Places are filling up quickly for our Spring conference - 'A community focus for criminal justice – where next?' [8^th March, London, £50 Clinks Members]. A change of administration in 2010 will provide the opportunity to look afresh at the rehabilitation of offenders and the important role communities could have. By attending this conference you will hear from experts and also be able to contribute to panel discussions and workshops. Workshops include commissioning, diversity, localism, and volunteering, and there's an exclusive performance from Clean Break. This event is a unique opportunity prior to the General Election, and as such places are filling quickly. Book your place at: Clinks Events

CLINKS MEMBER’S OFFER: Free places to our conference

To support small member organisations, Clinks has 5 free places to give away to our Spring conference [8^th March, London]. To apply for a place simply tell Richard Nicholls how attending this event will benefit your organisation. Don’t forget to include your Clinks membership number!

CLINKS PUBLICATION: Women Offender Services

'Signposting Women Offender Services' is a new information sheet from Clinks, providing an overview of the key players working with or for women offenders. It is intended as an easy reference point for those interested in who is doing what in this field. Download it at: Clinks Publications

CLINKS MEMBERS EVENT: Vetting & Barring forum

Clinks and Action for Prisoners Families (APF) are holding a joint forum [25^th February, London, Free] for its members to look at the issues presented by the new Vetting and Barring legislation. Speakers from the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), the Ministry of Justice and voluntary organisations will discuss the new scheme and the implications for VCS organisations working with offenders and their families. Speakers will answer questions and queries that members may have. This free event is on a first-come, first-served basis for Clinks and APF members. To register your interest, email Sophie

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Third Sector Action Plan annual review

Reducing reoffending third sector action plan: annual progress review is the Ministry of Justice's first annual review on the objectives and targets set out in the action plan, 'Working with the third sector to reduce reoffending'. The action plan informs the ministry's third sector strategy and aims to reduce barriers to third sector involvement in reducing reoffending. It includes the views of the Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (of which Clinks is a member) and the group's proposals for further development. Download at: MoJ

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Integrated Offender Management

In January 2010, a NOMS conference took place in Nottingham focussing on Integrated Offender Management (IOM). Delegates included representatives from the VCS as well as police, probation, and local authorities. You can access all the conference materials and presentations, free of charge, at: Home Office

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Restorative Justice

The Restorative Justice Consortium is keen to get as much local media coverage as possible for the Restorative Justice concept. They are planning on creating a Media Tree, whereby they will create Restorative Justice press release that can be fully customised for your local media contacts. To be involved, subscribe at: info@restorativejustice.org.uk

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: debate on prison education

On Monday 8th February, Lord Ramsbotham asked the House of Lords how education in prisons will be funded after the Learning and Skills Councils are abolished in April. The answer was two separate bodies, the Young People's Learning Agency and the Skills Funding Agency. Lord Ramsbotham expressed concern that this will result in inconsistent education opportunities and provision for young people in prison across the UK. Read the lively debate at: House of Lords

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: NOMS' Specification, Benchmarking and Costing programme

NOMS' Specification, Benchmarking and Costing (SBC) programme defines the services that are delivered to offenders, victims, defendants and courts. By specifying clear outcomes and outputs, the aim is to make it possible for any provider to deliver the services under service level agreements or contracts. NOMS plan to involve the Third Sector in the production of specifications to contribute to their development and ensure that they are fit for purpose. Find out more about the programme at: MoJ

CONSULTATION: public service delivery

As part of the SBC, NOMS are currently consulting the sector on a ‘Provision of Secure Environment’ package. This package consists of Managing the Gate (let people in and out, accounting for keys etc), Control Room and Communication, and Internal Movement of prisoners and vehicles. To be involved in the SBC consultation for this, email Sarah Davis

COMMISSIONING: winning public sector contracts

Download your copy of the ‘Guide to winning public sector contracts’ from the Supply National Small & Medium Enterprise (SME) Engagement Programme. This paper provides practical steps to increase your chances of winning work with the public sector and looks at the Government’s perception of the benefits of procuring from SMEs. You have to fill out a form to download free at: Supply2gov

COMMISSIONING: provider networking event

Bedfordshire Probation Area are hosting a free Partnership and Commissioning Forum [5^th March, Flitwick] for the region's VCS organisations. The aims of the forum are to enable the Probation area to meet current and potential providers, allow the Probation area to share their strategic vision and direction of travel, and to gain mutual understanding about how best to work with offenders. To book your place email: Belinda Chapple

FUNDING: volunteering in social care

The new Health and Social Care Volunteering Fund provides a combination of grant funding and support to third-sector organisations working with volunteers in the health and social care field. The Local Grant Scheme, awarded subject to applicants being connected at local level to commissioners, is currently open to applications. It is anticipated that between six and eight grants of up to £35,000 over 3 years, will be available. Applications are only open for the North East and North West at present, find out when your region opens to applications at: Volunteering Fund

FUNDING: for small London organisations

The Thames Community Foundation Grassroots Grants aims to increase small grant funding to community groups and make them more sustainable. Eligible groups can apply for a minimum grant of £250 and a maximum grant of £5,000. Eligible applicants must be small not-for-profit, third sector voluntary or community groups that are and have been active in their local community for not less than 12 months before the date of the application. Applicants must also be based in and providing services to residents and communities in one of the following London boroughs: Hammersmith & Fulham; Hounslow; Kingston; Merton; Richmond; Sutton and Wandsworth. Examples of what can be funded include the purchase of equipment such as a computer, oven or furniture and putting on a local event or workshop. The deadline for applications is 26th February 2010 at: Thames Community Foundation

FUNDING: for community work in Bolton

The aim of the Provincial Insurance Trust for Bolton scheme is to benefit residents in Bolton. Grants of £50 to £1,000 are available. Most activities are eligible as long as they benefit Bolton residents, although those activities that involve and benefit young people may be prioritised. Individuals and voluntary and community organisations that benefit Bolton residents can apply for assistance. The first 2010 deadline is 13 March. To apply, contact Mrs Riley on 01257 268358

FUNDING: for social housing providers

The Housing Challenge Fund has £2.6m of central funding available for new Family Intervention Projects (FIPs), delivered in partnership with children’s services and housing providers to work with tenants who are facing eviction or are involved in anti-social behaviour; and in so doing, improve the lives of families and their communities. The Fund can be used to support the expansion of existing FIPs, as well as the launch of new projects. The deadline for proposals is 23^rd February at: DCSF

FUNDING NEWS: new young offenders funding

Congratulations to Clinks Members Endeavour Training, London Action Trust, Nacro, St Giles Trust, Shannon Trust, Switchback and YMCA England for being awarded funding to work with Young Offenders. The Lloyds TSB Foundation funding will support these organisations in working to improve the life choices and chances of young offenders, helping them move away from a life of crime.

FUNDRAISING: tips for communicating with donors

Three quarters of donors think charities need to change how they communicate. 'How to Connect with Donors', is a report published by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) that found sophisticated donors want charities to demonstrate their effectiveness and to adopt new forms of communication. The online survey of over 200 CAF and non-CAF donors asked them for their views on how the recession affects charities and what they thought charities could do to alleviate the effects of the recession. Download free at: CAF

AWARDS: Clinks Member’s success

Congratulations to Clinks Member, Switchback, who were Highly Commended in the 2009 Una Padel awards. The Una Padel Award seeks to reward unrecognised commitment, determination and potential. Nominations are invited in support of those people or organisations you feel have made, or show the potential for making, a real contribution to helping improve the lives of offenders, victims, families and communities. Switchback supports 18-24 year olds involved in prison catering to develop the confidence and skills to make a positive and sustained change in their lives. Find out more at: Switchback

EVENT: European offender employment conference

The European Offender Employment Forum 2010 [15^th & 16^th April, Valencia, £105 VCS] will be focusing on how prisons and community organisations working with them are dealing with the problems caused by the economic crisis and how they will be responding to new challenges as the recovery gets under way. Details and bookings at: CESI

EVENT: 21^st Century Prisons

‘21st Century Prisons’ is a Westminster Legal Policy Forum seminar [24^th March, London, £190] which will look at key elements of the Government’s prison policy. It is scheduled as the Government continues to consult on where to build five new prisons to cater for a further 7,500 prisoners, and as private contractors bid to design, build and manage the institutions. With keynote contributions from the National Offender Management Service, the Chairman of the Justice Select Committee; and the Scottish Prisons Commission this meeting will bring together policy makers from Government and Parliament together with representatives from citizen’s groups, local authorities, prison staff and other interested parties. Book your place at: Westminster Forum

PUBLICATION: Annual Review

Clinks Member pact have recently produced their Annual Review for 2008-2009. It includes lots of stories and statistics that show the impact of their work with offenders and their families. Download at: pact

PUBLICATION: BME Women in the CJS

The Fawcett Society has launched a new report examining the experiences of ethnic minority women as workers, offenders and victims within the criminal justice system. ‘Realising Rights: increasing ethnic minority women’s access to justice’ examines how ethnic minority women fall through the gaps within a system that marginalises their needs and experiences and what can be done about it. Download the report at www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/seeingdouble

OPPORTUNITY: competition

Jailbrake is a competition to find and support great ideas that could break the cycle of youth offending using simple web and mobile tools. Your idea might be about creating new opportunities for young people, helping keep communities safe, supporting people who’ve already committed an offence or anything else you can think of. Get involved at: Jailbrake

CLINKS MEMBER’S VACANCIES

Our member’s vacancies this week include a Youth & Community Link worker in the South West and a number of Part Time Housing Support Workers in North Yorkshire. Find out more, or list your own vacancy free at: Members Vacancies

TIPS OF THE WEEK…

TIP OF THE WEEK I: 2 adults & 2 children aged 12 & under sharing a room can spend two nights at Alton Towers for £190! The Deal includes bed & full English breakfast, 2 course evening meal both evenings, FREE 1 day Alton Towers Family Pass, FREE welcome drink for everyone. Book at: hotelshopUK

TIP OF THE WEEK II: Get 2for1 at Pizza Express. Get 50% off at Il Bertorelli, Pizza Hut, and Caffe Uno. Enjoy 30% off at seafood restaurant Livebait

TIP OF THE WEEK III: Grab a copy of The Telegraph on Sat 13 (£1.80) or Sun 14 Feb (£1.90) and inside you'll find a free £5 voucher to spend in store at The Body Shop. Get a free Kurt Geiger £15 gift card with this March's issue of GQ magazine (£3.95 with actress Anne Hathaway on the cover). Grab March’s Elle magazine (£3.60 with Liv Tyler on the front) and you’ll find a voucher on p309 for 25% off at Warehouse. And enter code 'LN3S' at clothing store Boden by Sunday for 20% discount.

TIP OF THE WEEK IV:The Mandeville Hotel, in London's Marylebone, has launched a 50% off spring special, bringing stays down to £99 per night inc. breakfast. The offer is valid seven days a week from 26^th March until 18^th April, including the Easter holiday, but you must book by 26^th February at: Mandeville Hotel (click on Corporate rates at top of screen and enter code 'Travel')

TIP OF THE WEEK V:In 2000, Scottish Widows was bought by Lloyds TSB, meaning certain policy holders were due windfalls averaging £2,000. There's still £50 million unclaimed and the last chance is 3 March. Details here

Date Published:

12/02/2010

Source:

Clinks