Issue - meetings

Please note that papers in relation to this discussion topic will be sent out on Friday 10 October.

The Board received a report and presentation on the reducing re-offending in adults action plan. It was noted that this was a draft  interim report for discussion. It was reported that re-offending was an issue underpinning a wide range of other issues. While individual agencies handled specific areas related to reducing re-offending, it was noted that there was no overarching strategy for tackling re-offending within Haringey. A report into the different services being provided by the various agencies and how these could be co-ordinated had been commissioned and the Board was advised of the interim findings.

The report emphasised the speed in which services for ex-offenders were needed in order to address re-offending and highlighted that, while ex-offenders involved with programmes such as the PPO scheme or Drug Interventions Programme had access to a number of services via these initiatives, those who were not involved in such programmes had very limited means of access to the services available. The report looked at the needs of offenders in Haringey, as analysed using the national Offender Assessment System, and the pathways for addressing these needs and how these were integrated into the criminal justice system.

It was emphasised that there were likely to be resource requirements due to the complexity surrounding services for reducing re-offending, but that an overarching structure would necessary if the target for reducing re-offending was to be met.

The Board discussed the issues raised. It was agreed that a strategic approach and co-ordination between agencies were essential, and that discussions needed to take place among the service leaders. It was agreed that responsibility for the pathways was shared by all the theme boards.

The Board agreed that further work on how to address this issue across the portfolios was necessary.

RESOLVED

i)                    That the content of the report be noted, and that an update be brought to the next meeting of the Board for further discussion.

ii)                  That a sub-group be established to look into the issues raised in advance of the next meeting. Cllr Canver and Paulette Haughton would develop this work further.