Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 857 | 08 November 2024

Light lunch

In this issue...

CLINKS NEWS: State of the Sector 2024 – focus groups

Thank you to those who have already expressed an interest in participating in this year’s research. We have dates set for in-person focus groups on 15 November – Sheffield, and 19 and 21 November – London. We can facilitate more dates at more locations and also host online groups depending on demand and preferences.

Clinks and the team from the National Council of Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) want to understand how the work, needs and vison of voluntary organisations working across the criminal justice sector have been shaped and changed by the last few years.  

We are eager to speak with organisations from across the sector to enable us to connect with the broadest possible range of organisations and experience. All voices are welcome, however, we are particularly keen for the experiences of small organisations to be highlighted through our research. If you represent a small organisation, please do not miss this opportunity to have the issues that matter to you vocalised and represented.

To express your interest to join a focus group, please complete a two-minute survey and the NCVO team will get in touch with you to register your preferences and coordinate with you. Express your interest here

CLINKS NEWS: We welcome our new Chair Mandy Mahil

We’re delighted to introduce Mandy Mahil as Clinks' new Chair of Trustees. Mandy brings extensive experience across the voluntary and public sectors, a strong commitment to social justice, and a unique perspective shaped by her own lived experience. Her insight and dedication make her a powerful advocate for change, and she is ready to lead Clinks in supporting and empowering the sector. Join us in welcoming Mandy as she works to drive forward positive transformation alongside our community. Read more

CLINKS NEWS: RR3 recruitment

Clinks is seeking a senior leader from the criminal justice voluntary sector to join an influential advisory group to government - The Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3). This person will be a senior leader of a voluntary organisation led by and focused on racially minoritised people. They will have expertise in service delivery, policy, advocacy, advice and guidance, or other areas related to race in criminal justice settings.

Racially minoritised people are disproportionately represented at every stage of the criminal justice system. This seat acknowledges the critical importance of incorporating the experiences of racially minoritised people, as well as those of the specialist organisations that support them, in shaping the composition of this group.

The deadline for the role is Monday 18 November, 10am. Find more and apply here

CLINKS NEWS: open letter on charity employer National Insurance Contributions 

The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) has drafted an open letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the impact of increased employer National Insurance Contributions for charities. Clinks has pleased to co-sign the open letter calling on The Treasury to take urgent action to safeguard the sector. You can also sign the open letter here. In response to the Autumn Budget announcement last week, Clinks published a blog post outlining the impact on the voluntary sector which has been updated to reflect our work in supporting the sector. 

CLINKS NEWS: How safe is the Welsh Criminal Justice System?

In recent years, concerns have escalated around the safety and fairness of Wales’s criminal justice system. New findings from Dr. Robert Jones at the Wales Governance Centre spotlight several critical issues affecting the Welsh prison estate, including:

  • Alarming increases in deaths, self-harm incidents, and assaults alongside overcrowding and staffing shortages.
  • Racial disparities: Black individuals remain overrepresented in prison, with custodial sentences averaging nine months longer than for White individuals.
  • A growing proportion of Welsh women in custody, often for short sentences.
  • Homelessness among individuals released from prison.

A fair and safe justice system requires Welsh-specific data and targeted policy reforms. Welsh and UK governments must collaborate to create a system that prioritises transparency, safety, and equitable treatment for all. Find out more here

MEMBER FOCUS: National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux

For 85 years, the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux (know to most as Citizens Advice) has been helping to shape a society that’s fairer for everyone - working on issues that affect the whole of society. We can all face problems that seem complicated or intimidating. At Citizens Advice they believe no one should have to face these problems without good quality, independent advice. That’s why they're there: to give people the knowledge and the confidence they need to find their way forward - whoever they are, and whatever their problem. They give advice to millions of people. Their network of independent charities offers confidential advice online, over the phone, and in person, for free. When they say for everyone, they mean it. People rely on them because they’re independent and totally impartial. They also give advice on consumer rights on the consumer helpline, support witnesses in courts through the Witness Service and give pension guidance to people aged over 50. Find out more about Citizens Advice here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Expert Voices and the implications of the Spending Review

Join the Centre for Justice Innovation on [13 November, 12.20-13.30, online, free] for their next Expert Voices event exploring the implications of the 2024 Spending Review as well as looking forward to the multi-year Spending review that will conclude in Spring 2025 and what these mean for wider criminal justice reform. They will be joined by their expert panel:

  • Dr Natalie Byrom, a researcher and policy adviser with expertise in justice system reform, data-driven technologies and data governance.
  • Pavan Dhaliwal, Chief Executive of Revolving Doors, which works to empower the voices of people with lived experience. Pavan has a special interest in criminal justice, education and women’s sexual and reproductive health rights.
  • Cassia Rowland, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government, specialising in criminal justice. She leads on the Institute’s work on the police, criminal courts, prisons and probation, and has recently written reports on the prison capacity crisis and how the new government should fix public services.

Register here to secure your place

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Social Prescribing and improving wellbeing

The NHS Long Term Plan committed to rolling out Social Prescribing across all primary care networks in England. Join the Academy for Social Justice for this seminar "Social Prescribing - Holistically improving people's health and wellbeing" featuring Nicola Gitsham, NHS Head of Strategy and Policy, Community Services [20 November, 16:00 - 17:15, online, free].

Social Prescribing will be described and defined, current policy outlined and the latest evidence for this approach will be shared (including best practice examples). Register here 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Mental Health Act reforms

On Wednesday 6 November the Government announced plans to reform the Mental Health Act to ‘improve treatment of patients and address disparities’. The reforms will see changes including the introduction of statutory care and treatment plans. These plans should end the use of police and prison cells to place people experiencing a mental health crisis and end the inappropriate detention of people with autism and people with learning disabilities. The reforms prioritise patient dignity and involvement, allowing patients to choose their representatives and enhance family and carer involvement.  Read the full press release online.

FUNDING: Probation Grant opportunity in South Yorkshire

His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) and the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) announce the launch of a Probation Grant opportunity to support people on probation from ethnically diverse communities in South Yorkshire.

They would like to further their understanding of how culture, heritage and social circumstances impact on the experience of people on probation and wish to explore innovative approaches to improve learning, personal development and skills, with a clear rationale or evidence focussing on support and Education, Training & Employment (ETE) progression pathways that will assist the rehabilitative journey.

A total of [£60,000 p.a. is expected to be available from April 2025 to April 2028]. To apply, please ensure that you are registered on the Probation Grants Application Portal. The anticipated launch date is [14 November].

FEATURED VACANCY: Director of Justice and Health Services 

Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT) is seeking a visionary and compassionate leader with excellent attention to detail to join their team as a Director of Justice and Health Services [£80,000, full time, Remote, London]. This role is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of our organisation as we expand our reach and deepen our impact for those caught in the criminal justice system and their families. We are looking for an individual who will bring fresh energy, relevant expertise in health or psychological therapies, and a collaborative spirit to help us continue our journey. [Find out more and apply by 20th November here]. 

FEATURED VACANCY: Family Justice Practice Officer  

Centre of Justice Innovation is seeking a self-motivated, committed individual, who will be responsible for supporting the delivery and development of our family justice practice support work, particularly family problem-solving courts; engaging and sharing learning with and from our family justice practitioners and service users; and working collaboratively with Centre for Justice Innovation colleagues and partners across the areas of policy, practice, evidence and data [£32,500, full time, Remote, London]. In addition, the Family Justice Practice Officer role will support the delivery of our practice support in areas such as private law innovations, judge craft skills, the family court’s response to domestic abuse, and elevating the voices of children and families.[Find out more and apply by 24th November here]. 

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES:

Child Sexual Exploitation Practitioner with Rose Project [£22,500 - £26,500, Norfolk, full time]; Women’s Specialist Practitioner (Homelessness) with Doorway Women's Service [£24,500 - £26,500, Norwich, full time]; Intervention Worker with Hestia Housing & Support [£28,082, Streatham, part time]; Intervention Worker with Hestia Housing & Support [£35,079, Streatham, full time]; Producer (Maternity Cover) with Clean Break [£32,118, Kentish Town, full time]; Employment Consultant with Beating Time [£30,000 - £35,000, Birmingham, full time]; Senior Practitioner with Phoenix Futures [£24,750, HMP Wayland, Thetford, Norfolk, full time]; Finance and Debt Specialist Advisor with ADVANCE [£28,000 - £32,000, Hammersmith, full time]; IRS Wellbeing Service Team Leader with Back on Track [£32,349 - £34,666, Manchester, full time]; National Director of Justice and Health Services with Pact [£80,000, hybrid/home-based near London, full time]

For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

READS OF THE WEEK:

EXTRA INFORMATION:

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