: Co-operative Community Investment Foundation
The Co-operative Community Investment Foundation believe co-operation is at the heart of strong communities and this makes them a different kind of funder. They work closely with communities, listening and learning. Their team unlock communities’ power by focusing on those who have most at stake. Young people contributed and shaped their vision, and the team are now co-operating with the young people, and others, to turn this vision into reality. Visit their website
CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Do out-of-court resolutions work for victims?
Transform Justice’s latest report, "Beyond the courtroom: do out of court resolutions work for victims?", explores how out-of-court resolutions are experienced by victims. Based on a survey of 1,235 victim-survivors and interviews with 25 individuals, the research found that victims prioritise stopping reoffending, quick case resolution, and feeling acknowledged by the justice system.
When delivered well, out-of-court outcomes can meet these needs by offering timely responses and greater personal support. However, the report highlights that when victims are not informed or involved in the process, their experience can be negative. The report includes recommendations for improving these resolutions to make them more effective and victim-focused. A free webinar will take place on [14 July, 10:00 - 11:00, online, free] to discuss the findings in more detail. Book your place here
CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Do out-of-court resolutions work for victims?
Join Transform Justice on [14 July, 10:00 - 11:00, online, free] to explore the findings of their latest report, Beyond the Courtroom. The session will look at how victims experience out-of-court disposals and whether these resolutions meet their needs. Hear from researchers and contributors to the report, and take part in a Q&A session.
CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: Creating trauma-informed policies
One Small Thing are running a half-day online course [25 September, registration from 9:00, the training runs from 9:30 - 13:00, online, £95+VAT per person] designed to support participants to look at their organisational existing policies, consider what might be amended from a trauma-informed perspective, and think through the development of new trauma-informed policies. The workshop objectives are to support participants to have:
• A clear understanding of what you already have in place
• What needs to be developed
• What is required to embed trauma-informed policies across the organisation
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: CRS Regional market engagement events
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has confirmed further dates for the series of regional market engagement focused on Men’s Rehabilitation Services, designed to support upcoming commissioning activity. These events will offer providers additional regional information about forthcoming procurement opportunities for people on probation and invite organisations to raise questions to help shape programmes.
- North West | 14 July, 11:00 - 12.30 | Register here
- South Central | 15 July, 11:00 -12:00 | Register here
- London | 17 July, 13:00 - 14:30 | Register here
- East of England | 22 July, 13:00 - 15:00 | Register here
- South West | 23 July, 13:00 - 14:00 | Register here
- Yorkshire and the Humber | 28 July, 11:00 - 13:00 | Register here
- Kent, Sussex, Surrey | 31 July, 11:00 - 13:00 | Register here
- North East | 31 July, 13:00 - 14.30 | Register here
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Released following a Miscarriage of Justice
The Miscarriage of Justice support grant (PQQ_482) questionnaire is now live.
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is running a Market Engagement Questionnaire to help inform the development of the requirements and identify the next steps in the process to re-let the Strategic Grant for Advice and Support for Those Released from Custody Following a Miscarriage of Justice.
The PQQ was published on [7 July, and closes at 10:00 on 28 July]. If you are not registered on Jaggaer, follow this link and find the ‘Click here to register’ icon. Once registered, search for PQQ_482.
Please note: this is not a selection exercise for the recompete of the above Strategic Grant. HMPPS is using this method to reach as many organisations as possible. If you have any questions, e-mail MoJCommercialReset@justice.gov.uk
NON-MEMBERS’ EVENT: Gaming, blaming & shaming: tackling online hate & harm
Join Minus Violence for "Gaming, Blaming & Shaming" a webinar designed for practitioners supporting service users in today's rapidly evolving digital landscape [17 July, 10:00 - 11:30, online, free]. This session will equip you with the essential knowledge and strategies to tackle the emerging risks of misinformation, radicalisation, and extremism specifically within Gaming, AI, and Streaming platforms.
Understanding that online harm and radicalisation risks are ever-present, especially for vulnerable cohorts including young people, adults and those with SEND needs, this webinar will provide practical insights into how these platforms are exploited. Learn to identify the subtle signs of radicalisation and exploitation, understand how misinformation spreads, and discover effective, trauma-informed approaches to safeguard service users. Empower yourself and your service users to recognise, reject, and report anything that resembles hate, harm, or extremism online. Spaces are limited – register today to enhance your safeguarding capabilities. Find out more and register here
CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES:
Outreach Support Worker 25/33 with Imagine Independence [£23,870, Liverpool, full time]; Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3) – seat holder for substance misuse with Clinks [voluntary, part time]; Housing Support Worker with Nacro [£26,584, Salford, full time]; Housing Support Worker with Nacro [£26,584, Wigan, full time]; Housing Support Worker with Nacro [£26,584, Bolton, full time]; Construction Training Manager with Groundwork Greater Manchester [£38,000 – £45,000, Greater Manchester, full time]; Housing Support Worker with Nacro [£26,584, Merthyr Tydfil, full time]; Housing Support Worker with Nacro [£26,584, Cardiff, full time]; Senior Support Worker with Nacro [£27,740, Birmingham, full time]; Housing Support Worker with Nacro [£26,584, Dudley, full time].
For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here
READS OF THE WEEK:
- Mentoring cuts crime and saves millions, finds impact report
- Captain Tom probe 'did not dent trust in charities'
- Charities partner to create domestic abuse service
- The Directory of Grant Making Trusts to be published in September
EXTRA INFORMATION:
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