Agenda item

The Partnership received a report which provided a progress update on the Haringey Community Gold Programme and invited comments on the mid-programme review taking place in December 2020. The report was introduced by Eduardo Araujo, Interim Senior Tottenham Community Safety Manager as set out in the agenda pack at pages 101-116. Bradley Goddard, the Director of My Training Plan - one of the Haringey Community Gold delivery partners, was also present for this item.

The Partnership were introduced to a case study which demonstrated some of the work being undertaken as part of the Haringey Community Gold programme. The case study related to a Year 10 pupil who was attending the Octagon in Wood Green and had demonstrated anger problems and who could be aggressive. The young person in question was also involved in gangs. In response, a fitness session was organised with a training plan and during the session it became apparent that the young person had problems communicating how he felt and was frustrated with not being able to articulate himself properly, which led to a feeling that his teachers were not listening to him. Over a number of sessions, the trainer was able to listen to the young person and develop a relationship with him to the point of being able to offer advice and steer that young person to a process of self-reflection. Following some personal mentoring, that person was now back in a mainstream school and doing well. The Partnership was advised the key reflection from this case study was the importance of listening to the voice of that young person.

The following arose in discussion of this agenda item:

1. The Cabinet Member for Communities advised that he would like to see a lot more of the type of interventions illustrated by the case study and he welcomed the use of mentoring for pupils in alternative provision. The Partnership were advised that some funding had been secured from the Mayor’s office for this purpose. The Cabinet Member set out that it was important that the Partnership was able to demonstrate a way forward for young people that kept them away from criminality. 
2. The Partnership were advised that the strategic advisory group needed to be a corporate priority for the Council going forwards and that that this needed to include NHS & Police colleagues as it did in Waltham Forest. The Cabinet Member raised concerns that youth engagement could become more disparate going forward, particularly in light of budgetary pressures.
3. The Director of Children’s Services invited partners to watch the video link for Haringey Community Gold, including the video of the case study.
4. In response to a question around continued support for young people and building ongoing relationships, the Partnership was advised that this was something the programme offered and that the outreach worker team was in place, providing a channel for young people to engage with a trusted adult figure on an ongoing basis.
5. In response to a question around working with young women and girls, officers advised that there were some specific pathways for this, including working with Sister Systems, who provided a mentoring programme, as well as the community conversation programme.
6. The Partnership thanked Bradley and Eduardo for the ongoing work that they were doing in the community.              

RESOLVED

1. That the update on the Haringey Community Gold Programme was noted.