Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 923 | 13 March 2026

Light lunch

 

 

In this issue...

 

 

 

Clinks has published the second in a series of blogs previewing the findings of State of the Sector 2025. This blog explores the key challenges faced by the voluntary sector working in criminal justice, including rising demand and growing complexity of need, gaps in wider statutory provision, the pressure on staff, and ongoing barriers around vetting. Read here

Join us for the State of the Sector launch webinar to hear more [31 March | 10:00 - 11:30 | online | free]. Book here

Clinks is working with the Ministry of Justice and HMPPS to encourage commercial contractors to demonstrate social value related to the MoJ’s work. As part of this, we are creating a directory of social enterprises that offer products and services which businesses can purchase as part of their day-to-day operations, such as catering, office cleaning, training, media production, or corporate gifts. If your organisation would like to be included in the directory, please complete the form here

Clinks is recruiting for an Area Engagement Officer to identify, communicate and engage with voluntary sector organisations working with individuals and their families within the criminal justice system across the Midlands. Clinks would also welcome the opportunity to discuss potential secondments from locally or regionally based  voluntary organisations. [£30,406 FTE (£12,146 pa), Midlands, Part time]. Find out more and apply here by [12:00, 30 March]
 

NATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE ARTS ALLIANCE NEWS: Anne Peaker 2026

The NCJAA is excited to invite you to our annual Anne Peaker lecture [25 March | 16:30 - 19:00 | London & Online | free]. At this year’s event, they are delighted to be joined by keynote speaker Professor Shadd Maruna, who will present a lecture entitled: What Happens if the Art Stops? Why sustained access to creativity is a matter of justice. In-person places are now sold out, but you can still join online. Book here

Are you new to working or volunteering in the criminal justice system? Clinks is running a three-hour online workshop to help voluntary sector staff and volunteers understand how the criminal justice system is organised, the complexities within it, and how it works [19 March | 09:30 - 12:30 | online | £75 members / £150 non-members]. A small number of free places are available for volunteers and specialist organisations. Book here

Clinks is hosting its South East and East Area Engagement Criminal Justice Forum, bringing together voluntary sector organisations working in the criminal justice system across the region to share experiences, swap ideas, and tackle challenges together [24 March | 10:00 - 11:30 | online | free]. Register here

MEMBER FOCUS: 2 Way Tenancy Solutions

2 Way Tenancy Solutions CIC is a North East-based social enterprise that works alongside local authorities, housing providers and community partners to support residents at risk of homelessness, strengthen tenancy sustainment, maximise household incomes and reduce pressure on frontline services. For 12 years, the organisation has worked to empower individuals who have felt excluded or disengaged from housing, helping people in Gateshead and beyond to thrive.

To mark their 12th anniversary, 2 Way Tenancy Solutions are hosting a celebration event bringing together residents, elected members, strategic partners and community organisations to reflect on 12 years of impact and reaffirm their commitment to collaborative, preventative approaches [23 April | 10:00 - 14:30 | Gateshead | free]. RSVP here

To mark International Women’s Day, Revolving Doors has shared a blog celebrating their Women’s Forum, a safe and creative space where people with lived experience of the cycle of crisis and crime come together to shape change in justice policy and practice. The most recent round of forums explored stigma and hope, drawing out the unique challenges women in the revolving door face, alongside stories of rebuilt lives, brighter futures, and the power of lived experience. Read more here

Nacro has welcomed Enver Solomon OBE as its new Chief Executive. Enver brings significant experience from across the charity and criminal justice sectors, including most recently as CEO of the Refugee Council, and previously in leadership roles at the Prison Reform Trust, Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, Barnardo’s, The Children’s Society, and Just for Kids Law. His appointment comes as Nacro marks its 60th anniversary. Read more here

HMPPS Insights has shared highlights from last year’s Insights25 festival, which saw nearly 10,000 people working across the criminal justice sector book tickets for 153 online, in-person and VIP events over two weeks. The festival focused on empowering and enabling staff across the sector, with almost half of attendees being frontline staff. Watch the highlight video or visit the Insights website to see more 

Catch22 is hosting its 2026 Justice Conference, bringing together commissioners, practitioners, voluntary sector organisations, and people with lived experience to explore how we can work more effectively across the justice system [12 May | 09:15 - 16:00 | London | free]. The day will focus on sharing practical learning, highlighting innovation, and exploring what is making a difference for people in custody, on probation, and in the community. Register your interest here

Breakthrough CEO Sobanan Narenthiran is hosting an online conversation exploring how digital skills, AI literacy and access to modern tools can expand opportunity for people with lived experience of the justice system [18 March | 14:00 - 15:00 | online | free]. The session will examine practical models, real barriers, and what meaningful rehabilitation looks like in 2026, including where responsibility sits across policy, education and enterprise, and how technology can reduce rather than deepen inequality. Register here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Supported Accommodation for Prison Leavers

The Ministry of Justice is inviting voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations, community interest companies and charities to complete a survey on their interest in a specialised supported accommodation service for prison leavers. The survey will assess market interest, operating models and the feasibility of a digital solution to improve and streamline the referral process for prison leavers with multiple complex needs. Please note this opportunity is at the proposal stage and there is currently no funding available. Complete the survey here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: HMIP report - Isis, Exeter and Oakhill

HM Inspectorate of Prisons has published three new inspection reports. At HMP/YOI Isis, inspectors found too much violence, too many people in prison locked up during the day, and too few in education, skills and work, though determined leadership was driving improvement. Read the report here

At HMP Exeter, despite positive leadership and a more stable staff group, self-harm remained too high, there had been seven self-inflicted deaths since 2022, and attendance at education and work was still too low. Read the Exeter report here

At Oakhill Secure Training Centre, a joint assurance inspection with Ofsted found no serious or widespread concerns about the care or protection of children, and noted that leaders had made solid progress in improving safeguarding and moving towards a more child-centred approach, though the centre still uses wrist holds during restraints and handcuffing children as a restraint is routine. Read the Oakhill report here

Under changes to the recall model brought about by the Sentencing Act, there will be a phased, retrospective release of eligible people in prison, starting at the end of March. The change will see a shift from standard recalls to fixed-term recalls of 56 days, with certain exemptions.

If your organisation supports people coming out of prison and would welcome a discussion on the changes and the potential impact on your services, please do get in contact with us at support@clinks.org

The Prime Minister has established a new Civil Society Council to bring voluntary, community and social enterprise sector leaders into the heart of government decision-making. NAVCA’s Maddy Desforges OBE and WCVA’s Dr Lindsay Cordery-Bruce have been appointed to the Council, which will oversee implementation of the Civil Society Covenant, meet quarterly in Downing Street, and provide a central forum to address issues that cut across government, including social cohesion and public service commissioning. Read more here

NON-MEMBERS’ EVENTS OR TRAINING: Human Rights Consortium

WCVA is hosting a free online engagement event as part of the launch of Human Rights Consortium Cymru, a new project bringing together voluntary organisations and wider civil society to coordinate and strengthen human rights work in Wales [17 March | online | free]. The session invites participants to have their say on the future direction of the Consortium. If you are unable to attend, you can also share your views via an online survey. Find out more and register here

FUNDING: Through the Gate Fund

The Colyer-Fergusson Charitable Trust’s Through the Gate Fund supports organisations working with people leaving prison and moving back into the community in Kent and Medway. The fund aims to help individuals transition successfully by providing targeted support that reduces reoffending and improves long-term wellbeing, stability and social inclusion. Grants of £10,000 to £75,000 are available as a one-off grant or payable over two to three years. Apply by end of [June 2026]. Find out more and apply here

FUNDING: Solidarity Fund

The National Lottery Community Fund has opened applications for its Solidarity Fund, which supports organisations working to address the underlying causes of poverty, discrimination and disadvantage. Grants of £1 million to £5 million are available for between five and ten years, and can be used flexibly to cover both running costs and project work. Applications should be led by and accountable to people with direct experience of inequality, and priority will be given to projects that tackle the deeper causes of inequality, strengthen communities, and share learning that can improve wider policies and systems. There is no deadline; decisions are made quarterly. Find out more and apply here

FUNDING: Main Grants Programme

The Sir Halley Stewart Trust’s Main Grants Programme is open for applications until [29 June 2026]. Grants of £5,000 to £60,000 are available over one to three years for service-delivery charitable organisations with an annual income of up to £3 million. The Trust is keen to support organisations that champion human rights, tackle inequality, and improve the wellbeing of people and communities facing disadvantage, and welcomes proposals for practical on-the-ground projects or work focused on the practical impact of research findings. Find out more and apply here

RESOURCE: Probation Quarterly - Issue 3

Issue 39 of Probation Quarterly is now available to download. The latest edition explores some of the most pressing debates in probation today, including the growing strain on the criminal justice system, the importance of belonging in supporting desistance, and practitioners’ role in identifying unmet needs as defined by the Care Act. Download here

PUBLICATION: Collaboration Between Police Forces and Women’s Centres

The JABBS Foundation for Women and Girls has shared a new evidence and practice briefing from the Centre for Justice Innovation, exploring how police forces and Women’s Centres can work more effectively together to improve outcomes for women in contact with the justice system. Drawing on real-life examples, the briefing offers practical strategies to strengthen partnership working, including in cases involving domestic abuse and exploitation. Read here

OPPORTUNITY: Open Call for Poetry Submissions

Unbarred Press, a new independent literary press publishing writing shaped by lived experience of the criminal justice system, has launched with an open call for poetry submissions for its first anthology, due to be published later this year. Find out more and submit here 

OPPORTUNITY: Trauma Advisory Network Free Trial

Beyond Trauma Academy CIC is offering professionals working across the criminal justice system a free one-month trial of the Beyond Trauma Advisory Network (BTAN), a professional learning and practice community focused on trauma-competent practice. During the trial, members can explore practical resources, join discussions with practitioners across sectors, and access survivor-informed guidance to support safer and more effective engagement with traumatised individuals. Find out more and register here

OPPORTUNITY: Frontline Worker Survey 2026

St Martin-in-the-Fields Charity is inviting frontline workers supporting people experiencing homelessness to share their experiences in the Frontline Worker Survey 2026. The survey gathers insights from staff across the UK working in roles including outreach, housing, health, social work and probation, and the findings will be used to influence funders, decision makers and policy makers. Feedback also shapes the support offered to frontline staff, including training, events and funding programmes. Have your say here

User Voice is looking for a passionate, committed individual with personal lived experience of the criminal justice system to join their team as a Lived Experience Consultant. [£25,000 - £30,000, North West England, Full time]. This role is central to ensuring that the voices of people in the justice system shape the services that affect them. You will work directly across their Prison Councils in HMP Altcourse and HMP Forest Bank, as well as a range of community-based projects regionally, and occasionally nationally. Some projects will require significant travel, so flexibility is essential. You must be off licence to apply, as this role is subject to prison clearance. Find out more and apply here by [27 March 2026]

Elizabeth Fry Charity is seeking a passionate and committed individual to join their team. [£26,335 - £31,505, Reading, Full/Part time]. In this role you will play an active part in helping women reintegrate into the community and move towards leading law-abiding, independent lives. Ideally, you will have experience within the criminal justice system and an understanding of the discrimination and challenges faced by women involved in it, though applications are also welcome from those who can demonstrate insight, empathy, and a strong willingness to learn. Please note, this role is open to female applicants only. Find out more and apply here by [5 September 2026]

User Voice is looking for a passionate, committed individual with personal lived experience of the criminal justice system to join their team as a Lived Experience Consultant. [£25,000 - £30,000, London, Part time]. This role is central to ensuring that the voices of people in the justice system shape the services that affect them. You will work directly across their London prisons, as well as a range of community-based projects regionally, and occasionally nationally. Some projects will require significant travel, so flexibility is essential. You must be off licence to apply, as this role is subject to prison clearance. Find out more and apply here by [5 April 2026]

Lived Experience Consultant with User Voice [£25000 to £30000, London, Part Time]; Administrator – Substance Use Service HMP Pentonville with Phoenix Futures [£27722, N7 8TT, Full Time]; Prison Facilitator – HMP Bedford & HMP Littlehey with Shannon Trust [£29264, HMP Bedford and HMP Littlehey, Full Time]; Intensive Housing Management Officer (FTC) with Social Interest Group [£27000, RM3 7PL, Full Time]; Support Mentor with Social Interest Group [£24500, LU1 2UA, Full Time]; Night Support Mentor with Social Interest Group [£24500, LU1 2UA, Full Time]; Training Co-ordinator, Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) with Rose Project (part of The Magdalene Group) [£28500 to £32000, Norwich, Part Time]; Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Practitioner with Rose Project (part of The Magdalene Group) [£26500 to £28000, Norwich, Full Time]; Recovery Support Worker with Change, grow, live (CGL) [£25077.00, HMP Liverpool, Full Time]; Support Mentor with Social Interest Group [£27000, W10 5LP, Full Time].

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

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