Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 299 | 17th May 2013

 

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In your weekly Light Lunch....

 

 

CLINKS OPPORTUNITY: promote your organisation to commissioners and prime providers

Are you interested in commissioning and contracting opportunities?  Clinks are developing a new web portal to allow commissioners and prime providers to identify VCS organisations interested in sub-contracting opportunities and partnerships.  Look out for more details on how to register in the coming weeks.  We are also looking for a small number of ‘early adopter’ organisations to provide us with their information now, to populate a prototype of the directory: please email hazel.alcraft@clinks.org if you’re interested. 

CLINKS BRIEFING: on Transforming Rehabilitation

The Ministry of Justice has now published a response to the consultation document 'Transforming Rehabilitation: A revolution in the way we manage offenders'. This provides further detail on the Government’s plans to compete the provision of rehabilitative services for offenders. It confirms the implementation of a national commissioning function, the formation of a single National Probation Service and the creation of 21 Contract Package Areas, rather than the 16 proposed in the original consultation document. It also outlines a number of measures designed to facilitate the participation of Voluntary and Community Sector organisations in service delivery. Read our briefing here 

CLINKS EVENT: sharing experiences of commissioning

Clinks is holding an action learning workshop [19th June, Taunton, free] to bring together senior commissioning and procurement managers and VCS leaders to explore different experiences of commissioning. There are a small number of remaining places available at the event, which will provide an opportunity to discuss your experience of commissioning (whether as commissioner or provider) and hear from others’. Book your place by 24th May here 

CLINKS MEMBER REQUEST: can we promote your work?

Clinks is looking for photographs of our Member organisations at work for use on our website and in publicity materials. We feel that it could be a great way to promote your organisation throughout the Sector and beyond. An example of how we may use an image can be found on our Membership page.  We’ll always credit the images and let you know when they are used. If you do have any photographs that you’d be happy for us to use, please email them to luke.martin@clinks.org.

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: Pact wins provider of choice contract

Pact is delighted to announce that, following a recent national tender for an organisation to become the ‘framework provider’ of prison-based family support workers, they have been selected by the Ministry of Justice to be the provider of choice. The tender was strengthened by the creation of a new alliance, with Pops in the North West of England, NEPACS in the North East, and Jigsaw, who are based at Leeds prison. The evaluation of the impact of this work demonstrates that for every £1 invested the public purse derives a benefit of £11.41. Any prison which now wishes to commission a dedicated worker to provide a casework-based support services to families may do so, without the cost, bureaucracy and delay of entering into a new competitive tender. Find out more here 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: comparing payment by results contracts across social welfare

Russell Webster wrote a blog last week that looked at Sitra's recent report comparing payment by results contracts across public services. Russell explains: "In my view, expecting a service to both innovate and save money (on top of the reductions in public spending already announced) is unrealistic. At the moment, as the Sitra report says, the focus seems to be more on value for money than getting more effective at tackling entrenched social problems." Read Russell's blog here 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Transforming Rehabilitation events

Ministry of Justice are holding a series of 'Transforming Rehabilitation: A Strategy for Reform' events [21st May, London | 23rd May, York | 24th May, Newbold Revel], aimed at providing an opportunity for interested providers (private, VCS, social enterprises, probation trust staff spinning off into mutuals, infrastructure organisations) to discuss with officials some of the details relating to the design of the programme. There will be presentations by MOJ Commissioning and Procurement leads and the chance to engage in a series of workshops covering a number of areas still being designed where MoJ would welcome early feedback. All the dates and venues are to be confirmed, and there's supposed to be some more dates and locations coming soon. Light Lunch will keep you posted, and you can also find out more by registering here. To book on one of the events above, click here 

COMMISSIONING: offender's debt advice service in the West Midlands

Staffordshire and West Midlands Probation Trust are advertising for the provision of an Offender Debt Advice Service that will support the rehabilitation of criminals on probation premises. The aim of the service will be to reduce the incidence and impact of debt amongst offenders and to enable as many individuals as possible to achieve financial stability and an improvement in their ability to manage income, contributing to improved life skills and attitudes and a reduction in their risk of reoffending. The supplier must have a Consumer Credit Licence to provide this service. For more information click here 

COMMISSIONING: Transforming Rehabilitation contracts

Ministry of Justice have released a Prior Information Notice to alert the market that it intends to let 21 contracts packaged into service package areas across England and Wales. The publication of this document will be beneficial to all key stakeholders and potential providers before the formal competition is announced in August 2013. The total value of the contracts to be let is likely to be between £5bn to £20bn over ten years. Find out more here 

FUNDING: supporting homeless people leaving hospital

The NHS has launched a £10m 'Homeless Hospital Discharge Fund' that aims to support voluntary sector organisations to work with the NHS and local authorities to create services to ensure that homeless people get the support they need when they leave hospital. Revenue funding is available for projects to put in place arrangements to ensure that nobody is discharged from hospital back onto the street. Capital funding is available for projects to secure appropriate facilities for those requiring ongoing medical support after hospital discharge to allow time for recovery. Applications from consortiums of organisations are strongly encouraged with a voluntary sector agency as the lead organisation on the application. The deadline for applications is 8th July, full details here 

MEMBER'S EVENT: private sector housing for vulnerable women

'Captors or Carers?', a report by Kazuri, will be published at an event, chaired by Imran Khan [4th June, 5-7pm, London]. The panel discussion will centre on the conflicted role of housing providers in the private sector, for vulnerable women seeking asylum under the COMPASS contract, their pastoral care and the need for a gendered approach. 'Captors or Carers?' calls for a shift in policy and transparency in the tender process, procurement, design and delivery of all public services contracted out to the private sector from Government departments or their agencies. Attendance is by application only, please request a ticket by emailing info@kazuri.org.uk 

PUBLICATION: IARS response to Victims' Code consultation

IARS has responded to Ministry of Justice's consultation on plans to reform the Victims' Code which, for the first time, includes a section on restorative justice for victims of adult crime. IARS' response outlines their thoughts and concerns on the proposed revised Code and the choices it allows victims. You will need to become a member (free of charge) to read it here 

PUBLICATION: achieving service user involvement

'Beyond the Usual Suspects' is a report that focuses on enabling making it possible for everyone who wants to, to be more involved in and have more say over their lives and the services they use to live them. The report found that some of the key groups that are still often left out of arrangements for user involvement are people with alcohol and drug problems, young people, people who communicate differently, people who use residential services, people with learning difficulties, refugees and asylum seekers, people with complex support needs, older people and people from black and minority ethnic groups. Download the report here 

RESOURCE: helping offenders find employment

Talent 4... is an innovative 3-day group programme from Rideout that uses games, puzzles, films and discussion to help offenders find employment by identifying their skills and talents. Originally developed within the UK criminal justice system, the programme was externally evaluated and found to have significant impact on participants’ understanding about their strengths and weaknesses in relation to work and employment. The programme is now being trialled by partners in Bulgaria, Italy, Lithuania, Malta, Romania, and Spain. If you’re interested in finding out more, reading the evaluation or receiving e-bulletins, click here 

RESOURCE: latest Insider Access published

Issue 15 of Insider Access has now been published. Features include: a new column by entrepreneur mentor Mike Southon; Upcycling by Dragons Den winner Max McMurdo; In my opinion: How we treat our military veterans; Introduction to Art: Art Nouveau; The Hill of Crosses; How to make a bat box for your garden; plus much more. Download your free copy here 

RESOURCE: questioning people with communications needs at court

The Attorney General has launched a new website that contains a series of short toolkits with guidance for lawyers questioning people with communication needs at court, including one on the effective participation of young defendants. Other subjects covered by toolkits include learning disability, autism and 'hidden' learning difficulties such as specific language impairment, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia and attention deficit disorder. Find out more here 

RESOURCE: veterans in the Criminal Justice System

About Turn CIC have published a great video highlighting the work they do supporting veterans involved in the Criminal Justice System. The documentary was produced by students from Manchester and includes interviews with About Turn staff and service users, as well as Lord Ramsbotham. View the 11 minute video on YouTube 

OPPORTUNITY: Charity and social enterprise management course

How do charities and social enterprises organise themselves in order to win and deliver new projects? And can they provide compelling evidence of the impact of their work to public sector commissioners? Will the contracts only go to larger charities or consortia? Over the last 2 years, over 100 people working in the third sector have joined Anglia Ruskin University's Cert HE Charity and Social Enterprise Management course in order to address questions like this. Modules on the part-time two year course include Social Enterprise, Impact Measurement and Financial Management in the Third Sector. To find out more and to apply for September, click here 

OPPORTUNITY: volunteering and funding for Londoners

The Mayor’s volunteering programme for London, Team London makes it quick and easy for Londoners to give their time, find volunteering opportunities and do great things for their city. Whether it’s cleaning up the environment or volunteering at one of the capital’s events, Team London mobilises the community spirit and enthusiasm of Londoners to make a difference. There's 'microgrants' funding available to support individuals and organisations, and a section on offenders and ex-offenders in the Volunteering section. Take a look around here 

OPPORTUNITY: become a criminal justice delivery partner

3SC are looking for criminal justice sector delivery partners to help them deliver their two live projects, which include support for offenders with learning difficulties and disabilities; and developing a national network of social enterprises. If you’d like to support 3SC in either of these, you can find out more and become a member, free of charge, here 

OPPORTUNITY: private prime provider looking for VCSE partners

Private prime contractor Interserve will be holding two events for the VCSE Sector.  The purpose of the events is to introduce Interserve Justice’s approach to partnering VCSE organisations and provide the opportunity to meet and discuss Transforming Rehabilitation with a wide a range of expert attendees. Provisional dates are London, 5th June and Manchester, 6th June. Lunch will be provided. Dates, times, venues and booking details will be confirmed in the next Light Lunch. 

MEMBER'S VACANCIES

Vacancies posted by Clinks Members this week include: an Offender Projects Co-ordinator at Back on Track [Manchester], a Director of Development and Partnerships for Revolving Doors Agency [London], a Trustee at Unlock [Home-based/London], a Project Manager at Langley House [Taunton], an Assistant Programme Manager for User Voice [Cumbria], and a Women’s Safety Worker at CRI [East Sussex]. View these and loads more vacancies here 

TIPS OF THE WEEK

Tip of the week I: Get 50% off 4 star Puma Hotels around the country. DetailsTip of the week II: Get a free Mental Health & Debt booklet hereTip of the week III: Simply walk in to any stand-alone Costa Coffee on selected Fridays (24 May, 7 and 21 June, 5 July) between 2-6pm and when you buy any one of 20 medium-sized iced drinks, you'll get another free. 

EXTRA INFORMATION...

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