Agenda item

The Partnership received a report which provided an update regarding the Haringey Community Gold programme 2019-21, which was approved by Cabinet in March 2019. The update set out progress made in the delivery of commitments made against the Young People at Risk Action Plan and progress made in terms of governance arrangements. The report was introduced by Eduardo Araujo, Senior Tottenham Community Safety Manager as set out in the agenda pack at pages 19-109. As part of this item the Partnership were shown a video which provided a case study example of some of the work that had been undertaken as part of Haringey Community Gold The following arose during the discussion of this item:

1. The Borough Commander asked whether officers felt that were receiving full support from the police and whether there was anything else that the police could do to provide support. In response, officers commented that they would welcome any additional support. In particular, helping to get the message out on the ground was seen as a key contribution. The Borough Commander agreed to speak to her superintendents to ensure that as much support as possible was being provided and that conversations were taking place with partners on this. (Action: Treena).
2. The Partnership sought reassurance around whether there was enough support within Community Gold for Mental Health services. It was commented that there were a number of existing community health and wellbeing pathways but that perhaps there was a lack of pathways for those that were on the edge of sliding into mental ill-health. In response, officers advised that there were pathways in place but that there was always more that could be done, particularly as more and more young people were at risk of being in that border line category due to substance misuse, for example. One of the key concerns was around waiting times for services, which had only been exacerbated by Covid.  The Leader echoed these concerns, highlighting waiting lists for CAMHS services in general and the importance of early intervention in this area. The Director of Adults Social Services advised that she was working on developing further pathways and would be happy to link up with colleagues in Community Safety outside of the meeting. The Director of Adults Social Services also advised that she was working closely with Health colleagues and could bring an update around waiting times to a future meeting. (Action: Beverley Tarka).
3. The AD for Stronger and Safer Communities set out that he would like to take the opportunity to congratulate Eduardo and the team for the work that had been done around Community Gold and advised the Partnership that he thought that the programme was key contributing factor in the reduction in criminality in the borough.
4. The Cabinet Member for Early Years, Children and Families sought further information around the Youth Advisory Board (YAB), how it was structured and its influence on the programme. In response, officers emphasised the independence of the YAB and the crucial role it played in providing the voice of young people and young service users. Community Gold had been interacting closely with the YAB for the past 12 months. The Partnership noted the example of one of the Community Gold cohort who had received an offer for a place a Cambridge University. In relation to the YAB’s role in evaluation of the programme, the Partnership noted that a number of sessions were held with the YAB and Bridge Renewal Trust in November, along with a couple of sessions with the YAB and the policy team in April to evaluate the programme which had resulted in triggering two delivery partners to offer more. A further event with the YAB was planned at the end of the summer to evaluate what had been achieved to date.

RESOLVED

 That the Partnership noted the information contained in the update.