Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 898 | 12 September 2025

Light lunch

In this issue...

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: Welsh Women's Aid

Welsh Women’s Aid is the national charity in Wales working to end violence against women and girls in all its forms. They are a federation of specialist organisations in Wales that provide lifesaving services to survivors of violence and abuse and deliver a range of innovative preventative services in local communities. Their success is founded on making sure the experiences and needs of survivors are central to all they do. Find out more

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Judicial review of PAVA spray decision 

The government’s decision to authorise the use of PAVA spray in prisons holding children will be challenged in the High Court after the Howard League for Penal Reform was given the green light to take the case forward. The Ministry of Justice announced in April that it would authorise the use of PAVA spray in three prisons holding boys as young as 15 for a 12-month period. Read more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: 10 years of Agenda Alliance

2025 marks ten years of Agenda Alliance, and a decade of striving to make a difference for women and girls at the sharpest end of inequality. Their ten-year impact report details how they've pushed the overlooked and underrepresented needs of women and girls onto the political agenda since their formation. Click here to read more

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: English Devolution Bill and lived experience

Revolving Doors have joined with 14 other organisations to write to the new Minister for English Devolution, Alison McGovern, urging the Government to strengthen the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill by embedding a statutory duty to consult and involve people with lived experience in decision-making. Find out more

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Independent Prison Councils

Ex-Prison Council member Jamie Dale’s blog for User Voice highlights the importance of independence in the running of Prison Councils, and shares what he achieved in prison and beyond, using his lived experience to help meet the ‘needs of the many.’ Read the blog

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: 30 years of the Irene Taylor Trust

An Exhibition [2-14 September 2025, London, free] celebrating 30 Years of the Irene Taylor Trust collates a series of portraits including project participants, musicians and the people behind the scenes, reflecting the joy of creativity and the importance of empowering people from all walks of life with opportunities to grow, to change, to be seen, heard and celebrated. Click here to find out more

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: 10 Year Health Plan Survey

As part of the Suicide Prevention Consortium, Samaritans are gathering views from organisations working in or with an interest in suicide prevention. They want to understand how the government’s 10 Year Health Plan can better support people at risk of or affected by suicide. Click here to take the survey [deadline 23 September 2025].

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: ISC Pilot Information Session

On 6th August 2025, the Ministry of Justice launched an Expression of Interest (EOI), inviting areas in England and Wales to pilot new Intensive Supervision Courts (ISCs). These courts aim to reduce persistent and prolific offending by addressing the underlying issues that lead to offending. Join the Centre for Justice Innovation for an information session about the current EOI process and how we can support interested areas [16 September 2025, 10:00-11:00, online, free].

Speakers Hannah Fisher (Head of ISCs, HMPPS) and Rosie Melville (Head of ISCs, Ministry of Justice) will share learnings from the first four ISC pilots, outline the EOI process, explain what they are looking for in submissions, and take questions in a live Q&A.

The Centre will also introduce their new ISC implementation framework, which outlines the core components of an effective problem-solving court model and provides guidance on how these courts can be implemented and embedded locally. Click here to register

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Family judges writing to children

Judicial letters are one form of participation that children can have with court proceedings that involve them and their family. Writing to children at the centre of proceedings is a key way to enable them to feel seen and heard, and can support children to understand what the family court has decided in relation to their family and why. Yet whilst the benefit of judges communicating with children through writing to them has long been recognised, it hasn’t often been achieved. In February 2025, in order to better equip judges to do this, the President of the Family Division, the Rt Hon. Sir Andrew McFarlane, published a toolkit for family judges to support them in writing to children.

Join the Centre for Justice innovation at their next expert voices event [17 September, 13:00-14:00, online, free] which will look at this. The event will be chaired by the Centre's Head of Family Justice and will include insights from experts: Jude Eyre, Nuffield Family Justice Observatory Associate Director (Strategy and Delivery), who will be providing an overview of the toolkit, and His Honour Judge Entwistle and Her Honour Judge Carole Burgher who will share their experience of this practice. Click here to book

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: Branding & AI

In a world full of noise and algorithms, the brands that break through are the ones rooted in human story. That’s why Breakthrough created 'Building a Purpose-Led Brand in the Age of AI' [2 and 5 October 2025, online, £99]—a 2-day live course designed to help you craft a powerful personal narrative, turn your story into a clear brand strategy and use AI as an amplifier—not a replacement—for your authentic voice. Click here to enroll

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: Rehabilitation of Offenders Act

Unlock are providing a 2-hour webinar [29 October 2025, 14:00-16:00, £85.50-£95, online] introducing the legal framework surrounding criminal records disclosure. You will learn the different levels of DBS checks, how individuals can find out about their criminal record, good practice in asking about criminal records for employment and more. Click here to register

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Lammy Appointed Justice Secretary

The Prime Minister has carried out a reshuffle of his cabinet, which included appointing the Rt. Hon David Lammy MP as the new Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice. There were additional changes to the Ministry of Justice's ministerial team. Read more here

NON-MEMBERS’ EVENT: Insights25 early bird tickets 

The HMPPS Insights Festival is bringing together a new programme with hundreds of events and opportunities for staff once again for the Insights25.  Taking place [17-28 November 2025], events are free to attend and are open to all staff who work in the Criminal Justice System. Frontline staff can now get early bird access to tickets by clicking here

NON-MEMBERS’ EVENT: The Liverpool 2025 Prisons Week Lecture

Join Victoria Gillies, CEO of Fine Cell Work, who, in conversation with Revd Canon Dr Ellen Loudon, Liverpool Diocesan Director for Social Justice, will explore the role of charities in providing successful and meaningful rehabilitation services to people in prison and prison leavers. Register here

NON-MEMBERS’ EVENT: Penned Up Tour

Penned Up is a new drama by Suffolk-based playwright Danusia Iwaszko drawing on 17 years of teaching in men's prisons. Looking to destigmatise the portrayal of prisoners in the media as monsters and thugs, it explores the lives of six inmates attempting to find liberation through writing, laced with poignancy and humour. Danusia's approach is one of compassion: “Most have no contacts, no positive role models in their upbringing, no confidence, so unsurprisingly crime has been a path out. Poverty and lack of prospects are common denominators, however it's often this that makes them aspirational and entrepreneurial. It has been a privilege to know the humanity of the prisoners that I've met.” On tour nationally [through September-11 October, UK wide, £16.26-£19.51]. Click here to book your tickets

FUNDING: Youth Projects Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour

The Million Hours Fund is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, and the Department for Culture Media and Sport, for organisations to give extra support to young people in areas with higher rates of anti-social behaviour. Your project must benefit young people aged 10-18, or up to 25 if they have special educational needs or disabilities (SEND). It must also effectively engage with young people at risk of taking part in anti-social behaviour, deliver more hours of youth work than you provide now and involve young people in deciding how you work. Delivery is open access, and to be run by trusted adults. Only certain areas can be funded. Access the NLCF's website to check eligible ward areas. Funding is [£30k-100k], and the deadline for applications is [22 October, 12:00]. Click here to apply

PUBLICATION: FLOWS Impact Report

A ground-breaking initiative providing urgent legal help to women experiencing domestic abuse has been celebrated at the launch of the FLOWS (Finding Legal Options for Women Survivors) Impact Report. Developed by RCJ Advice, a Citizens Advice and Law Centre, in partnership with Rights of Women, FLOWS combines digital innovation with trauma-informed advice. It enables women to access lifesaving legal protections quickly, safely, and with dignity. 

Alex Davies-Jones MP, Minister for Victims and Violence Against Women and Girls, who attended the event, said - “We should live in a society where women are safe, respected and free from fear. This is why a service such as FLOWS is so important.” Click here to download the report 

PUBLICATION: Probation Quarterly

Issue 37 of Probation Quarterly predominantly focuses on perspectives from practitioners. Inside you can find a range of articles, including the essential nature of reflection in effective leadership within the Probation Service, the importance of pre-sentence reports in offering impartial insights to support fair sentencing, and the urgent need to meet the health and well-being needs of young people in the criminal justice system to help break cycles of reoffending. Click here to download 

PUBLICATION: Exploited to exploiter

The Alliance for Youth Justice (AYJ) published 'From exploited to exploiter? Preventing the unjust criminalisation of victims of child criminal exploitation in the transition to adulthood', examining what happens as exploited children turn 18, exploring how responses across safeguarding and criminal justice fail to keep pace with ongoing risk and harm. It sets out principles and practical steps to ensure protection continues into young adulthood and to prevent the unjust criminalisation of victims. Click here to read more

OPPORTUNITY: Men's Commissioned Rehabilitative Services

G4S are interested in bidding for the forthcoming Men's Commissioned Rehabilitative Services in the following areas: Wales, North West England, East England, West Midlands, South West England and South Central England. G4s is committed to making a positive impact on society. They are looking for passionate organisations to join them in their mission to help people impacted by the justice services to turn their lives around and build a better future. Click here to complete the online expression of interest form by [26 September 2025]. 

OPPORTUNITY: Men's Commissioned Rehabilitative Services

Twin Training International Ltd and 3SC (part of the Twin Group), are preparing to bid for the upcoming Ministry of Justice Commissioned Rehabilitative Services (CRS) Contracts. They bring over 30 years’ experience in employment and skills, helping people overcome barriers and achieve lasting progression. 3SC (Third Sector Consortia Management LLP) adds significant justice expertise, currently delivering six live CRS contracts across England and Wales, plus an IOM service in London. They are now seeking values-driven partners with strong community connections and specialist expertise to collaborate with them in delivering high-quality rehabilitative services. If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to get in touch at businessdevelopment@twingroup.org. Click here to complete the online expression of interest form by [18 September 2025].

FEATURED VACANCY: Head of Partnerships and Development

Abianda is seeking an experienced and strategic individual to join their team as Head of Partnerships and Development. [Full time, £45,000, London, Hybrid]. The role will involve combining strategic leadership and operational delivery, with a focus on expanding their training programmes, increasing unrestricted income, strengthening partnerships and overseeing impact measurement. You will ensure that their training, consultancy, and income-generating activities are aligned with their mission to support young women affected by criminal exploitation and violence. You will develop and implement strategies to scale their programmes to a national audience, drive income generation through training and fundraising, and enhance their external partnerships to increase their reach and influence. Click here to apply by [25 September 2025]. 

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES

Trainer Assessor – St Giles Trust [£25,000–£31,000, Newport, Full Time]; Key Worker – St Giles Trust [£24,000, Wolverhampton, Full Time]; Support Worker – Imagine Independence [£11,186, Liverpool, Part Time]; Independent Members for Police Misconduct Hearings and Police Appeals Tribunals – Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria [£357 per day, Houghton le Spring, Part Time]; Children & Young People Progression Support Worker – St Giles Trust [£27,000, London, Part Time]; Triage Community Keyworker – ADVANCE [£23,000–£27,000, Maidstone, Full Time]; Prison Advocate – ADVANCE [£27,000–£29,000, Peterborough, Full Time]; Prison Advocate – ADVANCE [£27,000–£29,000, Ashford, Part Time]; Community Keyworker – ADVANCE [£26,000–£32,000, London, Part Time]; Personal Wellbeing Coach – St Giles Trust [£24,000, Swansea, Full Time]. 

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

READS OF THE WEEK

EXTRA INFORMATION

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