A Third Sector 'Risk GuidanceProject Board’ has been established; bringing together Ministry of Justice and Third Sector partners to collaborate on the development of guidance for all third sector workers engaged in working with offenders that present a high risk of serious harm to others. To support the development of this guidance, Clinks would like to hear from organisations willing to share examples of policies or procedures in relation to Risk Management. Please contact: Richard Nicholls

CLINKS EVENT: Working with women offenders

There is real opportunity for change for women offenders, with Maria Eagle taking over the role of Justice Minister, and the new £15.6m Ministry of Justice fund for community one stop shop provision. Clinks, Women in Prison, and the Women’s Resource Centre are hosting a half day roundtable [16th July, London] to hear from organisations working with women offenders about the obstacles you face, what is needed to overcome these, and how we can support you to make lasting change. To attend, please email Jean Coates

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Personnel changes

A few personnel changes to report in central Government this June. Firstly Alan Johnson has become the new Home Secretary, replacing Jacqui Smith. Read about Alan at: Home Office and Theyworkforyou. Secondly Maria Eagle is the newly-appointed Justice Minister, replacing David Hanson who is now the Minister of State for Crime and Policing at the Home Office. Read about Maria at: MoJ and Theyworkforyou

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Prison and probation ratings

NOMS have published their prison and probation quarterly ratings for the fourth quarter of 2008/09. The prison ratings show consistent performance, with only three establishments showing a ‘drop in performance’. The probation ratings show an overall improvement in their performance. For full details visit: MoJ

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Response to action plan

The government has published a summary of the responses to its consultation on the Youth Crime Action Plan. The Plan set out a three-track approach to tackling youth crime: enforcement and punishment where behaviour is unacceptable; non-negotiable support and challenge where it is most needed; and earlier prevention. Read the response at: Home Office

GOVERNMENT NEWS: new plan for the country

Building Britain’s Future is the Government’s plan to work with the British people to respond to the economic downturn and together build a stronger, fairer and more prosperous country. Of particular interest to Light Lunch readers will be Jobs & Skills, Investing in Young People, Crime and Policing, and Immigration and Citizenship

FUNDING: to support victims of hate crime

As part of the Victims Fund, the Home Office is providing a dedicated strand - Supporting Victims of Hate Crime - for third sector organisations across England and Wales to develop and deliver services that benefit hate crime victims. Grants are on offer to carry out work that provides direct support services that help victims of hate crime in their recovery, such as advocacy, support groups, counselling, therapy, help-lines, survivor conferences, websites and one-off capital refurbishment projects. Full details at: Home Office

FUNDING: for small infrastructure organisations

To make leadership and professional development more accessible, ACEVO has developed a number of bursary opportunities to enable third sector CEOs and managers to meet their leadership potential. 50-100% funding is available for courses, details on this: ACEVO flyer [NB: This downloads a pdf file]

FUNDING: to bring IT to the disadvantaged

The Access to Learning Award (ATLA) honours innovative organisations that are opening a world of online information to people in need. The award recipient will receive USD $1 million. The funds must be spent exclusively in furtherance of the charitable, educational, scientific or literary purposes of the recipient organisation. Find out more at: The Gates Foundation

FUNDING: to grow your organisation

Three Calls for Proposals have been issued under the ERDF Competitiveness & Employment Programmes for the South West of England. These are: Networking for Innovation; Starting a high growth business; and Coaching for high growth. Find out more before the 17th July deadline at: SWRDA

FUNDING NEWS: new sustainability fund

A consortium led by the Adventure Capital Fund (ACF) has been appointed to deliver Communitybuilders, a £70 million government programme designed to help organisations work towards long-term financial stability and away from grant dependency so organisations can continue to meet the needs of communities for future generations. Organisations will be able to apply for loans and grants and have access to support and mentoring services when the fund opens later this summer. Register your interest at: Communitybuilders

FUNDING NEWS: Big Lottery strategic framework

Following a recent consultation exercise, the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) has published its new strategic framework, Big Thinking. The framework sets out the principles that will underpin BIG’s approach to delivering funding in the UK until 2015. Find out more at: BIG

AWARD: to support young black men

Nominations for The Pride of Britain awards have now opened. The awards aim to find an inspiring individual from any age, from any walk of life and from any part of the United Kingdom. The full list of categories, and the nomination form, can be found at Pride of Britain

EVENT: improving offender’s relationships

'Strengthening prisoners' and ex-offenders' relationships with family, friends and communities' is a PrisonerActionNet conference [5^th November, London, £145 VCS] that aims to highlight the range of work that's possible and effective with offenders to improve their relationships with others. For practitioners, the conference aims to help review and develop projects and initiatives that strengthen offenders' relationships, and to help them understand how this work can be evidenced and commissioned. Full info and bookings at: PrisonerActionNet

EVENT: Charity Open Day

Home-Start Leeds are holding a showcase event [15^th July, Leeds, all day] which will enable you to find out more about their work and future plans. For directions visit: HomeStart Leeds

EVENT: supporting young black men

'Helping Black boys and young Black men fulfil their potential' is a REACH conference [14^th July, London, FREE] which aims to provide an opportunity for people engaged in this work to learn from others and hear about the future direction of Government policy. A Minister will give a keynote speech; sources of support for organisations working this field will be highlighted; whilst workshops and exhibitions stands will be available throughout the day. Register at: REACH

PUBLICATION: research into the North East sex trade

Northern Rock Foundation has published updated research on sex work in Northumberland and Tyne and Wear. The researchers found a strong association between sex work and issues of drug misuse, mental and physical ill-health, homelessness and violence/abuse. The researchers have also highlighted several examples where statutory and voluntary agencies are working successfully with those engaged in sex work to improve their safety, health and to help them exit prostitution. Download at: Barefoot Research

PUBLICATION: the state of our penal system

The Commission on English Prisons Today have published 'Do Better Do Less', a two-year long inquiry taking a radical look at the purposes and limits of our penal system and how it should sit alongside other social policies. Download the report at: Commission on English Prisons Today

OPPORTUNITY: ideas for empty shops

Noticed businesses closing down in your high street? Fed up with seeing boarded up shops? Got an idea for a temporary event, class, display, group or project? Go to Meanwhile and share your views and ideas. [Source: DTA]

OPPORTUNITY: to work overseas for a year

The Vodafone Foundation's World of Difference campaign is looking for people with passion, drive and commitment to apply for a chance to work overseas for the (registered) UK charity of their choice, for a year. Apply before the 30th July deadline at: Vodafone Foundation [Source: VolResource #391]

RESOURCE: evidencing work with children

NPC’s latest research report, 'Everyday cares', contains a framework that charities running 'out of school hours' activities can use to assess whether they are likely to be successful. As well as the framework, the report suggests data that charities could collect to see whether they are having an impact on children’s well-being and other important aspects of their lives. Download this valuable resource for free from: NPC

RESOURCE: free property advice

The Charity Property Help service gives voluntary organisations free advice on property-related issues. The service provides a free one-hour consultation on topics including property maintenance; environmental issues; lease, renewals and tenancies; and planning issues. Find out more at: Charity Property Help

RESOURCE: Prison statistics

The latest Bromley Briefing fact file has been released by Prison Reform Trust. This Holy Grail of a resource features every area of prison statistics including population, demographics, health and resettlement. Superb evidence for anyone requiring evidence for bids, producing research or writing speeches and publications. Free to download at: Prison Reform Trust

TIPS OF THE WEEK…

TIP OF THE WEEK I: Before you next go grocery shopping, take a lookhereand see if you can save a couple of pounds.

TIP OF THE WEEK II: From 14^th July, you’ll be able to get a free kids ticket with a full-paying adult for West End shows from 14^th – 28^th Aug. Details at: Kids Week

TIP OF THE WEEK III: Free money advice at the Bullring Centre, Birmingham on Sat 4^th July.

TIP OF THE WEEK IV: If your car or home insurance (must be both building and contents) is due to be renewed before the end of September and you're willing to spend around 1.5 hours taking part in market research you could earn £50 for your time. Details at: CI

TIP OF THE WEEK V: Rockwool are giving away free granular loft insulation at their depot in Bridgend, Wales on Sat 4^th July. Details at:Rockwool

TIP OF THE WEEK VI: Get a free pack of carrot seeds by filling out this onlineform

TIP OF THE WEEK VII: The De Vere Barony Castle, located in the Scottish Borders, is offering a value-packed 2-night stay for £99 per person which includes: accommodation, 3 course dinner on second night, 2 course lunch with wine, free pass for the Edinburgh tour bus, full breakfast daily, and a free bottle of wine with the first nights meal. Quote 'PROZOD' at:Barony Castle

TIP OF THE WEEK VIII: Norfolkline is offering ferry travel from Dover to Dunkirk for £14.99 each way for a car and up to four passengers. This means a trip to France can cost as little as £7.50 return, per person! The fare is available for crossings most days September-December. Book at:Norfolkline

TIP OF THE WEEK IX: Oxford Inns has cut up to 60% OFF prices at over 40 hotels across the UK, with stays starting from £44 per room, including breakfast. Book at:Oxford Inns

Date Published:

03/07/2009

Source:

Clinks