Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 298 | 10th May 2013

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In this week's edition....

CLINKS NEWS: new project to help you produce good quality evidence

Clinks and NPC have launched the first phase of 'Improving your evidence', a year long project that will provide support and resources for organisations working in the Criminal Justice System, helping you to evidence your effectiveness. This will be vital as we see an increasing shift towards evidence based commissioning, including payment by results, as part of the Ministry of Justice’s ‘Transforming Rehabilitation’ plans. To kick off the work, we are asking Light Lunch readers from VCS organisations to complete a short survey on their current research and evaluation activities, areas of evaluation activity they would like support with and what that support might look like. The results of the survey will then inform the project as it develops, ensuring it is as useful as possible for the Sector. Take part here 

CLINKS EVENTS: Improving your evidence

As part of our new 'Improving your evidence' project, we will be running a series of free events across the country [London 11th June | Newcastle 18th June | Birmingham 25th June | Cardiff 2nd July]. The events will give participants an opportunity to: discuss with peers and commissioners what makes good evidence; share and learn about effective monitoring and evaluation techniques and ways of overcoming the challenges and barriers to this; and feed into designing the support Clinks provides to organisations as part of this project. To book your place visit Clinks  

CLINKS SEMINAR: influencing and advocacy skills for leaders

'Influencing and advocacy' is a Clinks expert seminar [6th June, London, 11am - 2pm, from £40], hosted by Juliet Lyon, Prison Reform Trust, and Rob Owen, St Giles Trust. The session will examine the key factors to be considered in order to be successful at influencing and advocacy, including how networks and relationships should be developed to meet chosen outcomes, how to ensure your voice is heard and your intentions understood, public campaigning versus private lobbying and much more. This event is for senior managers and CEOs who want to hear how other leaders exert influence and advocacy skills in these challenging times, and share their own experiences. Book your place at Clinks 

CLINKS OPPORTUNITY: funding to create local partnerships

If you have an innovative idea about how to develop local partnerships then we want to hear from you. With funding from the Ministry of Justice, Clinks and NAVCA are working together to provide eight grants of £1,500 to develop innovative approaches to local partnership working in the Criminal Justice System, particularly those that tackle inequality and/or discrimination. Applications are open to organisations from the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Sector. We are particularly interested in supporting events targeting particular marginalised groups. To find out more and apply, please visit Clinks 

CLINKS RESPONSE: transforming youth justice system

We have responded to the Ministry of Justice's 'Transforming Youth Custody: Putting education at the heart of detention' consultation, and whilst we welcome the broad intentions of the consultation document, we have raised issues around tailoring education to young people in custody, meeting the wider needs of young people in custody, a focus on outcomes and in particular a binary measure for payment by results commissioning of services, and equality and diversity. Clinks would also recommend that MoJ and YJB consider carefully how Secure Colleges, and education services in the secure estate more generally, can facilitate smooth transitions from youth to adult provision.  This could be achieved through dialogue with partners in the Youth to Adult Transitions Forum and VCS organisations involved in the T2A pilots. Read our full response here 

CLINKS MEMBER'S OPPORTUNITY: discounted prison photography

Prison Image is a Social Enterprise that produces and supplies film and photography of the UK prison system. Rachel Shakides, Project Manager at Prison Image, is offering Clinks Members up to 50% discount on their existing photographic library. Rachel says: "We would like to offer a discount on over 900 high-quality and unbiased images to all Clinks Members from the Prison Image library. We can offer a sliding scale discount, with small organisations receiving 50% off our images." Find out more about this offer and take a look at some of the images here 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: inspection of probation work in Hampshire

HM Inspectorate of Probation will be inspecting work in Hampshire during the weeks commencing 1 July 2013 and 22 July 2013.  Local providers who work with people supervised by the Probation Trust, or with victims, may be contacted by a probation inspector to discuss their work. If you have any queries about this, please email HMI Probation admin mailbox 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: MoJ strategy for transforming rehabilitation

The Ministry of Justice has published “Transforming Rehabilitation: A Strategy for Reform” – the Government’s response to the consultation document “Transforming Rehabilitation: a revolution in the way we manage offenders”. The strategy sets out the Government’s plans for transform the way in which offenders are managed in the community in order to bring down reoffending rates. The full strategy is available here. Read Clinks' official statement, and Clive's thoughts 

COMMISSIONING: through the gate service for short sentence women offenders

Northumbria Probation Trust (NPT) have published an Invitation to Tender for a women's through the gate service, that identifies and engages women leaving HMP/YOI Low Newton following a short (less than 12 months) custodial sentence. The service should: identify and engage with women in custody in HMP/YOI Low Newton returning to Northumbria Probation Trust area prior to discharge; agree action plans for discharge with Prison and Probation staff as appropriate; meet women on discharge and support them in their rehabilitation; link and support women’s engagement with Women’s Community Hubs; offer mentoring support for those offenders discharged without licence or supervision; and maintain effective communications with NPT staff and managers. The contract is initially for a period of twelve months commencing 1 July 2013, and has a £20,000 total budget. The deadline for responses is 3rd June here 

FUNDING: innovative social action

The £14m Centre for Social Action Innovation Fund runs from April until October 2013, and will support innovative ventures and programmes that use social action to achieve impact. Available funding of interest to Light Lunch readers include young people: Supporting and encouraging young people to succeed and find employment, for example through mentoring, coaching, and peer-to-peer networks; and impact volunteering: Using new approaches to 'impact volunteering' to mobilise volunteers to increase and enhance the outcomes achieved by public services. Applications up to £500,000 can be made at any time here 

FUNDING: event for Santander awards

Quartet Community Foundation is managing the £50,000 Santander Awards for the South West region this year. They are hosting a free event [] for owners and managers of social enterprises or CICs that are more than 2 years old, have turnover less than £1,000,000 pa, generating 26% or more of your income from trading activities. The event will share learning from the first year: what makes a successful application; plus learning sessions on maximising your intellectual assets and raising finance and funding. Find out more here 

FUNDING: neighbourhood planning groups

Locality is providing support and grants of up to £7,000 to help hundreds of areas across the country create neighbourhood plans. These plans will be used to decide the future of the places where you live and work giving opportunities to: choose where you want new homes, shops and offices to be built; have your say on what new buildings should look like; grant planning permission for the new buildings you want to see go ahead. Find out more and apply here 

FUNDING: getting communities active in Lincolnshire

Community groups and organisations can apply now for grants of up to £1,000 for projects which encourage more people in the LN6 postcode area of Lincolnshire to be active, more often. Access LN6 is a £6.5 million programme which aims to improve sustainable transport options in the LN6 area and increase opportunities to walk, cycle and use public transport, as well as improving health throughout the community. The first application deadline is 17 June 2013 (5pm). Find out more here 

FUNDING: community safety in Avon and Somerset

The Commissioner's Community Action Fund is a new annual grant scheme created with funding from the police and crime commissioner for Avon and Somerset. Funding is intended to enable communities to come together and tackle issues in their local area relating to anti-social behaviour, domestic and sexual violence, burglary, and supporting victims. The first deadline for applications is 1 June 2013. Local voluntary and community groups and registered charities based and working in the Avon and Somerset police force area may apply here 

MEMBER'S EVENT: criminal justice partnerships in Wales

'Partnership and the new Community Justice Landscape' is a Community Justice Cymru event [12th June, Aberystwyth or 26th June, Newport, free], run in partnership with Clinks, that will examine the changes new criminal justice policy brings, at a time that also brings social policy changes and a challenging economic environment, and in the context of the complex mix of devolved and non-devolved services that’s unique to Wales. It includes cross-sector comment on how the new landscape impacts on commissioners, providers, offenders (including young offenders transitioning to adult services) and their families, victims and the wider community. To book your place, email Simon Dowling 

MEMBER'S EVENT: 2013 Perrie lectures

'Contraction in an age of expansion' is the title of this year's Perrie lectures [7th June, Newbold Revel, from £15], at which speakers will discuss the contraction of prisoner places, the number of establishments, especially smaller prisons, and the provision of services provided by HM Prison Service versus the contrasting expansion of service delivery by other organisations and the potential for much larger prisons. The lectures will be chaired by Frances Crook (Howard League for Penal Reform), and speakers include Nick Hardwick (HM Chief Inspector of Prisons) and Andy Aresti (University of Westminster). Find out more and book your place here 

MEMBER'S EVENT: race in probation

'Race in Probation' is an IARS and London Probation Trust conference [5th June, London, free] that will present findings from London Probation Trust's 'Improving outcomes for black and minority ethnic users of probation services' programme. The event aims to increase awareness of race equality matters among probation staff, policy makers and academics. A wine reception and a "Question Time" panel debate will complement the conference's keynote speeches. At the time of going to press there were only 4 tickets available for probation staff and 18 for IARS Members. There were no tickets for general admission. Details here 

MEMBER'S EVENT: restorative justice professional development

The Restorative Justice Council (RJC) will be holding two one day events during May which look at how restorative practice can be used from different perspectives.  'Creative ways of working with young people' [15th  May, Porthcawl, from £120] will enable delegates to develop new practical techniques for engaging with young people. 'The Psychology of Conflict within the Restorative Process' [22nd  May, Birmingham, from £120] is aimed at practitioners who wish to deepen their understanding of the psychological patterns which underpin their restorative work. To book download the programme 

MEMBER'S EVENT: mental health conference

'Offenders in the Community' is a mental health conference hosted by YSS [28th June, Telford, £60] that aims to provide an understanding of the current environment in relation to offenders in the community with mental health needs. The event will provide a service user perspective and identify ways of developing local solutions that inform practice, policy and commissioning arrangements around mental health for offenders in the community. Speakers include Lord Bradley, author of the 2009 Bradley report and David Chantler, CEO of West Mercia Probation Trust. Book your place here 

NON MEMBER'S EVENTS

  • 'Restorative Justice across Devon and Cornwall - an inclusive approach' | Devon reForm | 30th May, Plymouth, free | Details
  • 'Managing Complexity' | West Yorkshire Probation Trust | 19th June, Leeds, free | Details
  • 'Shared reading for healthy communities' | The Reader Organisation | 16th May, London, from £75 | Details
 

RESOURCE: Disclosure and Barring update

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) has published the latest edition of DBS news. It provides more information on the update service, which is designed to enable a form of portability of DBS (formerly CRB) checks. This is now scheduled to be launched in the summer. Download the newsletter here 

RESOURCE: experiences of stop and search

What does it feel like to be stopped and searched? What impact does policing have on the individuals involved, and on their families and communities? 'Viewed With Suspicion: The Human Cost Of Stop And Search' is a new report and video from Stopwatch on the experiences of being stopped and searched. Find out more here 

PUBLICATION: common criminal justice myths

'Challenging Assumptions: 10 common criminal justice myths' is a new resource from Criminal Justice Alliance which aims to dispel some of the popular myths surrounding criminal justice. Topics covered include fear of crime, sentencing, punitive approaches, and community sentencing. Download it here 

PUBLICATION: support for victims

'Support for victims: Findings from the Crime Survey for England and Wales' is a new government report that examines the various types of information, advice and support wanted and received by victims of crime and draws out the key messages for victim support service delivery and provision. Local commissioning of victim support services is aiming to come into place by 2014, with responsibility for the majority of service provision and funding devolved to local police and crime commissioners (PCCs). PCCs will need to decide how to best identify victims' needs in their local area and how to provide support services to meet those needs. This report provides some initial evidence on some of these issues and identifies possible policy implications for the support provided to victims of crime. Download it here 

PUBLICATION: new research on women in the CJS

The Griffin's Society has published three research reports on women in the Criminal Justice System. ‘Is there a difference in the perception of risk: between IPP prisoners and members of the Parole Board’, by Griffins Fellow Dawn McAleenan;  ‘Moving forward: empowering women to desist from offending’, by fellow Shelly-Ann McDermott and ‘What judges think about prostitution – assessing the considerations and measures employed by members of the judiciary for sentencing women who sell sex’, by fellow Helen Atkins. Download them here 

PUBLICATION: response to youth justice consultation

The Standing Committee for Youth Justice (SCYJ), a coalition of organisations committed to youth justice reform, has responded to the Ministry of Justice's consultation on transforming youth justice. In their response, SCYJ recommends that any youth custody reforms must prioritise further reductions to the numbers entering custody and ensure that children's wider health and care, as well as educational, needs are met, within a network of small, local secure facilities.  Read their response here 

OPPORTUNITY: free performing arts course

The Prince's Trust are offering a free, three week performing arts course [10th - 28th June, Bristol, taster day 5th June] for people between the ages of 16 and 25 who are out of education and employment. All travel costs for the course will also be covered. The course will enable you to work with the Bristol Old Vic to plan and create a performance; explore a range of dance and music from different cultures and dance forms; work with professional theatre directors and choreographers; boost your confidence and your CV; and get three months follow up support. Find out more on their Facebook page 

OPPORTUNITY: documentary on people born in prison

Rachel Millar from Firecracker Films has been in touch about a new documentary she is making following the lives of young people born in prison. Rachel says: "I am looking to speak to people born in prison from across the board: those that feel failed by the system, those that are proud of their parents and have escaped the poverty cycle and even those that were adopted." To get involved you can contact Rachel direct by email rachel.millar@firecrackerfilms.com or phone 0207 349 3479. 

OPPORTUNITY: free adult apprenticeships

Skills for Justice is offering access to free adult apprenticeships in Management and Leadership, Team Leading and Customer Service.  These are available to employers, based in England, across the Voluntary and Community Sector. Places are only available to individuals who do not already hold a qualification higher than Level 4 and the programmes last 12 months. The apprenticeships are being run as organisational programmes and require a minimum of 15 participants to take part. Employers wishing to take advantage of this fantastic offer must put forward at least 15 individuals and provide venues for the workshops.  Find out more here 

MEMBER'S VACANCIES

Vacancies posted recently include a Women’s Safety Worker at CRI [East Sussex], Peer Adviser Coordinator at St Giles Trust [London], Milestones London Programme Coordinator for Khulisa [HMP Isis (Thamesmead, London) and Finsbury Park, London]. View these and other vacancies from our Members here 

TIPS OF THE WEEK

 TIP OF THE WEEK I: There are over 60 free festivals around the country this summer. Here's a guide to Free UK Festival TicketsTIP OF THE WEEK II: National Citizen Service has just launched £50 places (free for some) on two week summer residentials in June, July and August. DetailsTIP OF THE WEEK III: Click and print this voucher from Visit Scotland to get 2for1 entry to 89 venues in Scotland.

 

EXTRA INFORMATION...

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