Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 940 | 10 July 2026

Light lunch

 

 

In this issue...

 

 

This is your last chance to apply! Clinks is seeking a senior leader from the voluntary sector to sit on the Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3) as the seat holder for organisations led by and focused on racially minoritised people. The RR3 builds a stronger and more effective partnership between the voluntary sector and the Ministry of Justice and HM Prison and Probation Service. The successful candidate will be a senior leader at a voluntary organisation that is both led by and supports racially minoritised people involved in the criminal justice system, and will be able to reflect the reality of delivering support services for racially minoritised individuals. This is a voluntary role. Interviews for shortlisted candidates will be held online during the week of 20 July. Don’t miss this opportunity! [Deadline: Monday 13 July 2026 at 17:00]

To apply, send a CV and covering letter outlining your reasons for applying and how you meet the person specification to lisa.chandler@clinks.org 

Find out more here

As a reminder, Clinks is seeking YOUR input and front-line insights to help inform ongoing discussions with officials on recall policy. In particular, we would welcome your reflections on the early impact of the fixed-term recall (FTR56) model, including what you are seeing as the main drivers for recall, where it is or is not working as intended, and any gaps in support during the 56-day period or on re-release that may contribute to re-recall. We are also interested in views on local alternatives to recall and what changes could improve the process overall. 
 
Don't miss this opportunity to shape future policy development surrounding recall! Share your feedback, by 5PM on Thursday 16 July, here

This week the Government made public its intention to recognise and support children affected by parental imprisonment. (CAPI).  This is a landmark announcement.

For many years there has been no statutory requirement to record the number of children who experienced a parent in prison and therefore no statutory duty to focus on their needs and provide support for them.

Over the past 12 months, Clinks Families Network members have contributed to ongoing discussions, sharing their knowledge and expertise to help identify children affected by parental imprisonment and consider the most appropriate forms of support. We welcome this announcement.

Diane Curry OBE, Clinks Families Network Co-ordinator, responded:

“Children and young people affected by parental imprisonment need support in trusted spaces within their own communities, shaped by the needs they identify. Understanding the impact of parental imprisonment and other vital factors is essential to designing this support to combat any further stigmatisation experienced by children and their families. Clinks Families Network members, and the children and families they support, will continue to contribute to discussions on how the proposed pilots should develop to achieve the best possible outcomes.”

Read the full government announcement here

Clinks has published a new blog setting out the top priorities that have emerged from its State of the Sector 2025 research, which engaged a wide range of voluntary sector organisations working in criminal justice through a survey, 12 focus groups facilitated in partnership with NCVO, and breakout discussions at the launch event in March 2026. The priorities are organised under three themes: deepening and diversifying engagement, enhancing tools and practical support for members, and showcasing and celebrating the sector. Key commitments include establishing a Small Organisations Network with practical workshop sessions, continuing area- and issue-based forums across England and Wales, redeveloping the Clinks Directory into a clear searchable service directory, improving the accessibility of member tools and resources on the new Clinks website, and increasing the visibility of member organisations through events, networks and communications. Clinks will not be conducting State of the Sector research in 2026, shifting to a biennial cycle with the next wave of research planned for 2027.

Read the full blog here

The National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance (NCJAA) and the Royal Literary Fund are hosting a free, practical online workshop on fundraising bid writing, delivered by professional writer Dr Shanta Everington. The session is suitable for fundraisers of all experience levels, from those new to fundraising to those looking to improve their success rate. It will cover understanding what funders are looking for, interpreting funding criteria, clarifying aims and outcomes, developing a structured approach to writing and editing applications, and improving the clarity and impact of bids. The workshop is free and open to Clinks members who work or volunteer for a small and specialist organisation within one of Clinks’ thematic networks (Arts, Families, Race and Justice, or Women), or who are independent or freelance arts practitioners. [Tuesday 21 July 2026 | 10:00 to 12:00 | Online | Free]

Book here

MEMBER FOCUS: My Life

My Life was founded in 2016, originally as Student Life, in partnership with the University of Suffolk, with a focus on young people’s mental health and creative expression. Its Unlock My Life project extended this award-winning mental health and wellbeing work into prisons, reaching people who face significant barriers to support. The organisation now works in over 30 prisons across England and Scotland, delivering tailored mental health awareness training alongside a Mental Health Ambassador programme that promotes peer support and reduces stigma around mental ill-health.

Find out more here

The Dawes Trust, which funded over £28 million of research and service delivery in the justice sector between 2011 and 2026, will be closing later this year, having disbursed all its funds. The Trustees have commissioned a review to provide a record of the work it funded and the impact of this work. The Trust had a distinctive approach to grant making and it hopes to stimulate debate among grant givers and grant seekers about best funding practice in the justice sector by publishing this review which can be found here.

The Bell Foundation has published a new article following an interview with Sue Wardell from Suffolk Law Centre, a partner organisation supported by The Bell Foundation to provide legal support to the local Roma community in Suffolk, one of the largest in the UK. Now in its third year, the project addresses the discrimination and language barriers that many Roma people face, which can result in accumulative school fines, arrest and workplace prejudice. Sue Wardell discusses the steps Suffolk Law Centre has taken to make legal support more accessible to this community by building partnerships and trust, and the real difference this can make.

Read the article here

RJ4All has continued its dialogue with HM Prison and Probation Service following the review of the Restorative Practice Policy Framework. In its response to RJ4All’s concerns, HMPPS clarified that the revised policy does not introduce a blanket ban on restorative justice in serious cases and that exceptional circumstances will continue to be considered. RJ4All welcomed these reassurances while reaffirming that restorative justice policy must remain evidence-led, voluntary and tailored to individual cases. The response also offers future collaboration through an advisory group, highlights RJ4All’s evidence-based practice models and practitioner networks, and shares insights from recent discussions with the Independent Prevent Commissioner on strengthening restorative approaches to preventing violent radicalisation and extremism.

Read the response here

Why Me? has shared an update on the joint letter to ReHub, which called for a change to the wording of the new ‘presumption of unsuitability’ policy and ongoing monitoring of the impact of the changes. Confirmation has been received that ReHub has received and read the letter. The letter and the accompanying briefing outlining the sector’s concerns have been made public. Organisations that did not get a chance to sign the letter but would like to add their name are encouraged to get in touch with Why Me?. Organisations are also welcome to share the letter and briefing with their networks, via social media, their website or email, or to share them directly with ReHub and the relevant Ministers to express their support.

Read more here 

Offploy is hosting a free online session for organisations working in mentoring and social inclusion, focusing on how to identify, support and advocate for people with criminal records. The session is aimed at those new to the criminal justice sector or those who would like a refresher, and will cover how to recognise when someone may have a conviction and how to connect them with the specialist support they can access. [Monday 14 July 2026 | 09:15 to 10:00 | Online | Free]

Register here

The Ministry of Justice is hosting a market engagement session to discuss the Custody Delivery Model for Women’s Community Support. The session will explore the proposed model in more detail, outlining anticipated service requirements, delivery expectations, key interfaces with partner agencies and desired outcomes for women accessing support whilst in custody and during transition into the community. There will also be a focused discussion on out-of-area releases, examining the challenges of supporting women released away from their custodial area and how effective partnership working can help ensure continuity of support, reduce barriers to resettlement and improve longer-term outcomes. The session is open to potential suppliers and will include an opportunity for market feedback and open discussion. [Thursday 16 July 2026 | 10:30 to 11:30 | Online | Free]

Register here

The Home Office is hosting three open drop-in sessions on reforms to Police and Crime Commissioners, including community scrutiny. The sessions are open to all. If you are unable to attend but have questions, contact Louise Williams directly at Louise.Williams11@homeoffice.gov.uk 

Monday 13 July 2026 | 13:30 to 15:00
Tuesday 21 July 2026 | 15:30 to 17:00
Wednesday 29 July 2026 | 11:00 to 12:30

Contact Louise.Williams11@homeoffice.gov.uk for joining details or to submit questions in advance.

St Giles is hosting the third session in its free online learning series, exploring why some young people carry weapons. Moving beyond simplistic explanations of criminality or poor choices, the session examines the role of fear, reputation, retaliation, peer pressure, trauma, humiliation and the perceived need for protection. It will support practitioners to have more effective conversations with young people about weapon carrying, understand the emotional and social pressures behind the behaviour, and consider how prevention work can respond to the need for safety, status and belonging without reinforcing shame or fear. The session is free and open to anyone, but is particularly relevant for professionals working with children, young people and families across safeguarding, education, health, youth justice, policing and community settings [Tuesday 14 July 2026 | 12:00 to 13:30 | Online | Free]

Join here

Imago Dei is hosting the #SheMatters Women’s Criminal Justice Conference 2026 on Friday 11 September at St John’s Church, Waterloo. The conference brings together professionals and advocates for a day of insight, connection and collective action for women affected by the criminal justice system. [Friday 11 September 2026 | London]

Book your ticket here

Transform Your Training is offering a series of free one-hour online learning sessions throughout July, delivered by their Train the Trainer cohort as part of their Train the Trainer Award assessments. Topics include Psychological Safety in the Workplace, Investing in You: Personal Development and Progression, Introduction to Neurodiversity at Work, Beyond the Binary: How Gender Norms Impact Us All, Responding Effectively to Challenging Interactions with Patients, and Gambling Awareness. Sessions are free, online and available throughout July. [Various dates throughout July 2026 | Online | Free]

View the full July Microteach Calendar here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: HMPPS awards £3 million to eight VCSE organisations

HM Prison and Probation Service has awarded a total of £3 million to eight voluntary, community and social enterprise sector organisations, following a highly competitive grant process. The funded programmes, based on the Independent Sentencing Review recommendations, are designed to offer tailored, person-centred support to people within the criminal justice system, helping them stabilise their lives, build resilience and take meaningful steps towards a future free from crime.

The successful organisations are:

Lancashire Women, partnering with PSS Women’s Turnaround and Greater Manchester Women’s Support Alliance, expanding a proven model to reduce recalls through trauma-informed support for women leaving HMP Styal.

Support When It Matters (SWIM), scaling a culturally competent programme supporting men from diverse communities across London.

IMO Charity, extending mentoring, family reconnection and community reintegration work for ethnic minority men across Lancashire.

Change Grow Live, in collaboration with the 180Project, expanding the In Your Corner Hypermasculinity pilot into the North West, an innovative trauma-informed programme addressing hypermasculinity and substance use.

Lincoln City Foundation, helping people leaving custody rebuild routines and access employment through sport and mentoring.

Spark Inside, delivering a gender-responsive coaching and groupwork programme supporting women in custody and through the gate.

Bridge Project, providing intensive, personalised navigator support to those at highest risk of recall in Bradford, stabilising housing and coordinating multi-agency support from pre-release through resettlement.

Changing Lives, expanding support for women in the criminal justice system in Staffordshire facing substance use, harm and exploitation.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Commons debate on early release of prisoners - Sentencing Act 2026

The House of Commons debated early release of prisoners on 7 July 2026, following a motion tabled by the Conservatives calling on the government to exempt from automatic early release under the Sentencing Act 2026 any offender convicted of a sexual offence against an adult or a child, including rape and grooming. The debate took place against the backdrop of the Sentencing Act’s early release provisions due to come into force from September 2026, and amid reports that the incoming Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, is considering primary legislation to prevent child sex offenders from being released early. The government did not contest the motion. The debate raises significant questions about the implementation of the Sentencing Act and the scope of any future changes to the early release scheme.

Read the full debate here

NON-MEMBERS’ EVENTS OR TRAINING: Celebrating three years of #StyleForStyal

The University of Central Lancashire is celebrating three years of the #StyleForStyal project on Tuesday 26 August. Led by Dr Victoria Gregson, Style for Styal organises and sends clothing donations to support the women and babies at HMP Styal. The event is open to all, with an entry fee of one clothing donation per guest, and a light lunch will be provided. Organisations are also welcome to host stalls to showcase their work. [Tuesday 26 August 2026 | University of Central Lancashire]

For more information, contact Victoria at VGregson5@lancashire.ac.uk 

Book your place here

FUNDING: Unrestricted grants of up to £45,000 for small charities

The Fore offers unrestricted grants of up to £45,000 over one to three years, plus strategic pro-bono business support, to help small UK charities grow and strengthen. Funding is unrestricted, meaning it can have a transformational impact on the whole organisation, supporting growth, structure, sustainability and efficiency. To be eligible, organisations must have an annual turnover of under £500,000 and be focused on supporting grassroots and underserved communities. The Fore particularly encourages applications from organisations that have struggled to access trust and foundation funding in the past. Registration of interest opens on [Wednesday 8 July]

Find out more and register your interest here

PUBLICATION: 

Churchill Fellowship report: community-based approaches for women impacted by the justice system

Sarah Smith, Churchill Fellow and Policy Manager at One Small Thing, has published her Churchill Fellowship report on community-based approaches for women impacted by the justice system. Drawing on conversations with practitioners and women with lived experience from Canada, Germany and Finland, the report highlights how these countries are moving away from tired narratives about crime and punishment and focusing instead on what helps people rebuild their lives. International examples offer fresh perspectives and practical ideas for change in the UK, with a particular emphasis on the importance of housing, trauma-informed support and strong community networks.

Read the report here

Specialist Caseworker – Education Liaison (Ref: ELSC-261) with St Giles Trust [£31729 to £34000, Camberwell office with regular travel across London, Full Time]; Prison Employment Adviser with Achieve [£27015 to £30612, HMP Styal, Full Time]; Prison Job Adviser with Achieve [£27015 to £30612, HMP Risley, Full Time]; Bookings & Sales Manager with Odd Arts [£32287, M15 6AX, Part Time]; Head Of Connections - HMP Millsike with The Forward Trust [£52000 to £65000, East Riding Of Yorkshire, Full Time]; Apprentice Keyworker with The Nelson Trust [£24500, Gloucester, Part Time]; Chair of Trustees with Koestler Arts [Remote. The charity's office is in London., Part Time]; Housing Assistant with Nacro [£25776, Birmingham, Full Time]; Lived Experience Consultants x2 (Northumberland/Cambridgeshire) with User Voice [£27000 to £30000, Cambridgeshire/Northumberland, Full Time]; Project Manager - Leadership & Lived Experience Programmes with User Voice [£35000 to £40000, Cambridgeshire/East Midlands, Full Time].

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

READS OF THE WEEK:

EXTRA INFORMATION:

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