Service user involvement

Introduction

The people and families who have experience of the criminal justice system are a vital source of intelligence about how to improve services. Listening to and involving people with direct experience of services is widely recognised as an effective way to improve both policy and practice.

Involving these experts by experience is key to the difference we can make in the lives of people in the justice system, both improving the quality and impact of the services on offer and enabling individuals to build a new identity which supports their journey to desistance from crime. 

As well as contributing to the design and delivery of services, it is important that people with lived experience of the criminal justice system are able to be involved in strategic decision making. Therefore, it’s important that organisations take proactive steps to recruit higher numbers of people with experience of the criminal justice system, including at senior levels and as trustees. 14% of organisations responding to our State of the sector research told us that they have people with experience of the criminal justice system on their board. Currently, we are working with Unlock – a charity providing information, advice and support for people with convictions - to support our members to increase this.

Our members

Voluntary organisations have a long history of pioneering the involvement of people with direct experience of the criminal justice system. Organisations have designed a number of ways to listen to the views of experts by experience and involve them in the design and delivery of services. These approaches amplify people’s voices to make sure the criminal justice system benefits from their insights.

Are you looking for voluntary organisations involving people with experience of the criminal justice system? Browse our Directory of offender services.

Read Clinks case studies showcasing best practice in this area.

Clinks thinks

Clinks thinks the Ministry of Justice, commissioners and all service providers should embed the involvement of people with lived experience throughout the criminal justice system to inform policy and practice.

What Clinks is doing

Clinks is wholly committed to supporting the effective involvement of people with experience of the criminal justice system to inform policy and practice. We aim to equip voluntary organisations with the tools they need to ensure meaningful involvement of people with experience of the criminal justice system. Our resources showcase current best practice examples from voluntary organisations.

Service user involvement managers’ network

Clinks coordinates a network for service user involvement managers. The network provides a forum for managers from member organisations to share expertise, ideas and experience and to inspire and learn from one another. The network aims to celebrate successes in involving people with lived experience, support organisations to overcome challenges and promote and embed the effective involvement of individuals with experience of criminal justice system.

Network members also help to shape Clinks future work and resources on service user involvement.

To join a network meeting or for more information on the network in general contact info@clinks.org. Subscribe to Light Lunch for information about upcoming events.

Involving people with convictions as trustees and senior managers

The Charities (Protection and Social Investment) Act 2016 included new rules which prevent people with certain convictions from being able to run a charity unless they have clearance from the Charity Commission. These rules came into force on 1st August 2018. The new rules resulted in a wider range of criminal records being covered, as well as existing trustees, new trustees and senior managers. Clinks has supported Unlock to produce guidance on the rules.

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Related publications

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Other sources of support

User Voice builds the structures that enable productive collaboration between service users and service providers.

Revolving Doors Agency creates and shares research, influences policy and evaluates services to break the cycle of personal crisis and crime.

Unlock provides a voice and support for people with convictions who are facing stigma and obstacles because of their criminal record.

The value of lived experience in social change (Baljeet Sandhu, 2017)

NHS England Framework for patient and public participation in health and justice.