Latest News

Week Commencing 8 March 2010

Item 1

FAO: All Community Safety Partnerships

Reducing Reoffending Guidance for Community Safety Partnerships

The long awaited Reducing Reoffending Guidance for Community Safety Partnerships has now published electronically.
Provisions in the Policing and Crime Act 2009 which take effect from 1 April 2010 will mean:

• Probation will become a responsible authority of a CSP
  
• CSPs will have an additional duty to reduce reoffending
  
• Bodies listed under section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 will have a duty to ensure the process of reducing reoffending is incorporated into their core activities (alongside their existing duties to reduce crime).

We have been working with MOJ to produce guidance to support partners with implementing the changes (NB: the guidance does not cover the new duties under section 17). 

NB: the main guidance is only available electronically - hard copies of the Executive Summary will be distributed to partnerships next week.

Thamasin Gray
Regional Offender Management Lead
PPO programme lead
Government Office for the South East
Tel: 01483 882296
Mob: 07838 136548
Fax: 01483 882409

Item 2

FAO: All who work with NI30 and NI38

Home Office statistical reports

The Home Office has published two statistical reports today:

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 first of these reports on the first year of performance against National Indicator 30. The second reports on the baselines for PSA25:3 – drug related offending rate and the local baselines for NI38 – drug related offending.

Please note that these report do not include LAA stretch targets.
 
Thamasin Gray
Regional Offender Management Lead
PPO programme lead
Government Office for the South East
Tel: 01483 882296

Item 3

FAO: All

Safe and Confident Neighbourhood Strategy

The Home Office has been experiencing technical difficulties with the Crime Reduction website and some documents are proving difficult to download.  Therefore, please see below for the Safe and Confident Neighbourhood Strategy and related annexes.

Safe and Confident Neighbourhood Strategy

The evidence for neighbourhood policing and neighbourhood partnerships

How Neighbourhood Policing and other parts of the force can be mutually supportive

Models of neighbourhood working

Item 4

FAO: All

Tackling Drugs Changing Lives Newsletter - February 2010

Welcome to the new edition of the Drugs Newsletter.

Over the last few months we have announced the merger of the Drugs Newsletter with the DIP e-bulletin to improve information sharing and provide a unique communications platform between all who work around drug-related issues.

The new Drugs Newsletter also bears its brand again, finally. We have already received positive and constructive feedback about this. Thank you!

For the newsletter to remain user-friendly, the DIP e-bulletin retains its own section within the Drugs Newsletter, regardless of the type of information provided. Please continue to email feedback on improving the newsletter as well as contributions and queries to DrugsEvents@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk. We will respond on a one-to-one basis or
through the Feedback section
.
This month's theme for *featurettes: success stories local partnerships delivering the 4 drug strategy strands.
 
Thamasin Gray
Regional Offender Management Lead
PPO programme lead
Government Office for the South East
Tel: 01483 882296
Mob: 07838 136548

Item 5

FAO: All

Job Advert – DrugFAM Operations Manager, High Wycombe, Bucks

Please see the job advert and job description for the above post.

Thamasin Gray
Regional Offender Management Lead
PPO programme lead
Government Office for the South East
Tel: 01483 882296
Mob: 07838 136548

Item 6

FAO: ASB and Community Safety Managers working on, or interested in, Family Intervention Projects (FIP)

ASB FIPs and Family Pathfinders evaluation documents

Two new reports were published by DCSF on 3 March 2010. These will be of interest to those working with vulnerable families to reduce ASB and offending behaviour.

Anti-Social Behaviour Family Intervention Projects Monitoring and Evaluation:  this new document concludes that there are ‘overwhelmingly positive’ results for the first thousand families to complete interventions and there are early indications that these are sustained 9-14 months after they have completed a FIP intervention. For families who have comlpeted interventions there have been reductions in anti-social behaviour, truancy, exclusions and drug & alcohol misuse. 

York Consulting Family Pathfinders Research Update evaluation: provides an overview of the delivery models that Pathfinders are adopting to develop whole family approaches in supporting vulnerable families. 

Liz Butcher
Youth Policy Team, Government Office for the South East
Office: 01483 882545
Mobile: 07786 190040

Item 7

FAO: ASB and Community Safety managers seeking funding for young people's projects to reduce ASB and increase community cohesion

Think Big - Young people making positive changes in their communities

You will be aware that the Home Office have recently published research that shows that increasing positive stories about young people and improving community cohesion are key ways to reduce the perception of ASB.   

Think Big is a social action programme from O2, in conjunction with the National Youth Agency and UK Youth.  The programme, Think Big, will enable 13-25 year olds to apply for a £300 grant to fund projects aimed at addressing local issues identified by the young people themselves. Projects that prove to be successful will be eligible for a further cash injection of £2,500.

Examples of what 'Think Big' can be used for: setting up a local football team, painting a community centre, running a campaign to educate young people about knife crime.    

More information on how to access these funds is available on the NYA website.  
 
Liz Butcher
Youth Policy Team, Government Office for the South East
Office: 01483 882545
Mobile: 07786 190040

Item 8

FAO: Local Authority Chief Executives, CSP Chairs, ASB Co-ordinators, Community Safety Managers

ASB Tools and Powers Information Pack for Councillors

This guide provides a summary of the tools and powers available to local practitioners to tackle anti-social behaviour problems. Used in a stepped approach to match the level of nuisance these tools and powers are effective at stopping ASB.  In the majority of cases ASB can be nipped in the bud with low level interventions such warnings or acceptable behaviour contracts. For more persistent and entrenched behaviour more formal interventions such as anti social behaviour orders can be used to protect the community from harm.

However, where members of the public do not feel their concerns have been met they often turn to their local MP, councillor, or in Wales their Assembly Member, for help. These guides will help democratically elected representatives to respond to their constituent’s concerns and to challenge the agencies concerned if a problem appears to be getting needlessly out of control.

Mark Sloan
ASB Lead
GOSE

Item 9

FAO: Anyone involved in, or interested in, Safer Schools Partnerships
 
DCSF research publication on Safer Schools Partnerships
 
DCSF has conducted research to better understand the current perceptions of police involvement in schools and to explore how best to create a positive perception of police in schools. This was undertaken using Customer Voice Research, a small-scale, qualitative research work, designed to explore customer views on key or emerging issues. It includes suggestions on how to harness the positive perceptions and address any negative perceptions.  
 
Liz Butcher
Youth Policy Team, Government Office for the South East
Office: 01483 882545
Mobile: 07786 190040

 

Week Commencing 1 March 2010

Item 1

FAO: Community Safety Partnership Chairs, Community Safety Managers, ASB/Confidence Leads

Safe and Confident Neighbourhoods Strategy

Please see the attached letter from John Denham and the Home Secretary to CSP (which we are now calling CDRP) chairs in England.
 
Today in a major speech on crime, anti-social behaviour and policing the Prime Minister launched a new Safe and Confident Neighbourhoods Strategy.   As the Prime Minister said in his speech the strategy sets out how neighbourhood policing teams in every area of the country are working with the courts, councils, schools, health and children’s services to make our communities safer and feel safer. The full speech can be found on the Number 10 website.  

Jo Cookes
Acting Head of Community Safety
GOSE

Item 2

FAO: Confidence Leads
 
Publication of Public Confidence Route Map

This route map is intended to help deliver against the Public Service Agreement (PSA) public confidence target, whilst also keeping a broader strategic view of confidence. It is intended to capture what we currently know in one place that you and your partners can easily access. There has been considerable activity both locally and nationally focusing on how to achieve the step-change in performance that the public deserve – this is working. Currently 50% of the public agree that police and local council are tackling the ASB and crime issues that matter locally (British Crime Survey (BCS) Jan 2010). The route-map is designed to sign-post you to what the evidence suggests drives public confidence, existing guidance and learning available to support you in driving improvements.

Julie Wootton
ASB Lead
GOSE

Item 3

FAO: Community Safety Partnership Chairs, Community Safety Managers/Officers
 
ASB Minimum Standards Template Return - Urgent Reminder

If you haven't done so already can you please complete the ASB Minimum Standards template and return as a matter of urgency to actionline@bss.org and myself, Mark Sloan. If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact me.
 
 
Mark Sloan
Anti Social Behaviour, Confidence, Drug Supply Theme Lead
Community Safety Team
Government Office for the South East
01483 884843
07739 394444

Item 4

FAO: ASB Managers, Community Safety Managers, those working with young people

Helpful guidance on communicating through social media

Many of you have already produced excellent videos and other media products that inspire people to change their perceptions and their behaviour. Others will be looking to do the same and to help you DCSF have created a set of materials to help communicate and collaborate with young people through social media and inspiring video content. This advice will help reach out to a youth audience by promoting activities and encouraging innovative ways of communicating. These could also be used when engaging with young people to set CDRP priorities that are relevant to teenagers.

The resources are available from the DCSF website. Remember that approximately 25% of the population in your area will be in the age group 0-19 years and we need to ensure they are included in consultation and priority setting.

Liz Butcher
Youth Policy Team, Government Office for the South East
Office: 01483 882545
Mobile: 07786 190040

Item 5

FAO: ASB Managers and Practitioners

ASB Focus Newsletter

The latest ASB Focus Newsletter has been published.  This newsletter is brought to you on behalf of the Home Office and the Anti-social Behaviour Actionline.

The newsletter is designed specifically for practitioners who are tackling anti-social behaviour on the front line, with the aim of sharing good practice, policy information and details of initiatives taking place throughout the country.

February's ASB Focus looks at the 'deed or breed' question that surrounds status dogs and provides an view on the implications of the Heron v Plymouth ASBO case. 

Julie Wootton
ASB Lead
GOSE

Item 6

FAO: Community Safety Managers, Senior Planners, Town Centre Planners, Emergency Planners, Civil Contingencies Managers and Transportation Managers.

Regional Protect Event – 30th March 2010

GOSE is hosting a half day Protect Event on 30th March 2010 which is aimed to coincide with the publication of Government policy on Protecting Crowded Places, Safer Places; a Counter Terrorism Supplement and the new associated planning principles.

The day aims to have direct relevance to Senior planners, Town Centre Planners, Emergency planners, Civil Contingencies, Community Safety Managers and Transportation managers.

Some Local Authorities, at both Borough and County levels, are directly engaged with this agenda and others are likely to be in the next 12 months. All Local Authorities need to be aware how protective measures might be incorporated into future development, particularly for town centres.
 
The day will explain the up to date position how to reduce the vulnerability, what Local Authorities will be expected to do, possibly in tight timescales, how it’s worked in one LA and the free supportive training from the police.

Please send completed registration forms to Elise Frost-Bridges.

David Kilbride
GOSE Protect Manager

Item 7

FAO: Community Safety Partnership Data Analysts, Managers and Chairs

Fully funded, Home Office CSP training academies, to enhance data sharing and analysis between local CSPs and A&E Departments

New Home Office BTEC qualifications commissioned which are only available to delegates of the CDRP/CSP Academies.

Launch of new CDRP/CSP Academy Website.

Following numerous requests, and to allow as many delegates as possible to attend these fully funded home office events, we are pleased to announce the following changes to the itinerary:

The event for Wales has now been moved to the Metropole Hotel, Llandrindod on the 1st of April.

The event for the southwest (previously Plymouth) has now been moved to Exeter University Innovation Centre on the 25th of March.

The Portsmouth University event has now been moved to the 22nd of March.

If you have already registered for these events you need take no further action. If applicable we have automatically transferred your reserved place at the new event. If these changes pose any problems please contact us and we can transfer you to a different event.

To view the full revised event diary please visit the CDRP Academy website.

These one day fully funded training events are designed to develop or improve upon data sharing models between Accident and Emergency departments and any organisations or people that are associated to the reduction of crime or disorder in their community.

These events are of particular relevance to members of Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs), however any other affiliated organisations or people are welcome to attend.

The development of effective A&E data sharing is a priority area as part of the Tackling Knives and Serious Youth Violence Programme (TKAP).

As places are strictly limited we urge any interested parties to register as soon as possible to avoid missing out.

There are new fully funded BTEC qualifications for practitioners and managers in relation to information sharing between A & E Departments and multi agency partners available to delegates.

These Home Office sponsored qualifications are only available at this time to delegates of the events. Full details of conditions can be found in the booking section of the website.

Full itinerary of events:

Liverpool Hope University - 16th March 2010

University of Salford, Innovation Forum - 17th March 2010

Portsmouth University - 22nd March 2010

University of Nottingham - 23rd March 2010

Aston University, Birmingham - 24th March 2010

Exeter University, Innovation Centre - 25th March 2010

Canterbury Cathedral Lodge - 29th March 2010

Newcastle University, Castle Leazes - 31st March 2010

Llandrindod Metropole - 1st April 2010

Item 8

FAO: DAAT Co-ordinators,  Police Strategic Drug Leads,   CJIT Managers,  DAAT Commissioners
 
DIP Operational Handbook
 
Please see attached the electronic version of the DIP Operational Handbook which has been published..
 
The DIP Operational Handbook is part of the Home Office’s programme of work to continuously improve the implementation of, and outcomes from, the Drug Interventions Programme (DIP). It is a product of the DIP Review 2009 where, via a series of regional events and consultations at the end of 2009, the Home Office set out to listen to and learn from the experience of the many partners who help to implement DIP and to establish best practice in delivering the Programme’s outcomes. The result of that work has been the development of a refreshed operational model supported by a new DIP funding model, the detail of which is set out in the Handbook. In particular, it sets out a framework defined through three core functions:

• the successful identification of drug misusing offenders;
• a comprehensive and standard assessment of their treatment and other support needs;
• and effective, consistent case management to help break the cycle of drugs and offending   

One hard copy version of the document will be sent to every DAT area and police strategic lead.

Matthew Isted
Offender Management Lead
GOSE

Week Commencing 22 February 2010

Item 1

FAO: CDRP/CSP Data Analysts, CDRP/CSP Managers/Officers and CDRP/CSP Chairs

Fully funded, Home Office CDRP/CSP training academies, to enhance data sharing and analysis between local CDRP/CSPs and A&E Departments

New Home Office BTEC qualifications commissioned which are only available to delegates of the CDRP/CSP Academies.

Launch of new CDRP/CSP Academy Website

This new national programme of training and dedicated website from the Home Office is designed to help and improve how CDRP/CSPs engage with local Accident and Emergency Departments in using data-sharing models & Information.

The development of effective A&E data sharing is a priority area as part of the Tackling Knives and Serious Youth Violence Programme (TKAP).

Academies to be held at 10 university venues across the UK throughout March 2010 go to www.cdrpacademy.org.uk view full details and to register.

The delegate places are strictly limited to 50 per university venue so please secure your place as soon as is possible.

This Programme will also include a funded CDRP/CSP Academy Training and Evaluation Conference this summer for Academy and BTEC delegates and Students.

The Home Office are also funding full educational bursaries for 100 delegates at the Academies to attain new national BTEC qualifications to support this programme and the National Neighbourhood Justice BTEC Programme:

The new Home Office national qualifications, which will only be available to delegates of the Academies in the first instance through 2010 are:

- BTEC Foundation Award in Specialist Training for CDRP/CSP Data Analysts in A&E settings for Data Sharing.

- BTEC Foundation Award in the management of Information & Data Sharing for Managers and Chairs of CDRP/CSPs.

This Home Office Programme is specifically designed to enhance the relationships between CDRP/CSPs and local A & E Departments so please as an imperative pass on this invitation to attend to any A & E, PCT or Health contacts involved with your CDRP/CSP.

Item 2

FAO: Youth Crime leads, Community Safety Managers

Youth Crime Action Plan Regional Workshop
 
Please see attached letter inviting you to a Youth Crime Action Plan Regional Workshop on 12th March 2010 at The Holiday Inn, Egerton Road, Guildford, Surrey.  These workshops are aimed at Local Authorities and Partners, like yourself, that are not part of the intensive package of YCAP prevention activities. 
 
The workshop is intended to be a forum for Local Authorities and their partners to hear from practitioners who have been running prevention activities and to network with other areas. 
 
Please contact Jacqueline Davies by 2p.m at the very latest on Friday 26 February 2010, if you would like to attend.
 
Jo Cookes
Acting Head of Community Safety
Government Office for the South East
01483 884828 (T)
07786 190015 (M)

Item 3

FAO: Community Safety and ASB practitioners working with young people

Tackling serious youth violence in and around schools conference
 
DCSF are organising a conference on Thursday 11 March in London to show case best practice of delivering innovative approaches to tackling serious youth violence  as well as providing a national forum to explore the key issues with DCSF and Home Office Ministers and senior policy makers.

Ministers will also take the opportunity to launch new guidance on safeguarding children and young people who may be affected by gang activity, and the Damilola Taylor Trust will launch a week of action in schools encouraging young people to sign a pledge not to carry knives.

Register here to attend this event. 
 
Liz Butcher
Youth Policy Team, Government Office for the South East
Office: 01483 882545
Mobile: 07786 190040

Item 4

FAO: ASB Co-ordinators, Community Safety Officers, ASB Leads, Community Safety Managers, CDRP Chairs
 
For Urgent Attention - ASB Minimum Standards - Deadline 31 March 2010

All CDRPs were asked by the Home Secretary in October 09 to develop, have in place and publicise a set of minimum service standards for tackling Anti-Social Behaviour by the end of  March 2010. Ministers are watching closely as CDRPs start to complete the Minimum Standard return for the ASB Actionline monitoring matrix.

Responses in the South East have been slow. As of 19 February:

• 8 CDRPs have completed the Actionline matrix with yes in all the boxes
• 3 CDRPs are progressing towards completing yes in all the boxes
• 1 CDRP has reported no progress
• 54 have not replied yet to the Actionline matrix

I know that the Thames Valley Partnership are having a workshop on 26 February to discuss Minimum Standards so would not have completed the Actionline matrix yet but would encourage them to record their actions as soon as possible.

GOSE is tasked with monitoring progress on this very closely and will be in contact with upper tier CDRPs in the next few days to explore the current position, potential barriers and possible support for delivering this piece of work.
 
Although the Home Office were reluctant to be prescriptive in how the minimum standards should look please find below some additional pointers:
 
ASB Minimum Standards Useful Pointers
• Make sure it is on next CDRP agenda for sign off (CDRPs usually meet Feb & March)
• Keep your minimum standard simple, use straight forward language that public will understand
• A sentence on partnership working
• Think about how you are going to publicise your minimum standard/pledge/Service charter, how can the public access it, where can they find out about it, etc
• State your aim clearly, which is to reduce ASB, reduce perceptions and increase confidence.  You will want to state why reducing perceptions and increasing community confidence matter to the CDRP
• Community priorities and what communities tell the partnership and how that is reflected in ASB standards
• Communicating with communities, how? Street briefings, PACT, newsletters, leaflets, websites, door knocking, roadshows/events.  You said we did.
• Read across to the Policing pledge already in place
• Reporting routes & mechanisms, we will listen to and take our report seriously, we aim to visit you within 48 hours, we will outline what action we will take, we will treat with respect, we will provide you with the right support, our staff will be professional and courteous and are trained to the highest standard, we will work with agencies to ensure they deliver against these local standards, etc, etc
• Partnership working together to share information quickly and effectively
• Making full use of tools & powers to protect communities from harm
• Community protection and working sensitively and quickly to stop the harm
• Right to complaint, redress.  Existing complaints procedures exist and endeavouring to resolve complaint as quickly and effectively as possible.  Welcoming feedback

Mark Sloan
Anti Social Behaviour, Confidence, Drug Supply Theme Lead
Community Safety Team
Government Office for the South East
01483 884843
07739 394444

Item 5

FAO Community Safety Managers and Anti-Social behaviour practitioners
 
New ASB, victim support and co-located community safety team examples
 
The following case studies/examples have been added to the ASB good practice pages on the GOSE website:

• Kent Co-located Community Safety Units (with some specific examples of how this works in Shepway)
• Mid Sussex Anti-social behaviour leaflet
• Slough Victim Support leaflets -one generic and one for young people
• Thanet Victim and Witness Champion Procedures

Julie Wootton
ASB Lead
GOSE

Item 6

FAO: Community Safety Colleagues

Drugs Intervention Programme – Publication of Final Report ‘Around Arrest Beyond Release 3, One Year On – Reinforcing Positive Practice in Drug-Related Family Support’
 
As you may be aware, since 2006 the Drug Interventions Programme (DIP) has worked with a range of stakeholders on the Around Arrest Beyond Release project to support delivery of provision for families of drug misuing offenders. 
 
The first report “Around Arrest Beyond Release” was published in August 2007 and highlighted the needs and experiences of drug using offenders and their families based on a series of consultations.   Some of these issues were followed up in February 2009 in “Around Arrest, Beyond Release 2 – Moving forward” which included practice examples based on a number of fieldwork visits to help assist the planning, development, and delivery of family and family focussed support. 
 
The Home Office has now published the final report in the series ‘Around Arrest Beyond Release 3, one year on - reinforcing positive practice in drug related family support’.   This paper reviews practices identified in the second report and summarises further developments since the original fieldwork visits in January 2008.   It also includes two resources for partnerships and services to help inform commissioning, planning and provision of services to consider the needs of families of drug misusing offenders.  A family support information leaflet template for use by regional partnerships is also available as a web based resource. 
 
Hard copies of all the Around Arrest Beyond Release reports (including the new paper) have been mailed out to DAAT partnership contacts along with information on how additional copies can be obtained.    
 
Matthew Isted
Offender Management Lead
GOSE

Item 7

FAO - Community Safety colleagues (in particular, leads in NI38 target areas, DA(A)T Co-ordinators and DIP managers)
 
NI38 - Reducing Class A Drug-related Offending: Q2 Data now available on iQuanta
 
The latest (Q2) data for the NI38 09/10 cohort is now available on iquanta. It is accessible via the Latest Data column on the right-hand side of the home page. Although the link refers to Q1 data, Q2 data has in fact been updated.
 
This data will now show the rate of offending (Actual compared to Predicted rate) for the cohort of individuals selected in Jan-March 2009 over the first 6 months of the year.

Matthew Isted
Offender Management Lead
GOSE

Item 8

FAO: Domestic Violence Coordinators, Sexual Violence Coordinators, Safeguarding Children Leads, Community Safety Managers, Police Leads on Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse

Teenage Relationship Abuse Campaign

On Monday 15 February 2010, The Home Office launched a Teenage Relationship Abuse campaign to challenge perceptions of teenage boys and girls that abuse and violence in relationships is acceptable.  The campaign will run for four weeks on TV, radio, press and online.

Lesley Devonport
Interpersonal Violence Lead
GOSE

Item 9

FAO: Alcohol leads, Night Time Economy Leads and Violence Leads.

Tackling Alcohol Related Violence & Disorder in Market Towns: A Networking Event - Monday 22 March 2010

This event has been organised by Hinckley & Bosworth Community Safety Partnership and the Home Office to bring together practitioners from market town locations in England and Wales. The purpose is to share good practice of “what works” in tackling alcohol related crime and disorder in these locations. To attend this event, please register on the attached registration form.

Lesley Devonport
Interpersonal Violence Lead
GOSE

Week Commencing 8 February 2010

Item 1

FAO: Those from Local Authority adult services, children’s services and PCTs with a special interest in the opportunities through adopting a ‘Think Family’ approach to make a difference locally to parents and their children.

Think Family Regional Conference – 17 March 2010

The South East Think Family Regional Conference will be held on 17 March 2010 at the Holiday Inn, Regents Park.

The aims of the event are:

• To enable key local partners to come together to discuss and further plan their local approaches to the Think Family agenda
• To hear key messages from representatives from DCSF
• To network and hear best practice from other areas

Jo Cookes
Acting Head of Community Safety
GOSE

Item 2

FAO: DAT Managers, DIP Managers, CARATS managers, Prison Drug Strategy Managers and Police Strategic Drugs leads

February DIP SPOC list

Please find attached the DIP SPOC list for the period 1st  February 2010 –  28 February 2010 – within this document is the CJIT SPOC, 24/7 Client Advice line, Police Leads SPOC and CARAT SPOC. 
 
You will note that the CJIT SPOC worksheet has been re-formatted this month with a larger font size in response to requests for a more easily readable document. 
 
If any changes need to be made to any of the SPOC lists (or the SPOC distribution list) for March’s circulation can they please be sent to:
 
1 CJIT SPOC and SPOC distribution list – Frances Bardrick and John Harper
Please use the template for ALL amendments for the CJIT SPOC. (If you have not got a copy of the template please let Frances Bardrick know who will be pleased to e-mail a copy straight back to you).
 
2 24/7 SPOC – Wadeeta Ramsahye
                                                                                                                                   
3 Police Leads SPOC –   Olubimpe Dina
 
4 CARAT SPOC  – Gill Stone   Gill Stone has a template for amendments to the CARAT SPOC.
 
The deadline for all amendments to be sent to the Home Office is Wednesday 3 March 2010. 

Matthew Isted
Offender Management Lead
GOSE

Item 3

FAO: Alcohol Leads, Violence Leads

Managing the Night Time Economy

Havering is holding a free one day conference for professionals looking to build a safer, stronger night time economy on 16 March 2010.

Lesley Devonport
Interpersonal Violence Lead
GOSE

Item 5

FAO: Anti-social Behaviour Practitioners
 
New information added to the Anti-social behaviour webpages

Two case studies from Havant about partnership working to deal with anti-social behaviour have been added to the ASB Good Practice pages.
 
Wycombe's Anti-Social Behaviour Action Group Protocol has been added to the Example protocol and procedures page.

Julie Wootton
ASB Lead
GOSE

Week Commencing 1 February 2010

Item 1

FAO: All those working on the Drugs Agenda, Safeguarding Children Leads

Extra-ordinary joint meeting on 10 February 2010 for Parenting Commissioners and Substance Misuse leads

Think Family: addressing substance misuse issues and making a difference

Following on from the views expressed at the parenting commissioners’ network meetings, we would like to offer an open invitation to those parenting commissioners (or their representatives) who have a special interest in The “Hidden Harm” agenda and the opportunities through adopting a Think Family approach to make a difference locally to parents and their children.

This will be a joint meeting with both regional adult and young people’s Substance Misuse leads to jointly explore the issues and look at the next steps in your authority.

Please note that this is not the normal network meeting and the agenda will focus specifically on this issue. There will be opportunities for group discussions; and to look at some emerging practice and case studies. 

The meeting will start at 10.00 (with coffees available on arrival), and finish at 3.30 p.m. A cold buffet and refreshments will be provided.

The meeting will be held at the YMCA, Bridge Street, Guildford.  Please see draft agenda.

Please can you Sue Elve know ASAP whether or not you intend coming. Numbers are limited so early booking is recommended.

Sue Elve
Strategy and Policy Support team
Children and Learners, Surrey and East & West Sussex Directorate
Government Office for the South East

Item 2

FAO: CDRP Chairs, Community Safety Managers

ASB Minimum Standards – date for completion 31 March 2010

The Home Office has issued information regarding monitoring of progress towards Minimum Standards.
 
Summary Key Points/Actions:

• Home Secretary expects to see all local areas delivering a set of Minimum Standards by 31 March 2010
• Home Office using Home Secretary’s broad guidelines from letter of 13 October as tick box for monitoring progress
• Attached are examples of minimum standards being developed
• Attached is a template for completion to indicate progress of your area
• Template needs to be sent back to actionline@bss.org and Mark Sloan at GOSE
• Home Office will be monitoring returns on a weekly basis
• Government Offices will be sending weekly reminders to those still outstanding

Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require any further information or clarification.
 
Mark Sloan
Anti Social Behaviour, Confidence, Drug Supply Theme Lead
Community Safety Team
Government Office for the South East
01483 884843
07739 394444

Item 3

FAO: Anti-Social Behaviour Practitioners

Anti-Social Behaviour – Example Strategies, Protocols and Procedural Documents and New items on the ASB good practice web page

In response to requests from practitioners GOSE has produced a list of example strategies, protocols and procedural documents and this is now available on the GOSE website.
 
Many thanks go to partners who provided these documents to be shared with others. If you have further example documents you would be happy to be included in this list, or if there are particular example documents you are looking for, please contact Julie Wootton.

Also, the following items have been placed on the ASB good practice webpage.
 
Kent Neighbourhood Task Teams
Arun ASB Reporting Line leaflet
Making Arun Safer: How to report Anti-Social behaviour booklet
Southampton Crime Reduction and Environment Weeks (CREWs)
Milton Keynes Flytipping toolkit for Neighbourhood Action Groups
Arun ASB leaflets designed by Young People for Young People

Julie Wootton
Regional Anti-social Behaviour Manager
Government Office for the South East
mob 07717 701211

Item 4

FAO: Community Safety and ASB Managers/Practitioners
 
Youth Task Force Newsletter and Youth Crime Action Plan Roadshows
 
The Youth Task Force has produced the first edition of what will be a series of newsletters giving you information on resources, opportunities and news.  
 
You may also like to be aware that we will be having a regional roadshow to share the learning from projects run in Youth Crime Action Plan areas with others. These roadshows are at an early stage of planning and you may like to put the preferred date for the South East event of 12 March 2010 in your diaries. As soon as we have further details confirmed we will send out invitations.
 
Liz Butcher
Youth Policy Team, Government Office for the South East
Office: 01483 882545
Mobile: 07786 190040

Item 5

FAO: Partnership Analysts

South East Analysts Network Newsletter
 
The South East Analyst Network Newsletter for February 2010 has been published. The newsletter includes information on how to join the SEAN on-line discussion group which provides a forum for analysts to discuss issues related to their work.

If you would like to join SEAN please do get in touch. 

Lauren van Staden
Regional Research and Analysis Team
South East, East and London Team
 
01483 882288

Item 6

FAO: All

New Community Safety Head of Service

I am pleased to announce that Robert Strachan will be our new Community Safety Head of Service.  He will officially start with us on 15 March 2010.  Rob will bring a wealth of experience from the Government Office for the North East where he has served as a Safer Communities Manager, a Locality Manager (for Stockton and County Durham) and Head of Communities, and before that he was the Home Office lead for Neighbourhood Renewal. 

Dick Oldfield
Deputy Regional Director
Safer and Stronger Communities, Kent & Medway Directorate

Week Commencing 25 January 2010

Item 1

FAO: Domestic Violence Co-ordinators, Sexual Violence Co-ordinators, Community Safety Managers, Voluntary Sector Organisations, Sexual Violence police leads, Safeguarding adult leads

ISVA Funding 2010-2011- Closing Date 22 February 2010

The ISVA funding round for 2010-2011 was launched on 27 January 2010.

The bidding round for ISVAs (new and existing) is now open to voluntary and community sector organisations. The closing date for applications is 22 February 2010. Full details and an application form are available from on the Home Office website. 

Please note that SARCs will not be eligible to apply for funding from this ISVA bidding round. ISVAs are now recognised as an essential part of SARC provision, and as such will be considered as part of the SARC funding round  which will be launched shortly.

Lesley Devonport
Interpersonal Violence Lead
GOSE

Item 2

FAO: Domestic Violence Co-ordinators, Sexual Violence Co-ordinators, Community Safety Managers, Voluntary Sector Organisations, Police Sexual Violence leads

OCJR and GEO Combined Fund - Grant application round now open - Closing date 22 February 2010

The Office for Criminal Justice Reform and the Government Equalities Office have joined forces to create a single fund for voluntary sector organisations that provide support to victims of sexual violence and abuse.

The OCJR and GEO Combined Fund grant funding round is now open. Full details on the fund and how to apply are available on the Home Office Crime Reduction website 

Deadline for applications is 22 February 2010.

Lesley Devonport
Interpersonal Violence Lead
GOSE

Item 3

FAO: ASB managers/practitioners, housing managers and partners working on family interventions
 
Bidding opportunity for new Family Intervention Projects - the Challenge Fund - Closing date 23 February 2010
 
The Housing Challenge Fund is for new FIPs to be delivered in partnership with Children’s Services and housing providers to work with tenants who are facing eviction or involved in anti-social behaviour.  A second bidding round has just been launched making available a further £2.6 million of central funding. Bids are welcome from areas who did not bid in Round 1, and those who were unsuccessful or who wish to further increase project capacity.
 
More information on this funding opportunity is available on the DCSF Think Family website  together with further information on how government departments are joining up at a central level to support delivery of the 'think family' solution to challenges such as ASB, truancy, offending, and low aspirations.

Round 1 Successful Bids
Brighton & Hove Council
Charter Community Housing (Oxfordshire)
Crawley Homes
Drum Housing Association (Hants)
First Wessex Housing Association (Hants)
Gosport BC
Hyde Housing Association
Medway Housing Society
People 1st (Slough)
Portsmouth BC
Reading BC
Sovereign Homes (W. Berks)
Wealden DC
Windsor Housing

Liz Butcher
Youth Policy Team

Mark Sloan
ASB Lead

Item 4

FAO: Community Safety managers, ASB managers/practitioners including those working on family interventions
 
Support for All: the Families and Relationships Green Paper
 
The Government has published Support for All: the Families and Relationships Green Paper.  This Green Paper sets out a wide range of measures to support all families as they bring up their children and to help families cope with times of stress and difficulty. The proposals recognise that while all families need some help, there are families with complex needs and others who require additional — and sometimes non-negotiable — support.  If you would like to see the green paper and take part in the consultation please see the website.

Some of the policy proposals can be implemented straight away; others are for consultation or will take longer to put into place. You may be particularly interested in the following sections of the document:
 
In Chapter 3: a commitment to set out what families can expect from services for 0-5s and 5-19 year olds.

In Chapter 4: a consultation will take place on Sex and Relationship Educatione (SRE) together with an information pack for parents promoting the benefits of SRE. This could result in a reduction in risky sexual behaviour and poor outcomes from unplanned teenage pregnancies.

In Chapter 4: publishing supporting evidence from the Targeted Mental Health in Schools programme. All areas now receive funding for TAMHS. If you would like to see your local allocation, please see the DCSF revenue funding spreadsheet.

In Chapter 4: promoting online mediation for families and work with the family mediation council to build on accreditation for mediators.

In Chapter 6: a focus on professionals working with adults in the CJS to share information and be aware of the impact of CJS interventions on other family members. This includes a commitment for every local authority to offer an intensive intervention service for families with the most complex needs and to establish a training programme for family intervention key workers.
 
Liz Butcher
Youth Policy Team, Government Office for the South East
Office: 01483 882545
Mobile: 07786 190040

Item 5

FAO: Community Safety Managers

Agendas for Community Safety Meetings

We would like to request that draft agendas for your CDRP and strategic meetings are sent to us at the earliest opportunity. The reason for this is that we want to make sure we are providing you with appropriate support from GOSE and to do this we need to identify the most suitable person to attend the meeting (which may depend on agenda items), and to ensure that they are available avoid clash of appointments in our diaries.

Please send all agendas to community.safety@gose.gsi.gov.uk

Many thanks for your co-operation.

Anthony Griffiths
Performance Officer
Community Safety Team
GOSE

Item 6

FAO All community safety practitioners

Tilley Awards 2010 - Regional Roadshow 29 March 2010
 
The Tilley Awards are now open for 2010. The Home Office are holding a Regional Roadshow on 29 March 2010 in Guildford. The purpose of the roadshow is to:

• increase understanding of what problem solving actually is and how it can be delivered effectively.
• support potential applicants with developing a clear understanding of the Tilley Awards process and how to strengthen application forms to meet the required criteria. 

Please see the attached flyer and I would encourage you to attend if you are considering putting in an application. The Tilley Awards is an excellent opportunity to showcase the work you undertake in your local area.
 
Jo Cookes
Acting Head of Community Safety
Government Office for the South East
01483 884828 (T)

Item 7

FAO: Violence leads, Alcohol leads, Community Safety Managers, Night Time Economy Managers

Tackling alcohol related violence & disorder in coastal towns event

A Seaside Town Event is being held on 4 March 2010 organised by Brighton & Hove City Council and the Home Office to bring together practitioners from recognised Seaside locations in England and Wales.

To date there has not been many responses, so I would encourage you to express your interest as soon as possible. Reply direct to Yasmina Hedhli at the Home Office.
 
Lesley Devonport
Interpersonal Violence Lead
Community Safety Team
GOSE

Item 8

Alcohol leads, Violent leads

Walker Morris Licensing Updates
 
These Walker Morris Licensing update newsletters may be interest to you and you may wish to subscribe.
 
Lesley Devonport
Interpersonal Violence Lead
GOSE

Item 9

FAO: DAAT Co-ordinators

Extra-ordinary joint meeting on 10 February 2010 for Parenting Commissioners and Substance Misuse leads

“Think Family: addressing substance misuse issues and making a difference”

Following on from the views expressed at the parenting commissioners’ network meetings, we would like to offer an open invitation to those parenting commissioners (or their representatives) who have a special interest in the “Hidden Harm” agenda and the opportunities through adopting a Think Family approach to make a difference locally to parents and their children.

This will be a joint meeting with both regional adult and young people’s Substance Misuse leads to jointly explore the issues and look at the next steps in your authority.

Please note that this is not the normal network meeting and the agenda will focus specifically on this issue. There will be opportunities for group discussions; and to look at some emerging practice and case studies. 

The meeting will start at 10.00 (with coffees available on arrival), and finish at 3.30 p.m. A cold buffet and refreshments will be provided.

We will confirm the venue nearer the time. A buffet lunch will be provided.

Please can you let me, Sue Elve, know by 29th January 2010 whether or not you intend coming. Numbers are limited so early booking is recommended.

Sue Elve
Strategy and Policy Support team
Children and Learners, Surrey and East & West Sussex Directorate
Government Office for the South East

Item 10

FAO: Hate Crime Leads, Community Safety Managers, Safeguarding Children Leads

Guidance for schools on preventing and responding to sexist, sexual and transphobic bullying

Many schools now have robust procedures in place to deal with bullying. However, the prevalence of sexist, sexual and transphobic bullying may be underestimated. This guidance has been developed to help school staff recognise, report and respond to these forms of bullying.

Lesley Devonport
Interpersonal Violence Lead
GOSE

Item 11

FAO: Community Safety Managers

Request for Information

Has anyone ever put stickers on wheelie bins re vehicles reducing their speed?
 
I have heard that this is effective because people take more notice when signs are not there all the time.  This is supposed to work because people put their bins out on different days in different places.
 
Any information would be very gratefully received.
 
Thank you for your help.

Karen Dawes
Community Safety Manager
East Hampshire District Council
Penns Place Petersfield GU31 4EX
Direct Tel: 01730 234167

Item 12

FAO: Alcohol Leads, Community Safety Managers, Police Colleagues

Request for Information/Good Practice

We have been asked whether any of our areas in the South East have used flood lights on buildings, especially in NTE areas, to tackle alcohol related violence.  If you have used such an initiative to tackle any crime issues can you let me know as one of our areas is interested in using this type of initiative and is interested in discussing the experience and learning with you.

Lesley Devonport
Interpersonal Violence Lead
GOSE
 

Week Commencing 18 January 2010

Item 1

FAO: Leads of Improving Public Confidence
 
Improving Public Confidence in the Police: A Review of the Evidence
 
Improving Public Confidence in the Police review was commissioned by the Home Office to summarise the best available evidence on ‘what works’ in terms of improving public confidence in the police and to identify what other interventions look promising and merit further exploration.
 
It is intended to help areas when considering local strategies on how to improve confidence. Much of the evidence that informed the review (though not all) focuses on police-based interventions, however many of these interventions are generic and similar approaches could also be used by other local agencies (e.g. the council).

Julie Wootton
ASB Lead
Community Safety Team
GOSE

Item 2

FAO: Anti-Social Behaviour Practitioners and Community Safety Managers
 
Anti-Social Behaviour and Witness Support case studies
 
The following case studies have been added to the ASB Good Practice Web pages:
 
Oxford City has an ASB witness support programme which supports their more vulnerable witnesses.

Brighton and Hove good practice on:

• Using intense partnership working to deal with ASB in a specific road
• Using a mixture of support and enforcement with an ASB perpetrator
• Dealing with an 11 year old boy harassing an elderly resident 
• Dealing with a psychiatric ASB perpetrator

DIY Streets -  is a project which helps residents to re-design their own streets affordably, putting people at their heart, making them safer and more attractive places to live.

Julie Wootton
ASB Lead
Community Safety Team
GOSE

Item 3

FAO: ASB and Community Safety practitioners working with young people
 
Newsletter for partners working on the youth agenda
 
You may be interested to see the latest edition of the newsletter from GOSE's youth policy team. This newsletter brings together the news from a range of agendas that impact on the work of practitioners working with young people.

In this issue you will find information on:

1. Safeguarding –  Vetting and Barring
2. Anti Bullying events
3. Children and Domestic Violence
4. Preventing violent extremism – work in schools
5. Youth work in health settings
6. TellUs Survey
7. NEET and raising the participation age for education and training
8. Backing Young Britain, Young Person’s Guarantee, Future Jobs Fund
9. Participation and Empowerment of Young People
10. Young People, poor housing and homelessness
11. Youth Crime Action Plan (YCAP)
12. Family Intervention Projects (FIPs)

Liz Butcher
Youth Policy Team, Government Office for the South East
Office: 01483 882545
Mobile: 07786 190040

Item 4

FAO: ASB Managers and Practitioners

Update on ContactPoint
 
In the gap analysis questionaire for ASB managers/practitioners you requested further updates on the progress of ContactPoint which is the online directory holding contact details of which professionals are working with a particular child or young person. This will be important for practitioners working on ASB because they will wish to know who is working with a young person before taking out enforcement action that may conflict with existing interactions with the young person from other professionals. It will be even more important following the publication in the next few days of the report into the attack in Edlington, Nr Doncaster, perpetrated by two boys living in a family that was well know to authorities and where there had been repeated reports of anti-social behaviour as well as other concerns. DCSF have published more information on ContactPoint that you may find helpful.
 
Background
ContactPoint is an online directory holding basic contact information for all children and their parents as well as contact details for professionals working with that particular child. It was developed in response to a key recommendation of the Laming Inquiry into the tragic death of Victoria Climbié and has been designed to help frontline practitioners work across organisations, arming authorised professionals with a quick and easy tool to find out who else is working with the same child as early and as quickly as possible.

Update
Implementation of ContactPoint is at an important stage. Good progress was made during 2009-10; including the establishment of ContactPoint teams by all local authorities and by ContactPoint national partners, the start of training of authorised practitioners and the beginning of data supply from some local data sources. Feedback from practitioners in the ContactPoint Early adopters was strongly positive. In the light of this progress, Ministers confirmed on 6th November 2009 that ContactPoint was now being rolled out across England.

DCSF have now written to Directors of Children’s Services in all areas setting out the progress they are expected to make in the coming year and the funding they will receive to achieve this. Please see the Every Child Matters website for further information.
 
Liz Butcher
Youth Policy Team, Government Office for the South East
Office: 01483 882545
Mobile: 07786 190040

Item 5

FAO: DAAT Managers, ASB managers and other managers/practitioners working with young people and reduction of alcohol misuse.

New DCSF campaign to reduce young people's alcohol misuse and subsequent risk taking behaviour

DCSF has launched a major communication campaign called Why Let Drink Decide. It is aimed at delaying the age at which young people start drinking alcohol and reducing the amount they do consume if they are drinking. We know that one of the challenging issues for practioners is parents condoning or failing to tackle their children's drinking. The campaign aims to advise young people and their families about the risks associated with alcohol, and give guidance to parents on how to broach the subject with their child.

The campaign runs until March 2011. TV and radio ads will be running from January through to March, with press advertising running primarily from May onwards. Further information is available on the Why Let Drink Decide website.

Liz Butcher
Youth Policy Team, Government Office for the South East
Office: 01483 882545
Mobile: 07786 190040

Item 6

FAO: All

Crime in England and Wales: Quarterly update to September 2009

The Crime in England & Wales: Quarterly Update was published on Thursday 20th January. The publication includes recorded crime figures and data relating to measures of perceptions and confidence (as recorded by the British Crime Survey) at police force level.
 
Previously recorded crime figures at police force level have only appeared in the annual bulletin on crime, but additional checks have now been introduced with individual police forces quality assuring their detailed data more frequently to allow release of this additional local information. These additional checks were instituted ahead of a new round of inspections by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary that plan to make public use of a selection of these figures.  BCS measures included in these additional tables are those used to support measurement of progress against Public Service Agreement targets relating to community safety, alcohol and drugs and targets set by the Home Secretary for each police force to improve the level of public confidence.

The associated police force area level tables are also available. 
 
Also released today is Homicides, Firearm Offences and Intimate Violence: Supplementary Volume 2 to Crime in England and Wales 2008/09. 

Lauren van Staden
Senior Research Officer
SEEL Team
GOSE

Item 7

FAO: Community Safety colleagues
 
DIP Impact: Cases Studies – Home Office call for further regional examples
 
As you will know, the Home Office have previously gathered together evidence of DIP impact to provide two online documents as a resource.
 
The first is a set of case stories, most recently published online in 2009.  The second is a document providing a round-up of national research and local/regional assessments of the benefits of DIP.  This looked at evidence up to the end of January 2008 and was published later that year.
 
The Home Office is keen to update this bank of research and have asked for any DIP impact evidence from regions to be sent to Gillian Radcliffe.  The deadline for contributions is Friday 12 February which should go to: 
 
Matthew Isted
Offender Management Lead
GOSE

Item 8

FAO: All

Tilley Awards 2010 – Open for Entries

I am pleased to let you know that the 2010 Tilley Awards are now open for entries.  The closing date for submitting entries is 30 April 2010.  Detailed information about this year’s awards is on the Crime Reduction Tilley Awards website.

Stakeholders considering submitting an entry to this year’s awards are strongly advised to read the guidance.  The guidance contains comprehensive information about the national competition and this year’s stand alone category, which invites entries from partnerships that can demonstrate that they have successfully embedded problem solving in their area.
 
The 2010 competition also sees a move to an application process that is partly completed online through the Effective Practice Database.  Users are required to register and log into the database before they are provided with a facility to submit an entry to this year’s competition.
 
For the 2010 competition the pre-marking service previously offered to applicants is being replaced by a series of regional roadshows and are scheduled to take place during March 2010.  The South East regional roadshow will be held on 29 March 2010 at our office in Guildford.
 
Finally, this year Local Criminal Justice Boards and their agencies are also eligible to enter the awards.

Jo Cookes
Head of Community Safety
GOSE 

Item 9

FAO: Domestic Violence Co-ordinators, CDRP Chairs, Community Safety Managers, PPU, Commissioners of Services, Voluntary Sector organisations

Safety in Numbers: A Multi-Site Evaluation of Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs)

This report presents the findings from a significant programme of research that was undertaken to examine the provision and impact of IDVA (Independent Domestic Violence Advisor) services for female victims of domestic abuse deemed to be at high risk of harm or homicide.

Lesley Devonport
Interpersonal Violence Lead
GOSE

Item 10

FAO: All involved in National Tackling Drugs and Not in my Neighbourhood week of action 2008 / 2009

Consultation on Weeks of Action in order to plan for this year

Planning for 2010 has just started, but before we get too far down the line we would like to gauge stakeholders views on both weeks of action, focusing on how useful taking part is and what could be improved.  Please complete the consultation form and return to Thamasin Gray by 29th January 2009.

Thamasin Gray
Regional Offender Management Lead
PPO programme lead
Government Office for the South East
Tel: 01483 882296
Mob: 07838 136548

Item 11

FAO: Third Sector Organisations, Community Safety Managers

Funding Guide to Workforce Development for Children, Young People and Families’ VCS

Please see the attached Funding Guide to Workforce Development for Children, Young People and Families’ VCS.

Also, the Funding Central website, which is sponsored by the Office of The Third Sector, identifies potential funding sources.

Lesley Nicholas
Third Sector Policy and Development Manager
Thriving & Cohesive Communities Team
Government Office for the South East
01483 882894
07717 513789

Item 12

FAO: All involved in Commissioning Services

Launch of Commissioning Support Programme Training

The Commissioning Support Programme has launched a suite of training materials to support the Achieving Better Outcomes: Commissioning Development Programme. While these have been developed to focus on Children's Trust they will also be applicable to support agencies or individuals who would like to learn more about commissioning themselves or to run sessions within their agencies. In addition there are some workshops to explore how best to use the training material that you might be interested in.

For more information please contact Narinder Whitfield  telephone: 01483 882311.

Jo Cookes
Head of Community Safety
GOSE

Item 13

FAO: Violence Leads, Alcohol Leads, Community Safety Managers, Night Time Economy Managers

Tackling alcohol related violence & disorder in coastal towns: networking event

A Seaside Town Event is being held on 4th March 2010 organised by Brighton & Hove City Council and the Home Office to bring together practitioners from recognised Seaside locations in England and Wales.

Lesley Devonport
Interpersonal Violence Lead
Community Safety Team
GOSE

Item 14

FAO: Alcohol Leads, Violence Leads, Town Centre Managers, Community Safety Managers

National Pubwatch Conference - Date of event: 9 February 2010

The seventh annual National Pubwatch conference takes place at Whittlebury Hall, in Towcester, Northamptonshire
The theme of this year’s conference is violence in the workplace. Keynote speakers will include:

• Alan Campbell MP Under Secretary of State
• Commander Simon O’Brien ACPO
• Stephen Gould of Everards Brewery
• Jeremy Myerson of the Design & Technology Alliance Against Crime (21st Century Pint Glass Project).

Delegates will be able to attend two of four workshops featuring topical issues. Workshop leaders are Emma Lawrence Home Office Alcohol Unit, Detective Inspector Kate Shaw, British Transport Police Workplace Violence Unit, Steve Walsh Barrister and Peter Fulton BII Trainer. Online booking is available through the National Pubwatch website 

Lesley Devonport
Interpersonal Violence Lead
GOSE

Item 15

FAO: Alcohol Leads, Violence Leads, ASB Managers, Community Safety Managers, Police Colleagues

Managing the Night Time Economy – Beacon Open Day

The city of Nottingham is hosting a Managing the Night Time Economy – Beacon Open Day - this event may be of interest to areas with high perceptions of drunk or rowdy behaviour.

Lesley Devonport
Interpersonal Violence Lead
GOSE

 

Week Commencing 11 January 2010

Item 1

FAO: Community Safety Managers, Anti-Social Behaviour Leads
 
Neighbourhood Agreement Pathfinders
 
Announced in the recent Policing White Paper, the Government is looking to launch at least 10 Neighbourhood Agreement/Community Contract/Local Charter Pathfinder areas. This is a voluntary agreement between residents, local service providers and Councillors that works to improve conditions in a defined area. Pathfinder areas will specifically provide a way for communities and local partnerships to negotiate and agree local standards of service and priorities for action across the community safety and justice agenda, including anti social behaviour.
 
On 12 January a letter was sent from Rt. Hon David Hanson (Home Office) and Rt. Hon. John Denham (CLG) to all local authority Chief Executives, Chairs of Police Authorities and Chief Constables.  The deadline for applications is 29 January - we have no news yet of funding available. The application form is very short and straightforward.  
 
We feel this presents some opportunities to do some work with the connecting communities’ areas. We would be happy to talk to anyone interested in putting an area forward for this initiative. Please contact Mark Sloan.

Mark Sloan
Community Safety Team
Government Office for the South East
01483 884843
07739 394444

Item 2

FAO: ASB Practitioners

Examples of Good Practice

Please find attached a couple of examples of good practice from Barnsley and Portsmouth in managing risk.

If you would like further information on either of these examples, please contact Aaron Devereaux, ASB Delivery Manager at the Home Office (07901 538 819)

Mark Sloan
Regional ASB Lead
GOSE

Item 3

FAO: Community Safety Managers, Anti-Social Behaviour Practitioners
 
New case studies added to the ASB good practice webpage
 
The following case studies have been added to the ASB good practice webpage on GOSE’s website:

Kent Information Exchange Protocol
Was developed with extensive consultation with key stakeholders and partnership groups and training was provided on how to use it. This has ensured consistency in procedures and understanding across Kent and Medway.

Arun Victim and Witness Support Leaflet
Arun created a 'Victim and Witness’ leaflet to help people understand the process and what is expected of them in attending court. It also helps the ASB team to discuss and illustrate clearly how they can aid victim and witnesses’ passage through what can sometimes be a traumatic time for them. The Anti-Social Behaviour Co-ordinator and his Caseworkers have a wide experience in court proceedings which enable them to act as Victim and Witness support before, during and if necessary after the court date. Their more experienced staff members provide assistance to newer staff in the subject of Victim and Witness support thus enabling continuity in service provision and reassurance to those who are victims or witnesses of ASB in Arun.

Hampshire Constabulary Summer ASB Campaign 2009
Historically the numbers of reported incidents relating to ASB rise during the summer period. Priorities for the campaign were:
• To reduce incidents of anti social behaviour including criminal damage and drink related ASB
• To use all constabulary resources to reduce ASB.
• To increase the service and response that the force gives to ASB and thereby policing in general
• To reassure and protect the public

Julie Wootton
Regional ASB Lead
GOSE

Item 4

FAO: Managers/Practitioners working on ASB, youth crime and family interventions
 
Youth Task Force Survey on Perceptions of ASB

The Youth Task Force has undertaken a review of perceptions of ASB in Youth Crime Action Plan areas. They have released headlines from the review, with the full review being expected to be published in February.

Liz Butcher
Youth Policy Team, Government Office for the South East
Office: 01483 882545
Mobile: 07786 190040

Item 5

FAO: DAAT Managers and managers/practitioners working on reducing misuse of alcohol and risky behaviour

Youth Taskforce Spring Roadshow: Young people, alcohol and risky behaviour: challenge, support and prevent

The Youth Taskforce is pleased to invite you to one of our forthcoming Roadshows, to be held in Manchester on 23 February 2010, Birmingham on 25 February 2010, and Rotherham on 2 March 2010.

In the context of a concerted cross-Government drive to tackle alcohol misuse, and building on the Summer alcohol campaign and the proposals in forthcoming guidance for schools on drugs and alcohol, this set of roadshows will give frontline practitioners an opportunity to explore some of the key tools and leading practice in preventing young people’s alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour.

• Learn about new tools and powers introduced through the Policing and Crime Act, making persistent possession of alcohol by under-18s an offence, the two strike policy on trading standards, and amendments to confiscation powers and directions to leave for Under 16s;
• Consider the issues surrounding the admittance of young people to youth facilities if they have been drinking;
• Consider the implications of alcohol misuse in relation to family intervention;
• Learn from practical examples of challenge and support in tackling young peoples’ alcohol misuse, capitalising on the power of partnership working within the context of Targeted Youth Support
• Explore the links between YCAP interventions such as Operation Staysafe and the provision of treatment services.

Please see attached document for further details on how to register.
 
Liz Butcher
Youth Policy Team, Government Office for the South East
Office: 01483 882545
Mobile: 07786 190040

Item 6

FAO: Managers/Practitioners working on ASB, youth crime and family interventions
 
Funding from DCSF to Children's Trusts including funding for Youth Task Force and Youth Crime Action Plan areas

DCSF has published details of the funding it will make available to Children's Services in each area for the next financial year. 

Liz Butcher
Youth Policy Team, Government Office for the South East
Office: 01483 882545
Mobile: 07786 190040

Item 7

FAO: Managers working to reduce youth crime and Managers involved in improving the health of young offenders
 
'Healthy Children, Safer Communities' - Stakeholder Implementation Event - 9 March 2010, London
 
In December 2009 the Department of Health, Department for Children, Schools and Families, Ministry of Justice and Home Office published their joint strategy to promote the health and well-being needs of children and young people in contact with the youth justice system. This strategy forms the basis of a work programme for the next three years to improve the health and well-being of children and young people in contact with the entire youth justice system to ensure that children and young people are safer, healthier and stay away from crime.  It is intended to promote safer communities as a result.
 
A stakeholder implementation event for 'Healthy Children, Safer Communities' has been organised. This strategic level event will be held on Tuesday, 9 March 2010 from 9.30 am to 4 pm at Church House Conference Centre, Dean’s Yard, Westminster, London  SW1P 3NZ.  The event is being hosted by Offender Health at the Department of Health.

For further information and to reserve your place please see:

Booking Form
Event Outline
Invitation Letter

Complete and return the attached booking form to the conference organiser, Louise Appleby – ; tel: 0116 222 0004; fax: 0116 232 2057. 
 
Please note: The Government Office for the South East does NOT endorse or offer any quality guarantee for any externally organised events or training courses.
 
Liz Butcher
Youth Policy Team, Government Office for the South East
Office: 01483 882545
Mobile: 07786 190040

Item 8

FAO: Managers/Practitioners working on ASB, youth crime and family interventions
 
Family Intervention Projects

DCSF has written to Directors of Children’s Services, parenting commissioners and FIP managers to inform them that £2m (national) of the YOT prevention fund must be 'aligned with/allocated to' their FIP. The funding can be in cash or in kind but must be clearly identified. 

Liz Butcher
Youth Policy Team, Government Office for the South East
Office: 01483 882545
Mobile: 07786 190040

Item 9

FAO: All working on the Preventing Violent Extremism Agenda

Preventing Violent Extremism: Implementing the Prevent Programme in Local Communities
 
Policy & Practice Westminster Briefing, hosted by the House Magazine, is holding a Preventing Violent Extremism: Implementing the Prevent Programme in Local  Communities on 16th March 2010, 10.30am-3.15pm at The Commonwealth Club, Westminster.  The cost of the event ranges between £175 - £225 per place

The Context
For local authorities and their partners the challenge of ensuring resilience to violent extremism within their communities, and alongside their wider community cohesion objectives, is still a relatively new one. ˜The Prevent Strategy” launched in 2008 has aimed to build local supporting intelligence, analysis and communications to allow local areas to address these threats. Yet with such a sensitive issue, requiring clear definition and strong partnership working, the implementation of Prevent is by no means straight forward. In light of this the Department for Communities and Local Government has recently undertaken an enquiry into the strengths and weaknesses of Prevent to date. For more information please view a full agenda.

For full details of this event and information on how to register, please visit the Westminster Briefing Website.  Please contact Jon Fuller at Westminster Briefing should you require any further information, telephone: 020 7096 2920.

Please note that the Safer & Stronger Communities Directorate at The Government Office for the South East does NOT endorse or offer any quality guarantee for any externally organised conferences, events or training courses. 

Clare Marett
Head of Communities & Culture
GOSE

Item 10

FAO - Community Safety partners (in particular, police, DAATs and CJIT teams)
 
Conditional Cautions (DIP) - September, October and November 2009 figures and Conditional Cautions guidance
 
Please see below the totals for September, October and November 2009 for South East police force areas reproduced from figures produced by the Home Office. This includes the latest figures for November: 74 Conditional Cautions were issued nationally to which the South East's contribution was 12.

As is the case nationally there are wide differences in the take-up between force areas. As previously advised by GOSE, we see particular benefits for non-intensive areas where DIP drug-testing does not apply that a DIP conditional caution has the potential to steer those identified as drug-using offenders into treatment. I am therefore sending out again the national guidance for partners to consider. GOSE and the Home Office are very happy to help with any queries particularly in identifying and surmounting barriers to more widespread take-up.
 

 

 

Police Force Area	September	October	November
Hampshire & Isle of Wight	3	2	8
Kent	1	1	1
Surrey	0	0	0
Sussex	1	1	0
Thames Valley	0	0	3
Total	5	4	12

 

 

 

 

Matthew Isted
Offender Management Lead
GOSE

Item 11

FAO:  DA(A)T Chairs, DA(A)T Co-ordinators, CDRP chairs
 
DIP Funding: 09-10 Modelled Profiles - Clarification
 
All South East areas will have received a joint letter from GOSE and NTA about the above.
 
I wanted to clarify that the letter should have said that the figures are the modelled DIP Main Grant Profiles for 2009/10 based on applying the new funding formula. As such they are not the indicative allocations or profiles for 2010/11.
 
The Home Office will be writing to areas with their DIP Main Grant allocation in the New Year once it has received its central DIP budget for next year. However, as mentioned in the GOSE-NTA letter, partnerships will wish to factor these 2009/10 DIP Main Grant profiles into partnership’s planning (including treatment planning) processes for 2010/11.

Matthew Isted
Offender Management Lead
GOSE

Item 12

FAO: DAT Managers, DIP Managers, CARATS managers, Prison Drug Strategy Managers and Police Strategic Drugs leads

January DIP SPOC list

Please find attached the DIP SPOC list for the period 1st January to 31st January 2010. Within this document is the CJIT SPOC, 24/7 Client Advice line, Police Leads SPOC and CARAT SPOC. 
 
Grateful if you could disseminate further to all relevant local stakeholders.
 
If any changes need to be made to any of the SPOC lists (or the SPOC distribution list) for February's circulation can they please be sent to:
 
1) CJIT SPOC and SPOC distribution list to Frances Bardrick and John Harper

Please do continue use the recently issued template for any amendments for the CJIT SPOC.
 
2) 24/7 SPOC to Wadeeta Ramsahye

3) Police Leads SPOC to Olubimpe Dina

4) CARAT SPOC to Gill Stone 
 
Gill Stone now has a template for amendments to the CARAT SPOC.
 
Finally, the next SPOC should be circulated in the week ending Friday 5 February 2010.  Therefore, the deadline for all amendments to be sent to the Home Office is by the close of play on Monday 1 February 2010.  
 
Matthew Isted
Offender Management Lead
GOSE

Item 13

FAO: Community Safety Managers and partners involved in NI35 Self Assessment Process

NI35 Self Assessment Workshops

We have two confirmed dates for the NI35 self-assessment workshops that we are running with the Government Office for London.
 
The dates we have booked are Thursday 28th January and Monday 8th February 2010 to ensure maximum participation across both regions.  Capacity at each event is restricted to 35 and we expect huge demand.  Both workshops will be held at the Government Office for London, situated between Vauxhall and Pimlico.
 
We are running these workshops to enable local authority colleagues to get a better sense of conducting NI35 self-assessments, which will involve presentations from OPM (who wrote the guidance), CLG and the Audit Commission as well as case studies and mini-group discussions.  Running a joint event with GOL will also enable colleagues from London and the South East to share lessons and good practice with each other
 
Please see the attached draft agenda which is draft and subject to change following responses to the pre-workshop questionnaire.  Should you wish to attend, complete the workshop registration form and return to James Westhorpe.

Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

Sajid Butt
Regional Prevent Manager
GOSE

Item 14

FAO: All who work with vulnerable women

Report on the Government's strategy for diverting women away from Crime
 
A report providing details of progress in taking forward the government's strategy for diverting women away from crime.
The report outlines the continued commitment to bringing about improvements for women offenders in both custody and the community. It marks two years since the publication of the government's response to Baroness Corston's report on women with particular vulnerabilities in the criminal justice system.

Thamasin Gray
Offender Management Lead (PPO focus)
Acting Drugs Supply Co-ordinator
Drug perceptions, National Campaigns
Government Office for the South East
Tel: 01483 882296
Mob: 07838 136548

 

Week Commencing 4 January 2010

Item 1

FAO: Domestic Violence Co-ordinators, Communication Managers

Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls: A Guide to Good Practice Communication
 
The Government Equalities Office has developed a communications guidance and toolkit: Tackling Violence against Women and Girls: a guide to good practice communication in order to support and inform government communication in the area of violence against women and girls.
 
Lesley Devonport
Interpersonal Violence Lead
Community Safety Team
GOSE

Item 2

FAO:  Children Services, Domestic Violence Co-ordinators, Community Safety Managers

Partner Exploitation and Violence in Teenage Intimate Relationships Report

This NSPCC report looks at the issue of partner violence in teenage intimate relationships and provides a detailed picture of the incidence and impact of this form of violence on the lives of young people.  A summary is also available.

Lesley Devonport
Interpersonal Violence Lead
Community Safety Team
GOSE

Item 3

FAO: ASB Managers, DAAT managers and practitioners working with young people

Guidance on the consumption of alcohol by children and young people. A report by the Chief Medical Officer

On 17th December 2009 the Chief Medical Officer published guidance on the consumption of alcohol by children and young people. In particular, concern has centred on the level and pattern of drinking among children and young people and its consequences on health, crime, violence and antisocial behaviour.

This guidance was published initially in draft form as part of a consultation on advice and information for children, young people and alcohol, being facilitated in England by the Department for Children, Schools and Families. The findings from this consultation have been collated and utilised in the development of this final version of the Chief Medical Officer’s guidance. In addition to guidance, the document contains useful facts and figures that partners may find helpful when discussing strategies to tackle underage drinking with partners from other agencies especially the strong links to parenting support and education programmes.

There is a Supplementary report that lists resources and issues that may be helpful to managers and practitioners involved in drafting and implementing local strategies to tackle teenage alcohol consumption.

Table 1: Effects of alcohol consumption on development
Table 2: Risk and protective factors
Table 3: Effects of age of onset of drinking
Table 4: Acute consequences of adolescent alcohol consumption
Table 5: Longer-term consequences of adolescent alcohol consumption
 
Both documents are available on the Department of Health website 
 
Liz Butcher
Youth Policy Team, Government Office for the South East
Office: 01483 882545
Mobile: 07786 190040

Item 4

FAO: DAAT managers

Drugs: Guidance for Schools. Closing Date: Monday 15 February 2010

This is a reminder that the DCSF consultation is open until the 15th February. The purpose of this consultation is to gather views on the draft document, Drugs: Guidance for Schools.  This document provides guidance to maintained primary, secondary, special schools and pupil referral units (PRUs) in England on all matter relating to drug education and the management of drugs within the school community. It is relevant to all staff, particularly senior managers and those responsible for co-ordinating, teaching and supporting the delivery of drug education.

You can read the consultation documents and respond at the DCSF website. 
 
Liz Butcher
Youth Policy Team, Government Office for the South East
Office: 01483 882545
Mobile: 07786 190040

Item 5

FAO: Anti-Social Behaviour practitioners

Updated Anti-Social Behaviour section on GOSE website
 
We have reviewed and updated the Anti-Social Behaviour section of the GOSE website. In response to requests from practitioners this now includes a range of good practice case studies, a list of guidance and reports relating to ASB and a list of ASB training providers we are aware of.
 
Many thanks to all partners who supplied case studies, and/or other information for these webpages.
 
We are now working on creating a Confidence/Perceptions section and will let you know when this is published.
 
We are keen to update these sections regularly so if you have any case studies or other information you would like included, please send them to Julie Wootton.

Julie Wootton
Regional ASB Lead
GOSE

Item 6

FAO: All

Tackling Drugs Changing Lives Awards 2009
 
National Winners
The two overall winners in this year’s Tackling Drugs Changing Lives Awards were announced by Home Office Minister Alan Campbell at an awards ceremony in London on the 9th December 2009. The Awards, now in their fourth year, recognise and celebrate the unsung heroes who go over and above the call of duty to tackle drug use and drug related crime in communities across the country.

Stephen Holme, from Derbyshire, was named Drug Worker of the Year for dedicating more than 30 years of his career in the police force to tackling drugs.

The New Horizon Youth Centre Women’s Open Space Programme was named Drug Team of the Year for their work helping vulnerable women.

The two overall winners were chosen from 28 category winners and will both receive £10,000 for their organisation to spend on tackling drug misuse.
 
The South East had 3 winners:
 
National Tackling Drugs Week Award - The Quays Team, (Sittingbourne)

The Quays team arranged a number of events to bring together community, partners, service providers and service users and increase awareness of how substance misusers are supported in Sittingbourne.

Drug Team of the Year Award - Oxfordshire User Team, (Oxford)

This team is extremely dedicated to service user involvement and seeks to improve service provision and accessibility of substance misuse services across the county. 

Community Engagement Award - Oxford Safer Communities Partnership

This partnership recently organised a three day partnership event to tackle the drug related concerns of those who live on the Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys' estates.

For further details on the Tackling Drugs Changing Lives winnders, please visit the Home Office's Tackling Drugs Changing Lives Awards webpage.

Thamasin Gray
Offender Management Lead (PPO focus)
Acting Drugs Supply Co-ordinator
Drug perceptions, National Campaigns
Tel: 01483 882296
Mob: 07838 136548

Item 7

FAO: All

European Union Funding Opportunities

Information on fresh funding opportunities on crime and drugs for local delivery organisations and partners is now on the EU local funding page on the Home Office drugs website.

Jo Cookes
Head of Service (Acting)
Community Safety Team

Item 8

FAO: All working on the prostitution agenda

Rapid Evidence Assessment

As part of the Home Office's Review to explore what further can be done to tackle the demand for prostitution two projects were commissioned to help inform the thinking around tackling the demand for prostitution: a Rapid Evidence Assessment (REA) of the published research literature and an assessment of legislation and policy in selected countries.

Researchers from the University of Huddersfield were commissioned to conduct a Rapid Evidence Assessment (REA) of the published research literature in a selected number of countries, including the United Kingdom (UK) to answer specific questions about the characteristics of the people who procure sex, the context and setting for procuring sex, the related reasons, drivers and motivations and what has been tried elsewhere to deter or hinder those who procure sex and what works in tackling demand for prostitution.

To complement the review of the research evidence based: Tackling the Demand for Prostitution: A Rapid Assessment of the published research literature the Home Office commissioned academics from the Child and Woman Abuse Studies Unit at the London Metropolitan University legislation and policy in a selected number of countries.

Thamasin Gray
Offender Management Lead (PPO focus)
Acting Drugs Supply Co-ordinator
Drug perceptions, National Campaigns
Tel: 01483 882296
Mob: 07838 136548

Item 9

FAO: Community Safety Managers and partners involved in NI35 Self Assessment Process

NI35 Self Assessment Workshops

We have two confirmed dates for the NI35 self-assessment workshops that we are running with the Government Office for London.
 
The dates we have booked are Thursday 28th January and Monday 8th Feb 2010 to ensure maximum participation across both regions.  Capacity at each event is restricted to 35 and we expect huge demand.  Both workshops will be held at the Government Office for London, situated between Vauxhall and Pimlico.
 
We are running these workshops to enable local authority colleagues to get a better sense of conducting NI35 self-assessments, which will involve presentations from OPM (who wrote the guidance), CLG and the Audit Commission as well as case studies and mini-group discussions.  Running a joint event with the Government Office for London will also enable colleagues from London and the South East to share lessons and good practice with each other.
 
The agenda is being finalised and will be issued shortly, but in the meantime we have a registration form available – once completed this should be returned to James Westhorpe

Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

Sajid Butt
Regional Prevent Manager
GOSE