The next edition of Clinks News will focus on User Voice. The practice of service user involvement in the Criminal Justice System has moved from the fringes and been embraced by the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS). Most organisations involve service users, and those that don’t may find themselves having to justify their position. But is it always the right decision? And what problems can service user involvement create – for both the service user and the VCS? To contribute to this edition, download the brief here and send a 200 word synopsis of your proposed article.

CLINKS AGM SPEECH: Alan Duncan MP

Alan Duncan MP, Shadow Minister for Prisons, was the keynote speaker at our recent AGM: "The idea that on its own ‘prison works’ is unsophisticated and simplistic. I want prison to be for the correction of offenders, not just their collection. If that is what we are going to achieve, we first have to work out what we are likely to inherit. We have a real problem with the political handling of the prison estate and the numbers which will have to be addressed. This may include some new capacity – but this is only a very small part of the change we envisage. The main part of our challenge is implementing a 'Rehabilitation Revolution'." Download the full speech here

CLINKS SURVEY: working with offenders in London

Does your organisation work with in offenders in London boroughs? Clinks is undertaking research in the London Boroughs of Brent, Hackney, Lambeth, Lewisham, Newham, Southwark and Tower Hamlets to identify the range of work VCS organisations undertake with offenders and what the local arrangements are for commissioning such services. Take part at: Clinks Surveys

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Families affected by drugs

The Home Office’s ‘Around Arrest Beyond Release’ project has published it’s third and final report ‘Reinforcing positive practice in drug related family support’. The project identified some of the issues for families of drug using offenders and promoted practical solutions. The report includes resources for partnerships and services to help inform commissioning, planning and provision of services to consider the needs of families of drug misusing offenders. Download at: Home Office

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Prisons discussion

Jack Straw spoke in the House of Lords about the 12^th March end to the Early Release Scheme for offenders in custody. The debate that followed included comment from Dominic Grieve, Shadow Secretary of State for Justice (Con.) and David Howarth, Shadow Secretary of State for Justice (Lib Dem). The discussion includes women in prison and restorative justice. Can be found on pages 22-26 at: UK Parliament

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Community Cohesion

'2008-09 Citizenship Survey: Community Cohesion Topic Report' used data from the 2008-09 Citizenship Survey in England and Wales to provide an in-depth examination of community cohesion, attitudes towards the neighbourhood and the local area, belonging to the neighbourhood, fear of crime, social networks, and interactions between people from different backgrounds. Download free at: DCLG

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Conservative CJS policy

The Conservative Party have published the chapter of their draft manifesto on ‘Mending our broken society’, which contains measures on crime and criminal justice. It refines and simplifies the proposals made previously in their policy document Prisons with a Purpose, in other policy papers and in speeches by the Shadow Home Secretary and Shadow Justice Secretary. The Criminal Justice Alliance has produced a briefing on the Conservatives' criminal justice policy agenda. Download it free at: CJA

COMMISSIONING: a Housing Information and Advice service

The Ministry of Justice are advertising for the provision of Housing Information and Advice Services to new London prison, HMP/YOI ISIS. The service will assist offenders to secure tenancies and maintain existing accommodation, relinquish tenancies to avoid accruing rent arrears and debt and provide advice and support to offenders to gain suitable accommodation prior to release. The establishment is due to open in July 2010 and will hold sentenced young adults (18 – 24 years and eleven months) the majority of whom will be from the Greater London Area. In particular, it is anticipated there will be a strong link between HMPS Isis and HMP / YOI Feltham. The PQQ will be available from 25^th February 2010 and needs to be completed and uploaded by 12.00 noon on the 22^nd March 2010 at BravoSolution

FUNDING: for training and personal development

Organisations wishing to tender for contracts to deliver services through the Intermediate Labour Market (ILM) Scheme are being invited to join an approved supplier list. The scheme aims to reduce economic inactivity in Wales. It will offer contracts to organisations providing personal development to disadvantaged people facing barriers to employment, through a period of supported employment and training. In order to receive details of appropriate tender opportunities and be eligible to be contracted through the scheme, interested parties are invited to complete a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire by 10^th May at: WCVA

FUNDING: spaces for children to play

Suffolk County Council has announced that the second Year Three application window for Play Builder grants is now open. Funding from the Department for Children, Schools and Families has been allocated for the creation of high-quality, safe places for children to play. Grants of between £20,000 and £50,000 are available to fund capital costs only. Applications are invited from registered charities and other constituted voluntary and community groups in Suffolk interested in developing substantial new play spaces for children. The deadline for applications is 31^st May at: Suffolk County Council

FUNDING: for teaching music in prison

The Youth Music Open Programme targets nearly £2 million of Youth Music's funding towards projects in England. Grants of between £5,000 and £30,000 are available to organisations that work with children and young people between the ages of 0 and 18 in England. The programme also funds work with young people up to the age of 25 when they are in detention, have special educational needs, or have disabilities. The next deadline is 10^th May at: Youth Music

FUNDING: to improve shop fronts

The Small Centre Shop front Improvement Grants scheme aims to improve the appearance of town and village centres in Kirklees by offering grants to retail and commercial properties for shop front improvement projects. The funding will cover up to 50% of the cost of eligible works, or £5,000. The grants are for improvements to the exterior of shop frontages only. Possibly of interest to readers running charity shops? Applications can be made at any time at: Kirklees Council

FUNDING: for tackling poverty and injustice

Comic Relief's UK Grant Programme aims to bring about positive and lasting change in the lives of poor and disadvantaged people in the UK by investing in work that addresses people's immediate needs as well as tackling the root causes of poverty and injustice. Registered charities and voluntary organisations (including social enterprises and community interest companies) in the UK are invited to apply for grants of between £25,000 and £40,000. Grants are available to cover running or capital costs of organisations or projects. The next deadline is 14^th May at: Comic Relief

FUNDING RESOURCE: how to apply for EU funding

Over €40 million is available this year under the European Union's fundamental rights and justice programme. The Ministry of Justice have issued guidance for the VCS on the type of grants available and how to apply for the funding. Find out more at: MoJ

AWARDS: Volunteer of the Year

Nominations are now being invited for the 2010 Wales Volunteer of the Year Awards. The awards celebrate the achievements of Welsh volunteers and voluntary and community groups that have made an outstanding contribution to their community. Up to three winners will be selected in each category and invited to attend an awards ceremony to be held in June 2010. In addition, highly commended nominees will each receive a certificate. The closing date for receipt of completed nomination forms is 23^rd April 2010 at WCVA

EVENT: influencing policy

'Influencing Policy, Driving Change' is an NCVO conference [25th March, Hull, FREE] which will focus on the skills and expertise needed to get your voice heard where it matters. You’ll hear from the experts about the key elements involved in influencing policy and campaigning for change, and learn from other organisations across the region in a choice of practical workshops and discussions. Book your place at: http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/influencingpolicyconference

EVENT: Criminal justice roadshows

The Centre for Social Justice is holding a series of roadshows to encourage the VCS to sign up to their mission for the Criminal Justice System. The events will provide an update on the nature of poverty and social breakdown in the UK today, an opportunity to hear from key CSJ Alliance partners tackling the root causes of poverty, and time for frontline poverty fighting organisations to build relationships with others transforming their city and communities. Events are available, throughout March and April, in regions across England. Find out more at: CSJ

PUBLICATION: Adults Facing Chronic Exclusion

A government programme designed to improve support for adults suffering from 'chronic social exclusion' – with multiple needs and 'chaotic' lifestyles – was found to be producing 'promising' early results. There had been improvements in clients' physical and mental health, benefit take-up, and relationships with friends and family after 4-6 months' engagement with the pilot programmes. Read the Adults Facing Chronic Exclusion (ACE) programme evaluation report at: Cabinet Office

PUBLICATION: Children & Families briefing

The National Council for Voluntary Youth Services have published a briefing paper on the recent Family Papers by the three main political parties. The briefing paper summarises and compares the three papers, but first highlights potential issues for the voluntary and community youth sector arising from the documents. A really good, concise overview for those working in the Children & Families field. Free download at: NCVYS

PUBLICATION: Prisoners with alcohol problems

'Alcohol services in prisons: an unmet need' is a recent HM Inspectorate of Prisons thematic report which reveals the gaps between the needs of prisoners with alcohol problems and the services that exist to support them. The report shows that in the last year 19% of prisoners surveyed reported having an alcohol problem when they entered their prison. It was even higher among young adults (30%) and women (29%). Read the full report at: HMCIP

RESOURCE: social enterprise mark

The new Social Enterprise Mark was launched at the Social Enterprise Coalition conference earlier this month. The Social Enterprise Mark aims to raise awareness of what social enterprises do in order to get more people to buy from, engage with, start up and work for social enterprises. The Mark is awarded to businesses who demonstrate that they are working primarily for social and/or environmental goals, and that 50% of their profits are reinvested towards those goals. For more information and to apply for the mark visit - Social Enterprise Mark [source: DTA]

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS

Congratulations to Clinks Member Stonham, who have been awarded the Ministry of Justice contract to deliver Accommodation and Support Service for Bail and HDC (BASS). The primary aim of BASS is to provide accommodation and support services to allow the courts and prison governors to make greater use of bail and early release, through the provision of suitable accommodation at relatively short notice. Stonham is England’s largest provider of housing and support for vulnerable and socially excluded people. They manage 523 supported housing and floating support services across England and employ 2,200 staff to support 10,000 people at any one time.

CLINKS MEMBER’S VACANCIES

New vacancies this week include a Caseworker and a Research & Policy Officer at Inquest; Freelancers to work with Endeavour Training Ltd; and a Youth Participation Officer for the Howard League for Penal Reform’s U R Boss project.

TIPS OF THE WEEK…

TIP OF THE WEEK I: From Tues 23 - Sun 28 Feb get 20% off online at Debenhams. At the checkout insert the code P8PP to get 20% off fashion and home or PE5P to get 10% off beauty, furniture and selected electricals. The codes are also valid on sale items.

TIP OF THE WEEK II: Get 2 for 1 all day, every day when you register at Pizza Hut

TIP OF THE WEEK III: Virgin trains are having a sale on 10,000 seats from Wed 24 Feb to Sun 28 Feb. Book at: Virgin Trains

TIP OF THE WEEK IV:Get 25% off the cost of a Family and Friends railcard when you use the code ‘promo25’ at: Family & Friends Railcard

TIP OF THE WEEK V: whatonearth.org.uk are posting out packets of free wildflower seeds to everyone who uploads a photo of wildlife in their garden or park. Get yours at: What on Earth

TIP OF THE WEEK VI:hotelshopUK have just released loads of 3 and 4 star hotel deals across the UK. Starting at £65pp, the deals include B&B, dinner on first night, free room upgrade and a bottle of wine. Locations include Peak District, Lincolnshire, Brighton, Winchester and London. Book at: hotelshopUK

TIP OF THE WEEK VII:The Hallé, Britain's longest-established professional symphony orchestra, has tickets for just £14 (usually £36) for dates in Manchester on 24th, 25th and 28th March. Book at: Hallé

TIP OF THE WEEK VIII:DFDS is offering 2-for-1 mini cruises to Denmark in March, April and May. It's now £85 for two people to spend two nights sailing in an ensuite cabin from Harwich (Essex). The prices includes a full day in the Danish harbour city of Esbjerg. Book at: DFDS

Date Published:

26/02/2010

Source:

Clinks