Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 896 | 29 August 2025

Light lunch

In this issue...

CLINKS NEWS: Where next on the Sentencing Review?

We have published a detailed blog exploring the next steps in the implementation of the Sentencing Review. With a sentencing bill expected before Parliament, next week, we set out key elements within the bill and provide recommendations from the voluntary sector regarding the implementation of the Review's recommendations. 

Areas covered include:

  • Drug and alcohol, and mental health treatment
  • Older people in the criminal justice system
  • Resettlement and through-the-date
  • Diversion and alternatives to custody 
  • The role of probation and working with the voluntary sector 

Give the blog a read and stay tuned for further updates!

CLINKS NEWS: Evidence Library Review - Problem-Solving Courts for Women webinar

This latest evidence review explores the evolution of the evidence-base on the effectiveness of Women's Problem-Solving Courts (WPSCs), both in the UK and internationally. Join us for a webinar [14 October, 12:00, online, free] with the review's authors, Dr Sarah Waite and Dr Alexandra Bradley, chaired by Russell Webster, as they discuss their findings. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions of the academics.   

Register for the event, here.

MEMBER FOCUS: Bournemouth Above and Beyond Trust

The charity provides support to the general community through cold-water-sports activities, regeneration of natural habitat projects in the outdoor environment, education, bee-keeping, and restoration of boats and traction engines,  as well as providing a seafront venue as a safe meeting area. It also offers bespoke vocational and academic education and training, links to other support agencies such as NHS-Op Courage, veterans welfare and mental health support. Find out more

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: 50th Transform Justice Podcast!

Listen to the 50th episode of the Transform Justice Podcast. Dr. Bradley Hillier and Rhona Friedman of Commons Law discuss how defendants with serious mental health conditions are treated in the justice system.

Should someone with schizophrenia stand trial? Can they be held responsible for their actions if their behaviour isn't rooted in reality? Please note that this episode discusses suicide and self harm. Listen here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Open for referrals in South Wales and Gwent

St Giles Cymru is taking referrals for people with lived experience of adversity or complex challenges, who are 18+ and live in South Wales and Gwent for their new Inspire project - Peer Training for Positive Change.

The project offers a free, 12-part City & Guilds Assured Learning to Advise course, designed to help people move into advice and guidance roles. Alongside this, participants receive one-to-one mentoring, employability support, and guidance to access volunteering, further training or employment. The course includes training in: emotional resilience and trauma-informed practice, confidence and self-reflection, digital literacy and disclosure and DBS training amongst other areas. Please reach out for more information about this service: Inspire.Wales@stgilestrust.org.uk

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Supporting & Advocating for Ex-offenders

Clinks members are on the frontline of mentoring socially excluded people, many of whom will have a criminal record. It won't always be obvious who has a conviction and the specialist support they can access when identified. If you're new to the Criminal Justice Sector or want a refresher, join OffPloy's upcoming webinar [9 September, 09:15, online, free] on how to best Identify, Support and Advocate for those who deserve another chance. Register to join here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Prisoners' Advice Service (PAS) Panel Discussion

This PAS panel discussion [2 October, 18:00 – 21:00, Reed Smith, 20 Primrose Street, London EC2A 2RS, free] will continue the recent focus on the roles of activity and creativity in the rehabilitation of people in prison. It will showcase a range of organisations engaged in providing prisoners with meaningful, creative occupation - both in prison and upon release. Representatives from Finding Rhythms, 2makeit, Glasshouse (tbc) and Tap Social Movement will share insights on the power of music-making, art, writing, horticulture and hospitality training in reducing prisoner recidivism. If you would like to attend, please e-mail list@prisonersadvice.org.uk

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: An introduction to debt

Society Matters CIC presents this highly interactive CPD-accredited course [30 September, 9:00 - 16:00, online, £125.10 + VAT] which will guide you through best practice for supporting people with debt, from managing a negative budget and income maximisation to debt options such as Debt Relief Orders (DROs) and Debt Management Plans. Book your place here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Support Services in Approved Premises (Wales) 

His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) is pleased to announce the launch of the Out of Hours Support Services in Approved Premises (Wales) competition (ITT 9821). The deadline for submitting tender responses is [24 September, 11:00]. To be eligible, suppliers must be successfully onboarded onto the Probation Dynamic Framework, in alignment with the relevant service category, geographical coverage, and financial threshold listed below: 

Region: Wales  
Probation DF.04: Dependency and Recovery, or 
Probation DF.07: Emotional Wellbeing, or  
Probation DF.13: Cognitive and Behavioural Change 
Financial Threshold: £100k-£1m 

Suppliers can access the opportunity via this link and search for "ITT 9821"

FUNDING: saving and significantly improving lives

The Randal Charitable Foundation is opening their next call for enquiries on [1 September]. They are inviting enquiries for grant aid for projects that are directly saving and significantly improving lives within the following areas: healthcare and nutrition for the most vulnerable, alleviating poverty, tackling mental ill-health, women and children at risk of violence or exploitation, prisoner rehabilitation, and education of the most disadvantaged. Under the rehabilitation of people in prison, they are looking to work with organisations who provide support at the point of need that makes a measurable difference to those seeking to rebuild their lives. They also support projects that support families of those in contact with the system. Trustees will be considering grants of [between £5k-30k] to successful organisations. Find out more and apply here

FUNDING: How data can support health and wellbeing

The Health and Wellbeing Alliance are advertising that Health and Data Research UK’s ‘Take the Lead community grants’ will be opening in September 2025. Community groups across the UK will be able to apply for [between £500 to £1500] to deliver a standalone project, event, or series of activities exploring how data can support their health and wellbeing in their communities.

The application must be led by and embedded in community organisations primarily working with at least one of the following under-served audiences: income disadvantage, people who are racially minoritised, older children and young adults and people over 65, especially in areas of deprivation, people living in rural areas, and people experiencing digital exclusion. They are looking for community-led proposals that take a responsive, inclusive and creative approach. They are hosting a [Q&A session on 11 September]. Find out more

OPPORTUNITY: understanding serious youth violence

ATD Research and Consultancy is working with the Department for Education (DfE) to give a voice to young people (16-24) and their parents who have been involved in serious youth violence. The work involves life-mapping, and qualitative interviews to identify risk and support factors. The findings from the work will be fed back to DfE with a view to inform future policy and practice. Participants can be in custody or the community and do not need to have been convicted of serious youth violence. They can self identify as having been involved in violence. They also do not need details of the violence as the focus is on what was occurring before, during and after this time. If you work with young people or families who meet this criteria, please reach out to research@tonic.org.uk so ATD can share more.

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES:

Prison Facilitator – HMP Bedford & HMP Littlehey with Shannon Trust [£28,274, Bedford & Littlehey, full time]; Substance Use Practitioner – HMP Belmarsh with Phoenix Futures [£27,722, SE28 0EB, full time]; Service Manager – RhEST with Phoenix Futures [£36,085, SE1 6DF, full time]; Family Support Worker – HMP Highpoint with Ormiston Families [£13,923, HMP Highpoint Visitors’ Centre, part time]; Prison Careers Adviser (FRT) with Achieve [£26,485 – £30,012, NG5 3AG, full time]; Prison Careers Adviser (FRT) with Achieve [£26,485 – £30,012, LE2 7AJ, full time]; CIAG Adviser with Achieve [£26,485 – £30,012, DE65 5DN, full time]; A&E Hospital Intervention Caseworker with St Giles Trust [£24,000, Coventry, full time]; Service Manager – CFO Activity Hubs (Blackpool & Blackburn) with The Growth Company [£42,000, Blackpool and Blackburn, full time]; Criminal Justice Group Lead (Devon) with The Reader [£22,587, Devon, part time].

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

READS OF THE WEEK:

EXTRA INFORMATION:

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