Clinks are in the processing of producing a briefing on NOMS' Hub and Spoke arrangements for Foreign National Prisoners. We are aware Light Lunch readers may work in designated hub and Spoke prisons, and would like to hear from you if you offer a unique service exclusively for Foreign National Prisoners. We hope to publish the briefing shortly, so email a 200 word overview to Joe Gardham

CLINKS REQUEST: newsletter articles

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 to Joe Gardham

CLINKS PUBLICATION: Annual Review 2009

Clinks Annual Review 2009 has been published, and sets out our work over the last year. It also looks at some of the challenges faced by the Sector, and how Clinks will support the VCS through the development of new services, partnerships and coalitions. Download at: Clinks Annual Review

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: New HMCIP announced

Nicholas Hardwick, currently the Chair of the Independent Police Complaints Commission, has been selected as the preferred candidate to succeed Dame Anne Owers DBE as HM Chief Inspector of Prisons. Jack Straw has invited the Justice Committee to report on Mr Hardwick's suitability for the post, before making his final recommendation. Read the full press release at: MoJ

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: New research reports published

The Home Office have published two new research reports: 'Prolific and Other Priority Offenders: Results from the 2008 cohort for England and Wales' and 'Drug Misusing Offenders: Results from the 2008 cohort for England and Wales'. The reports contain statistical data and trends and can be useful information for Light Lunch readers to support bids, case studies and evidence bases. Download them at: Home Office

COMMISSIONING: Day Care Nursery services

NOMS are seeking a provider for day nursery care services in the Mother and Baby Unit at HMP/YOI New Hall, Wakefield. Nursery staff are required to support parents in the parent role on a one to one basis and where necessary offer a role model service leading to confidence building and the empowerment of women. The primary focus is to maintain decent and respectful relationships between all who live, work and visit. The outcome should support the community through the benefit of pro social modelling. The day nursery staff will be fully integrated into the resettlement department within the establishment. The four year contract has a value of £100k - £300k. The deadline for PQQ's is 7th April at: BravoSolution

FUNDING: for Gypsy and Traveller sites

The Gypsy Traveller Site Refurbishment Grant provides capital funding for the renovation of existing gypsy and traveller sites in Wales. Grants are intended to improve the quality of life for site residents by modernising existing facilities and providing new facilities where needed. Sites can be permanent residential sites or permanent but short-stay (transit sites). Eligible works include site remodelling and extensions, landscaping, plumbing, safety improvements, fencing, play area improvements, utilities supply/distribution and building repairs. The deadline is 31st March at: Wales.gov.uk

FUNDING: to work with various minority groups

The Woodward Charitable Trust awards grant funding to organisations in the UK working with social and ethnic minority groups, prisoners and ex-offenders, homelessness, people experiencing abuse and addiction. Small grants of between £100 and £5,000 and large grants of over £5,000 are available to UK registered charities with an annual turnover of less than £250,000. The deadline for receipt of applications to be considered at the Trust's July 2010 meeting is 24th May 2010. Details at: Woodward Charitable Trust

FUNDING: for small infrastructure organisations

Cracking the Code is a bursary scheme for infrastructure organisations to improve their governance. Up to £500 is available for small (annual income of less than £500,000) infrastructure organisations to improve their governance based on all or any of the principles of NCVO's ‘Good Governance: a Code for the Voluntary and Community Sector.' To find out more about the scheme, check your eligibility and make an application go to: NCVO

FUNDING: to support community safety

The Merseyside Police and High Sheriff's Charitable Fund has grants available for voluntary bodies and community groups in Merseyside to support community safety, crime prevention and security initiatives in their locality. Typical grants will normally range from £500 to £2,500. The next deadline is 26th March, find out more at: Merseyside Police

FUNDING: to increase employability

The Community Grants programme (Yorkshire and the Humber) aims to provide learning opportunities that help participants move closer to the labour market. Grants of between £2,000 and £12,000 are available, and applicants must be small voluntary and community organisations in Yorkshire and Humber. A small organisation is classed as one with no more than nine full time employees with an annual turnover of £300,000 or less. The next deadline is 12th March at: WYLC

EVENT: on childhood

The third Childhood Matters conference [9th June, London, £125] will address a range of contemporary issues relating to childhood, looking back at 13 years of New Labour government and forward to the challenges facing the new administration. Speakers include: Lord Carlile of Berriew; Dr Heather Geddes, Educational Psychotherapist; Professor Jane Fortin, Children's Rights and the Developing Law; Dr Eileen Vizard, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist; Sir Roger Singleton. Proceeds will be donated to the Howard League for Penal Reform and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. More info and bookings at: KCL

EVENT: Working with Offenders

Financial Inclusion Services (Yorkshire) are holding a ‘Working with Offender’ event [21st April, 2pm, VA Rotherham]. To attend or for further information, please email Yvonne Witter

EVENT: for commissioners

'Commissioning from the Third Sector' is a series of IDeA events [Birmingham, York, Manchester, London, Bristol] which will increase awareness and understanding of the third sector, help improve engagement and enable greater access to specialist knowledge that will benefit the delivery of public services. It is aimed at commissioning organisations new to working with the third sector. Dates and details at: IDeA

EVENT: International Women’s Day

International Women's Day (8th March) is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. There are over 600 events taking place across the UK. Find your nearest one at: International Women's Day

PUBLICATION: Housing for Socially Excluded Adults

Communities and Local Government commissioned Opinion Leader to undertake research to widen the evidence base on the four settled accommodation indicators for PSA16, and in particular to explore the factors that increase and decrease the likelihood of Socially Excluded Adults finding settled and suitable accommodation. Read the report at: DCLG

PUBLICATION: Offender learning and skills

In September 2009, the National Skills Forum began an inquiry to investigate how disadvantaged groups are excluded from vocational learning and training opportunities. The inquiry focused on three groups; black and minority ethnic people, offenders and ex-offenders and people with disabilities. The Inquiry’s final report proposes recommendations to policymakers and employers on ways to increase skills and employment opportunities for socially excluded groups. Find out more and read the report at: National Skills Forum

OPPORTUNITY: Restorative practice qualification

Skills for Justice has announced a programme to pilot a new qualification in restorative practice. Funding may be available to take part in this pilot and they are looking for paid workers and volunteers to sign up. The restorative practice qualification is suitable for a variety of restorative practitioners working in a range of settings including police, prisons, health services, community based projects, youth offending teams, schools, care-homes and the workplace. There will be an information workshop in London on 1st April. For more details, contact Linda Millington

OPPORTUNITY: Offender Enterprise consultants required

Business Enterprise Support (BES) would like to know if any Light Lunch readers are interested in working with them on their Offender Enterprise Journey in the West Midlands. They may be in a position to work with individuals who are self-employed and would like to work on an associate basis. They may also consider, subject to certain criteria, employment. Interested individuals should email Ian Carlier

OPPORTUNITY: £50 Amazon voucher prize draw

Does your organisation work in London? If so, Lasa would like to understand what you know about their charity, to help them communicate their mission & values to you more effectively. There's a prize draw for £50 of Amazon vouchers, and the deadline is 16th March at: Lasa Survey

RESOURCE: free IT support

Are you working with 'hard to reach' groups or people? Do you want free technical IT support by phone? The telephone support plus project is a 6 month pilot project that aims to serve the North East VCS 'Hard to Reach' organisations as defined by Capacitybuilders. This service will be free until 31st March 2010, details at: Community IT Academy

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS

The Griffins Society is updating services on their WIN database (Womens Information Network). WIN’s aim is to help women find support and services in their area. All the services in the database provide specialist support for women. If you know of an organisation that isn't included in this database but should be, or if your organisation is already featured but needs updating, please contact Kim Davis on 020 7278 8198

CLINKS MEMBER’S VACANCIES

New vacancies this week include a Policy Communications Consultant at Nacro, and a Community Youth Chaplain at Feltham Community Chaplaincy Trust. Get more info about these and other CJS vacancies at: Clinks Member's Vacancies

TIPS OF THE WEEK…

TIP OF THE WEEK I: LibriVox volunteers record chapters of books in the public domain and release the audio files back onto the net. Their goal is to make all public domain books available as free audio books. Listen or record your own at: LibriVox

TIP OF THE WEEK II: Tesco now have permanent free eye tests at their 131 opticians across the UK

TIP OF THE WEEK III:Get 2for1 on main meals at Strada, Caffe Uno, Haha!, and Pizza Hut. Also 50% off at La Tasca

TIP OF THE WEEK IV:Online photo shop Bonusprint's offering a code which gets you a personalised greetings card for the price of postage - just 50p. Visit BonusPrint

TIP OF THE WEEK V: Get 15% off online at organic food store Planet Organic. Use the code PLANET at the checkout until Fri 30 April to get your discount.

TIP OF THE WEEK VI: The new Park Inn Palace hotel in the seaside resort of Southend-on-Sea is offering spring stays for £59 per person, per night. This great offer includes bed, full English breakfast and a 3-course dinner. Plus, the hotel is including a free upgrade to a Sea View Room. Use the code TZOO at Park Inn

TIP OF THE WEEK VII: hotelshopUK is offering up to 45% OFF spa breaks in the Yorkshire countryside. Stays at the 4-star De Vere Oulton Hall, near Leeds, are now £79 per person, including Overnight accommodation with Full English breakfast, 3-course dinner, One 30-minute spa treatment (per guest), One complimentary bottle of wine (per room). Book at: hotelshopUK

TIP OF THE WEEK VIII: Hatton Court Hotel in the Cotswolds (between Gloucester and Painswick) has announced a special offer of £42.50 per person, per night, including tax, full English breakfast and a 3-course dinner. Hotel info here, to book call 01452 617412 and quote the reference TZOO.

Date Published:

05/03/2010

Source:

Clinks