Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 325 | 20th December 2013

In this week's edition....

CLINKS EVENT: Annual General Meeting

We are delighted to be once again staging our 15th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Reception [29th January, London, 3pm - 6pm], and are open for bookings from Members. Our AGM is always a lively affair, offering a great opportunity to network and for delegates to comment on Clinks’ work and the priorities for the year ahead. We are awaiting imminent confirmation from Chris Grayling to be our keynote speaker. If you're a Clinks Member, book your place here

CLINKS TRAINING: improving your evidence

'Improving your evidence – putting theory into practice' is a free two day training course [21st & 22nd January, Leeds] that will focus on the practical rather than theoretical issues of demonstrating effective evidence. Throughout the course delegates will be working in small groups, with plenty of opportunities to discuss specific challenges faced by organisations. This training is offered by Clinks in partnership with New Philantrophy Capital (NPC). Clinks is able to cover the cost of 1 nights' accommodation at the training venue. It must be booked through Clinks therefore please state if you require accommodation when booking. For more information click here

CLINKS MEMBERS OFFER: volunteering in prison

Do your staff or volunteers work with offenders in prisons? Clinks is offering Members priority booking for our ever popular Volunteering in Prison course [19th February, Birmingham, from £120]. The course has been designed to support trainers and/or volunteer co-ordinators, managing and supporting volunteers. The training has recently been updated to include the support of mentors. Modules include: Working in prisons and available resources, the role of the volunteer and mentor in supporting offenders in prison and much more. The deadline for Member's priority booking is 8th January. For further information and bookings, click here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: new Chief Executive for Locality

Steve Wyler OBE is stepping down as CEO of Locality. Chair of trustees, Joanna Holmes, said: "Whilst I and the Board of Locality were upset to hear of Steve's decision to leave, we are all immensely proud of the work he has done....He will be an extremely hard act to follow but we are confident that we will find the right person to take the opportunity to build on the foundations which Steve has so admirably helped to lay." Find out more about Steve and Locality here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: project wins funding

Derventio Housing Trust have received £50,000 from The People’s Millions for their Growing Lives project by winning a head to head vote with another East Midlands project. Jackie Carpenter explains: "Growing Lives gives people with an offending history the opportunity to experience the therapeutic benefits of being outdoors in the beautiful Derbyshire countryside, while also learning, building up a work history, with some people getting a job. We offer flexi-jobs which fit within the rules of Housing Benefit, so that people can stay in their home and still get the support they need." Find out more about the project here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: YHCOSA wins prestigious award

Congratulations to Yorkshire and The Humber Circles of Support and Accountability who were recently awarded the Guardian small charity award for 2013! Circles said: "We are absolutely thrilled to have been recognised for this prestigious award and to receive the support of the Guardian in the work we do. Thank you to all our amazing volunteers - without them there would be no Circles so this award recognises their hard work and commitment - we are really grateful to them all." Find out more here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Tier 1 bidders announced

Thirty bidders who have passed the first stage of a competition to win regional rehabilitation contracts, and lead the new era in a fight against reoffending, were named yesterday by the Ministry of Justice. From this list it is easy to identify some of the Tier 1 bidders in certain Contract Package Areas. It is also noticeable that the two big public sector justice providers, G4S and Serco, have not come through to this stage. The news release also says that over 550 voluntary sector organisations have expressed an interest in being part of the supply chain. Read the full news release and see the list of Tier 1 bidders here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: offender management in prisons

In a joint prison and probation inspection report this week, the inspectors came “to the reluctant conclusion that the offender management model, however laudable its aspirations, is not working in prisons. The majority of prison staff do not understand it and the community-based offender managers, who largely do, have neither the involvement in the process or the internal knowledge of the institutions to make it work. It is more complex than many prisoners need and more costly to run than most prisons can afford. Given the Prison Service’s present capacity and the pressures now facing it with the implementation of Transforming Rehabilitation and an extension of ‘through the gate’ services, we doubt whether it can deliver future National Offender Management Service (NOMS) expectations. We therefore believe that the current position is no longer sustainable and should be subject to fundamental review.” Find out more here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Wiltshire Probation Trust closing

As a result of changes under Transforming Rehabilitation, Wiltshire Probation Trust will cease to trade with effect from April 1st 2014. The work currently undertaken by the Trust, and the assets and resources associated with that work, will transfer either to the National Probation Service, or to the Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire Community Rehabilitation Company. In order to keep all stakeholders and local partners informed of their exit plans and approach, they will hold a series of briefings in January and February where you will have an opportunity to hear about the changes and ask questions pertinent to your agency. To be involved, call Jan Tawn on 01249 461 577

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: is the Parole Board still needed?

The Ministry of Justice is consulting on the Triennial Review of the Parole Board for England and Wales. The review will test whether the Parole Board is still needed, and if so, will look at the structure for managing it to make sure it is properly run. To review the continuing need for the Parole Board and its work, the review team is looking for evidence from a range of groups, including stakeholders. The deadline for responding is 17th January, and if you'd like to feed into Clinks' response, please email ellie.cumbo@clinks.org by 8th January. Find out more and have your say here

FUNDING: for community horticultural projects

Grants of between £500 and £5,000 are available for planting and sowing native wild flowers, native plants and/or trees within the community to create a space for everyone to enjoy by giving neglected and uncared-for sites and spaces a new lease of life. Projects must be clearly community-led, with local people, including young people, involved in the design and decision making. Voluntary and community organisations in the UK are eligible to apply before the 6th January deadline. Full details here

FUNDING: welfare and disabilities

Charities working on an international, national or regional basis can apply for one-off donations of between £4,000 and £25,000. Charities should be working around Tesco stores, and in the countries where Tesco sources from. Funding is available for practical equipment and resources. Priority will be given to applications in the areas of Children's welfare and education; Older people's welfare and Adults and children with disabilities. The deadline for applications is 9th January. Find out more here

COMMISSIONING: drug and alcohol services in the West Midlands

The Metropolitan Borough Council of Sandwell is seeking expressions of interest from suitably experienced and competent contractors or consortium for the provision of high quality, equitable and accessible services for offenders who misuse drugs and alcohol. The new service will aim to identify and manage access into drug and alcohol services from the Criminal Justice System and also manage offenders in order to maintain them in treatment and into the newly commissioned recovery service in Sandwell. This service will aim to improve both offender health and wellbeing and also reduce offending. The value of the three year contract is £450,000 and the deadline for expressing an interest is 10th January. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBERS' EVENT: immigration detention

'Denial of justice: the hidden use of prisons for immigration detention' is Bail for Immigration Detainees' (BID) AGM and panel discussion [21st January, 6pm, London]. Nearly one in four immigration detainees are now being held in over 80 prisons across England and Wales, but this hidden use of prisons is not reflected in published Home Office statistics on immigration detention. For these detainees and their legal representatives and supporters, the isolation, the lack of immigration legal advice, and the restricted communication compared to Immigration Removal Centres make progression of their immigration case difficult and their daily lives unbearable. Find out more and RSVP here

NON MEMBERS' EVENTS AND TRAINING

  • 'The 13th international conference on offenders with intellectual and developmental disability' | 10th - 11th April, Newcastle, £354 | Details
  • 'Older Offenders in Our Communities: Meeting Needs & Managing Risks' | 3rd February, Newcastle, free | Bookings

GOVERNANCE: reviewing the Charity Commission

The Government has opened a consultation on Charity Commission powers, following a critical report from the National Audit Office. Proposals include: extending the range of criminal offences which automatically bar a person from acting as a trustee; a new discretionary power to disqualify a person who is unfit from acting as a charity trustee; and a new power enabling the Commission to close down a charity. Find out more here

GOVERNANCE: making mergers work

'Making mergers work: the role for charity trustees' is an NPC briefing based on a recent seminar, looking at the technical elements of the merger process, personal experiences and the potential benefits of mergers done well. Find out more here [Source: VolResource]

RESOURCE: NOMS e-zine published

The December issue of Changing Lives Together, the NOMS ezine for stakeholders, includes: The latest on the Transforming Rehabilitation reforms; a prison's luxury soap social enterprise; how the Samaritans' listener scheme helps save lives; plus new support for victims of crime. Also featured is the first ever World Congress on Probation; Prison Radio awards bonanza; an ex-gang member’s inspiring story; details on prison closures and capacity changes; and more. Download it here

PUBLICATION: lost between mental health and criminal justice services

'Same Old' is a new report by YoungMinds and the T2A Alliance that reveals very little has changed in the last twenty years for young people lost between mental health services and the Criminal Justice System. This is despite numerous inquiries, policy documents, expert reference groups, working parties, reports, consultations, white papers, Bills, Acts of Parliament and changes of government. Waiting lists are too long resulting in young people self-medicating with drugs and alcohol. Rigid criteria for mental health services means young people have to be enduring a severe and debilitating mental illness before they can access any type of help or support. You can download the full report here [Source: CJA]

CLINKS MEMBERS' VACANCIES

Vacancies this week include an Interim Director of Services at Pact [London], a Chief Exective Officer with the Restorative Justice Council [London], a Business Development Manager with Music in Prisons [London], a Musician in Residence with Music in Prisons [London], a Volunteer Support Officer at Sova [Birmingham], a Time Out Mediation Worker at Foundation [Selby] and a Senior Support Worker at Foundation [Redcar], Circles of Support and Accountability volunteers with Circles Cymru [South Wales/West Wales/Gwent], a DRR Recovery Worker with CRI [Brighton] and a Male Actor/Groupworker with Geese Theatre Company [Birmingham]. For more information about these vacancies and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip of the week I: 10 last-minute Christmas money & time savers. Details
  • Tip of the week II:  Stay at the 'Best Luxury Country Hotel' in the world for just £139 per room per night. Located in Co. Donegal. Details
  • Tip of the week III: Overnight stays at a 17th-century mansion in the Warwickshire countryside are now £59 per room. Deal includes breakfast, dinner, spa access, and a bottle of wine. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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Clinks

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