Safety NET-works September 2015 www.safercommunitiesscotland.org SCSN Training & Events Pg. 10-11 SCSN Update Pg. 4-5 Stop and Search Pg. 3 ‘Rail’ Good Partnership Pg. 6 “The only thing that stays the same is change” - the future of Community Safety Jacqui Doig, SCSN Manager As part of our ongoing business planning, SCSN staff and Board members have been reflecting on the changing landscape of community safety. So much has changed since the then Scottish Executive published “Threads of Success” (2000) to guide and support the establishment of Local Community Safety Partnerships. SCSN have long recognised that the term ‘Community Safety Partnership’ is now a collective term for a plethora of partnership structures that direct community safety work, and that community safety now sits in an ever widening number of local authorities Directorates. As such there is a sense that we need a new definition of community safety for a new world. A definition that will reflect new and emerging priorities and clearly identify the importance of real and effective partnership working. Just like the sector, SCSN has evolved and developed over the years and has come a long way since our independent review by ODS in 2009. Like the sector we have had our share of successes and believe that we have contributed to making Scotland safer. However, there is still some way to travel, and in order to design our services to ensure that they meet the needs of our members we, collectively, need to consider what community safety will evolve into in the future. What are the challenges for community safety and how can SCSN best support the sector to meet these challenges? Early reflections have identified a number of possible directions of travel and as with all public sector organisations, SCSN runs the risk of being pulled in a number of directions with limited resources if we do not establish shared priorities with members and stakeholders. In considering future development, feedback from the National Operational Group will be well heeded - SCSN must keep its focus and not be all things to all people. It is important we keep our roots and have practitioners at the heart of future delivery and so we hope to have open dialogue through our up and coming Link Officer visits with each of our member organisations to identify what the future means for them. We appreciate that link officers visits to date have been more focussed on research and in establishing local profiles, but we want to build on this by discussing and listening to your aspirations for community safety, locally and nationally. One of my favourite and well quoted songs is a Melissa Ethridge song which includes the lyrics ‘the only thing that stays the same is change.’ Together, we can take some control over the changes the future may bring and work collectively to make change work for us and the communities we represent. If you want to share your views on community safety and what it means to you, please get in touch email; [email protected]
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Safety NET-works September 2015
www.safercommunitiesscotland.org
SCSN Training & Events Pg. 10-11
SCSN Update Pg. 4-5
Stop and Search Pg. 3
‘Rail’ Good Partnership Pg. 6
“The only thing that stays the same is change” - the future of Community Safety Jacqui Doig, SCSN Manager As part of our ongoing business planning, SCSN staff and Board members have been reflecting on the changing landscape of community safety. So much has changed since the then Scottish Executive published “Threads of Success” (2000) to guide and support the establishment of Local Community Safety Partnerships. SCSN have long recognised that the term ‘Community Safety Partnership’ is now a collective term for a plethora of partnership structures that direct community safety work, and that community safety now sits in an ever widening number of local authorities Directorates. As such there is a sense that we need a new definition of community safety for a new world. A definition that will reflect new and emerging priorities and clearly identify the importance of real and effective partnership working. Just like the sector, SCSN has evolved and developed over the years and has come a long way since our independent review by ODS in 2009. Like the sector we have had our share of successes and believe that we have contributed to making Scotland safer. However, there is still some way to travel, and in order to design our services to ensure that they meet the needs of our members we, collectively, need to consider what community
safety will evolve into in the future. What are the challenges for community safety and how can SCSN best support the sector to meet these challenges? Early reflections have identified a number of possible directions of travel and as with all public sector organisations, SCSN runs the risk of being pulled in a number of directions with limited resources if we do not establish shared priorities with members and stakeholders. In considering future development, feedback from the National Operational Group will be well heeded - SCSN must keep its focus and not be all things to all people. It is important we keep our roots and have practitioners at the heart of future delivery and so we hope to have open dialogue through our up and coming Link Officer visits with each of our member organisations to identify what the future means for them. We appreciate that link officers visits to date have been more focussed on research and in establishing local profiles, but we want to build on this by discussing and listening to your aspirations for community safety, locally and nationally. One of my favourite and well quoted songs is a Melissa Ethridge song which includes the lyrics ‘the only thing that stays the same is change.’ Together, we can take some control over the changes the future may bring and work collectively to make change work for us and the communities we represent. If you want to share your views on community safety and what it means to you, please get in touch email; [email protected]
‘See Me’ launch project to tackle prisoners’ mental health problems
According to latest figures, nearly three quarters of prisoners experience mental health issues, but many prison staff don’t have enough training or understanding to offer support. See Me, the mental health anti-stigma charity is launching a collaboration with other groups in HMP Edinburgh, to enable staff to develop a deeper understanding of mental health and the stigma attached to it. ‘Seeing the Person, Seeing Ourselves’ is made up of a number of organisations, including Theatre Nemo, Positive Prison?Positive Futures,
the Scottish Prison Service, prison staff as well as the men and women in HMP Edinburgh with lived experience of mental health conditions. It is hoped that the work will begin a process to remove mental health stigma in prisons, to improve the support given to people and ultimately enable them to return to the community better equipped for life, without further reoffending and with improved mental health. The project is part of a wider movement which is looking to bring people together all over the country to tackle mental health stigma. Judith Robertson, See Me Programme Director said, “With such a high percentage of the prison population experiencing mental health problems, there is clearly work that needs to be done. We know that people with mental health problems face stigma and discrimination, as do those who have been in the criminal justice system. When combined, this could have a huge impact on a person’s ability to function in society.”
For more information on See Me, please visit www.seemescotland.org
Funding boost for projects across Scotland 131 projects across Scotland will benefit from National Lottery funding from ‘Awards For All Scotland’. Among the successful projects include Kids in the Street which will give young people in Edinburgh the chance to take part in weekly football coaching sessions, Common Wheel who will use the funding to engage with dementia sufferers through storytelling, music and dance in six care homes across Glasgow and Visual Statement which will deliver an
intergenerational dance programme that will bring both young and old together. ‘Awards for All Scotland’ is an easy way for smaller organisations to get small amounts of funding. It gives groups a chance to apply for a grant of between £500 and £10,000 for projects that aim to help improve local communities and the lives of people most in need. You can apply to ‘Awards For All Scotland’ if you are a not for profit / voluntary or community group, social enterprise, community council, school or statutory body. They will fund a range of projects which involve bringing local people together, helping people learn, improving local spaces and getting people more active. To find out more about ‘Awards for All Scotland’ or to make an application please visit bit.ly/awards-for-all
We have a few spaces still available on our Community Engagement and Resilience Training on the 29 September in Glasgow. This training aims to provide delegates with an understanding of community engagement and resilience and covers topics such as co-production and asset-based approaches. To secure your space, please contact us on 0131 225 7772.
‘Loose Women’ poll reveals shocking domestic violence statistics An exclusive YouGov poll of 2,244 women for ITV’s Loose Women has found that over one in three British women have experienced domestic abuse. Nearly two in five of these women said they hadn’t told anyone about it and 35% of all women said that if they experienced domestic violence, they wouldn’t want anybody to know that they were a victim. The survey will launch the TV show’s domestic violence campaign on Wednesday 17 September which will highlight the impact of domestic violence and offer support and advice.
Sandra Horley, Chief Executive of Refuge explained, “Victims of domestic violence often feel trapped and isolated. They may feel ashamed of what has happened to them, or they may be fearful of speaking out. The truth is that domestic violence is not a private matter. It is a huge social issue that affects the whole of our society. We all have a role to play in ending this horrific crime – and we must start by speaking out about it.”
For more information, please visit; www.refuge.org.uk/
Stop and Search Police Scotland’s Stop and Search Improvement Plan, and enhanced national database was rolled out across Scotland on 1 June 2015 together with changes to operational practice and recording procedures. The enhanced database includes additional validations which are designed to improve the quality of data by reducing inaccurate data capture through input error. Changes to operational practice also mean stop and search activity is now recorded differently than before. For example seizures are now recorded separately whereas previously they were recorded as positive
searches, even though no physical search had taken place. As part of Police Scotland’s commitment to providing greater transparency in relation to the use of stop and search, Police Scotland have published the first month of data (June 2015) from the enhanced database. The data is available on Police Scotland’s website and is accessible to anyone. To read the full report please visit; bit.ly/stop-and-search-report. In addition to this data the Independent Advisory Group on Stop and Search established in March 2015 to advise Ministers on the long‑term policy published their report on the 3 September 2015. To read the report, please visit; bit.ly/stop-and-search-advisory-group.
National Operational Group (NOG) The NOG met earlier this month and discussed a number of topics including the Community Justice Review, Scotland Serious and Organised Crime strategy (bit.ly/seriousorganisedcrimestrategy) which was launched in June this year and progress in relation to BSCP phase 2 research. The group also took some time to reflect on NOG meetings and indicated that the NOG provided a valued members forum, which
offers a range of support to community safety officers. Individually members stated that while they learnt things from meetings, of equal importance was the reassurance and support the networking provided in relation to their day to day work. Members highlighted that with attendance at other SCSN events widening, the NOG was regarded as an important vehicle for CSP to have a voice. The next meeting will be held in December and all members will be invited to attend.
Digital Justice : Modernising the Criminal Justice System This event took place on the 3 September at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh and included an input on the Digital Strategy for Justice in Scotland (bit.ly/digitalstrategyforjustice) which aims to use digital technology to transform the way in which we deliver justice services in the civil, criminal and administrative justice systems in Scotland.
Readers may also find of interest The future of the courts – a white paper (bit.ly/futureofthecourts) produced by Thomson Reuters which looks at trends, opportunities and people in an attempt to paint a picture of how technology and information systems may direct us in the future.
Find out what SCSN have been up to over the last month
Partnership Analyst Forum 31 August 2015 Perth On 31 August 2015 the Partnership Analyst Forum was held in Perth. The forum is an opportunity for partnership analysts to meet, get information on the latest methods and tools and to receive national updates. Improvement Services provided presentations on Viewstat and the Community Planning Outcomes Profiler both of which are very useful tools for mapping, data and outcome analysis.
SCSN would like to thank all the delegates for their input and Improvement Services for their excellent presentations. The next forum will be held in January 2016, details will be disseminated closer to the date. For more information on Viewstat, please visit; bit.ly/viewstat For more information on the Community Planning Outcomes Profilers, please visit; bit.ly/community-planning-outcomes-profiler
Antisocial Behaviour Officer Forum 26 August 2015 On 26 August 2015 the Antisocial Behaviour Officer Forum (ASBOF) was held in Perth. The forum provided an opportunity for Antisocial Behaviour (ASB) Officers and practitioners to meet and discuss key issues relating to antisocial behaviour. The forum received presentations from the Antisocial Behaviour Lawyers Forum (ASBLF) on mental health and antisocial behaviour from a legal perspective, the Scottish Government provided input on the Strategy for Justice in
Scotland and Police Scotland provided an update on community policing and information sharing. A special mention was made for Fraser Gormal (GCSS) who stood down as the chair of the board after many years of devoted service to the forum; service that had transformed the forum into the recognised centre for antisocial behaviour officers in Scotland. Fiona Alder has taken over as temporary chair until such time as a replacement is appointed. The next ASBOF will be held on 17 November 2015 at St Andrews House, Edinburgh.
10 November 2015 – New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) Thematic Event Venue TBC NPS or ‘legal highs’ are a recurring feature in news stories and across public safety campaigns. Join us for a special thematic event as we hear from guest speakers from Police Scotland, the NHS, Trading Standards Scotland as we discuss NPS in Scotland today and what it means for community safety.
24 November 2015 – Reassuring the Public; Building confidence and reducing fear Venue TBC SCSN is working in partnership with the Scottish Government to host an event to share
the findings of the Reassuring the Public programme which began in 2011 as part of the
Strategy for Justice in Scotland. Recognising that work on public reassurance about
crime and confidence-building was already taking place in Scotland, the Reassuring
the Public programme was set up to bring a more co-ordinated approach in these
areas. The programme used a range of interesting research methods including action
research, qualitative research, exploration of cultural factors and audience insight
research. The findings will inform local practice and support agencies to target
messages to their audiences to reduce fear of crime and increase confidence within
communities.
To find out more about these events, or to book your place please contact us at [email protected] or call 0131 225 7772.
‘Rail’ Good Partnership Let’s be honest, Monday’s aren’t always the best day of the week. It’s a day where we get back on the diet, we crave more time in bed and we mourn the end of the weekend and the start of another working week. Sometimes, however, something can come along which can transform how we feel about a Monday and on the 17 August that is exactly what happened at SCSN. We found out the news that one of our staff members was receiving a ‘Golden Ticket’ to attend the first journey of the Borders Railway. SCSN have worked in partnership with Network Rail since 2011, managing a number of funds to help promote community engagement and safety in communities close to the train network. The Borders Railway Community Safety Fund was established to provide funds for community projects based in areas close to the new train line with the hope that through this fund, lasting legacies could be created long after the construction work had ceased and the trains had become the norm. From the first funding stream opening in June 2013, over 65 projects have benefited from the fund. From local Brownie and Guides groups to Grandparent Kinship Groups, each project has had a significant impact on the local community as well as helping to spread safety messages about the railway. We are immensely proud of the work that we have done with Network Rail. It is incredibly satisfying and humbling to see the fantastic ways in which organisations, groups and clubs
are engaging with communities right across Scotland. The funding that has been made available has helped to ensure that key issues such as trespass and vandalism, level crossing misuse, antisocial behaviour, crime against people and railway assets as well as suicide have been widely promoted. This has led to changes in behaviour as well as a reduction in levels of risk. Being involved in the Scottish Borders Railway Coordination Group ensured that we could play an active role in helping to address issues relating to community safety whilst encouraging community engagement. To be invited to attend the launch of the railway was a real honour and privilege. For us it is the culmination of a journey which has seen fantastic local projects make positive differences in their communities with the help of the Borders Railway Community Safety Fund and we couldn’t be more proud of that.
Pictured: Mark Henderson, Community Safety Manager (Scotland), Network Rail and Denise
Huntridge, Business Support Officer, SCSN.
“The partnership between Network Rail and SCSN has promoted engagement across communities close to the Scottish rail network. It has enabled key issues such as trespass and vandalism, level crossing misuse and suicide to be widely promoted
and discussed, leading to changes in behaviour and reductions in levels of risk. It seemed only natural for SCSN to become involved with the Borders Railway. Through
this work we have been able to support a number of fantastic projects that are making a real difference in the community.”
Mark Henderson, Community Safety Manager (Scotland), Network Rail
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My Golden Journey- Denise Huntridge If you had told me ten years ago that I’d be travelling on the first Borders Railway train, I would have laughed at you. I live in Newtongrange and have seen every stage of the Borders Rail line. At times, amidst the planning and construction, it felt that the trains would never arrive, but arrive they have and on Saturday 5 September, I boarded the first train bound for Tweedbank At the station there was a real sense of excitement, anticipation and celebration. Some of my fellow passengers remembered the old train line and were jubilant that they had seen the trains return within their lifetime. For the younger generations, the Borders Rail offer is an exciting new way to travel and opens up a range of opportunities and days out.
On board, we were greeted by some fantastic entertainment as well as light refreshments which really added to the sense of grandeur and celebration. As I settled into my seat, and the journey began, I was wowed by the stunning scenery along the way, but I was also reminded of the work that SCSN did alongside Network Rail. Thanks to the Borders Railway Safety Fund so many different projects were supported to make a real and positive difference within their communities. There is no doubt that being part of the first Borders Rail journey has been a highlight of my personal and professional life. I know, however, that once the excitement and thrill of the railway has died down, a lasting legacy will remain and that is pretty special.
Excited passengers as the train pulls up to the platform.
Our Golden Ticket
Denise Huntridge, Business
Support Officer, SCSN with her
Golden Ticket
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New report highlights alcohol’s harm to others
A report carried out by the University of Sheffield is shedding light on the true impact of alcohol on people other than the drinker. The research, which is the first of its kind in the UK, surveyed individuals from the North West of England and Scotland to find out what impact other people’s drinking had on them. The key messages indicate that in Scotland over 50% of respondents reported at least one of 16 harms from another person’s drinking. Amongst the harms reported, the most common included being harassed, afraid or insulted in a public place, being annoyed by vomiting, urinating or littering on the streets and being kept awake at night. Alcohol’s harm to others can be defined as the adverse effects of someone’s drinking on
people in a range of different relationships to the drinker. For example, a road-traffic accident caused by a driver who had been drinking may result in the injury or death of passengers, those travelling in other vehicles or pedestrians; a family may experience financial problems because money for household expenses is used to buy alcohol or a couple may find their house or car damaged as a result of the alcohol fuelled behaviour of strangers. Whilst the health and social consequences of alcohol consumption for heavy drinkers has long been established, there is an increasing awareness of the wider impact that alcohol can have. Other similar studies in Australia and New Zealand identified that the prevalence of harm from another person’s drinking is high. Despite this, knowledge of who is most effected by alcohol’s harm to others, how, in which contexts, and the prevalence of different harms is still lacking. This research goes some way to evidence the levels of alcohol’s harm to others, and we welcome the findings. The real challenge now is how we can work collaboratively to try and reduce such harm amongst our communities in Scotland. To read the full report, please visit: bit.ly/alcohol-harm-to-others-report
Applications can now be made to a £1.5 million fun to improve the safety of the school run for children who walk, cycle, scoot or skate. The Safer Routes to School Implementation Fund is a grant scheme for active travel infrastructure associated with school travel. The scheme is administered by Sustrans Scotland and funded by Transport Scotland.
Last year projects received funding for everything from vehicle activated speed signs to area wide cycling and walking improvements. John Lauder, National Director of Sustrans Scotland explained,
“We are looking for schemes that tackle the school run by creating safe, attractive routes for children choosing to walk, cycle, scoot or skate to school and we look forward to receiving applications for projects that will achieve this.” Local authorities and statutory bodies can apply to the fund until 25 September when the application process is set to close. For more information or to apply, visit: bit.ly/sustrans-saferroutestoschools
Living Streets Walkable Communities Workshops 2015
Living Streets Scotland will be delivering a series of workshops this Autumn as part of our Paths for All and Scottish Government funded ‘Walkable Communities’ programme. The workshops are open to community groups and organisations, local authority, NHS and other community planning partners and are an opportunity to share experience and learning in developing and delivering effective interventions that enable and encourage people to walk more often as part of every day journeys, with all the health, social and economic benefits increased walking rates provide.
The workshops will be taking place on:
If you’d like to attend a workshop, please email [email protected] with your contacts details, dietary requirements and any access requirements you might have.
Building skills, capability and talent for individuals, teams and
organisations
We offer a range of training courses enabling continued professional development for all who
work within the community safety sector. All of our courses have a practical focus, meaning the
skills, techniques and best practice covered in our training can be used with immediate effect
upon returning to work.
As well as our training courses we can provide bespoke training for you or your organisation on
any of the packages that we offer including: Evaluation Training, Community Engagement and
Resilience, Preventative Spend Cost Benefit Training, Applying for Awards and Evidence Based
Strategic Planning.
Evidence Based Strategic Planning
Modules 2-4 of the Evidence Based Strategic Planning are held over three days. Each day is devoted to an individual module providing delegates with a detailed understanding of evidence based strategic planning.
Module 2 - Introduction to Evidence Based Strategic Planning and Partnership Working 19 October 2015, Edinburgh This training will; Inform delegates about the evidence based strategic planning processes on-going at
local and national level within community safety Identify the key stages and composition of a strategic assessment Highlight the legislative framework and protocols surrounding information sharing Increase understanding of the purpose of a terms of reference and data collection
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Module 6 – Advanced Priority Setting and action plans 1 December 2015, Edinburgh
Module 6 provides delegates with a more in-depth look at priority-setting, making recommendations and action plans, providing delegates with the skills needed to further develop evidence-based strategic planning. After completing this module participants should be: Proficient at using the current CSP priority-setting model, and be capable of
amending it for wider use than in community safety Able to develop partnership action plans, and know who to involve in the process
and how to develop accountability
Module 3 - Business Planning and Data Analysis 20 October 2015, Edinburgh
This training will;
Increase knowledge of basic analytical principles within evidence based strategic planning
Increase understanding of principles and methods such as inferences and horizon scanning
Enable delegates to understand cross cutting themes and how they impact on community safety
Increase understanding of the current CSP priority setting model and the processes of developing recommendations and action plans
Module 5- Advanced Analysis and Horizon Scanning 3 November 2015, Edinburgh
This module is recommended for those who have a solid grasp of the principles of evidence based strategic planning and have undertaken either the Scottish Police College, Scottish Government or SCSN training or have undertaken one or more strategic assessments. This training will;
Provide a detailed look at strategic analysis and horizon scanning Give delegates the knowledge to develop evidence based strategic plans
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Scottish Community Safety Network
2 Hill Street, Edinburgh, EH2 3JZ 0131 225 8700/7772 [email protected] Company Ltd. SC357649 Charity No. SC040464 www.safercommunitiesscotland.org
If you would like to include an article, request information or share some good practice in our newsletter, please get in touch. Email [email protected] The closing date for article submissions are; 28 September for the October edition 27 October for the November edition 27 November for the December edition
Holistic approach supports women prisoners to take positive steps Between 2013 and 2015, the government provided £3.1 million funding to 16 women’s community justice services across Scotland to provide community services for women who offend. The funding both established new services and developed existing projects. An evaluation of these projects by the Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services (IRISS) found that a holistic and flexible approach helped women to make positive changes in their lives and tackle the underlying issues behind their offending. Progress of more than 400 women involved in these projects was monitored and the evaluation found that 83% had taken positive steps forward, particularly in stabilising their lives
and preparing them to make life changes. This evaluation supports the government’s new approach to dealing with female offenders, announced in June, moving toward custody in the community, backed by targeted support to address underlying issues. The Justice Secretary said, “I am delighted that this evaluation confirmed that the innovative approach of Women’s Community Justice Services support women to stabilise their lives, increase their confidence and motivate them to change their lives, all of which are positive steps in preventing reoffending.”
To read the full evaluation report, please visit: bit.ly/evaluationreport_holisticapproaches
