Recent News
A Model For Reducing Youth Crime
East Renfrewshire is the model for how youth, gang and knife crime could be tackled across the country.
That’s the findings from a study into the council’s pioneering approach to addressing youth crime and anti social behaviour.
The research, carried out for the Scottish Government, reveals that the approach, which brings together the local agencies and services, has reduced crime levels across the council area.
People caught with offensive weapons, including knives, is down 21% from 122 in 2005 to 96 in 2007.
Referrals to the children’s reporter have dropped by 31% from 212 in 2005 to 145 in 2007.
Vandalism was down from 1,846 incidents in 2005 to 1,563 incidents in 2007. There was a reduction in persistent offenders during the period studied with East Renfrewshire having one of the lowest and most improved results in Scotland.
The model adopted by East Renfrewshire Council is based on a successful Danish system for bringing together all local agencies involved in anti-social behaviour and youth offending.
The school, social work, police and community (SSPC) tackles aims to create strong communities and help families to break the intergenerational cycle of disadvantage by focussing on tackling anti-social behaviour early on coupled with diversionary tactics.
And now researchers are recommending that this model, because of its success in reducing anti-social behaviour and youth offending, could be a “…useful and interesting model for the government to consider”.
The operational ‘engine room ‘ of the SSPC approach is the young person’s referral group - a multi agency group led by social work and attended by the reporter to the children’s panel along with all relevant agencies – police, youth services, schools, housing, community safety and voluntary organisations.
East Renfrewshire’s health and social care convener, Councillor Douglas Yates, explained: “The group is able to offer guidance and assistance to young people who may be flirting with crime and their families. For example, the police may refer a young person who is a new face in a gang which can help to prevent a bystander from taking the next steps to becoming a perpetrator.
“The East Renfrewshire model has encouraged the professionals from all agencies and organisations to think and act outside their usual professional boundaries to deliver a better service to the young people, their families and communities. That’s an approach that will have long term benefits for the residents of our area.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: “Young people are more likely to be a victim of crime than they are to commit a crime. We know that the vast majority are well behaved and a credit to their communities but we do need to tackle the small minority that cause problems.
“Our recently published Youth Justice Framework set out our approach for trying to make sure fewer young people are affected by the three ‘Ds’ of drink, drugs and deprivation that lead to a life of crime. It’s based on prevention and early intervention with a focus on all relevant agencies working together to protect young people.
“The school, social work, police and community project pioneered in East Renfrewshire is an example of this type of approach.
“It’s great that this evaluation gives us clear evidence that early and effective action by different professionals working together can have a massive impact on the lives of young people and communities. I hope other councils can learn from this approach and help make sure it can benefit as many young people as possible.”
Three campus cops were appointed as part of the project. The officers are based in secondary schools in East Renfrewshire and provide a crucial link between community and school – sharing information, addressing issues of violence, cyber-bullying, anti social behaviour, drugs and gang related issues.
They link between the school and the young persons referral group and also support other agencies in engaging with hard to reach young people through out of hours diversionary activities - such as special Duke of Edinburgh schemes.
A support worker was also hired with the joint skills of youth and family engagement.
Quotes from interviewees in the research report:
“In cases of tragedies, investigations usually find lack of effective joint working and information sharing as contributory factors. That is now minimised in East Renfrewshire”
“The teacher is there to give a quick resume of attendance and behaviour whereas I would have to request a school report, get it in writing etc and that can take time...” (Reporter to the children’s panel)
“A much smaller percentage of my case load is made up of young people subject to supervision orders so early intervention seems to be having an impact” (social worker).
Conclusions from researchers:
The research was undertaken by Blake Stevenson Research Company during the period of January – May 2008.
The following is extracted from their research report:
“There was consensus across all interviewees that there has been a shift in organisational behaviour and culture as a result of the ethos and work of the YPRG and this has led to more effective and efficient use of resources. It can put support in place more swiftly than the Hearing system can. Individuals at the YPRG can commit to an intervention...individual professionals put themselves forward to assist with young people. If they had been limiting themselves to their strictly professional role, they might not have seen this as their job. There is little delay between the young person being referred and the group discussing their case and arriving at a decision”
“Shared aims, practice and ethos are at the core of what is making the SSPC approach and the YPRG operate successfully”
“The Cops are clearly functioning extremely effectively and making an important contribution to an integrated, preventative approach to anti social behaviour and youth offending. Although based in schools, it is the strength of the Cops in linking the school to community and to social work and other agencies involved which is key. They should continue to be based in schools but, as now, not ‘belong’ to the school”
“The Young Person’s Support Worker is a key role in relation to the YPRG and young people, working in a non stigmatising way...”
“In terms of the National Audit Office’s Framework for assessing value for money, it would seem that as a result of the establishment of SSPC, for most mainstream agencies there has been an economy because they have not had to invest in additional staffing; there has been efficiency in that staff are working together and sharing a workload thus inputting less and achieving more by the way of output and the SSPC model has been effective”.. “In some areas, particularly that of joint working, it has been exceptional”
“The project is a good fit with partner activity...strategically with prevention and integration...with problem solving, early intervention and violence reduction strategies of Strathclyde Police...with prevention strategies of the Fire and Rescue Service...This evaluation has found that the YPRG model is an excellent example of the GIRFEC (‘Getting It Right for Every Child’ Government priority policy) approach in practice, that is all agencies taking responsibility for ensuring that all young people are safe, respected, cared for and so on..The children and young people are put at the centre of the approach. It is a key strength of the group, and exemplary practice, that the members do not say ‘that’s not my remit’...although ostensibly concerned with the young person, it is evident that there is a whole family approach... ”
“ (SSPC has) achieved a rationalised approach to young people exhibiting anti social and offending behaviour across council departments, providing a measured and comprehensive response to community and agency concerns..Intervene in young people’s lives with clear purpose, effectively and with the least intrusion necessary”
“It would seem, therefore, that the prevention and early intervention approach being undertaken in East Renfrewshire Council has had an effect on more serious young offenders and early indicators are that it would seem to be having an effect on less serious offenders...it would seem..that there has been a reduction in anti social behaviour and youth offending.. a useful and interesting model for the government to consider”
Research Reports
Evaluation of SSPC Project Final Report (PDF 473kb)
Evaluation of SSPC Final Report - Technical Appendix (PDF 153kb)
An Afternoon with Jeffrey Deaver
International bestselling thriller writer Jeffery Deaver visits East Renfrewshire on Sunday 27 July.
Deaver, whose new novel, The Broken Window, is published on July 24, will appear at Eastwood Park Theatre where he will read from his latest novel The Broken Window. After taking questions from the audience he will sign copies of his book.
He has written 23 novels, sold over 20 million books worldwide and has been a Sunday Times bestseller in this country with the last 10 books.
Deaver’s most popular character is Lincoln Rhyme, a quadriplegic forensic detective, who has appeared so far in seven of his novels and was played by Denzel Washington in the feature film version of The Bone Collector.
The last Lincoln Rhyme novel The Cold Moon reached the number one position in both the UK hardback and paperback bestseller lists.
The Eastwood Park Theatre event is the author’s only West of Scotland appearance on his current UK tour.
An Afternoon with Jeffrey Deaver,
3.00pm 27 July 2008,
Eastwood Park Theatre.
Tickets £5.00 / £3.50
0141 577 4970
Driving assessments
Staff from the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) recently attended a seminar in Eastwood House and gave a presentation on the provision of driving assessments for taxi and private hire car drivers.
Representatives from Scottish councils including East Renfrewshire Council, Perth & Kinross Council, South Ayrshire Council, East Dunbartonshire Council and South Lanarkshire Councils attended the presentation.
The assessment scheme has been widely adopted in England and Wales, with some authorities requiring all applicants, new and renewal, to undergo the assessment prior to granting of a license.
Other councils participating in the scheme use the assessment system as an additional disciplinary measure for drivers who appear before their committees in regard to license endorsements/driving offences.
Photograph above:
Back row: ERC councilors Charlie Gilbert, Stewart Miller, Alastair Carmichael (all East Renfrewshire) with Alan Kelley and Ian Forrest from Perth and Kinross Council.
Front row: Brian Kilpatrick (ERC), Peter Kelly (East Dunbartonshire Council), Donna Scobie (South Ayrshire Council) Andy Mitchell (DSA) and David McPherson (South Lanarkshire Council).
The race is on
This year’s Barrhead 10K will take place on Sunday 21 September 2008 and this week
Tommy Hearle and Leanne Hamilton, who were the first man and woman home in last year’s race, helped launch the new Barrhead 10K website at Barrhead Sports Centre.
Joining Tommy and Leanne were members of the Barrhead 10K organising committee including keen runner Councillor Eddie Phillips and runners from the East Renfrewshire jogging network.
The first Barrhead 10k race last year attracted 262 entrants, aged between 15 and 75, and the organisers are hoping for even more runners this time.
Information about how to register for this year’s race, the route, training tips, contact details and a photo gallery of last year’s event are available on the new website: www.barrhead10k.co.uk
Councillor Phillips said: “We are hoping for around 400 entries this year and also for better weather. We would recommend that runners train for the event as it is not an easy route but people who are reasonably fit should have no problem with it.
“Keep an eye open for our posters, banners and leaflets around the town. Entry forms are available in local shops, the sports centre and library but you can also enter by logging on to our new website.”
Every runner will receive a goodie bag, medal and tee-shirt.
Photograph above: Local runners including Councillor Eddie Phillips and last year’s top male and female runners Tommy Hearle and Leanne Hamilton, launch the Barrhead 10K website at Barrhead Sports Centre.
Council in mourning: Councillor Ian Pearce
Councillors and staff at East Renfrewshire are mourning the death of former councillor Ian Pearce.
Councillor Pearce served the constituency of Netherlee as an independent since 1988 firstly with Eastwood District Council and with East Renfrewshire Council from the beginning of the council until ill health made him stand down at last year’s elections.
East Renfrewshire’s Council leader, Councillor Jim Fletcher, led the tributes saying: “Ian was a good friend and a colleague to many across the council.
“He was an independent in thought and in spirit and could be relied on to do all in his efforts to stand up for the people of Netherlee.
“His personal support in the local area and his commitment to the residents of Netherlee meant that Ian was their first choice in every election that he stood for in East Renfrewshire.
“Since the last election we have missed Ian as a councillor and colleague. With his passing we now miss the level head and wise words of a trusted friend.
“I know I speak for all of my colleagues when I say that East Renfrewshire loses something special with Ian’s passing.”
Get active go multi
That’s the message from active schools services in East Renfrewshire.
For they’ve set up multi-sports camps where youngsters can try out a range of sports during the school holidays.
And the range of sports and activities targeted at children between primary four and second year at high school includes: kwik cricket; football; cheerleading; table tennis; basketball; hockey; badminton; tennis; golf; dance; trampolining and much more.
East Renfrewshire’s education convener, Councillor Alan Lafferty, explained: “Whether it rains or shines this summer our weekly multi-sports camps will be great fun. The week long sessions are on at Williamwood high school from Monday to Friday.
“It’s the perfect way to keep summertime boredom at bay and your child could find one among the many sports and activities that they’ve never done before and have a real aptitude for.
“Our fully trained coaches know what they are doing and will make sure that your son or daughter will be getting active, having fun and making friends this summer.”
A full day Monday to Friday session costs £50 and a half day for the week is £25 with lunch or snacks included.
Sessions are on Monday to Friday until 8 August. A full day session is from 10am until 3pm; a half day morning is 10am – 12.30pm and a half day afternoon is on from 1 – 3.30pm.
Free places are available to those in receipt of a free school meal and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. For more information phone 0141 577 8479.
Check out the Summer Activities brochure
A drain on resources
Council roads bosses are asking residents to be on the alert for drain thieves.
For there’s been a spate of thefts of drain and gulley covers across East Renfrewshire.
And the council’s roads service is calling on residents to make sure they’re careful walking around the streets because the thoughtless thieves are leaving dangerous holes in the ground.
Charlie Armstrong, the council’s roads network chief explained: “We’ve had gulley covers stolen in four places over the past several weeks. We’re worried that a cyclist or a walker goes down one of these holes and it could be extremely dangerous.
“That’s why we want residents to be on the lookout to make sure they don’t fall down if any more are stolen. And that they contact the police if they spot anything suspicious.
“Some of these covers were put in many years or even decades ago and in some cases the sizes aren’t produced any more or the original manufacturer isn’t around. This means that we’ll need to get replacements custom made which will run to several thousands of pounds. That’s money that could be better spent in improving other parts of our roads network,” added Charlie.
The areas targeted by drain thieves have been outlying areas where they think they’re less likely to get spotted like Stewarton Road, Newton Mearns, Fereneze Road, Barrhead and Kingston Road, Neilston.
Independent custody visitors
Strathclyde Joint Police Board is looking for responsible members of the community willing to carry out occasional visits to police stations to check on the welfare and care of people detained following arrest.
The purpose is to ensure that an individual’s legal rights are observed and the conditions in which they are held are acceptable.
Suitable candidates will be given training and will join a team of experienced volunteer visitors visiting custody facilities in police stations throughout Strathclyde.
Visits are done in pairs and take place at different times and days of the week, including weekends. Custody visitors can arrange visits around their other commitments with approximately 12 visits a year per visitor. The role is unpaid but travel expenses are reimbursed.
Volunteers should be aged 18 or over, live in Strathclyde and be of good character. Serving police officers, special constables, police staff and persons directly involved with the criminal justice system are excluded from undertaking this role.
Please note the Strathclyde area covers: A, B and G Divisions (Glasgow), K (Renfrewshire/Inverclyde), L (Argyll, Bute & West Dunbartonshire), N (North Lanarkshire) , Q (South Lanarkshire) and U (Ayrshire).
For an application pack please contact:
Patricia McCarron
Strathclyde Joint Police Board
City Chambers
Glasgow
G2 1DU
Phone 0141 287 4638
email: patricia.mccarron@glasgow.gov.uk
Closing date for applications is:Friday 8 August 2008
Initial Induction/Training Day:Saturday 30 August 2008
(9.30am - 4.30pm)
Interviews will be held on:week beginning 15 September 2008
Family website vouchers available from libraries
There’s good news for local family history researchers for, as from this week, vouchers that can be used on the Scotland’s People website, are now available to buy at any East Renfrewshire Council library.
The vouchers can be used anywhere that the user has internet access but obviously they can use library PCs and receive support from library staff.
The website, www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk is a partnership between The General Register Office for Scotland, The National Archives and the Court of the Lord Lyon enabled by Scotland Online.
The website offers access to over 50 million records which cover the whole of Scotland: These include:
•Statutory registers (birth, marriage and death certificates)
•Old parish registers
•Census records
•Wills and testaments
Users can search these records and actually view an image of the document which they can save in their account and print off.
The vouchers can buy credits and allow the user to search and view. Up until now, the only way of doing this was by paying with credit card online. The cost was 30 credits for £6.
But the new scheme allows public libraries to sell discounted vouchers directly to the public for non-commercial use.
Starter voucher - £6 for 60 credits
Top up voucher - £4.80 for 30 credits (20% discount)
Community convener Councillor Mary Montague said: “This is wonderful news for the many East Renfrewshire residents who are interested in researching their family history. This should make family history much more accessible to the public and also help them save money.”
For more information they should contact:
Amanda Robb, Local Studies Librarian 0141 577 3872 or localstudies@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk
Photograph above: Local studies librarian Amanda Robb shows library assistant Kay Telford how the new vouchers can be used on the Scotland’s People websi
Six walk this way for Xmas fundraiser
Barrhead Centre’s service users pulled on their boots for a sponsored stroll around Rouken Glen Park recently and raised a huge £900.
Six service users, with support from centre staff Willie Johnston and Catherine Grieve, walked the walk to raise cash for the centre’s annual Christmas dinner dance.
The centre has been overwhelmed with the generosity of kind hearted local people, friends and family who all pledged the cash to ensure that the 48 people who use Barrhead Centre all year round, will have a very festive Christmas party.
Barrhead Centre is a day care centre for adults with disabilities.
Photograph above: Barrhead Centre users and staff as they head off on their sponsored stroll around Rouken Glen Park.