DN 09/2020 Precept Uplift 2019-20 Project Funding

DN 09/2020        Date 27/4/2020 

The Commissioner, having regard to the discretion available to her under Regulation 11 Police Regulations 2003, has decided, after consultation and agreement from the Police, Fire and Crime Panel, to award funding from the Additional Precept Uplift 2019-20, to the following priority areas for investment:

• Whole Family Approach’ pilot for vulnerable Children and Young People affected by Domestic Abuse;
• Domestic Abuse Reducing Reoffending and Harm Prevention: Perpetrator Work and System Improvements
• Programmes to Support Early Intervention and Prevention

Background

In 2019 the Commissioner undertook a Neighbourhood Policing Survey which provided a timely reminder of the concerns that the public had about the erosion of local policing services in North Yorkshire. In response to these concerns, and the strategic direction of the Commissioner to deliver the ‘Reinforcing the Front Line’ goal set out in the Police and Crime Plan, NYP developed plans to address the areas that were raised within this survey.

To deliver these proposals required an increase in both Police Officers (51 FTEs) and PCSO’s (23.5 FTEs) and all of these posts will be filled moving into 2020/21. Some delays were experienced in filling these posts in 2019/20 and therefore these unspent funds have been set aside and following agreement at the Police, Fire and Crime Panel in February 2020 will support investment in the priority areas identified above and described below. 

1. ‘Whole Family Approach’ pilot for vulnerable Children and Young People affected by Domestic Abuse (DA) 

• The Domestic Abuse Joint Commissioning Group has identified a longer-term aim to move towards a holistic package of support for all children and young people affected by DA alongside the adult support services from 2023/24 onwards. Estimates from 2015/16 and 16/17 show that just over a quarter of DA incidents (26% and 28% respectively) occur in families where children are present, suggesting that every year, several thousand children could be affected across North Yorkshire and York.

• It is therefore proposed that a new, holistic range of interventions including both 1-to-1 and ‘Whole Family’ group sessions is piloted across North Yorkshire and York now, to reduce the intergenerational consequences of domestic violence. The service will be delivered by specially trained children’s workers and the target cohort will be children and young people aged 0-16yrs who are not eligible for existing services and not living within Refuge or Dispersed Accommodation provision. It is anticipated that 4 FTE workers will be based geographically, guided by local need and demand.

• Although a procurement options assessment is yet to be completed, it is currently anticipated that following a full open market tender and contract implementation period, Pilot Delivery would commence from 01/01/2021 with an initial term to 31/03/2023, with the option to extend for a further 1 year to align with existing DA contractual timescales. The total proposed budget over the contract period is £330,000.

2. Domestic Abuse Reducing Reoffending and Harm Prevention: Perpetrator Work and System Improvements       

• Over the last years, the Commissioner has supported and invested in whole-system improvements, aiming to disrupt offending behaviour through pro-active, early interventions with perpetrators. This approach has shifted the focus from domestic abuse victims and what they are doing to protect themselves to the perpetrator to stop their abusive behaviour. The proposal is to build on the work already delivered and embed sustainable change.

MATAC (Multi-Agency Tasking and Co-ordination) sustainability

• Following a full options appraisal of future delivery, it is proposed that the current dedicated MATAC team should be retained for a future 12 months within NYP, which would enhance and further develop perpetrator management strategies. This will enable NYP to target new cohorts of perpetrators, integrate wider with partners that are not currently part of the process, such as prisons and DWP, and mitigate the risk that serial offenders are no longer identified through other perpetrator programmes such as IOM, MARAC or MAPPA. In the longer term, it is anticipated that NYP develop a more comprehensive perpetrator approach which will ensure that the MATAC process can be integrated into business as usual.

• As part of the MATAC team is already employed through fixed term contracts within NYP, the service can be extended without interruption. The total proposed budget for FY20/21 is £85-95,000, depending on a final decision on the role profile of the MATAC analyst / Intelligence Management Officer.

Support for Young People Displaying High Risk Abusive Behaviours

• Since April 2016, IDAS have been delivering the county-wide Respect Young People’s Programme (“RYPP”). Support is available for young people aged 10 to 16 years who are demonstrating abusive behaviour towards their family members and / or within intimate relationships with other young people to help them to recognise and change their behaviour. Support is also be offered to their parent/guardians (where appropriate and relevant) to explore parenting skills and enable them to more effectively challenge unhealthy patterns of behaviour.

• It is proposed that the current service offer is expanded and adapted to meet the needs of young people displaying high-risk abusive behaviours to their parent/s and other family members. This will involve working in partnership with the local youth justice system to train and upskill staff to jointly deliver a service to an additional 50 families per year with increased risk. The current commissioned service has already demonstrated evidence of impact and is ready for further expansion to meet the needs of these families. The total proposed budget for FY20/21 is £75,000.

• Other Programmes to Support Early Intervention and Prevention 

• Over the last 6 years, the Commissioner has supported numerous innovative and impactful initiatives through the Community Fund (CF) and Community Safety Services Fund (CSSF). Grants of up to £20,000 have been made available to community groups, charities and public sector organisation in York and North Yorkshire, which have enhanced community cohesion, prevented crime and anti-social behaviour, supported victims and worked with potential offenders to divert them from crime. A number of these projects have been highly successful and well regarded by both NYP and local communities. However, obtaining access to ongoing support has become increasingly difficult as many public bodies have faced severe funding. As a result, not all projects have achieved a financially sustainable position and in a number of cases, the Commissioner has approved repeat funding for existing projects through the CF and CSSF to ensure continuity of service provision.

• Where there is a demonstrable local need and strong outcomes, the OPFCC will put in place multi-year grant agreements or commission multi-year services to ensure that projects can continue. Within the available funding envelope, the Commissioner has identified two projects for prioritisation: 

Women’s Diversionary Scheme (WDS) 

• Since 2017, Humankind have successfully piloted and delivered the WDS across North Yorkshire and York. The scheme has two main objectives:

1. To reduce offending by women in North Yorkshire by diverting them away from the Criminal Justice System; and
2. To reduce the number of women re-entering the Criminal Justice System.

• Two Humankind workers work a combined 22.5 hours to provide interventions at point of arrest, most commonly for shoplifting, other referrals have been received for fraud, criminal damage, common assault and drug/alcohol related incidents. Referrals are made through the NYP IOM team and Hambleton and Richmondshire then Harrogate and York have seen the most referrals.

• It is proposed that the WDS is expanded to provide 2FTE across York and North Yorkshire, to include new interventions and new referral pathways from police custody and the Community Safety Hubs. The WDS will allow women to be supported away from the criminal justice system into commissioned support services, community support and out of court disposal options.

• Although a full procurement options appraisal is yet to be completed, it is anticipated that a tender could be launched quickly, with services operational from late summer 2020. Any contract should be awarded for a period of 12 months to align with the launch of the HMPPS Dynamic Framework, although an option to expend for a further 12 months may be necessary. The total proposed budget for this service is £140,000.

Scarborough Street Angels (SA) and Safe Haven (SH) 

• Kingdom Faith have been successful in accessing repeated funding through both the CF and CSSF to deliver the Scarborough Street Angels and Safe Haven The organisation works in close partnership with North Yorkshire Police, Scarborough Borough Council, Churches Together in Scarborough, local residents and local bars/clubs and taxis to change the atmosphere in the night-time economy and provide safe spaces for vulnerable individuals. 

• Safe Haven (SH) is the only non-alcoholic venue with paid staff providing help and providing a calming presence in St Nicholas Street. The SH is known and welcomed by residents and visitors. 

• Street Angels (SA) support the reduction in alcohol-related crime and ASB by patrolling the streets of Scarborough; their presence reduces public urination, casual destruction, racist behaviour and fear of crime. SA deal with young people missing from home, those taken ill or disabled, getting them home safely and reducing the risk of assaults. SA also help people to safety and remove glass bottles, clearing away broken glass to prevent usage as a weapon. By talking to people appearing agitated, aggressive situations are prevented from escalating and SA respond to requests for help from other NTE partners.

It is proposed to expand the current short-term funding arrangement to ensure long-term sustainability of the service. Following further consultation with public partners, it is anticipated that up to £60,000 will be made available over a multi-year period.

Decision Record

The Commissioner, having regard to the discretion available to her under Regulation 11 Police Regulations 2003, has decided that it is in the public interest to award funding to the 4 projects:

• Whole Family Approach’ pilot for vulnerable Children and Young People affected by Domestic Abuse; £330,000;
• Domestic Abuse Reducing Reoffending and Harm Prevention: Perpetrator Work and System Improvements;
  • The total proposed budget for MATAC for FY20/21 is £85-95,000, depending on a final decision on the role profile of the MATAC analyst / Intelligence Management Officer;
  • The total proposed budget for Young People Displaying High Risk Abusive Behaviours FY20/21 is £75,000.
• Programmes to Support Early Intervention and Prevention;
  • Women’s Diversion Scheme; £140,000;
  • Scarborough Street Angels and Safe Haven volunteer project; up to £60,000 will be made available over a multi-year period.

Julia Mulligan
Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire

Statutory Officer Advice

Having read this report and having considered such information as has been provided at the time of being asked to express this view, the Commissioner’s Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer the Chief Executive is satisfied that this report does not ask the PCC to make a decision which would (or would be likely to) give rise to a contravention of the law and that it takes account of the duties under s. 1(6) –(8) of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011.

Financial and Commercial

The Commissioner’s Chief Finance Officer and S151 Officer has advised that the financial amounts are accurate, appropriate and within the available budget envelope.