Stronger voice: Introduction to influencing policy

*This session is now full. Please email us to be added to the waiting list*

About the training

This training is designed to support people working for voluntary organisations in the criminal justice system to better understand policy making processes in government.

The session will use examples from the criminal justice system, based on Justice Select Committee inquiries which examined how the Ministry of Justice developed and implemented particular policies, to illustrate the theory and reality of the policymaking process and how voluntary organisations can seek to influence it.

The training will cover:

• How government makes policy in theory
• The role of ministers and officials in the policymaking process
• Examples of the messy reality of policymaking
• Opportunities voluntary organisations have to influence the policy process.

Who this event is for

This is aimed at a beginner and intermediate level organisations working in the criminal justice system who might rarely engage with policy and want to learn how they can influence decision makers; or have some experience but want to expand their knowledge.

For example, you know government policy impacts you but don’t know how to influence it; you have had some engagement with government before but want to improve your impact; or you have identified new decision makers to influence and want to ensure your policy asks land.

Training opportunities for organisations more experienced in policy and influencing will be made available later in the Stronger voice programme.

Eligibility criteria

As Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales is funding this programme of work, we are asking for the following criteria to be met:

• These events are open to any voluntary organisation working in the criminal justice system, though each event has a different capacity of attendee numbers to ensure the training is effective
• Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis, subject to eligibility and availability, though Clinks will reserve specific spaces for organisations working with people in contact with the criminal justice system that are led by and focussed on racially minoritised people
• Please only book one ticket per organisation as we expect there to be high demand for these events.

About the trainer

Gemma Buckland is director of Do It Justice, a consultancy which provides policy advocacy and research in the criminal justice sector. Her clients include Barrow Cadbury Trust, Revolving Doors Agency, the Howard League’s Commission on Crime and Problem Gambling, UK Acquired Brain Injury Forum, Unlocked Graduates, Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology, and Nesta. Until Spring 2019, she was a senior advisor to the Justice Select Committee at the House of Commons where she supported its Members of Parliament in running influential inquiries, predominantly focused on prisons and probation policy and practice. She has over 20 years experience of working in criminal justice policy and also has experience of working in academic research and in the voluntary sector.

About Stronger voice

The Stronger voice training programme brings together experts across policy, campaigns and communications to support organisations of all sizes to influence decision makers. This programme is being delivered as part of Clinks’ three-year Stronger voice programme, funded by the Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales, and aims to help the voluntary sector working in criminal justice to develop a unified and influential voice, at both a national and regional level.