User Voice Blog

NEW Vacancy: Administrative Assistant (London)

2014-10-08T16:40:00.003+01:00

Administrative Assistant – Part-Time (London)

1 Year Fixed Term Post (Continuation subject to funding)

£18 000 – pro rata, depending on experience

Why We Exist

We believe that the fundamental issue that causes the stubbornly high rates of re-offending and all the other associated problems is the ‘us vs. them’ culture. Whatever the truth, we won’t reduce crime unless we deal with this division. User Voice’s core belief is that rehabilitation only happens when everyone in the criminal justice system shares responsibility for transforming the ‘us vs. them’ division into real collaboration.

Our Role

At User Voice we build the structures that enable productive collaboration between service users and service providers. We are able to do this because our work is led and delivered by ex-offenders. This gives us the special ability to gain the trust of, access to, and insight from people within the criminal justice system.

User Voice seeks to appoint a Part-Time Administrative Assistant based in London. The Administrative Assistant will assist in the smooth running of the London Office and support the CSM with administrative process across the regional offices as necessary.

This is a fantastic opportunity to work in an innovative and growing charity. User Voice are looking for a dynamic, authentic and inspiring individual to join their administrative team.

User Voice is a rapidly growing charity and all applicants must be prepared to work flexibly and undertake new responsibilities as requested to support the development of the charity as a whole.

User Voice welcome applications from ex-offenders and from all sections of the community regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age or disability. User Voice are committed to Safe Working Practices across the organisation that promote the welfare and safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

For the full job description, person specification and application details click here

Applicants should send a CV and a statement of their suitability for the role to Recruitment, 20 Newburn Street, London SE11 5PJ or recruitment@uservoice.org. The statement should set out the applicant’s experience and suitability in relation to each point of the Person Specification.

Deadline for applications: Friday 31^st October 2014

NEW Vacancy: Development and Operations Manager

2014-09-18T11:16:00.000+01:00

User Voice is at a really exciting point in our development as we continue to grow and we are looking for a dynamic person, committed to our values, to further this growth through income generation and robust performance management.

User Voice’s core belief is that rehabilitation only happens when everyone in the criminal justice system shares responsibility for transforming the ‘us vs. them’ division into real collaboration.

At User Voice we build the structures that enable productive collaboration between service users and service providers. We are able to do this because our work is led and delivered by ex-offenders. This gives us the special ability to gain the trust of, access to, and insight from people within the criminal justice system.

We are seeking to recruit a Development and Operations Manager, who will generate new sources of unrestricted income and ensure the effective delivery of all User Voice operations through setting performance targets, monitoring against these and undertaking quality assurance, based in London.

This is a fantastic opportunity to work in an innovative and growing charity that is at the forefront of gaining insight from criminal justice service users. User Voice is at a critical stage of its development moving into a period of growth that requires new national operational management processes to be implemented to enable this to happen successfully and new sources of income to support new areas of delivery.

The successful candidates will have a track record at a senior level of income generation and performance and project management to a high standard and a strong commitment to the values of User Voice.

We particularly welcome applications from ex-offenders and from all sections of the community regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age or disability.

Find the full job description, person specification and application details click here

Applicants should send a CV and a statement of their suitability outlining their experience against each point of the Person Specification to User Voice, 20 Newburn Street, London, SE11 5PJ or recruitment@uservoice.org.

Deadline for applications: Wednesday 1 October 2014.

NEW Vacancy: Communications Intern (London)

2014-08-27T12:43:00.004+01:00

Job title: Intern

Location: London

Salary: Voluntary, although reasonable travel expenses are reimbursed

User Voice exists to reduce offending by presenting the voice of the most marginalised people in and around the criminal justice system to decision makers. It is an organisation led and delivered by ex-offenders, founded by Mark Johnson, award-winning social entrepreneur and author of his best selling memoir, Wasted.

User Voice delivers a service user-led rehabilitation experience to assist people caught up in the criminal justice system find a path to successful living; better criminal justice services and institutions; and policy change that will mainstream the inclusion of the user voice.

This is an exciting opportunity for the right person to gain experience, skills and knowledge across an innovative charity.

Person Specification

We require a forward-thinking intern who is motivated and enthusiastic to help with the growth of both of these exciting and innovative organisations:

Highly organised with the ability to multi-task
Excellent IT skills;
Ability to be proactive and work largely unsupervised;
Strong research skills;
Excellent written and verbal communication skills; and
A genuine interest in criminal justice and social policy

Hours

2 - 4 days a week for 8 - 12 weeks (flexible)

Key Responsibilities

Communications, including PR, promotion, website maintenance and social media;
Assist in creating, updating and maintaining systems for monitoring and evaluation;

· Collate and analyse data with some report writing;

· Research background material for projects and business development;

· Administrative duties, including some diary management and travel booking;

· Assist with recruitment through liaising with agencies and potential employees;

· Identify methods and avenues for publicising and marketing;

· Assist staff and CEO with tasks as and when they arise.

What this role can offer

· Invaluable experience working within a criminal justice system based charity as well as the opportunity to be involved with a start up at an exciting stage in its development;

· The space to develop existing skills and gain new ones in a practical working environment;

· Work experience to add to your CV;

· Support from a motivated and enthusiastic team;

· A valuable experience contributing to real social change; and

· Reimbursement of reasonable travel expenses.

Closing date: 19th September 2014, Friday, but we may appoint before the closing date. Start date will be ASAP (flexible)

DBS Check

Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks are done at the earliest possible stage. However, your DBS is not a barrier to this work and each case will be reviewed on its merits.

To apply: please send a CV and covering letter to Kim Angrik at kangrik@uservoice.org.

NEW VACANCY: Development Intern (London)

2014-08-27T12:32:00.003+01:00

Job title: Development Intern

Location: London

Salary: Voluntary, although reasonable travel expenses are reimbursed

Context

Our Mission: User Voice exists to reduce offending by presenting the voice of the most marginalised people in and around the criminal justice system to decision makers.

Why we’re effective: User Voice is an organisation led and delivered by ex-offenders, founded by Mark Johnson, award-winning social entrepreneur and author of his best selling memoir, Wasted. This gives us the unique ability to gain the trust of, access to, and insight from offenders within the criminal justice system.

Our impact: User Voice delivers a powerful rehabilitation experience for offenders, better criminal justice services and institutions, and policy change that will mainstream the inclusion of the user voice.

Person Specification

We require a forward thinking intern with strong research skills, a flair for writing and the ability to be proactive and work largely unsupervised. We are looking for a high caliber graduate, ideally in Politics or Criminology, with excellent IT skills and a genuine interest in criminal justice and social policy to help with the growth of this exciting and innovative organisation.

Hours

2 - 4 days a week for 8-12 weeks (flexible)

Key Responsibilities

· Research background material for project and business development

· Identify new funding opportunities

· Assist with drafting funding applications

· Collate and analyse data with some report writing

· Some administrative duties

What this role can offer

· Invaluable experience working within a criminal justice system based charity

· A chance to develop existing skills and gain new ones

· Work experience to add to your CV

· Support from a motivated and enthusiastic team

Closing date: 19th September 2014, but note that we may appoint before the closing date.

Start date will be ASAP (flexible).

To apply: Please send a CV and a covering letter to Daniel Hutt at recruitment@uservoice.org, putting Development Intern in the subject line.

Validation at Level 1 on Nesta's Standards of Evidence!

2014-08-26T13:15:00.004+01:00

User Voice is proud to announce that we have officially been validated at Level 1 on Nesta’s Standards of Evidence!

What are Standards of Evidence?
The purpose of the Standards is to identify a programme’s level of evidence according to a rigorous process and a clear, structured framework.

What is Level 1?
Reaching Level 1 on these Standards requires being able to provide a clear, coherent and convincing explanation of what our programme does, why it matters and how it will have an impact on our beneficiaries. Providing this convincing theoretical explanation of impact is vital in developing User Voice’s evidence base, as well as a prerequisite for effective evaluation going forward.

What comes next?
We now look forward to progressing beyond Level 1 on the Standards, through the evaluation currently being undertaken by leadingdesistance theorists that will show evidence of our programme’s impact.

NEW VACANCY: Programme Manager - Full-Time (London)

2014-08-19T10:35:00.001+01:00

Programme Manager – Full-Time (London)

1 Year Fixed Term Post (Continuation subject to funding)

Up to £25K depending on experience

User Voice exists to reduce reoffending by presenting the voice of offenders and ex-offenders to decision makers in the criminal justice system. They establish and support Prison, Probation, Youth and Community Councils; undertake projects which enable agencies to access and act upon the insights of offenders; and present the case for service user engagement to a wide range of key audiences.

User Voice seek to appoint a Full-Time Programme Manager based London. The Programme Manager will be responsible for delivering a range of User Voice programmes across youth and adult projects and continuing to develop the User Voice presence in London. Experience of the criminal justice system and/or other associated agencies as a service user is desirable with the ability and motivation to harness this experience positively, and a strong commitment to the values of User Voice. A detailed working knowledge of safeguarding is also required.

This is a fantastic opportunity to work in an innovative and growing charity. User Voice are looking for a dynamic, authentic and inspiring individual to join the delivery team, ideally (but not essential) a background in working with excluded young people and vulnerable adults is advantageous as is an ability to demonstrate how the post holders’ own life experience can support engagement work. The post will require some desk based administrative work supporting the co-ordination, pre-planning and evaluation of programmes and leading the facilitation and support work with young people and adult service users directly.

Applicants for either post should send a CV and a statement of their suitability for the role to Recruitment, 20 Newburn Street, London SE11 5PJ or recruitment@uservoice.org. The statement should set out the applicant’s experience and suitability in relation to each point of the Person Specification. Click here to see the Person Specification.

Deadline for applications: Monday 31^st August 2014

NEW VACANCY: Assistant Programme Manager (Manchester) - Full-Time

2014-08-13T15:46:00.002+01:00

Assistant Programme Manager – Full time (Manchester)
1 Year Fixed Term Post (Continuation subject to funding)
Up to £18K depending on experience

User Voice exists to reduce reoffending by presenting the voice of offenders and ex-offenders to decision makers in the criminal justice system. We establish and support Prison, Probation, Youth and Community Councils; undertake projects which enable agencies to access and act upon the insights of offenders; and present the case for service user engagement to a wide range of key audiences.

User Voice seeks to appoint a Full-Time Assistant Programme Manager based in Manchester. The Assistant Programme Manager will be responsible for delivering a range of User Voice programmes across youth and adult projects and developing the User Voice presence in Manchester and the North West. Experience of the criminal justice system and/or other associated agencies as a service user is desirable with the ability and motivation to harness this experience positively, and a strong commitment to the values of User Voice.

This is a fantastic opportunity to work in an innovative and growing charity. User Voice are looking for a dynamic, authentic and inspiring individual to join the delivery team, ideally (but not essential) a background in working with excluded young people and those involved in the criminal justice system is advantageous as is an ability to demonstrate how the post holders’ own life experience can support engagement work. The post will require some desk based administrative work supporting the co-ordination, pre-planning and evaluation of programmes and leading the facilitation and support work with mostly young people but also with adult service users directly.

User Voice welcome applications from ex-offenders and from all sections of the community regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age or disability. User Voice is committed to Safe Working Practices across the organisation that promote the welfare and safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

Applicants for the above post should send a CV and a statement of their suitability for the role to: recruitment@uservoice.org or by post to User Voice, 20 Newburn Street, London SE11 5PJ. The statement should set out the applicant’s experience and suitability in relation to each point of the Person Specification. Download the job description here.

Deadline for applications: 5pm, Friday 31st August 2014

NEW VACANCY: Community Peer Navigators HMP Haverigg (3 posts)

2014-08-11T15:26:00.000+01:00

Community Peer Navigator HMP Haverigg
£17,000 per annum, depending on experience

User Voice exists to reduce reoffending by presenting the voice of offenders and ex-offenders to decision makers in the criminal justice system. We establish and support Prison, Probation, Youth and Community Councils; undertake projects which enable agencies to access and act upon the insights of offenders; and present the case for service user engagement to a wide range of key audiences.

User Voice seeks to appoint a three full-time Peer Navigators to work across Cumbria. The Peer Navigators will be responsible for supporting service users on release into the communities in Cumbria to remain abstinent from drugs and alcohol. A knowledge of abstinence-based recovery approaches to drug and alcohol addiction as a service-user is desirable, preferably with direct experience of the criminal justice system. The ability and motivation to harness this experience positively, and a strong commitment to the values of User Voice is essential. A detailed working knowledge of safeguarding is also required.

This is a fantastic opportunity to work in an innovative and growing charity. User Voice is looking for dynamic, authentic and inspiring individuals to join the delivery team, ideally (but not essential) a background in working with excluded and vulnerable adults is advantageous as is an ability to demonstrate how the post holders’ own life experience can support engagement work. The post will require some office based administrative work and extensive liaison with other agencies and the User Voice Peer Navigator in HMP Haverigg.

User Voice welcomes applications from ex-offenders and from all sections of the community regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age or disability. User Voice is committed to Safe Working Practices across the organisation that promote the welfare and safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

Applicants for the abovementioned post should send a CV and covering letter, stating the applicant’s experience and suitability in relation to each point of the Person Specification here to Recruitment, 20 Newburn Street, London SE11 5PJ or send an email to recruitment@uservoice.org.

Deadline for applications: Friday 20^th August 2014

NEW VACANCY: Prison Peer Navigator HMP Haverigg (Full-Time)

2014-08-11T15:24:00.000+01:00

Prison Peer Navigator HMP Haverigg
£24,000 per annum, depending on experience

User Voice exists to reduce reoffending by presenting the voice of offenders and ex-offenders to decision makers in the criminal justice system. They establish and support Prison, Probation, Youth and Community Councils; undertake projects which enable agencies to access and act upon the insights of offenders; and present the case for service user engagement to a wide range of key audiences.

User Voice seeks to appoint a full-time Peer Navigator based in HMP Haverigg. The Peer Navigator will be responsible for delivering a peer led abstinence based recovery programme in the prison and creating links with the User Voice community peer navigators to support resettlement activities. A knowledge of abstinence-based recovery approaches to drug and alcohol addiction as a service-user is desirable ,preferably with direct experience of the criminal justice system. The ability and motivation to harness this experience positively, and a strong commitment to the values of User Voice are essential. A detailed working knowledge of safeguarding is also required.

This is a fantastic opportunity to work in an innovative and growing charity. User Voice is looking for a dynamic, authentic and inspiring individual to join the delivery team, ideally (but not essential) a background in working with excluded and vulnerable adults is advantageous as is an ability to demonstrate how the post holders’ own life experience can support engagement work. The post will require some office based administrative work supporting the co-ordination, pre-planning and evaluation of programmes and leading the facilitation and support work with service users directly and linking them to the community based User Voice peer navigators.

User Voice welcomes applications from ex-offenders and individuals from all sections of the community regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age or disability. User Voice is committed to Safe Working Practices across the organisation that promote the welfare and safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

Applicants for the abovementioned post should send a CV and a covering letter stating the applicant’s experience and suitability in relation to each point of the Person Specification here to Recruitment, 20 Newburn Street, London SE11 5PJ or send an email to recruitment@uservoice.org.

Deadline for applications: 20^th August 2014, Friday

User Voice Through the Gate Evaluation to be conducted by leading Desistance Theory Academics

2014-08-07T11:14:00.004+01:00

With the support of the Cabinet Office’s Centre for Social Action and Nesta, a new evaluation aimed at assessing the impact of our Through the Gate Council model has recently started.

User Voice is really excited to announce that the evaluation will be led by leading academics in Desistance Theory – which looks into why people decide to stop offending. The project will be led by Dr Monica Barry and Dr Beth Weaver, along with Bethany Schmidt, Dr Mark Liddle, Dr Judy Renshaw and Professor Rosie Meek.

The project will additionally receive consultancy support from Professor Shadd Maruna, who is likewise a prominent figure in Desistance Theory.

The evaluation is being carried out in three pilot areas – The North East, West Midlands and London over the next year and a half, finishing October 2015.

Through this evaluation, we aim to demonstrate the impact of our Through the Gate model both on individual participants’ rehabilitation journey towards becoming active citizens and also on prison and probation services, including how they can become more cost effective.

NEW VACANCY: Operations Manager - Full-Time (London)

2014-07-23T13:08:00.001+01:00

User Voice is at a really exciting point in our development as we continue to grow and we are looking for someone to ensure that we have a solid foundation on which to build.

User Voice exists to reduce re-offending by presenting the voice of offenders and ex-offenders to decision makers in the criminal justice system.

We establish and support Prison, Community and Youth Councils; undertake projects which enable agencies to access and act upon the insights of offenders; and present the case for service user engagement to a wide range of key audiences.

We are seeking to recruit an Operations Manager, who will ensure the effective delivery of all User Voice operations through setting performance targets, monitoring against these and undertaking quality assurance, based in London.

This is a fantastic opportunity to work in an innovative and growing charity that is at the forefront of gaining insight from criminal justice service users. User Voice is at a critical stage of its development moving into a period of growth that requires new national operational management processes to be implemented to enable this to happen successfully.

The successful candidates will have a track record at a senior level of performance and project management to a high standard and a strong commitment to the values of User Voice.

We particularly welcome applications from ex-offenders and from all sections of the community regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age or disability.

Find the full job description, person specification and application details here.

Applicants should send a CV and a statement of their suitability outlining their experience against each point of the Person Specification to User Voice, 20 Newburn Street, London, SE11 5PJ or recruitment@uservoice.org.

Deadline for applications: Friday 8 August 2014.

NEW VACANCY: Programme Manager - Full-Time (Birmingham)

2014-07-07T11:35:00.001+01:00

Programme Manager – Full-Time (Birmingham)

1 Year Fixed Term Post (Continuation subject to funding)

£20 000 - £25 000 depending on experience

User Voice exists to reduce re-offending by presenting the voice of offenders and ex-offenders to decision makers in the criminal justice system. They establish and support Prison, Probation, Youth and Community Councils; undertake projects which enable agencies to access and act upon the insights of offenders; and present the case for service user engagement to a wide range of key audiences.

User Voice seek to appoint a Full-Time Programme Manager based in Birmingham. The Programme Manager will be responsible for delivering a range of User Voice programmes across youth and adult projects and continuing to develop the User Voice presence in the Midlands. Experience of the criminal justice system and/or other associated agencies as a service user is desirable with the ability and motivation to harness this experience positively, and a strong commitment to the values of User Voice. A User Voice detailed knowledge of safeguarding is also required.

Click here to view the job description.

Deadline for applications: Friday 25^th July 2014

NEW VACANCY: Programme Manager - Full Time (Kent, Surrey and Sussex)

2014-06-30T15:01:00.002+01:00

Programme Manager – Full-Time (Kent, Surrey and Sussex)

1 Year Fixed Term Post (Continuation subject to funding)

£20 000 - £25 000 depending on experience

User Voice seeks to appoint a Full-Time Programme Manager with delivery taking place across Kent, Surrey and Sussex. The Programme Manager will be responsible for delivering a range of User Voice programmes across youth and adult projects and continuing to develop the User Voice presence in this region. Experience of the criminal justice system and/or other associated agencies as a service user is desirable with the ability and motivation to harness this experience positively, and a strong commitment to the values of User Voice. A detailed working knowledge of safeguarding is also required.

Applicants for the post should send a CV and a statement of their suitability for the role to Recruitment, 20 Newburn Street, London SE11 5PJ or recruitment@uservoice.org. The statement should set out the applicant’s experience and suitability in relation to each point of the Person Specification.

Download the job description here.

Deadline for applications: Friday 18^th July 2014

NEW VACANCY: Programme Manager - Full Time (Manchester)

2014-06-30T14:40:00.001+01:00

Programme Manager – Full-Time (Manchester)

1 Year Fixed Term Post (Continuation subject to funding)

£20 000 - £25 000 depending on experience

User Voice seek to appoint a Full-Time Programme Manager based in Manchester. The Programme Manager will be responsible for delivering a range of User Voice programmes across youth and adult projects and continuing to develop the User Voice presence in Manchester. Experience of the criminal justice system and/or other associated agencies as a service user is desirable with the ability and motivation to harness this experience positively, and a strong commitment to the values of User Voice. A detailed working knowledge of safeguarding is also required.

Download the job description here.

Deadline for applications: Friday 29th August 2014

NEW VACANCY: Assistant Programme Manager - Full Time (Manchester)

2014-06-30T14:13:00.003+01:00

Assistant Programme Manager – Full time (Manchester)

1 Year Fixed Term Post (Continuation subject to funding)

Up to £18K depending on experience

User Voice exists to reduce reoffending by presenting the voice of offenders and ex-offenders to decision makers in the criminal justice system. We establish and support Prison, Probation, Youth and Community Councils; undertake projects which enable agencies to access and act upon the insights of offenders; and present the case for service user engagement to a wide range of key audiences.

User Voice seeks to appoint a Full-Time Assistant Programme Manager based in Manchester. The Assistant Programme Manager will be responsible for delivering a range of User Voice programmes across youth and adult projects and developing the User Voice presence in Manchester and the North West. Experience of the criminal justice system and/or other associated agencies as a service user is desirable with the ability and motivation to harness this experience positively, and a strong commitment to the values of User Voice.

This is a fantastic opportunity to work in an innovative and growing charity. User Voice are looking for a dynamic, authentic and inspiring individual to join the delivery team, ideally (but not essential) a background in working with excluded young people and those involved in the criminal justice system is advantageous as is an ability to demonstrate how the post holders’ own life experience can support engagement work. The post will require some desk based administrative work supporting the co-ordination, pre-planning and evaluation of programmes and leading the facilitation and support work with mostly young people but also with adult service users directly.

User Voice welcome applications from ex-offenders and from all sections of the community regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age or disability. User Voice is committed to Safe Working Practices across the organisation that promote the welfare and safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

Please download the attached job description and person specification.

Download the job description here.

Applicants for the above post should send a CV and a statement of their suitability for the role to: recruitment@uservoice.org or by post to User Voice, 20 Newburn Street, London SE11 5PJ.

The statement should set out the applicant’s experience and suitability in relation to each point of the Person Specification.

Deadline for applications: 5pm, Friday 18 July 2014

Telephone interviews: w/c Monday 28 July 2014

Interviews w/c: Monday 10 June 2013

HMP Pentonville Council Elections

2014-06-23T16:35:00.001+01:00

Given the success of the User Voice Prison Council model encountered in other prisons, User Voice was asked by HM Prison Pentonville to establish its own.

On the 18th June 2014, the first elections were held after months of preparation.

Further details here.

INSIDE KNOWLEDGE: What service users think about prison

2014-06-17T16:45:00.001+01:00

In May 2014, the Justice Committee asked User Voice to engage service users and record their reactions to the Government’s programme of reforms and efficiency savings within prison. For this consultation, User Voice undertook focus groups across England with service users from two prisons and five probation trusts.

Service Users were extremely knowledgeable of the Government’s programme of reforms and efficiency savings, and demonstrated a great enthusiasm to have their voices heard. The evidence gathered through the focus groups have been presented to the Justice Committee and are available in our reports.

Further details here.

NEW VACANCY: Research and Evaluation Manager

2014-06-12T10:56:00.003+01:00

User Voice exists to reduce re-offending by presenting the voice of offenders and ex-offenders to decision makers in the criminal justice system.

We establish and support Prison, Probation, Youth and Community Councils; undertake projects which enable agencies to access and act upon the insights of offenders; and present the case for service user engagement to a wide range of key audiences.

User Voice seeks to recruit an exciting new post, a Research & Evaluation Manager, leading our newly formed Research & Evaluation Team, based in London.

This is a fantastic opportunity to work in an innovative and growing charity that is at the forefront of gaining insight from criminal justice service users.

The primary role of the post will be to manage and assist in developing and maintaining effective systems for evaluating the impact of all User Voice’s work.

The successful candidates will have an evaluation background at a senior level with relevant academic education, experience of management projects and people to a high standard and a strong commitment to the values of User Voice.

We particularly welcome applications from ex-offenders and from all sections of the community regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age or disability.

Find the full job description, person specification and application details here.

Applicants should send a CV and a statement of their suitability outlining their experience against each point of the Person Specification to Recruitment at User Voice, 20 Newburn Street, London, SE11 5PJ or recruitment@uservoice.org.

Deadline for applications: Friday 4 July 2014.

Interviews: week commencing 14 July 2014.

NEW VOLUNTEER ROLE: Development Intern

2014-05-28T16:11:00.003+01:00

Job title: Development Intern

Location: London

Salary: Voluntary, although reasonable travel expenses are reimbursed

Context

Our Mission: User Voice exists to reduce offending by presenting the voice of the most marginalised people in and around the criminal justice system to decision makers.

Person Specification

Hours

3-5 days a week for 8-12 weeks (flexible)

Key Responsibilities

· Research background material for project and business development

· Identify new funding opportunities

· Assist with drafting funding applications

· Collate and analyse data with some report writing

· Some administrative duties

What this role can offer

· Invaluable experience working within a criminal justice system based charity

· A chance to develop existing skills and gain new ones

· Work experience to add to your CV

· Support from a motivated and enthusiastic team

Closing date: 20 June 2014

Interview & Start dates
Interviews will be on a rolling basis from 9 June 2014.
Closing date for applications is 20 June 2014, but note that we may appoint before the closing date.
Start date will be ASAP (flexible).

To apply: please send a CV and covering letter to Daniel Hutt at recruitment@uservoice.org, putting Development Intern in the subject line.

Building a Rehabilitation Culture

2014-05-20T11:41:00.000+01:00

On March 24, Professor and Director of the Institute of Criminology and Criminal Justice, School of at Queen’s Law University Belfast, Shadd Maruna gave a talk called “Creating a Rehabilitation Culture”. He cites User Voice as an illustration of his desistance theory in action.

In this talk, Shadd Maruna argues that desistance from crime necessitates the creation of a culture of rehabilitation. Successful rehabilitation must engage persons, families, communities and the state. He cites User Voice as an illustration of ex-offender led organisation building a culture of rehabilitation by its simple existence. Indeed, Maruna sees ex-offender led organisations like User Voice as living and breathing example of change.

If you would like to hear more about Shadd Maruna's ideas on ex-offender led organisation, User Voice and desistance from crime, check the video around 1:10 min.

Mark Johnson is Ashoka UK Fellow of the Month

2014-05-08T13:33:00.001+01:00

User Voice’s founder, Mark Johnson, is Ashoka UK’s Fellow of the Month.

Ashoka UK helps create networks of “social entrepreneur” and selects Fellows on the basis of their personal drive to change the system within which they work. Mark Johnson was elected to the Ashoka Fellowship in 2011 and is now Fellow of the Month.

Look for updates here, as a number of media material, such as videos and podcast, will be published throughout the month.

Read more information on Mark Johnson and Ashoka UK here.

Read more information on Ashoka UK here.

NEW VACANCY: Evaluation & Impact Manager

2014-05-07T00:00:00.000+01:00

Location: London

Salary: Up to £27,000 depending on experience

User Voice exists to reduce re-offending by presenting the voice of offenders and ex-offenders to decision makers in the criminal justice system.

User Voice seeks to recruit an exciting new post, an Evaluation & Impact Manager, leading our newly formed Evaluation & Research Team, based in London.

This is a fantastic opportunity to work in an innovative and growing charity that is at the forefront of gaining insight from criminal justice service users.

The primary role of the post will be to manage and assist in developing and maintaining effective systems for evaluating the impact of all User Voice’s work.

We particularly welcome applications from ex-offenders and from all sections of the community regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age or disability.

Find the full jobdescription, person specification and application details here

Deadline for applications: Friday 23 May 2014.

NEW VACANCY: Performance and Monitoring Manager

2014-04-30T15:02:00.002+01:00

Location: London
Salary: Up to £30,000 depending on experience

User Voice exists to reduce re-offending by presenting the voice of offenders and ex-offenders to decision makers in the criminal justice system.

We establish and support Prison, Community and Youth Councils; undertake projects which enable agencies to access and act upon the insights of offenders; and present the case for service user engagement to a wide range of key audiences.

User Voice seeks to recruit a Performance and Monitoring Manager, leading the monitoring of all projects across the country in order to report to commissioners and to ensure continuous performance improvement, based in London.

This is a fantastic opportunity to work in an innovative and growing charity that is at the forefront of gaining insight from criminal justice service users. User Voice is at a critical stage of its development moving into a period of growth that requires new national performance management processes to be implemented to enable this to happen successfully.

The successful candidates will have a track record at a senior level of performance and project management to a high standard and a strong commitment to the values of User Voice.

We particularly welcome applications from ex-offenders and from all sections of the community regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age or disability.

Find the full job description, person specification and application details here.

Deadline for applications: Friday 23 May 2014.

Innovation Award from the Centre for Social Action Innovation Fund

2014-04-23T11:44:00.002+01:00

User Voice is now one of the 17 innovations awarded by the Centre for Social Action Innovation Fund, a partnership between Nesta and the Cabinet Office.

The Centre for Social Action Innovation Fund supports a wide range of organisations and projects, among which organisation such as User Voice who aim to support and improve public services.

The award will help us expand our Council model and further test our impact.

For more information on Nesta and great projects funded by the CSA-IF, click here.

Read about Through the Gate pilots supported by the Cabinet Office and Nesta here.

New Service User Council at Merseyside Probation Trust

2014-04-17T14:21:00.000+01:00

On the 11th of April 2014, User Voice hosted a co-production workshop in Liverpool.
This event was the culmination of our consultation process and allowed service users and MPT staff members to discuss issues and present recommendations to improve the service at MPT. The workshop constitutes the basis for the first Service User Council session.

Read more about the new Service User Council at Merseyside Probation Trust here.