Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 313 | 27th September 2013

In this week's edition....

CLINKS BRIEFING: competition stage of Transforming Rehabilitation

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) have now announced the beginning of the competition stage of the Transforming Rehabilitation agenda. This briefing gives an overview of the contracting process, outlines how the reforms will affect the delivery of services in prisons and the community and what information we are still waiting for. Read the briefing here

CLINKS BLOG: glossary of terms for Transforming Rehabilitation

Light Lunch editor, Joe Gardham, has created a quick point of reference for professionals struggling to get their head around the new jargon and language associated with the reforms. It would be good to know if there's anything you've seen that doesn't feature in the glossary; your input will create a handy resource for colleagues working in criminal justice. Read the blog and share your wisdom here

CLINKS NEWS: Transforming Rehabilitation update

In case you missed Wednesday's newsflash, you can find a round up of the latest Transforming Rehabilitation developments here

CLINKS NEWS: Free GRANTnet access for Clinks Members

Clinks Members are able to access the GRANTnet funding database free of charge through the Clinks website. Members will need to log-in to the Clinks website, and then follow the link to GRANTnet. You’ll then need to register an account with GRANTnet, or log-in if you’ve already done so. Find out more here

CLINKS SURVEY: Supporting the Sector in Wales

Clinks are assessing the need of the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Sector working in criminal justice and community safety across Wales. In collaboration with researchers from the Centre for Criminology at the University of South Wales (USW) and the Welsh Centre for Crime and Social Justice (WCCSJ), we have designed a quick (15 minute) survey. All organisations that complete the survey will receive 50% off their next annual Clinks membership subscription. Please let us know about your organisation’s needs by completing our short survey here or completing the Welsh language survey here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: well-known Chief Executive retires

Mary Stephenson has retired as Chief Executive of String of Pearls Project, to be replaced in the interim by Michael Wickens, then by Sarah Carlsen-Browne of Devon ReForm from mid-October (Sarah will remain at Devon ReForm as both roles are part-time). Mary said: "Since setting up the String of Pearls Project in 2004 I have been privileged to meet some extremely generous and inspiring people, most of them with a loved one in prison.  It has been very moving to see how the love the family have for their sentenced loved one transcends all the resulting stigma and isolation they suffer. I will miss working with the dedicated and committed team and Board at String of Pearls Project but I know I leave the charity in very good hands and looking stronger than it has at any stage in its history." Find out more about String of Pearls Project here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: run the London marathon

Have you got what it takes? Pact has places for the London Marathon 2014. Sign up to the challenge today! Pact supports people leaving prison who want to make a fresh start. We help families stay together while a prisoner is inside. We support children whose parents are sent to prison. Sign up today to change lives in the future. Contact Monica Deane on 0207 735 9535 or email info@prisonadvice.org.uk

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Justice Data Lab results to be published

From 10th October 2013, results from the Justice Data Lab will be published. There are two types of publications: Monthly Official Statistics which summarise the findings of the Justice Data Lab to date; and tailored reports pertaining to the re-offending outcomes of services or interventions delivered by organisations who have requested information through the Justice Data Lab. Each report will be an Official Statistic. Read the press release and sign up to notifications here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Target Operating Model

As part of last week's Transforming Rehabilitation announcements, the MoJ published a Target Operating Model (referred to as TOM), which explains how the probation service will operate following its split into a public sector National Probation Service and the 'out-to-competition' Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRC). Blogger Russell Webster has done a handy '10 things TOM taught me about Transforming Rehabilitation', in which he details things he found interesting or new in the document. His highlights include: More flexibility in delivery for CRCs than probation trusts have had, National Probation and the CRCs will be legally required to work in partnership, and that other government departments and police and crime commissioners will be able to commission CRCs. Read the full article here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Damien Green's speech at police conference

Damien Green gave a speech on Tuesday at the ACPO Excellence in Policing conference in which he spoke about targets, transparency, crime maps and PCCs, the College of Policing and leadership. Read the full speech here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: workshops for Transforming Rehabilitation providers

ACEVO, NCVO and Candour Collaborations have been awarded a grant from the Ministry of Justice to deliver a series of regional events to the VCSE sector to raise awareness and understanding of the Transforming Rehabilitation competition. The series of events will run throughout the competition at a number of locations across the country and will cover everything from general information to in-depth sessions on TUPE implications. Find an event near you and book here

FUNDING: for small, unfunded organisations

The Edge Fund supports communities, campaign groups and activists struggling for social, economic and environmental justice. Successful applicants often have annual incomes under £10,000; organisations with incomes of over £100,000 are unlikely to be shortlisted. The Fund focuses on work that is run by and for people facing discrimination and injustice who are actively working to challenge these injustices and to create just and healthy communities, and work that seeks to create systemic change. The deadline for applications is Monday, 14th October. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: prison play fundraiser

'Prison?' is a one-man play [12th October, 7pm, Putney, London, donations welcome] written and performed by Charlie Ryder. It's a true story using puppetry, masks, physical theatre and dance to shine a light on Charlie’s eight months in prison. All donations made will support the work of Clinks Member Wandsworth Community Chaplaincy Trust. Get more information here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: yoga in prison

'The Profound Benefits of Yoga and Meditation in Prison' is a Prison Phoenix Trust event [3rd October, Oxford, £5] that will present the results of recent research examining the efficacy of yoga and meditation for prisoners. This event will examine the findings, explore the implications for prisoners’ well-being and rehabilitation, and provide opportunity for discussion for those working in criminal justice and interested in the work of the Trust. Request further information and a booking form by emailing all@theppt.org.uk

CLINKS MEMBER'S TRAINING: working with older offenders

RECOOP is offering a 'Working with Older Offenders' training package for VCSE organisations. Over 50s are the fastest growing age group amongst offenders and are currently 12% of the prison population. Based on Clinks' Volunteering with Offenders Training, the course raises awareness of issues facing older people leaving custody, health needs of older offenders, and builds staff confidence in working with this age group. Contact RECOOP’s Capacity Building consultants if you are interested in the training for your organisation. More details at RECOOP

CLINKS MEMBER'S TRAINING: resettlement law

Howard League for Penal Reform will be delivering a free seminar on resettlement law [15th November, London] for practitioners working with young people leaving custody. By attending the seminar, practitioners will find out more about the legal principles underlying the provision of resettlement support, and what a practitioner can and should do to support young people upon release from custody. Book your place here

CLINKS MEMBER'S TRAINING: family relationships

The MoJ/Safe Ground Family Man programme is a ground-breaking family relationship course which is delivered in prison establishments across England and Wales. The next training course for Family Man facilitators [2nd - 5th December, Newbold Revel, £69.55] will give staff the skills and confidence to set up and deliver the 7 week programme, as well as giving them the opportunity to work with tutors and Officers across the network of prisons. The course also provides an excellent range of tools for working creatively with challenging groups. Find out more here

CLINKS PARTNER'S EVENT: for women's organisations

Women's Resource Centre are holding an event [5th November, Ealing, free] for organisations in North West London working in the women’s sector and in the area of violence against women and girls. The event will equip your organisation with crucial knowledge on commissioning and other tools to make your organisation more sustainable. You will meet vital contacts from the local authority as well as other organisations. The event combines two sessions in one full day and is open to organisations based in Ealing, Hounslow, Hillingdon, Harrow, Brent, Richmond and Hammersmith & Fulham. To book, click here

OFFENDER HEALTH: stop smoking in October

Stoptober – England and Wales’ mass 28-day stop smoking challenge – starts on Tuesday 1st October and runs for 28 days. The campaign is launched by Public Health England as new research shows someone who quits smoking for Stoptober, and doesn’t smoke again, could gain an extra 7 days of life, every 28 days, for the rest of their life. Read the full press release here

RESOURCE: for professionals working with the children of offenders

i-HOP, the information Hub on Offenders’ families with children for Professionals, is now live and hosts over 200 pieces of information about working with the children of offenders, including: local service details, national strategies, practical resources, online directories and training programmes. You can register to receive the monthly e-newsletter and submit your information to i-HOP here

PUBLICATION: Quarter of the population have experience of violence and abuse

A study presented at Public Health England's annual conference by NatCen Social Research found a quarter of the English population have had some level of experience of violence and abuse, measured in five distinct categories of exposure. Sally McManus, Research Director, NatCen Social Research said: “Many events in life are linked with poor mental health but few - if any - have associations as strong as those we see for violence and abuse.” The study can be found here

PUBLICATION: realising the potential of governance

The Governance Commission, set up by ACEVO after a noticeable increase in calls to its Governance Helpline service, has published 'Realising the Potential of Governance'. Key recommendations include: Charities should ensure that they have processes for appraisal of trustees, individually and collectively, as well as for the chief executive; and Boards should consider implementing defined term limits for trustees, staggered to ensure an appropriate rate of turnover. Download the press release here

CONSULTATION: the role of the Sector in providing commissioning support

NHS England, Macmillan, NCS and ACEVO have commissioned the Nuffield Trust to write a paper on the role of the voluntary sector in providing commissioning support to the health and social care sectors. Commissioning support covers a wide variety of activities – from advising on service redesign to engaging with service users on commissioners’ behalf. All of these activities are relevant to the report. The publication will be used to disseminate areas of innovation in the sector as well as discuss the barriers and facilitators in the current system. The findings will be fed into subsequent work by NHS England and upcoming commissioning events. If you can help, please email Holly Holder

CONSULTATION: conditional welfare policies

CRESR at Sheffield Hallam University is part of a consortium of five UK universities that has been awarded ESRC funding to conduct a major study on the efficacy and ethicality of conditional welfare policies.  The research focuses on the experiences of a diverse sample of welfare service users, including offenders, subject to welfare conditionality. We are currently seeking to arrange ‘elite’ interviews with practitioners to explore their understanding of ‘conditionality’; the justifications and objections to the approach;  the strengths and weaknesses of conditional welfare initiatives;  and the impacts on welfare service users. To take part, please email Professor Del Roy Fletcher

AWARDS: learn how to become an award-winning organisation

''The Charity Awards - Pass on the Baton' is a free seminar [15th October, London] where you can learn how to increase your charity's impact and become an award winning organisation. Current and previous winners, including Clinks Member Circles UK, will talk about the impact of the Award and how it has increased their profile. To reserve your place please email carlene.pryce@civilsociety.co.uk or call her on 020 7819 1208

CLINKS MEMBERS VACANCIES

Member vacancies this week include: a Senior Family Support/Engagement worker with Pact [Stafford], an Events, Sales and Marketing Intern with the Handmade Alliance [London], an Administration Intern and an Operations Manager with CanDo Coffee/User Voice [London] and an ETE Coordinator at CRI [Ealing]. For further information about these vacancies, and many more, please click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip of the week I: There's 15% off everything at Homebase this weekend. Discount applied automatically in-store or using code 'DISCOUNT15' online
  • Tip of the week II: Get 50% off everything online at Body Shop using code '14319' or by printing this webpage instore
  • Tip of the week III: Stoptober is the national stop smoking campaign. get your free pack here

EXTRA INFORMATION

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