Agenda item

Purpose

To provide information relating to the inclusion of Police Community Support Officers in Early Help and Prevention.

The Cabinet Member explained that she had requested this information item as early help can interrupt the patterns that put children in crisis situations. 

Katy Willcox, Service Lead Early Help and Prevention, introduced the report informing members that the report provides an overview of the early help and prevention service with a particular focus of the introduction of the Police Community Support Officers. The service provides support to families with children are aged between nought to 19 and covers services provided both by Portsmouth City Council and by Solent NHS including specialist family support workers working in partnership with the Youth Offending Team and the inclusion of Police Community Support Officers (PSCOs) in Early Help and Prevention. PSCOs use two main tools to reduce anti-social behaviour and child exploitation and more efficient joint working and interventions have improved outcomes for children and young people.  Among the first cohort of children, re-referrals have decreased dramatically, and the risk of exploitation has either been eliminated or reduced to 'low', among more recent contacts, although some cases remain open, risk of exploitation has reduced to low or there are no further concerns.  A case study was included as part of the report.

The Cabinet Member thanked the Service Lead for the detailed and rich report, adding that it brought to life many issues being faced by young people and the importance of early intervention to improve outcomes.  She noted that this had a longer-term financial benefit and the intensive support provided was worth the investment to turn a child's life around.

Members welcomed the report and the positive impact on behaviour changes.

In relation to the role schools play, the Cabinet Member noted that there is pressure on schools relating to educational attainment but that for most schools' relationships and what's best for the child comes first.  There had been work earlier in the year to refresh contacts in key services for schools, including the Police.

Mike Stoneman, Deputy Director of Children's Services and Education, confirmed that schools are looking for greater engagement with the Police and work is underway to help improve those relationships and that schools are very inclusive.

Sarah Daly, Director of Children's Services, clarified that the service had a very good standard of referrals from schools and the link co-ordinator role is embedded in the service and helps keep in touch with vulnerable children and families. Demand at the front door is being supported by strong systems, schools can pick up the phone to discuss the best way forward and there are very few complaints from school leaders about social care systems.

Councillor Terry Norton noted that six liaison officers will return, and the Police has a comprehensive child centred policing approach. He commented that health partners are working together and asked if there was more cross-portfolio work to be done to create environments where children and young people can be safe. 

The Cabinet Member commented that despite all the pressures on services, strategic work is being done to break down silo working although joint working, particularly with health partners is well established. 

Sam Bushby, Deputy Director Children and Families, added that there is a commitment across the whole partnership to support adolescents as individuals and to move beyond this to address risk by looking at place and context within the whole community. This involves working with new partners, including for example, the British Transport Police and other third sector organisations. 

In response to questions, Katy Wilcox clarified that neurodiversity, and the role of speech and language development is an important indicator in young people and there are specialists in the early intervention team to support this work.

Mike Stoneman added that the four priorities of the Portsmouth Education Partnership include literacy and oracy and with the Portsmouth Education Investment Area it has submitted its priorities to the Department for Education to proceed with those priorities over the next three years to build on what has already been achieved.

The information contained in the report was noted.