An opportunity to question the Cabinet Member for Communities and Equalities, Councillor Mark Blake, on developments in his portfolio that come within the Panel’s terms of reference (i.e. youth service and combatting youth offending).
Minutes:
The Cabinet Member for Communities and Equalities, Councillor Mark Blake, outlined key developments within the areas of his portfolio that came within the terms of reference of the Panel:
· In respect of youth justice, there was had been recent improvements in performance. The service was due to be externally inspected soon by HMIC and the progress that had been made meant that they would be well prepared;
· Specific work had taken place on the issue of serious youth violence and disproportionality amongst black and minority ethnic (BAME) young people. This was being undertaken in partnership with Islington Council and assisted by City University. This had been set up in recognition that this was an issue in the area that required attention and to improve practice. Recommendations had been considered at the last Youth at Risk Executive Board meeting. The findings would be shared with the Youth Justice Board, who had also funded the work;
· Work was taking place to develop further the proposals for a youth hub in Wood Green;
· Two new teams had been created to slot into the new Youth Service model. The Contextual Safeguarding Team had been set up to work with young people whose needs currently came below thresholds for intervention but where there were emerging concerns. The Prevention Team would work with young people who had been given out of court disposals to ensure that they did not get caught up in the youth justice system again;
· Core outcomes had been attached to the Youth Service which were aligned to the Borough Plan. These included reducing exploitation, keeping children in education and improving behaviour and attitude in schools;
· Support had been provided to 40 families through food banks during the lockdown;
· Despite concerns regarding Covid transmission, summer programme activities had been well attended and the feedback on them had been good;
· He had visited Bruce Grove Youth Hub, which had been successfully reopened. Consideration was being given to broadening the range of activities that were available to including web design and animation and additional IT equipment had been obtained for this purpose. Good relationships had been established with local Police and they had spoken to young people about careers in the Police.
In answer to a question, Eveleen Riordan, Assistant Director for Schools and Learning, reported that Police officers had attended meetings with Headteachers and highlighted areas of the borough that were crime hotspots. Action was also being taken through place based work. This involved staff attending hot spots with the aim of diffusing any flare ups of trouble. Group work was also planned in Wood Green schools on how to stay safe. The Cabinet Member commented that he was anxious not to see a return to previous robbery levels within the borough and was keeping a close eye on developments.
The Panel noted that funding had obtained from the Department for Education (DfE) to place social workers in 7 schools. They would be able to assist with a range of issues, including anxiety. The aim was to enable an early and sensitive response. In addition, young people could also access the Kooth app through a project funded by Haringey CCG.
It was noted that, in response to the current pandemic, services had needed to adapt their approach. A youth justice podcast was being piloted. In addition, views were being obtained from young people on how they were being supported. Interviews and recruitment were still taking place. A recent assessment for newly qualified social workers had been assisted by four young people.
A Panel Member commented that it could be difficult for young people to move around the borough due to “post code” issues. The Cabinet Member stated that he had emphasised the need for a Wood Green youth hub for young people. Although progress was being made, it had not progressed as fast as he had wished. It was noted that an interim and a permanent venue were being sought. Sufficient space would be required to enable a broad range of activities to take place. A short list of two sites had been identified for the interim venue.
Ann Graham, Director of Children and Young People’s Services, stated that she was pleased that funding had been obtained for the social workers in schools initiative and would be happy to provide a report on progress with the scheme to a future meeting. In answer to a question, she stated that it was only currently operating in secondary schools. She would welcome extending it to primary schools should suitable funding become available.
AGREED:
That a report on progress with the social worker in schools initiative be submitted to a future meeting of the Panel.