Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 673 | 26th February 2021

Light Lunch

In this week's edition...

CLINKS NEWS: last chance to apply

The deadline to apply for three vacancies on the Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3) is Sunday 28th February. The RR3 is an influential advisory group to the government, consisting of senior experts from the voluntary sector that work closely with senior officials from Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) to reduce reoffending and to build a more effective partnership between the government and the voluntary sector. We are looking for individuals with expertise and experience in supporting people in contact with the criminal justice system into employment; delivering substance misuse services to people in prison or in the community; and leading a mid-sized criminal justice voluntary organisation (income £1m – £10). Find more information here

CLINKS BLOG: who is not in the room?

In this blog, our Health and Justice Policy and Development Officer Zahra Wynne reflects on our recent event on the importance of diversity in service user involvement, including speakers from Maslaha and Revolving Doors Agency. The event focused on how to make diversity meaningful, rather than tokenistic, and allowed participants to talk candidly about understanding when their organisation had missed the mark, and how to address this. Zahra concludes that rather than treating this as a tick-box exercise, or a task too intimidating to undertake, organisations need to consider who they should centre in their service user involvement, and take steps to meaningfully amplify the voices of those experiencing inequality and racism in the criminal justice system. Read it here

CLINKS BLOG: making music in a pandemic

This blog details the journey Good Vibrations has gone through during the pandemic and how it has adapted to the changing restrictions. Good Vibrations uses communal music-making to change lives, working with people in secure settings and marginalised people in the community, and is best known for using the Indonesian gamelan – an orchestra of gongs, metallophones and drums. Even when it cannot be delivered in-person, music and creative work has continued to be so important for supporting people to cope, reflect, learn and connect through this time. Good Vibrations has learnt how to adapt its services and reach out to even more people, writing, “We are confident that, whatever happens, we can be flexible and responsive, stay connected with, and support people during this time.” Read more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: expansion of Clink Kitchens

Following the success of three Clink Kitchens pilot sites set up in February 2018 at HMP Bristol, HMP Risley and HMP Styal, The Clink Charity and HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) are delighted to announce the adoption of the scheme across an additional 70 prison kitchens. The Clink Kitchens is the latest programme developed by The Clink Charity as part of their Clink Integrated Rehabilitation Program (CIRP). The Clink Charity has been working in partnership with HMPPS for the past 11 years delivering the unique integrated training programme to people in prison and on release. The Clink Charity continues to work and support Clink Graduates upon release, helping them reintegrate back into society and full-time employment. Read more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: maturity in the magistrates’ court

The Magistrates Association has published a report on how the issue of maturity is currently handled within magistrates’ courts. Based on research funded by the Barrow Cadbury Trust, the report argues that all young adult defendants’ maturity should be assessed before they come to court and magistrates should receive training on the issue of maturity. The report brings together the key findings from Magistrates Association research into magistrates’ understanding of maturity and how it is currently handled within magistrates’ courts. Read the full report here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: network for people with lived experience

Since its first event last year, the New Leaf Network has grown and is planning exciting things for the future. The New Leaf Network from The New Leaf Initiative CIC was created by and for those with lived experience of the criminal justice system. It aims to bring together those with lived experience to enable them to support each other, provide information, advice and guidance and to influence criminal justice policy. The network has several opportunities for people to get involved and welcomes feedback on proposals and initiatives as they are developed. A second conference is planned for June alongside plans to create an e-newsletter and develop an app or website. If anyone wishes join the network or to receive updates please email easyjail@outlook.com or marie-claire@newleafcic.org.

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: mental health services for men

Local NHS Trust Cheshire and Wirral Partnership is now partnering with Birkenhead-based community organisation JourneyMEN to improve mental health services for men across Wirral. This new partnership will see the Trust refer men to JourneyMEN’s therapeutic services. JourneyMEN provides a person-centred approach to support, including social interventions and peer-to-peer support to enable people to live their lives as independently as possible. Joyce Pooley, JourneyMEN Stakeholder Manager, said: “This partnership will help enhance the efficiency of men accessing our services, and will enable us as a small, grassroots organisation to help a greater number of men who could do with our support, which is needed now more than ever.” Read more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: police reform

Revolving Doors’ latest research shows that young adults and the wider public want to see police reform. Young adults, as part of New Generation Campaigners, have launched a campaign to reduce arrests of vulnerable young adults for non-violent crime, and get police to divert them into support instead. They have designed clear asks for the government, Police and Crime Commissioners, and the police. You can support their campaign for a new approach to policing young adults here. Please get in touch with Burcu Borysik to find out more.

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: working with London’s diverse communities

Advice Services Alliance (ASA) is running a short research investigation into the needs of smaller organisations in London providing advice and support to Londoners from diverse communities. It has released a survey and is calling for joint interview participants. The research aims to understand in more depth exactly what challenges smaller organisations that work with diverse communities are facing right now, in order to work out how to best work together – as organisations, funders, networks, and statutory bodies – to help them continue to do so and thrive. If your organisation provides advice and other essential support to Londoners from diverse communities, you can share your thoughts via the survey. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: probation quarterly

Issue 19 of the Probation Quarterly from the Probation Institute has been published. This edition looks at the Domestic Abuse Bill making its way through Parliament with an article from the Domestic Abuse Commissioner, Nicole Jacobs, who summarises her role, the Bill and its implications for probation. Chris Edwards discusses the challenges that are informing the NPS Domestic Abuse Strategy and Nicole Westmarland and Rosanna Bellini from Durham University Centre for Research into Violence and Abuse provide an international perspective on the move to online programmes for perpetrators. Penelope Gibbs, Director of Transform Justice reflects on the future role of the Sentencing Council and Phil Bowen, Director of the Centre for Justice Innovation, argues the case for the professionalisation of probation. Read it here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: probation and Covid-19

HM Inspectorate of Probation has published its second report into the impact of Covid-19 on probation services. It finds services are working hard to address backlogs in unpaid work but there is yet no return to business as usual. The Inspectorate found that just 50% of unpaid work is being carried out in comparison to before the pandemic and real challenges remain with restoring delivery to normal levels and in dealing with backlogs. It also found that probation staff do feel their wellbeing is being addressed but are experiencing ‘Covid-19 fatigue’. Read more here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: update from HMPPS

Further to the government’s announcements in Wales, England and Scotland, setting out the respective plans for lifting lockdowns, HMPPS is now actively considering the next steps for its operating models. HMPPS will continue to take a measured approach, balancing the unique risks in the environments that it operates with the improving national picture. Dedicated HMPPS Covid-19 updates continue and can be accessed here. Voluntary organisations with questions and concerns can email Covid19@clinks.org.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: HMPPS Accommodation and Support project

The government has recently announced investment of more than £20 million for prison leavers at risk of homelessness or exit from an existing Approved Premises and Bail Accommodation and Support Services provision. HM Prison and Probation Service is holding the following regional market engagement events. If you are interested in attending, please contact the email address for your area.

Following the market engagement event, HMPPS is keen to get your feedback on how best to deliver this service and would be grateful if you would complete a questionnaire. To request one please contact: CommunityRASS@justice.gov.uk. Questionnaires need to be completed by close on 5th March 2021.

FUNDING: work with disadvantaged people

Grants in the range of £1,000 to £3,000 are available from the Peter Kershaw Trust to registered social welfare charities working in Greater Manchester for the benefit of disadvantaged people. These grants are made for a wide variety of purposes under the general heading of "social welfare", for example to assist people with medical conditions, disabilities, addiction, to help elderly people, youth work etc. Applications for new work are welcome and the Trustees give special consideration for "pump priming" requests (i.e. the stimulation of economic activity by investment). Find out more and apply by 31st March here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: national conversation

With Covid-19 causing court backlogs and the government making proposals to reform sentencing, Why me? is hosting a ‘National Conversation’ about out of court disposals, sentencing proposals and restorative justice [3rd March, online, free]. Speakers include: Lucy Jaffé and Trevor Watson from Why me?; Penelope Gibbs from Transform Justice; Phil Bowen from Centre for Justice Innovation; and George Barrow and Rob Goodrum-Ward from the Ministry of Justice. This is an opportunity for those working in the criminal justice system to contribute and share good practice in a live conversation. Through zoom polls, the chat function and by opening the floor to questions and opinion sharing, Why me? will engage you in a lively and informed knowledge exchange. Register here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: maternal imprisonment

Join Birth Companions and Clean Break online for a special International Women’s Day event, ‘Disrupted Lives: #ChooseToChallenge Maternal Imprisonment’ [11th March, online, free]. This year International Women’s Day is inviting everyone to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality, as well as seek out and celebrate women's achievements. With moving performances from Clean Break’s plays and an insightful panel discussion, the event will explore the issues relating to maternal imprisonment; champion women’s resilience through adversity; and open up conversations around how we can all help drive positive change. Book your place here

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: supporting clients experiencing islamophobia and racism

Assist and Empower CIC and Kula Somali Organisation in collaboration with the Legal Remedy Centre are offering free online training for professionals from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds on how to support clients that experience islamophobia and other types of racism [10th March, online, free]. See more here

OPPORTUNITY: free safeguarding support and training

Would your voluntary organisation benefit from free personalised safeguarding support and training for a year? If so apply to be Taye Training ‘Charity of the Year’. Email your mission and values to Michelle@tayetraining.org.uk by 5th March or find out more here

OPPORTUNITY: free advice surgeries

Eastside Primetimers is offering support for voluntary organisations through advice surgeries with its specialist advisers [5th March, online, free]. Book a 20-minute slot to speak to a consultant about: funding and income generation; flexible working and recruitment; and/or digital transformation. For funding and income generation book here, for flexible working and recruitment book here and for digital transformation book here

FEATURED VACANCY: Trustees

Working Chance is looking for exceptional people to grow its Board of Trustees [voluntary, part-time, London]. The board steers the strategic direction of Working Chance as a charity, and holds it accountable to its vision, mission, and values. As well as growing the size of its board, the team is deepening its commitment to representation. So, in this round of trustee recruitment, Working Chance wants to try to achieve a better balance in the voices represented on the board by recruiting people from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds and people with lived experience of the criminal justice system. You don’t have to have been on a board before, and full support and guidance will be given if needed. Find out more and apply by 31st March here

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES

Night Project Worker with Changing Lives [Halton], Eastern European Substance Misuse Outreach Worker with Humankind [London], HR Manager with Working Chance [London], Inclusion Worker with Imagine Independence [Merton], Administrator with St Giles Trust [HMP Stoke Heath], Practitioner with The Lucy Faithfull Foundation [Epsom], Learning and Development Officer with Nacro [London], Peer Engagement Worker with Peer Power [Vauxhall], Head of Women’s Centres and Safeguarding with Women in Prison [London/Manchester], Peer Support Coordinator with Youth Ink [London], Recovery Worker with EDP Drug and Alcohol Services [HMP Dartmoor], Specialist Housing First Worker with Single Homeless Project [London], Prison Team Manager with Social Interest Group [Barnsbury]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

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EXTRA INFORMATION

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