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LIGHT LUNCH NOTICE: there will be no Light Lunch next week
Light Lunch will take a short break next Friday, returning on Friday 10th May. Please submit articles for consideration by 5pm Wednesday 8th May to joe.gardham@clinks.org
CLINKS VACANCY: Policy Manager
Clinks’ Policy Team keeps Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) organisations well informed about policy developments in criminal justice, and actively represents the diverse perspectives of the Sector to influence government. Following the secondment of our current Policy Manager we are seeking a skilled and dynamic manager, with solid experience of national policy work as its affects the VCS working with offenders, to lead the Policy Team for the next 18 months. The position is based in London, and the closing date for applications is 13th May. Full details here
CLINKS PUBLICATION: consulting probation on commissioning and the VCS
A new report from Clinks highlights the changing nature of partnership between Probation Trusts and the VCS. ‘Findings from Clinks’ consultation with Probation Trusts on commissioning and the Voluntary and Community Sector’ outlines how trusts directly commission VCS services and their commitment to strengthen the role of VCS organisations in reducing reoffending. However, in gearing up for change, many trusts foresee different partnerships with the Sector, particularly when engaging with emerging commissioning structures. The report also shows that the climate of uncertainty is contributing to a current lack of procurement activity with trusts reviewing their commissioning strategies. Download the report here
CLINKS EVENT: theatre and women in the CJS
The Arts Alliance are running a peer learning event [1st May, London, free] that will focus on the use of theatre with female offenders, led by the award winning theatre company Clean Break. The event will feature an hour long performance of ‘Hours til Midnight’ the recent Clean Break production, and a post-show Q&A and facilitated discussion with the performers, director and Clean Break staff. Find out more and apply for a place here.
CLINKS SEMINAR: skills to win and deliver contracts
'Skills to win and deliver contracts' is a two-day masterclass [23rd - 24th May, Peterborough, from £25] designed to share the skills, tools and techniques used by experts in the private and voluntary sectors to win and deliver public service contracts. Using case studies, practical commercial tools and the direct experiences of expert facilitators, the masterclass will guide you through the skills required to succeed in a world of contracts and subcontracts, competition and payment by results. Each event will be tailored to your stated needs and interests established beforehand, and will tackle the key issues involved in both direct contracting and sub-contracting. For more information visit Clinks
CLINKS NEWS: our trustee, Fergus McNeill, speaks at desistance event
Earlier this month the Criminal Justice Alliance held a roundtable discussion on the issue of desistance, chaired by Clinks trustee Prof Fergus McNeill. His opening presentations were followed by Sarah Billiald, Chief Executive Kent Probation, and Frances Flaxington, Catch22. There was an engaging discussion amongst those present including representatives from MoJ, ex offenders, and criminal justice organisations. If you would like to hear the opening presentations or access a discussion outline please email Stephen Moffatt
CLINKS MEMBER'S REQUEST: tips needed for 'on call' allowances for senior staff
A Clinks Member is seeking tips about introducing an 'on-call' allowance for senior staff who carry an emergency phone on a rota basis during anti-social hours (evenings, weekends, public holidays). Managers on call need to keep the phone on their person, and be available to receive calls from staff and volunteers who are concerned about safeguarding or public protection risk issues, or who need to call in sick or find information urgently. The volume of calls is low, as there are written policies and procedures and training in place, but staff need to know that they can always escalate concerns to a suitably experienced senior manager. The Member runs a number of projects and services across England and Wales involving small prison and community-based teams. If you have experience of this, please email joe.gardham@clinks.org
CLINKS MEMBERS NEWS: POPS wins contract to further support offenders' families
POPS (Partners of Prisoners and Families Support Group) has joined up with Barnardo’s to provide information, support and training to professionals working with families of offenders, including those working in prisons, probation, voluntary organisations, local and health authorities. A two year contract worth £900,000 has been awarded by the Department for Education for the running of the National Knowledge and Advice Service which will share best practice and offer training and support to front line staff and those responsible for strategic development and commissioning. Read the full press release here
SOCIAL WELFARE NEWS: investing in early intervention
On Monday 15th April the new, independent Early Intervention Foundation was launched by David Cameron, with cross-party support. This is part of a growing consensus, from national and local government, leading experts, the voluntary sector and independent organisations such as the National Audit Office, who recognise that we need to change the culture in service provision from one of late reaction to early intervention. The evidence demonstrates that addressing a problem’s root causes, rather than reacting to its symptoms, produces better outcomes and is more cost effective. The Early Intervention Foundation has now written to every Clinical Commissioning Group who now run our local health services, every Police and Crime Commissioner, and the 152 council leaders in England, in a call for them to be part of the first wave of activity including being one of the 20 pioneering Early Intervention Places. Find out more here
VOLUNTARY SECTOR NEWS: changes to Gift Aid
If you claim Gift Aid, you must take action now to prepare for the new system. Charities Online - HMRC's new system for claiming Gift Aid - launched this week. It replaces the paper form that members currently use to claim tax repayments. The transition period for implementing the changes will end on 30th September this year. This is a tight timescale so it's important that you take steps now to ensure you have everything in place. If you don't, your claims may end up being delayed or even reduced in value. Find out more at HMRC
COMMISSIONING: women's one stop shops in the North West
Lancashire Probation Trust is offering tendering opportunities to develop and maintain Women's Community Services across the trust area. The Services will offer rehabilitation support to women offenders, and provide a venue for probation staff to supervise women and delivery programmes. The tender seeks to acquire partners who would, together with Probation staff: identify the local needs and existing resources; design a service; and secure an appropriate venue acceptable to the trust; and identify, negotiate and coordinate the involvement of external providers in offering regular and appropriate interventions. Find out more here
MEMBER’S TRAINING: for prison play-workers
Pact’s Kids VIP team are running a Prison Play-Worker Development Day [11th June, Leicester, £50]. There will be a morning session on 'The Role and Qualities of a Prison-based Play Worker' and the new Prison Play Worker National Occupation Standards. This will be followed by a fun interactive session in the afternoon on activities that can be done with family groups at family visits. To book a place or for more information please email PA@prisonadvice.org.uk
MEMBER'S FUNDRAISER: football tournament in the North East
About Turn CIC's Veteran Support Service are hosting their annual ‘Veterans Challenge Football Tournament’ [30th June, Benton, North Tyneside, free] to bring together the civilian community and Armed Forces personnel, past and present to promote Armed Forces Day. If you would like to enter a 6-a-side team please contact Kevin Moat
MEMBER'S FUNDRAISER: golf day near Bath
Mentoring Plus are hosting a golf day to raise funds for their work [27th September, Lansdown Golf Club, £200 per team]. Mentoring Plus trains local people from the community to be volunteer mentors and matches them to young people having a difficult time at home or school. Since its inception Mentoring Plus has helped over 500 young people, 75% of whom have successfully stayed out of trouble. To find out more, email Sarah Thorn
EVENT: non-Member events and training
- ‘Criminal Justice Forum’ | Bournemouth CVS | 16th May, Bournemouth, free | Details
- 'Suicide Prevention' | Methodist Action (North West) | 15th May, Preston, free | RSVP
- 'Social justice and social exclusion: critical reflections on coalition government policy' | Teeside University | 11th July, Middlesbrough, £50 | Details
PUBLICATION: supporting desistance for those with multiple and complex needs
Adult social care services have a vital, and often overlooked, role in supporting the large number of people with multiple needs who offend to desist from crime, according to a new joint briefing by the Prison Reform Trust, the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS), the Centre for Mental Health and Revolving Doors Agency. The briefing reports high rates of multiple needs - including mental health problems; learning disabilities; substance misuse and homelessness - among adults in contact with the Criminal Justice System, and finds that better coordination between local services would enable people to lead independent, fulfilling lives in their communities. Find out more here
PUBLICATION: code of practice for prime and subcontractors
The Standing Committee for Youth Justice have published a briefing on the draft Antisocial Behaviour Bill, which details the differences between the proposals and the current ASB framework, as well as how the proposals are likely to impact on children who commit ASB. The briefing includes an update following the Government's response to the Home Affairs Committee's pre-legislative scrutiny. Download it here
RESOURCE: evidence and evaluation in youth justice
The Social Research Unit at Dartington is delivering the Effective Practice Online Seminar Series, a component of the Youth Justice Board’s effective practice activity, specifically aimed at promoting the use of evidence and evaluation in youth justice. The Social Research Unit at Dartington’s seminar series is targeted at practitioners who work in local authority Youth Offending Teams (YOTs) as well as those who work in secure establishments, including Secure Training Centres (STCs), Secure Children’s Homes (SCHs) and Young Offender Institutions (YOIs). You can now view the seminars online here
OPPORTUNITY: promote your organisation on primetime TV
BBC One are making a new programme called 'The Gift', and are looking for organisations who think their clients might benefit from restorative justice and would be willing to go through the process on TV. The show is planned for broadcast by BBC One in a primetime mid-week slot, with viewings of 7 million, and will be presented by a well known TV personality. The producers are happy for the organisation to be involved to support the offender throughout. If you're interested, find out more here
OPPORTUNITY: Parenting Programme
The Restorative Thinking Parenting Programme (Parenting without Conflict) helps parents to understand their child’s behaviour, thinking about what that behaviour is communicating and how to meet unmet needs. The Parenting Programme is now offered to prisons and will shortly be delivered at HMP Forest Bank. They would like to see wide take-up of this programme, which is delivered with groups of prisoners and their spouse/partner. You can see a short film of the Programme here, and for more information and to discuss the Programme being delivered in your prison, contact Lesley Parkinson
PETITION: save the Public Sector Equality Duty
'The British Government: Keep the Public Sector Equality Duty' is a ROTA petition, launched amidst concerns that a Government review of the Equality Duty may result in the loss of the only tool within the law for challenging and addressing institutional discrimination. Find out more and sign the petition here
VACANCIES IN THE CJS
Vacancies posted recently include a Help Desk Worker at POPS [Manchester], a Support Worker at Langley House Trust [Coventry] and Helpline Volunteers at Prisoners’ Families and Friends Service [South London]. View these and loads more CJS vacancies at: Clinks Members' vacancies
TIPS OF THE WEEK...
TIP OF THE WEEK I: Print this Hovertravel voucher and you'll get a family day return from Portsmouth to Ryde on the Isle of Wight for £25. The voucher's valid on Sundays till 12 May.
TIP OF THE WEEK II: Buy May’s 'Gardeners’ World' magazine (£3.90) and you’ll get a card for 2for1 entry to 300 gardens across the UK, valid until 30th Apr 2014
TIP OF THE WEEK III: Grab two half-price tickets to the Foodies Festival at Hampton Court this summer for £18. Details
EXTRA Information...
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