Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 412 | 30th October 2015

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In this week's edition....

CLINKS NEWS: latest news in health and justice

You can keep up-to-date with health and justice developments with our monthly bulletin for voluntary sector organisations involved, or with an interest, in the health and care of offenders, ex-offenders and their families. People in contact with the Criminal Justice System generally have higher health needs and worse health outcomes than the general population. Many in this group engage in high risk behaviour, do not access primary care services, and do not manage existing health issues effectively. Our Offender Health Bulletin is one of a number of exclusive member benefits. If you’re not yet a Clinks member, join today to receive this bulletin in your inbox every month; membership starts at just £40, and is free if your organisation is volunteer run. Find out more here

CLINKS EVENT: children affected by familial imprisonment

We have put together a Storify summarising last week’s event to share practice and innovation in work to support children affected by familial imprisonment. ‘200,000 reasons to care’ focussed on work happening in prisons to support children affected by familial imprisonment and how time in custody can be spent purposefully to support and strengthen healthy family relationships and develop parenting skills. The Storify highlights delegates’ thoughts and contributions to the discussion throughout the event, and keynote speakers including prisons minister Andrew Selous, Juliet Lyon of Prison Reform Trust, and Clinks’ new CEO Anne Fox. View the Storify here

NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR ARTS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE: theatre with women in the CJS

Clean Break are holding a one day training course [2nd December, London, from £55] in theatre practice with women affected by the Criminal Justice System (CJS). This introductory training day aims to give participants an insight into the work of Clean Break in both prisons and community settings. Through drama / theatre exercises, group work and discussion, participants will learn about the principles underpinning Clean Break’s practice, how to explore themes through exercises and play texts, whilst reflecting on the skills required and challenges facing practitioners working in this field. Find out more and book here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: review into deaths in police custody

The Home Office has announced that Deborah Coles, Director at Clinks members INQUEST, has been appointed as a special adviser to the chair of an Independent Review into deaths in police custody. The role will involve facilitating family listening days so that the chair can hear evidence first-hand from those who have lost loved ones in police custody to ensure their views are taken into account; and playing a leading role on an advisory board which will offer expert advice to the chair during the course of the review. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: restorative justice certification

Restorative Solutions has achieved certification under the Restorative Justice Council (RJC)'s new training approval scheme. One of the key aims of the scheme is to enable safe, high quality restorative practice to develop and thrive. The training approval scheme provides reassurance that the 'Practitioner Training in Restorative Approaches' training course delivered by Restorative Solutions is a high quality training course that meets RJC standards. Find out more here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: inquiry into legal highs

HM Inspectorate of Prisons has submitted evidence to the Home Affairs Committee’s inquiry into psychoactive substances. The submission highlights a rapid increase in the availability of new psychoactive substances, leading to problems of debt and violence, with research so far suggesting that synthetic cannabinoids were identified as a concern in 37% of men’s prisons inspected in 2013-14 and 64% in 2014-15. The submission gives the Inspectorate's views on which groups will be particularly affected by a ban on new psychoactive substances, and what steps the government can take to educate these groups about the dangers. Read the submission here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: inspection of arrangements for high-risk offenders

HM Inspectorate of Probation and HM Inspectorate of Constabulary have published a joint follow-up inspection of Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA). MAPPA are designed to protect the public, including previous victims of crime, from serious harm by sexual and violent offenders, and provide a forum for different agencies, both within and outside the Criminal Justice System, to come together. The inspection found that there had been measurable improvement in the quality of work undertaken with MAPPA offenders managed at level 2 and 3 compared with 2011. However, there was still room for improvement in risk management plans. Download the report here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: inspection of probation service

HM Inspectorate of Probation will be carrying out an Inspection of Early Work undertaken by the NPS and CRCs in Central & East Lancashire, Blackburn, Darwen & Ribble Valley during the week commencing 7th December 2015. If you have any queries about this, please contact HMI Probation (Enquiries) mailbox at Enquiries.HMIProb@hmiprobation.gsi.gov.uk

FUNDING: to support armed forces veterans

The Bridging the Gap Armed Forces Fund will provide grants of between £5,000 and £75,000 for individuals from the armed forces community in Solent either looking to start-up their own business, or for established small to medium enterprises who require capital investment for their project. Applicants must be members of the armed forces community (including service leavers, veterans, spouses, families, reservists and cadets) and bids should be for capital expenditure and demonstrate how they will create new, or protect existing, jobs. The deadline for applications is 6th November. Find out more and apply here

FUNDING: renovating empty properties for homeless people

Grants of between £50,000 and £150,000 are available from LandAid for work across the UK which turns empty properties into supported accommodation for young people who are either homeless, or at severe risk of becoming homeless. Applications are welcome from organisations with experience of turning empty properties into safe, decent homes for people in housing need, and making them available at a rate they can afford; those that can ensure that the completed property is exclusively for young people who are at risk of homelessness; and that support is provided to enable them to move forward positively with their lives. The deadline for applications is 16th November. Find out more and apply here

FUNDING: supporting under-represented groups in science activity

British Science Week 2016's Community Grant Scheme is offering grants of £500 for community groups that work directly with audiences who are traditionally under-represented and currently not engaged in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) activity. The scheme defines under-represented groups as Black, Asian, and minority ethnic communities; people with low socio-economic status; those not in education employment or training; and people with a disability. The grant must be used to create a STEM event or activity that will target one or more of the above groups, enabling them to engage with science and join a national celebration of science in March 2016. The deadline for applications is 23rd November. Find out more and apply here

FUNDING: to address disadvantaged communities

The Hilden Charitable Fund will provide grants with an average value of £5,000 to small organisations working at community level (maximum turnover £200,000) to address disadvantages, notably by supporting causes which are less likely to raise funds from public subscriptions. The fund's grant making priorities are homelessness, penal affairs, asylum seekers and refugees, and community based initiatives for disadvantaged young people aged 16 to 25. The next application deadline is 16th December 2015. Find out more and apply here

FUNDING: to support the rehabilitation of offenders

The Noel Buxton Trust will fund registered charities to support a commitment to the rehabilitation of offenders for the benefit of both the offender and society as a whole. The trust tend to offer grants to smaller, grass-roots organisations, with the emphasis of giving on areas outside London and South-east England. One off grants of up to £3,000 are available to pay for specific projects that help maintain relationships between prisoners and their families or for work that supports the contributions that volunteers make within the prison community; and grants of up to £4,000 per year are available over two to three years, where a guaranteed on-going contribution is going to make a difference to the sustainability of a programme or activity. Find out more and apply here

CLINKS PARTNER’S EVENT: victims’ services commissioning

'Hello… is it me you’re commissioning for?' is an Academy for Justice Commissioning evening seminar [3rd December, London, free] that will share the outcomes of a year long cross-sector academy learning group, focused on victim services commissioning. The event will explore 'current and impending resource constraints' which emphasise the need to know what victims want and need, identify approaches that can deliver best, and act in those instances where delivery doesn't meet expectation. Find out more and book here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Transforming Rehabilitation conference

'Transforming Rehabilitation: Delivering through the gate and beyond' is an Inclusion conference [8th December, from £168] aiming to provide delegates with a better understanding of how the Ministry of Justice's original desires for Transforming Rehabilitation are being delivered in practice and how the current service provided to offenders across England and Wales can be improved. The event will bring together representatives working across the offender management and rehabilitation sector to understand and critically appraise the new rehabilitation landscape. Find out more and book here

NON-MEMBERS EVENTS & TRAINING

  • PRisoN Annual Conference 2016 | 15th April 2016, Leeds, free | Details

RESOURCE: for victims and witnesses of crime

The police and crime commissioner for Greater Manchester has launched a new website to support victims of crime, provide them with information, and improve their experiences both inside and outside of the Criminal Justice System. Visitors to the site can browse practical advice for victims and survivors of crime, and their families, and search a directory of victims’ services. There is also information and support for witnesses of crime and children and young people. Find out more here

PUBLICATION: isolation of young people in custody

‘Unlocking Potential’ is a report from the Children’s Commissioner on a study of the isolation of children in custody in England. It finds children kept in Young Offenders Institutes are more likely to suffer violence and longer periods of solitary confinement and are more likely to reoffend over a longer period; looked after children are almost two-thirds more likely to experience isolation; and Black and mixed heritage children are three times more likely to experience isolation. The report calls for a radical reform of the youth custody system to provide the environment and the approach needed to improve the outcomes and life chances of children in custody and to reduce reoffending. Download the report here

PUBLICATION: analysis of youth crime

National Association for Youth Justice have published 'The state of youth justice 2015: An overview of trends and developments'. The report provides an analysis of data, policy and developments in youth justice in England and Wales over the last year. It looks at the 'shrinkage' of youth justice, the extent of youth crime, recent patterns of detected youth crime, and the nature of youth offending. Download the report here

CLINKS MEMBER’S VACANCIES

Job vacancies this week include: a Head of Operations and an Engagement Team Member with User Voice [London, South West, East Midlands], a Programme Manager with Footprints Project [South West], a Recovery Worker with The Nelson Trust [South West], a Recovery Worker with EDP Drug and Alcohol Services [HMP Guys Marsh], an Operations Director with DISC [Leeds], a Mental Health Advocate/Through The Gate Worker with Women In Prison [Surrey], a Business & Contracts Manager with Rise [London], and a Communications Lead and a Nova Adviser with Nova Wakefield District [Wakefield]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip of the week I: Stay for three nights at a 5-star hotel in Marrakesh for £199pp with return flights from London, Bristol, Glasgow or Manchester. Deal includes daily breakfast and dinner. Details
  • Tip of the week II: An overnight break for two in Northumberland is £109. Deal includes breakfast, 3-course dinner, and bottle of wine. Details
  • Tip of the week III: A round-up of free and cheap sweets for Halloween, including free Kinder Bueno and 59p apples for bobbing. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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Contact Us www.clinks.org | info@clinks.org | 020 7383 0966

 

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