Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 303 | 28th June 2013

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In this week's edition.....

CLINKS EVENT: building consortia

Specifically for CEOs and senior management, this Clinks expert seminar [24th July, Newcastle, 11am - 2pm, from £40] will facilitate a thorough discussion on the principles of effective consortia working, and will examine the benefits and challenges to be considered in order to establish successful consortium. These seminars have been popular and sold out quickly in the past, please book here

CLINKS BLOG: commissioning of offender services - the reality behind the rhetoric

VCSE organisations that work with offenders have seen significant changes to the way criminal justice services are delivered and paid for, with further change on the horizon. Last week Clinks convened an event bringing together commissioners and VCSE leaders to discuss interim findings from our research into the VCSE experience of commissioning and procurement. You can read Isabel Livingstone’s blog, download the interim findings report and respond to the discussion questions here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: Charity Chair honoured

Kevin Fitzgerald, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Clinks Member Prisoners Abroad, has been honoured with the Order of St.Michael and St. George (CMG) “for services to the welfare of British nationals in prison abroad." Read the full story here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: POPS celebrates milestone

POPS is 25 this year! Rebecca Cheung, Communications Officer at POPS, said: "POPS have come a long way since our establishment in 1988, when a young mum stood queuing in the rain with her two children outside one of the North-West’s largest prisons. Throughout the summer staff and volunteers will be engaging in a series of fundraising events to raise awareness and support the work of POPS. Find out more about our celebrations and how you can support our work here"

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Lords block Chris Grayling's privatisation plans

An article in the Telegraph this week reported: "The Lords stopped the Offender Rehabilitation Bill in its tracks after a leaked Whitehall document suggested there is a high chance it would lead to an 'unacceptable drop in performance' in the probation service. Lord Ramsbotham called on ministers to withdraw the plans as they are too complex to be achieved safely in such an aggressive timetable. "There is a more than 80 per cent likelihood that an unacceptable drop in operational performance during the programme leads to delivery failures and reputational damage," he said" Read the full story here or watch the debate here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: update on Disclosure & Barring

Clinks Member Unlock have published a brief guide which explains some of the changes that the Disclosure & Barring Service has introduced in the last week. The guide discusses some of the issues and questions that people with convictions are likely to be interested in, including some of the benefits and potential downsides to these changes. Download the guide here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Offender Rehabilitation Bill updates

MoJ have updated their Offender Rehabilitation Bill page, which includes the documents 'Delegated powers memorandum', and an updated 'Rehabilitation Bill impact assessment'. View them both here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: think tank's letter to Chris Grayling

NPC has called on Chris Grayling to ensure that his Ministry’s Transforming Rehabilitation plans for the reform of probation services are developed in a way which enables and encourages participation by effective VCSE Sector organisations. In a letter to the Minister, NPC makes three requests: providers are supported to achieve what works, regardless of complexity and politics; providers are supported to understand the evidence required of them in proving their effectiveness; and acknowledgement of the vital role private funding plays and the risks of this being withdrawn. Read the full letter here

COMMISSIONING: women's services in the South West

Devon & Cornwall Probation are seeking the provision of Women's Services to reduce reoffending amongst female offenders and the delivery of the Female Offender Specified Activity Requirement (FOSAR). The 18 month contract covers Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and has a value of £100,000 - £140,000. The deadline for submission of tenders is 25th July. Details here

FUNDING: improving quality of life in deprived communities

People's Health Trust has opened Active Communities in 31 areas across Britain. Active Communities is a funding programme for community groups and not-for-profit organisations with an income of less than £350,000 a year that are seeking investment of between £5,000 and £25,000 a year, for projects lasting up to two years. They believe that where people live should not unfairly reduce the length or the quality of their lives. The deadline for applications is midday on Monday 15th July. Find out if it's available in your area here

FUNDING: for eight local communities

The Big Lottery Fund has joined forces with eight local newspapers across England to award £250,000 of Lottery money to community projects in each area. Grants of between £10,000 and £30,000 are available for community projects that will bring real improvements to the lives of local people. At the time of Light Lunch being published, five of the 8 areas had been announced - East of England, Leicestershire, Grimsby, Sunderland and Lancashire. Find out more here

AWARDS: research and leadership

Nominations have opened for IARS' Research and Leadership Awards - set up to celebrate, remember and reward the young people and the initiatives involving young people that help us deliver IARS' wider vision for a society where everyone is given a chance to actively participate in social problem solving. The award categories are: Peacemaker of the Year Award; Young Victim Support Award; 99% Campaign Young Journalist Award; Youth Research Project Award; Community Leader Award; Innovative Cross Sector Partnership Award. Find out more and nominate here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: homelessness conference

Do you want to engage more with the homelessness sector? 'Future Ready!', Homeless Link’s Annual Conference 2013 [15th & 16th July, Reading, from £165], will explore inspiring projects and innovations from across the homelessness sector and support services and staff to prepare for the future. Book your place here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: showcasing offender employment skills

Rideout is holding an Open Showcase on Talent 4 [18th July, Stoke on Trent, free]. Talent 4 is an innovative programme that helps offenders and others identify their natural and acquired skills. The programme is a new approach to helping with vocational self-determination. It was developed as a response to the experience that the Rideout team had working in prison, constantly finding that individuals had no idea what they could do for employment when they got out. It’s a three-day programme that is now being exported to six European countries although it’s relatively unknown in the UK. To attend, email admin@rideout.org.uk

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: hearing voices in prison

Hearing voices is a relatively common experience in prison that is linked to self harm & suicide. Building on their work developing a network of peer support groups for people in prison who hear voices, Clinks Member Mind in Camden are hosting a national conference [9th July, London, £60 VCS] exploring ways we can better support those affected. Topics covered include: violent voices; paranoia; self harm & trauma; peer support and recovery. Book your place here

NON MEMBER'S EVENTS & TRAINING

  • 'Alliance Contracting - a mature approach that drives collaboration, innovation and outstanding performance' | 11th July, Stockport | Details
  • 'The Rehabilitation Revolution: opportunities for mutuals, charities and social enterprises' | 3rd July, London, £150 | Details
  • 'Finding Rhythms / Victim Support music workshop' | 17th July, London | Email for info
  • 'Eating Disorders briefing session for CJS practitioners' | 16th July, London, free | Details


CONSULTATION: Commission on Sex in Prison

Howard League for Penal Reform has set up a Commission on Sex in Prison to investigate consensual and coercive sex in prison and the healthy sexual development of young people in prison. They have put out a call for written evidence, which can be found here

PUBLICATION: NOMS good practice ezine published

'Changing Lives Together' is NOMS’ regular ezine to stakeholders, highlighting some of the excellent work that is going on in NOMS, prisons and probation. In the current issue: Prison Officer Sharon Kelly gives her verdict on TV’s The Prisoners, and Tim Rosier of Clinks Member Reflex explains how they are helping young people break the cycle of offending. Also featured: The Butler Trust Awards at Buckingham Palace picture special; volunteering in probation trusts; and women’s estate changes. Read it here

PUBLICATION: BAME women in the justice system

Clinks Member BTEG recently held a roundtable that discussed the over-representation of women from BAME communities in the Criminal Justice System. Discussions highlighted the need for the system to develop a more nuanced understanding of race, gender and culture to achieve positive outcomes for individual women. Download the report from the event here

PUBLICATION: preventing the deaths of women in prison

'Preventing the deaths of women in prison: the need for an alternative approach' is a recent INQUEST report. Drawing directly on INQUEST’s casework with families and their legal representatives, the report looks at the circumstances and treatment of the women who have died in prison, with a focus on the deaths that have occurred in the last six years since Baroness Corston completed her review. The report calls for a radical overhaul of the way women in conflict with the CJS are treated. At the heart of the report are the stories of six of the women who have died since 2007. Read it here

RESOURCE: guide to lobbying and influencing politicians

V4CE have launched a new 'how to' guide to lobbying and influencing politicians. 'Lobbying Politicians and Policy Makers; An Introduction to Influencing' is designed for BAME organisations who have little or no lobbying or parliamentary experience. It's a quick and simple guide that covers important questions such as what is lobbying? And how do I plan my activity? Download it here

RESOURCE: guide for young people with a family member in prison

Action for Prisoners’ Families has produced a new leaflet aimed at young people aged 10 and over who have a family member in prison. Based on real life experiences the new leaflet gives answers to common questions asked by young people from initial arrest, through the trial, prison and finally release. In addition the leaflet offers advice on telling friends and the school and how to stay in contact with the parent or sibling in prison. The leaflet also includes websites and contacts for further information and advice. Download it here

RESOURCE: challenging unfair funding cuts

Concerned that a cut to your funding was made disproportionately, without consultation or unfairly? The Empowering the Voluntary Sector project offers free advice to organisations who feel that a decision to cut their funding was made in a non-Compact compliant way or has breached public law. Find out more here

RESOURCE: newsletter for social enterprises

Action Acton have begun publishing a newsletter for social enterprises. It's packed with news, resources, advice and inspiration, and well worth taking a look at here

OPPORTUNITY: Diploma in conflict resolution

The Forgiveness Project will be running their Diploma in Group Facilitation, Conflict Resolution and Counselling Skills. The course is run in conjunction with NAOS and lasts one year, from October 2013 until October 2014. The course will be held at the Resource for London, Holloway Road, London. For further information and to register your interest, click here

MEMBER'S VACANCIES

Vacancies this week include a Campaigns Co-ordinator at IARS (London), a graduate in psychology brain injury linkworker at The Disabilities Trust Foundation (YOI Hindley), a Senior HR Assistant with CRI (Brighton), an Employer Engagement Officer with Action Acton (London), an IT Support Worker and an IT Specialist Consultant with Gibran (Wales), a Temporary Housing Support Worker with Foundation (Doncaster), a Family Support Worker, a Senior Family Support Worker and an Integrated Family Support Volunteer Co-ordinator all with Pact (Swansea/Cardiff) and a Housing Officer with Langley House Trust (Luton). Vision Housing also require a Trustee (London)

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Three nights at a 4 star hotel in Rome, with flights and wine is now £139. Details
  • Two people can stay in the Lake District (Derwentwater) for £139 per night. The deal includes over £100 in extras including 3 course dinner, tea and cake on arrival and pre-dinner cocktail. Details
  • Loads of campsites across the county are offering a nights camping for £1 (including weekends!). Find out more here

EXTRA INFORMATION

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