Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 637 | 5th June 2020

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In this week's edition...

CLINKS BLOG: how prisons and probation will recover from Covid-19

This blog gives an update from Jo Farrar, CEO of Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service, on the government’s plans for how prisons and probation will start to recover from the restrictions imposed in response to coronavirus. It accompanies the publication of two key documents detailing the government’s approach to lifting temporary regimes in prisons and probation: National Framework for Prison Regimes and Services; and Probation Roadmap to Recovery. The national framework for prisons allows flexibility to accommodate the very different circumstances and situations of different establishments. As a result, progress is likely to be uneven across the estate and individual prisons and youth custody establishments will ease restrictions at their own speed, taking full account of their specific circumstances. Read more here

CLINKS BLOG: what recovery should look like

The Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group brought together leading experts from across the voluntary sector this week as part of its Covid-19 special interest group. This blog summarises the discussion in the meeting, which focussed around two documents recently published by HM Prison and Probation Service that sets out how it will lift restrictions in the criminal justice system - the National framework for prisons and the Probation roadmap to recovery. The group is advocating for greater join-up between prisons and probation and for the wellbeing of service users to be given greater emphasis as people struggle in exceptionally difficult conditions. They also discussed how voluntary organisations can help inform and shape the operational guidance that will underpin these documents. Read the blog here

CLINKS PUBLICATION: managing volunteers

For Volunteers’ Week, we've published our new guide, written in partnership with NCVO, to support voluntary organisations working in the criminal justice system to manage volunteers. Written before the pandemic, Managing volunteers is a useful guide to make sure you’re up to date on developing a volunteer programme, recruiting volunteers, and rewarding, recognising and retaining volunteers – essential topics for organisations in the current circumstances. There's also key information on health, safety and insurance, and risk assessment. Use the simple good practice guidelines here to help ensure you’re engaging volunteers well and optimise the potential of your volunteer programmes. Read the guide here

CLINKS RESPONSE: the impact of Covid-19 on charities

We’ve published our response to the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee’s call for evidence on the impact of the Covid-19 crisis on charities. Our response was influenced by information gathered from the voluntary sector through the Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group special interest group on Covid-19, our regular Covid-19 impact survey, and submissions to our Covid-19 inbox. We highlighted concerns that the government's £750m financial support for charities is not enough to provide organisations with the funding they will need to sustain vital services. We also indicated that the focus on organisations working specifically in response to the Covid-19 pandemic risks omitting organisations affected by the crisis that provide vital services but are not specific to the Covid-19 response. Read more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: BAME women and girls experiencing harm

PLIAS Resettlement is running the Phoenix (P&ACT) Project to address the needs of black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) women and girls experiencing harmful practices including domestic and sexual abuse, forced marriage, honour based abuse, faith based abuse and female genital mutilation living across the targeted areas of London. The project reaches and engages with children and women 10 years onwards. Services offered include: intensive casework and advocacy support including accompanying women to report crimes of violence to the police, housing departments, court and other agencies; one to one advice on options and rights; support groups; and raising awareness through workshops, training and presentations. The service can be accessed via self-referral or through an agency completing a referral form. See more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: participants wanted for HMCTS research

Revolving Doors Agency is working with Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) to carry out one-to-one interviews with people that have had recent experience of the courts process. They are looking for defendants aged over 18 from England and Wales with recent experience of appearing at either a magistrates or Crown court who have either - only been to court for one offence or set of offences, or represented themselves at their last court appearance. All interviews are confidential. If you are, know, or work with anyone who might be interested in taking part, then please contact: philip.mullen@revolving-doors.org.uk. Please note that anyone with an active case with the court service, or who is under 18, will not be able to take part.

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: is police custody overused?

Transform Justice has brought out a new report 24 hours in police custody - is police detention overused? looking at why suspects are detained pre and post charge, whether this detention is justified and why the length of detention has increased in recent years. Read it here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: safeguarding for trustees

To support the voluntary sector, Taye Training has made it's safeguarding for trustees e-learning course free for 30 days. The course takes approximately two hours and covers: an awareness of safeguarding; relevant legislation; Charity Commission expectations; understanding the responsibilities of a trustee; and making safeguarding manageable in your charity. It also includes a free annual audit to help you meet your responsibilities. One participant described the course as “one of the best things I have done as a trustee, I now have a clear understanding of my safeguarding responsibilities and my role within the organisation. Clearly written by people who work in charities - it's understandable and engaging”. Please contact enquiries@tayetraining.org.uk with any questions. Access the course here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: community resettlement for foreign national women 

Sophia Benedict has published new research for the Griffins Society: Just no future at the moment: examining the barriers to community resettlement for foreign national women which explores the challenges faced by foreign national women in resettlement. The research draws on interviews with foreign national women living in the community, and with probation staff and practitioners who supervise and support them. The research highlights the difficulties foreign national women experience including poverty and destitution and poor mental health exacerbated by their status. Urging the need for a systematic approach and framework for supporting foreign national women in community contexts, the research makes recommendations for improvements to both policy and practice. Read more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: probation and multiple disadvantage

The Making Every Adult Matter coalition (MEAM) has published a briefing on how the government’s probation reform programme will likely impact people facing multiple disadvantage. Some people facing multiple disadvantage will come into contact with the criminal justice system, often serving short prison sentences and spending time under probation supervision. The briefing aims to support people working with this cohort to understand the structure of the reformed probation service, how the role of probation practitioners will change and how services will be commissioned and delivered. Clinks is a member of MEAM, alongside Homeless Link, Mind and associate member Collective Voice. MEAM works to support local areas across the country to develop effective, coordinated services that directly improve the lives of people facing multiple disadvantage. Read the briefing here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service

Cohort 4, a volunteer group based in Atherstone, North Warwickshire have been honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service - known as the MBE for voluntary service. Cohort 4 is a women’s peer support organisation helping women survivors of abuse, those with mental ill health, convictions, disabilities and other isolating factors. Women attend from North Warwickshire, Nuneaton and Tamworth. Run mainly by volunteers, it offers a long term social space, support and source of encouragement to women who choose themselves what they need to enhance their lives and wellbeing. Cohort 4 is one of 230 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups in the country to receive the award this year. Read more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: financial management and accessing government funding

NCVO has made its webinar on applying for the government’s Coronavirus Community Support Fund available to watch online. The webinar focuses on supporting charities thinking of applying for the government funding which is being coordinated and distributed by the National Lottery Community Fund. It also includes top tips on financial management during the Covid-19 pandemic. The webinar is now available to view online here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: probation news

Issue 16 of the Probation Quarterly from the Probation Institute has been published. This edition includes insights from Nina Champion, Director of the Criminal Justice Alliance on utilising lived experience for a better probation service. It also includes reflections from the Probation Institute’s research conference in early March, on the theme of ‘Working with Families’. Read it here

FUNDING: women’s organisations

Rosa has opened applications for its Covid-19 Response Fund which aims to provide quick and straightforward grants of between £1,000 and £10,000 to specialist women's organisations across the UK. There's no application deadline for this fund, applications will be considered on a rolling basis from 5th June. Rosa particularly welcomes proposals from organisations that address the critical needs of women and girls that miss out the most, including: black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) women; LGBTQ+ women and girls; women and girls with disabilities; homeless women; survivors of gender violence; and women in contact with the criminal justice system. It also welcomes applications from organisations that operate in less economically resilient towns, cities and rural areas within the UK. Read more and apply here

REPORT: experiences of people in prison during Covid-19

The Independent Advisory Panel on Deaths in Custody (IAP) has published a report giving a unique insight into the experiences of those detained in prisons during the Covid-19 crisis. Through a partnership with National Prison Radio, the report draws on radio messages from over 200 prisoners across 55 prisons, almost half the prison estate. The IAP presents voices and views of people in prison in unprecedented times. The findings lead to ten recommendations grouped under five themes: the importance of clear, accurate information and good honest communication; staff attitudes and approaches and continuing need for independent scrutiny; cleanliness, decency and variation in regimes; mental health, wellbeing and vulnerability; and family contact, loss and bereavement. The full report can be read here

OPPORTUNITY: support for Chairs of small charities

The Association of Chairs is pleased to announce that due to additional funding from the National Lottery Community Fund, aspects of its Beacon Programme will be continuing until 30th September 2020, allowing it to extend support for Chairs of smaller charities in these challenging times. This support includes free access to webinars and online peer and expert surgeries alongside the popular Beacon Resource Bank. The Beacon Programme is free to join for Chairs and Vice Chairs of smaller charities and non-profit organisations in England, with an annual income of under £1 million. Over three successful years, the programme has supported 1377 small charity Chairs. 80% of participants said they felt more confident in their chairing role as a result of taking part in programme. Read more here

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES

Vacancies on the jobs board this week include: Policy Officer with Unlock [Home based], Director of Operations with Social Interest Group [London], Trustee with The IARS International Institute [Home based], Team Leader with Changing Lives [Stockton-On-Tees], Lecturer in English with Weston College [HMP Elmley], Cluster Manager - HM Prisons and Breaking Barriers support services with Ormiston Families [Bedford], Operations Manager with Safer Living Foundation [HMP Whatton/Nottingham]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip I: Giant inflatable swim rings. Up to 80% off. Details
  • Tip II: British Sign Language online course. £12. Details
  • Tip III: Watch archive performances from Bristol Old Vic. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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