Renfrewshire Community Protection Chief Officers Group – Annual Report 2022-23
Renfrewshire Council · 28 September 2023
Back to Council — 28 September 2023 and its agenda
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1 To: Council On: 28 September 2023 Report by: Chief Executive Heading: Renfrewshire Community Protection Chief Officers Group – Annual Report 2022/23 ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 Renfrewshire Community Protection Chief Officers Group (COG) is responsible for leadership, strategic oversight and scrutiny of multi-agency public protection activity and practice in Renfrewshire, including in relation to child protection, adult protection, community safety, the management of offenders and community justice, alcohol and drugs, and gender-based violence. 1.2 The group is chaired by the Chief Executive of Renfrewshire Council with core representation from the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and Police Scotland, and wider membership drawn from other partners agencies and services. 1.3 This is the eighth annual report of the Community Protection Chief Officers Group. It provides an overview of the key areas of work of in relation to public protection during 2022/23. It also highlights the ongoing key benefits of excellent partnership working. 1.4 The annual report attached at Appendix 1 to this report provides detailed information on the activities which have been undertaken over this period, whilst section 7 of the report highlights the key priorities which partners have identified for collective focus and action during 2023/24.
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2 ___________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that elected members note the content of the report. ___________________________________________________________________ 3. Background 3.1 Renfrewshire Chief Officers Group was established to provide leadership, governance, direction and oversight to ensure local accountability for all aspects of public protection. Chief officers are responsible for ensuring that their respective agencies, individually and collectively, reflect national guidance, which directs local services to work in partnership to achieve public protection measures. The arrangements are comparable to Chief Officer Group arrangements in other local authority areas throughout Scotland. 3.2 The key area of activity overseen by the Renfrewshire Chief Officers Group are: • child protection; • adult protection; • offender management (MAPPA processes for sexual and violent offenders); • community protection; • Alcohol and Drug Partnership; and • Gender Based Violence Strategy 3.3 The Chief Officers Group provides regular reports to the Member Officer Group which is comprised of elected members on a cross party basis, and key officers from the Council and partners. The purpose of the Member Officer Group is to provide senior elected members with the opportunity to formally and regularly discharge their strategic independent scrutiny and assurance role in relation to key activity and significant developments which have implications for public protection matters in Renfrewshire. 3.4 This is the eighth annual report of the Chief Officers Group. It provides an overview of the key areas of work in relation to public protection in Renfrewshire over the course of 2022/23, and in doing so highlights the ongoing importance of partnership working. 3.5 The annual report is provided against the backdrop of some of the biggest challenges to face public services in many years. Renfrewshire, as with elsewhere in the country, has faced both the emergence of new pressures and the exacerbation of existing ones. The cost-of-living crisis and inflation have added to existing inequalities. Public services also face major challenges in
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3 addressing climate change, rising demand, and dealing with the longer-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. ___________________________________________________________________ 4. Strategic focus for 2023/24 4.1 Moving forward the Chief Officers Group have identified a number of specific priorities to be progressed during 2023/24, in addition to ongoing activity. These are: • Continue to focus on providing scrutiny, support and oversight of activity in relation to care homes, with a particular focus on the wellbeing of residents and staff; • Have oversight of how as a partnership we are tackling alcohol and drug related harm across Renfrewshire, with a particular focus on drug related deaths; • Support positive mental health and wellbeing with a focus on suicide prevention and people presenting to agencies in distress; • Support the development of trauma informed and responsive services; • Monitor and review the impact of local work to support the resettlement of Ukrainian nationals in Renfrewshire, unaccompanied asylum seeking children and young people and asylum dispersal locally, with a particular focus on safeguarding issues and service impacts and pressures; • Undertake an analysis of cybercrime activity within Renfrewshire and agree preventative actions; • Consider and implement the relevant Scottish Government priorities and policy and legislative changes such as the National Care Service • Support the work of the Scottish Covid-19 Enquiry. • Explore opportunities to undertake some form of self-evaluation as a Chief Officers Group on existing ways of working and practice. 4.2 The Chief Officers Group will continue to seek to ensure that performance and practice are scrutinised at a strategic level, to identify what works well, to highlight any areas for improvement, and to consider where further opportunities for early intervention and prevention activity would achieve improved outcomes for local people. 4.3 The group will also continue to review on an ongoing basis the implementation of relevant policies and legislation which relate to public protection, including Criminal Justice Reform and Children’s Care and Justice. ___________________________________________________________________ Implications of the Report 1. Financial – none
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4 2. HR & Organisational Development – none 3. Community/Council Planning – the Community Protection Chief Officers is embedded within the wider approach to community planning in Renfrewshire. 4. Legal - none 5. Property/Assets - none 6. Information Technology - none 7. Equality and Human Rights - The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report because it is for noting only. If required following implementation, the actual impact of the recommendations and the mitigating actions will be reviewed and monitored, and the results of the assessment will be published on the Council’s website. 8. Health and Safety - none 9. Procurement – none 10. Risk – none 11. Privacy Impact – none 12. COSLA Policy Position – none 13. Climate Risk – none ___________________________________________________________________ Report Author: Nicola Canavan, Senior Planning and Policy Development Officer Email: nicola.canavan@renfrewshire.gov.uk
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5 Appendix 1 Renfrewshire Community Protection Chief Officers Group Annual Report 2022/23
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6 Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Renfrewshire Profile 3. Analysis of Current Trends 4. Chief Officers Group 5. Member Officers Group 6. Strategic Partnerships Activities 7. Strategic Focus for 2023/24
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7 1. Introduction 1.1 Renfrewshire Community Protection Chief Officers Group (COG) is responsible for leadership, strategic oversight and scrutiny in relation to multi agency public protection activity and practice in Renfrewshire. The group oversees the work of seven strategic partnerships which examine performance and ensure the provision of quality services in relation to child protection, adult protection, wider public protection, offender management, community justice, alcohol and drugs, and gender-based violence. 1.2 The annual report is provided against a backdrop of partners continuing to work in an increasingly complex and challenging environment - the cost of living crisis, recovery from the pandemic and the associated impact on local communities, families and individuals. In addition, there is also ongoing national and UK wide policy change and improvement agenda. Our strong partnership working and committed workforce across sectors will continue to focus on improving outcomes for local people and communities. 1.3 The Chief Officers Group and the local multi-agency partnerships, continue to recognise, alongside scrutiny and reflection, the value of a proactive focus on awareness raising and preventative approaches to protect people in the community. This has been evident in the work of those groups, agencies and partnerships involved in public protection. 1.4 This is the eighth annual report of the Chief Officers Group. It provides an overview of the key areas of work in relation to public protection in Renfrewshire over the course of 2022/23, and in doing so highlights the ongoing importance of partnership working. 2. Renfrewshire Profile 2.1 Renfrewshire is located in west central Scotland and is the 10th largest Council in Scotland by head of population but covering a relatively small land mass of 270 square kilometres. Just under 180,000 people live in Renfrewshire, with our population projected to continue to grow over the next ten years, particularly our older population aged 60 and over. We also expect the number of households to increase to over 90,000 by 2028, predominantly driven by an increasing number of single adult or two-adult households without children. While Renfrewshire is less ethnically diverse than Scotland as a whole, we know it is a place of growing ethnic diversity, with our primary school rolls particularly reflecting this increase. 2.2 The people who live here know what a fantastic place Renfrewshire is. With its history and heritage, our culture and creativity, and our innovation and inventiveness, Renfrewshire has always been a place worth watching. 2.3 Our location is second to none - connected nationally and internationally through road, river, rail and air, but equally filled with tranquil natural spaces to reconnect and recharge. 2.4 Renfrewshire is at the heart of exciting new leaps forward for Scotland's economy as home to the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland. We're right at the
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8 forefront of this developing sector and will enjoy the boost to employment, skills and economic growth this will bring to Renfrewshire and have positioned ourselves to attract more industries who recognise our potential. 2.5 Across all of Renfrewshire, we are lucky to have a wealth of cultural and heritage assets. We're investing over £100m in these well-loved places, creating world-class, modern facilities, securing their future and ensuring they continue to inspire our people and encourage visitors to celebrate our history and support our thriving arts sector. 2.6 Renfrewshire also boasts beautiful green attractions across our whole geographical area - coastal, woodland, moorland, and wetlands - with opportunities to walk, wheel or cycle and enjoy our stunning natural environment, diverse range of wildlife and striking views across the Clyde Valley and beyond. 2.7 However, Renfrewshire faces a range of challenges, many of which existed before the COVID-19 pandemic but have since been deepened by both the pandemic and the cost- of-living crisis. 2.8 Child poverty in Renfrewshire has been rising steadily, with the most recent figures telling us that around one in five children in Renfrewshire are living in poverty. This is below the national rate but is rising faster than the overall Scottish picture. 2.9 Significant work has been undertaken to raise attainment for all while closing the attainment gap between the most and least disadvantaged children and young people. Renfrewshire's pupils perform above the national level for literacy and numeracy even though our levels of deprivation are higher than average. More Renfrewshire school leavers enter positive destinations than the national average, but we know we have work to do to help care experienced children and young people to build positive futures as they move on from school. 2.10 Whilst Renfrewshire's unemployment rate is broadly the same as Scotland's, we have far more people in Renfrewshire working in low paid jobs compared to both the Scottish and the regional picture. We also have a much higher percentage of people who are not working due to having long-term health conditions in Renfrewshire compared to the national average. Around a quarter of Renfrewshire residents live in a datazone within the 20% most deprived in Scotland. 2.11 The impact can be seen in our health and wellbeing - Renfrewshire's life expectancy is lower than Scotland's average life expectancy, for both males and females. Similarly, the 'healthy life expectancy', which describes living in good health, is also lower than the national rate for both males and females. The rate of drug-related death in Renfrewshire is regularly above the Scottish rate and has been consistently higher since 2017. Renfrewshire's alcohol specific death rate was more than 4 times higher in the most deprived areas compared to the least deprived. 2.12 Local engagement we've undertaken to understand experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic has also shown health worries to be a concern for our citizens. People also told us that they felt more anxious than they had before the pandemic and had experienced issues around loneliness and isolation.
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9 3. Analysis of current trends Child Protection 3.1 There were 4,478 child concern referrals received between 1 April 2022 and 31 March 2023. This is an increase from 4,308 received from April 2021 to March 2022. These are distinct referrals and not the number of children who were the subject of a referral. 83% of these came from Police Scotland. Domestic abuse was the largest single reason for a referral, with 1,463 concern reports over the 12-month period. Other regularly cited referral reasons included: • Missing person reports – 466 (down from 602 in 2021-22) • Youth offending – 353 (down from 402 in 2021-22) • Mental health issues (carer) – 321 (an increase from 255 in 2021-22) • Alcohol and/or drugs use by a child – 213 (down from 250 in 2021-22) • Child/parent relationship – 184 (an increase from 157 in 2021-22) • Alcohol and/or drugs use by a carer – 118 (down from 126 in 2021-22) 3.2 There were 338 Inter-agency Referral Discussions (IRDs) between 1 April 2022 and 31 March 2023, relating to 492 children. Of these, 154 proceeded to a child protection investigation, and 42 to a child protection pre-birth investigation. 3.3 The number of children on the Child Protection Register in Renfrewshire decreased significantly over the three years up to July 2022. This reflected the trend nationally. At the request of Renfrewshire Child Protection Committee and analysis of the Child Protection Register was undertaken to determine if the decrease in the number of children on the child protection register could be attributed to the new health visiting approach and also to the increase from 600 to 1140 hours of funded Early Learning and Childcare. 3.4 The analysis found that the new health visiting pathway and/or increased early years provision was unlikely to be the reason for reducing numbers on the Child Protection Register in Renfrewshire. From July 2022, the number of the children on the Child Protection has begun to increase. As of March 2023, 80 children were on the register. 3.5 Seven young people were placed in secure care between 1 April 2022 and 31 March 2023. Adult Support and Protection 3.6 Between April 2022 and March 2023, 4,123 adult welfare concern and adult protection referrals were received by Renfrewshire. Of these, 1,270 were adult protection concerns and 2,853 were adult welfare concerns. Following initial inquiries, 106 adult protection investigations were conducted, an increase from 88 the previous year. 28 of these investigations resulted in an Initial Adult Protection Case Conference.
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10 The table below highlights that this is the second largest number of adult welfare concerns and adult protection referrals since 2017/18. 2017/18 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22 2022/23 2,829 2,719 3,106 3,488 4,263 4,123 3.7 The total referral number for 2022/2023 reflects a 10% decrease in the referral rate as compared to the 2021/22 financial year. The 2022/23 figure is higher than in any previous years which may be as a result of an increased community awareness of Adult Support and Protection due to both national and local campaigns. In addition, agencies are accessing the available ILearn modules which provides a basic Adult Support and Protection module as well as more in-depth training. This training and knowledge better equips professionals in understanding Adult Support and Protection and when to make a referral into Social Work Services. 3.8 Across the year Police Scotland made 56% of all referrals, the table below provides an overview of the percentage of referrals since 2017/18. During the same period, referrals from other sources (Scottish Fire and Rescue Services; care homes; Housing; HSCP Health and Social Work staff; and GPs) have increased and therefore impacted in the reduction. 2017/18 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22 2022/23 70% 66% 61% 61% 61% 56% Adults with Incapacity (AWI) 3.9 Demand for AWI reports, which require to be completed by a qualified Mental Health Officer (MHO), continues to rise in line with increases across Scotland. This year saw another increase for local requests which is in part caused by the situation of a main hospital (Royal Alexander Hospital) in Paisley and discharges from this. The AWI referrals received often include complex issues of financial harm and risks identified through adult support and protection processes. There has been an increase in requests for AWI reports for delayed hospital discharges and this places pressure on the immediate capacity on the MHO Service to complete other statutory work. To speed up the process the service uses interim orders wherever possible. 3.10 Hospital discharges can also present issues where families can use guardianship applications to delay or challenge assessments by the RAH staff. MHO staff must assess the suitability of guardians, and this has an impact of the amount of work and the amount of Chief Social Work Officer (CSWO) applications if the guardians are found to be unsuitable. 3.11 During the pandemic emergency provisions (Coronavirus (Scotland) 2020) were put in place by Scottish Government and 176 days was added to the time scales for renewing guardianship orders. This was due to courts only hearing interim guardianships and there being fewer doctors, mental health officers and solicitors available to complete the documentation required for guardianship renewal. This is coming to an end and these guardianship orders will need to be reapplied for starting in June 2023 as the orders will
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11 have expired. There also continues to be a steady request for AWI intervention orders to end local authority tenancies when a person has lost capacity to end these. 3.12 In 2022/2023 there were 254 requests for AWI mental health officer reports. In the previous year there were 238 such requests. There will be an additional 12 CSWO renewals completed this year. Welfare Guardianships 3.13 Orders where the CSWO is appointed Welfare Guardian rose in the last year, from 125 in 2021/22 to 129 in 2022/23. Each order requires a qualified social worker to act as the “nominated officer” on behalf of the CSWO for day-to-day management of the case. In addition, there are in excess of approximately 530 private welfare guardianship orders running throughout Renfrewshire. These require a minimum of one statutory visit by a guardianship supervisor after being granted. Gender Based Violence 3.14 A Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) is a multi-agency victim- focussed meeting where information is shared on the highest risk cases of domestic abuse between different statutory and voluntary sector agencies such as local Police, health, child protection, housing practitioners, Independent Domestic Abuse Advocates (IDAA’s), probation and other specialists. Cases Discussed at MARAC March 2019 to March 2020 157 March 2020 to March 2021 146 March 2021 to March 2022 134 March 2022 to March 2023 178 3.15 The number of domestic abuse incidents reported to Police Scotland increased by 2.2% in 2022/23 compared to the previous year. Period Number of *IVPD’s concern reports raised for Domestic Abuse 1st April 2019 – 31st March 2020 2,284 1st April 2020 – 31st March 2021 2,085 1st April 2021 – 31st March 2022 2,016 1st April 2022 – 31st March 2023 2,061 * Investigating the suitability of the Interim Vulnerable Persons Database (IVPD) as a source of reliable information on hate crime recorded by the police 3.16 The Women and Children First project provides a range of support services to women and children who have experienced rape, sexual assault, physical abuse, harassment and/or child sexual abuse, whether in the home or in the wider community. In the table below, referrals to support and advocacy relate to adult women. Referrals to the Reconnections are for children and/or mothers and their children. The increase in Reconnection figures is due to the service being fully operational and staffed after
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12 lockdown. It should also be noted all children in a family are counted whereas previously only those named on the initial referral were included. Support and Advocacy Reconnections Total 1st April 2020 – 31st March 2021 185 78 263 1st April 2021 – 31st March 2022 196 62 258 1st April 2022 – 31st March 2023 216 141 357 Serious Organised Crime 3.17 Intelligence led policing resulted in 147 drugs detections in the period April 2022 to March 2023, a rise of two on the previous reporting year and approximately 18 more than the five-year average. In Renfrewshire and Inverclyde Division, serious and organised criminals were deprived of £1,110,489 in cash and assets through use of the Proceeds of Crime Act. Six serious and organised Crime Group principal members and 50 associates were arrested in the 2022/23 reporting year. Missing Person 3.18 In 2022/23, 735 missing person reports were recorded in Renfrewshire, a substantial rise on the 650 reports in 2021/22. 733 of the missing people in the reporting period were traced alive, with the two remaining missing persons being found deceased. Almost 77% of missing people in Renfrewshire were aged under 20 years. The top five repeat missing persons – who were all aged between 15 and 17 – were jointly involved in 93 missing person incidents, a substantial proportion of the overall total. 3.19 In Renfrewshire, almost 73% of missing people were traced within 24 hours of being reported as missing, with this proportion rising to approximately 93% being traced within three days. 3.20 Police Scotland remains committed to reducing harm related to people who go missing and continues to develop and implement key measures to ensure missing persons and their friends and family receive a consistently high level of service wherever the person has gone missing from. Cyber and Digital Crime 3.21 Cyber-enabled crime continues to impact on the communities of Renfrewshire, with analysis suggesting that cyber-enabled frauds have become the most commonly recorded type of cybercrime in Renfrewshire in the reporting period (55% of all recorded cybercrimes fell into this category). A range of online frauds and attempted fraud methods were reported, including suspects posing as bank and internet service provider employees in order to gain access to complainer’s online bank accounts and online devices. Other common crimes included internet order frauds, fraudulent cryptocurrency investment schemes and social engineering frauds in which suspects used messaging apps to contact complainers while purporting to be a friend or relative in need of financial assistance, to fraudulently induce online payments to be sent to them.
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13 3.22 A further 23% of the overall number of recorded cybercrimes were miscellaneous offences including threatening and abusive communications, while cyber-enabled sexual offences constituted around 18% of the total. Just under nine percent of cybercrimes in Renfrewshire were cyber enabled sexual-extortion crimes, with a rise in these crimes noted as compared to the previous year. While online sexual extortion can be committed by individuals, organised crime groups are usually responsible for these crimes. The data in relation to sexual crimes and violence and disorder data will become available in the coming weeks and the report will be updated to reflect this. It is worth noting that the Council’s Fire and Police Scrutiny Board receive regular reports and agree areas of action or focus. Accidental Dwelling Fire 3.23 In 2022/23 there were 147 Accidental Dwelling Fires in Renfrewshire. This is a decrease of 8% from this period last year. Cooking remains the most common source of ignition within Renfrewshire accounting for 98 of the accidental dwelling fires. 41% (60) of the incidents required no firefighting action, 33% (49) were due to distraction and 19% (28) were due to alcohol/drug impairment. 119 of the 147 incidents had detection installed and 87% (128) of them operated and raised the alarm. Unintentional Injury or Harm 3.24 Non-fire casualties recorded by Scottish Fire and Rescue increased by 35% to 107 casualties. Of the 107 casualties 49 were because of Road Traffic Collisions (46%). Incidents involving Assisting Other Agencies accounted for 42% (45 incidents) of all the activity within this indicator. Ten fatalities were recorded this period. Effecting entry accounted for 7 of these casualties while the remaining 3 were suicides. Deliberate Fire Setting 3.25 Deliberate fire setting shows a decrease of 13% (81) incidents from the last financial year. Secondary fires accounted for 82% (445) of the incidents within this indicator. SFRS Six Areas of Key Demand 3.26 The table below highlights data provided by Scottish Fire and Rescue in relation to the six areas of key demand reduction for the period 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023.
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14 Drugs and Alcohol 3.27 In Renfrewshire, there were 39 drug-related deaths in 2022 which represents a decrease of 22% from 50 in 2021. This is the fifth highest number recorded in the past decade. Chart 1: Drug misuse deaths in Renfrewshire, 2013 to 2022 3.28 Renfrewshire had the seventh highest rate of deaths per 100,000 population (2018- 2022) at 28.9 and above the Scottish average of 23.4. This is similar to the previous 5- year rate where we had also had the seventh highest rate of deaths at 29. Chart 2: Drug misuse deaths for selected council areas, age-standardised death rates per 100,000 population, 2018-2022 13 30 19 42 38 50 45 67 50 39 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
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15 3.29 In Renfrewshire, there were 42 alcohol-specific deaths in 2022 which represents a decrease of 20.8% from 53 in 2021 and is the lowest number of deaths since 2019. Chart 3: Alcohol- specific deaths in Renfrewshire, 2013-22 3.30 The alcohol-specific deaths rate for Renfrewshire for 2018-2022 was 21.2. At council area in the last five years, Inverclyde, Glasgow City, Na h-Eileanan Siar, West Dunbartonshire, North Lanarkshire, Dundee City and North Ayrshire all had alcohol- specific death rates higher than the Scottish average. Some other areas also had rates higher than the Scottish average but had large confidence intervals which make it hard to tell whether there was a true difference. 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 Glasgow City Dundee City Inverclyde North Ayrshire W est Dunbartonshire East Ayrshire Renfrewshire Clackmannanshire South Lanarkshire Dumfries & Galloway North Lanarkshire Scotland South Ayrshire Aberdeen City Falkirk Stirling City of Edinburgh Fife Perth & Kinross Midlothian Scottish Borders East Lothian Angus Argyll & Bute Highland W est Lothian Moray Shetland Islands East Dunbartonshire Aberdeenshire East Renfrewshire 36 44 37 40 44 50 36 44 53 42 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
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16 Chart 4: Alcohol-specific death rate in council areas, 2018-2022
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17 Probable Suicides 3.31 In Renfrewshire, there were 33 probable suicides in 2022 an increase from 25 in 2021. In the same period, there were 762 probable suicides registered in Scotland, an increase of 9 from the previous year. Aberdeenshire East Renfrewshire Moray Scottish Borders East Dunbartonshire Shetland Islands East Lothian Dumfries and Galloway Perth and Kinross Stirling Fife Angus South Ayrshire West Lothian Orkney Islands Midlothian Falkirk Clackmannanshire Aberdeen City City of Edinburgh East Ayrshire Scotland Argyll and Bute Highland South Lanarkshire Renfrewshire North Ayrshire Dundee City North Lanarkshire West Dunbartonshire Na h-Eileanan Siar Glasgow City Inverclyde 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 Age-standardised mortality rates ( per 100,000 population)
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18 Chart 5: Probable Suicides in Renfrewshire, 2013 to 2022 3.32 For the period 2018-2022, Renfrewshire had the sixth lowest rate of deaths per 100,000 population at 12.0. This was below the Scottish average of 14.4. Between 2017 and 2022 there were 109 probable suicides (77 males and 32 females). In the previous 5- year period (2017-2021) Renfrewshire had the fifth lowest rate at 10.9 deaths per 100,000 population, again below the Scottish average of 14.1. Chart 6: Probable suicide death rate in council areas, 2017-2021 27 24 21 16 23 13 16 22 25 33 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
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19 4. Chief Officers Group 4.1 Renfrewshire Chief Officers Group (COG) was established to provide leadership, governance, direction and oversight to ensure local accountability for all aspects of public protection. Chief officers are responsible for ensuring that their respective agencies, individually and collectively reflect national guidance, which directs local services to work in partnership to achieve public protection measures. These arrangements are comparable to chief officer group arrangements in other local authority areas throughout Scotland and have been subject to an independent review. 4.2 The key areas that are overseen by the Renfrewshire COG are: • child protection; • adult protection; • offender management (MAPPA processes for sexual and violent offenders); • community public protection; • Alcohol and Drug Partnership; and • Gender Based Violence Strategy Group. 4.3 It is recognised that these areas of protection are often inter-linked and can impact on each other. The COG aims to provide demonstrable consistency and coherence in terms East Renfrewshire Stirling East Dunbartonshire Aberdeen City Shetland Islands Renfrewshire City of Edinburgh East Lothian Dumfries and Galloway Angus Midlothian South Ayrshire Aberdeenshire Fife West Lothian South Lanarkshire Scotland Falkirk Inverclyde West Dunbartonshire Scottish Borders Argyll and Bute Glasgow City North Lanarkshire North Ayrshire Clackmannanshire Moray Perth and Kinross Na h-Eileanan Siar East Ayrshire Dundee City Highland Orkney Islands 0.0 5.0 10.0 15.0 20.0 25.0 30.0 35.0 Age-standardised mortality rates (per 100,000 population)
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20 of leadership and direction in all these areas. The COG also combines efforts in individual areas to ensure that decisions taken in one area have a positive impact on public protection and are not counter-productive to any other high-risk area of business. 4.4 The COG takes an overview approach to ensure that the needs of vulnerable people at risk are being met and that services are improving outcomes for vulnerable people in both the short and longer term. During the pandemic the has been greater flexibility with the COG, particularly in relation to the enhanced scrutiny arrangements for clinical and care governance of care homes and to consider a number of Large-Scale Investigations and Initial Case Reviews etc. 4.5 The remit of the COG is to provide strategic leadership and oversight, and to scrutinise the work of the protection business areas on behalf of their respective agencies; to identify successes and areas for improvement, and in doing so learn from experience, monitor trends and examine local and national comparisons and take appropriate action in response to unsatisfactory performance. 4.6 The core membership of the Renfrewshire Chief Officers Group comprises of the following: • Chief Executive of Renfrewshire Council or appropriate senior named depute; • Chief Executive of NHS or appropriate senior named depute; and • Chief Constable Police Scotland or appropriate senior named depute (note in practice this will be the Chief Superintendent Divisional Commander for Renfrewshire. • Those who will be in attendance includes: • Chief Social Work Officer, Renfrewshire Council or appropriate senior nominee; • Chief Officer of the Integration Joint Board or the appropriate senior nominee; • Independent Chair of Renfrewshire Child and Adult Protection Committees; • Child Protection Committee lead officer • Adult Protection Committee lead officer • Head of Policy and Partnerships • NSCJA SOG or appropriate senior nominee. • Director of Environment, Housing and Infrastructure or Head of Climate, Public Protection and Roads • Scottish Fire and Rescue Service • Chair of the Gender Based Violence Strategy Group or appropriate senior nominee; and • Chair of the Alcohol and Drugs Partnership or senior nominee. 5 Member Officer Group 5.1 The purpose of the Member Officer Group is to provide senior elected members with the opportunity to formally and regularly discharge their strategic independent scrutiny and assurance role in relation to key activity and significant developments which have implications for public protection matters in Renfrewshire as they relate to: • Adult Protection; • Child Protection;
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21 • MAPPA (Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements); and • Wider Community Safety and Public Protection matters including the Alcohol and Drug Partnership and Gender Based Violence Strategy Group. 5.2 The group is comprised of elected members on a cross party basis and key officers of the council as follows. • Three senior members of the administration • Two members of the main opposition group • One other opposition member • Director of Children’s Services • Chief Social Work Officer • Director of Environment, Housing and Infrastructure • Chief Officer, Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership • Health and Social Care Partnership (operational head of service) • Head of Child Care and Criminal Justice • Head of Climate, Public Protection and Roads • Head of Policy and Partnerships, Chief Executive’s Service • Child Protection Lead Officer • Adult Support and Protection Officer • Service Planning and Policy Development Manager, Chief Executive’s Service Also in attendance as required: • Independent Chair of the Child Protection and Adult Protection Committees • Divisional Commander, Police Scotland or appropriate senior nominee The group will also invite the participation of other key individuals or agencies involved in the areas of concern of the Member Officer Group as required. 6 Strategic Partnership Activities 6.1 Child Protection 6.1.1 Since January 2023, RCPC and subgroups resumed to in-person meetings with these taking place online during the pandemic. National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland 6.1.2 RCPC continues to work towards full implementation of the national guidance for Child Protection in Scotland. The guidance was published in September 2021 with an eighteen to twenty-four month implementation period. The implementation of the guidance in Renfrewshire continues to be overseen by RCPC’s Policies and Procedures subgroup who are meeting on a more regular basis. 6.1.3 Renfrewshire is working collaboratively with six neighbouring authorities to update the local child protection procedures to reflect the new national guidance. Two independent consultants were commissioned to develop the procedures. Practitioners from across the participating authorities were invited to attend reference groups to inform the development of the guidance. The guidance was made available on 31 August 2023.
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22 Interagency Referral Discussions 6.1.4 In line with the National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland 2021, RCPC agreed that Education staff should routinely be involved in Interagency Referral Discussions (IRDs). A pilot was undertaken in the Renfrew and Erskine school clusters from December 2022 to February 2023. Following the successful pilot, this is being rolled out across all school clusters in Renfrewshire, with all Renfrewshire schools and Early Learning and Childcare Centres involved in IRDs from late April 2023. 6.1.5 Bimonthly IRD audits have been undertaken by a multi-agency group involving Social Work, Police and Health throughout 2022/23. From 2023/24, a representative from Education will also be invited to attend. The audit tool has been refined and updated to include, where appropriate, analysis of whether a Safe and Together approach has been taken to supporting families. Interim Safety Plans 6.1.6 In line with the National Guidance for Child Protection 2021, a draft format for providing Interim Safety Plans to children and young people has been developed. RCPC is working with Barnardo’s Hear 4 U to develop this in partnership with children and young people. Barnardo’s Hear 4 U are currently testing and refining a version with a group of children and young people. This will be piloted within the Paisley North locality team. Learning Reviews 6.1.7 RCPC is working to implement the areas for consideration in relation to three Learning Reviews which took place over 2021 and 2022. Many of the areas for consideration have been implemented, and others will be completed following the Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC) refresh which is currently underway. An action log tracking the areas of consideration from all Learning Reviews has been developed and is overseen by the Continuous Improvement Group. From 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023, RCPC received one request to undertake a Learning Review. This request was considered by RCPC and it was agreed that it did not meet the criteria for undertaking a Learning Review. RCPC Communications 6.1.8 RCPC has been circulating a regular quarterly newsletter since March 2022. The newsletter is circulated following each meeting of RCPC and provides updates on the work of RCPC and developments in child protection both locally and nationally. It is aimed at practitioners across Renfrewshire working with children and families. Feedback regarding the newsletter has been positive and the number of practitioners accessing the newsletter has increased throughout the year. 6.1.9 At the meeting of RCPC in September 2022, it was agreed that a monthly online Child Protection drop in would be piloted, with the sessions evaluated, and feedback determining whether these will be ongoing. Sessions are multi-agency with participants invited from across Renfrewshire Community Planning Partnership. The initial drop in took place in November 2022. Sessions have been well attended (40-60 participants) and focused on a range of areas, including:
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23 • Safe and Together; • Contextual Safeguarding; • Child protection referrals; • Equal Protection from Assault; and • Neglect. Complex Case Oversight Group Pilot 6.1.10 At the RCPC meeting on 7 December 2022, RCPC agreed to pilot an oversight group to ensure effective multi-agency review and scrutiny of children who have been on the child protection register for more than one year and other complex cases. This was in response to an area for consideration highlighted by a recent Learning Review. The group has representation from senior managers in Health, SCRA, Police, Education and Barnardo’s, and undertakes the role of ‘critical friend’ in providing advice and guidance to those managing the case. The group has been meeting regularly since February 2023 and supports those involved with the child and family to consider: • The support that has been provided to date; • The difference that has been made; • What has not changed for that child and family; and • Alternative approaches. Following a six-month pilot, a report and recommendations will be provided to RCPC. SA:SF Short Life Working Group 6.1.11 RCPC has established a short life working group (SLWG) to review the key learning of the SA:SF report which highlighted some of the key learning points reinforced through the review of non-recent accounts of sexual abuse of children and young people within Scottish football. The multiagency group was established to review the key learning and how it applies to partner agencies individually and collectively. The SLWG is chaired jointly by OneRen and RCPC and has focused on reviewing policy and practice in relation to community activities and is focusing on: • Child protection policy and procedures; • Training; • Communications; and • Seeking the views of parents in terms of their knowledge of what to be aware of and who to contact if they have a concern. The group has met on three occasions and following this will provide recommendations to RCPC. Training 6.1.12 Interagency training has returned to in-person and staff evaluations have been overwhelmingly positive with a clear preference to this format compared to online training. However, the benefits of online training is recognised and this format will be retained for shorter, information imparting courses which don’t require skills practice.
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24 6.1.13 The following training priorities were identified: • Assessment of Care, an Approach to Addressing with Neglect; • Contextual Safeguarding Addressing Child Exploitation; • Safe and Together: Interagency Overview; • Child Affected by Parental Alcohol & Drug Use; and • Interagency Child Protection Training Level 1 & 2. RCPC Conference 6.1.14 The biennial RCPC Conference took place on 15 September 2022. The overarching theme of the conference was ‘What Do Children Need from Us?’. The conference evaluated extremely positively, and attendance was at capacity. Unofficial sharing of the conference link resulted in 350 people – rather than the anticipated 250 – participating face to face or online for all or part of the day. 6.2 Trauma informed and responsive Renfrewshire 6.2.1 Recognising the fundamental issue of trauma expressed by local people and families to members of Renfrewshire’s Alcohol and Drugs Commission, work has commenced on a partnership programme of work to ensure that recognising and responding to trauma is part of every service we deliver. 6.2.2 In response, a coordinator has been recruited to lead this programme of work, taking up post end of October 2022. Since this time, engagement with the Improvement Service and other local authorities has taken place through national networks for trauma champions and trauma leads. A local Trauma Steering Group has been established and continues to meet on a regular basis, the key focus for the group has been to develop a Road Map to ensure that we understand what trauma is, and how it affects people, so we will now work differently. 6.2.3 To ensure that our leaders have the knowledge, skills and confidence to lead trauma informed change, an initial phase of training took place in early 2023 with Renfrewshire Council’s Corporate Management Team which also includes OneRen and Renfrewshire HSCP. This, together with other national training resources, will be rolled out across the Council and Community Planning Partnership throughout 2023/34. Training with elected members was offered in August 2023. 6.3 Adult Support and Protection (ASP) 6.3.1 Everyone has the right to feel safe and to be safe. Most of us can live our lives free from the risk of harm. However, some people may find it more difficult to keep themselves safe, and might need help and support to look after themselves. Renfrewshire Adult Protection Committee (RAPC) oversees the effectiveness of our adult protection practice. 6.3.2 RAPC will be implementing the revisions for the Scottish Government’s revised Code of Practice for ASP. A workplan is currently being developed based around what is required to implement to revisions operationally, and then this will expand to consider what is required strategically; and with partner agencies. As part of the phased
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25 approach to implementation, a series of briefings are being rolled out to staff and the data management system will be updated. 6.3.3 ASP data was not collated consistently across Scotland which resulted in Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services (IRISS) being commissioned by the Scottish Government, to design a minimum data set that works both locally and nationally to generate meaningful and comparable data. A subset of indicators from the prototype have been identified and were rolled out on 1 April 2023. It is anticipated that these will evolve over time and will be overseen and supported by the National Data Reference Group. 6.3.4 The new data set includes indicators that see the whole ASP journey, rather than focusing disproportionately on the start, and tells more about the people in the system. The new data set also collects data on the number of Adult Support and Protection Plans in place; includes data on the number of Learning Reviews; and asks about LSIs by service type. It is envisaged that local reports will be available from the end of April 2023 with reports being provided to future meetings of COG. 6.3.5 It was previously acknowledged by partners that there was an increase in people experiencing hoarding, which can often result in self-neglect. RAPC agreed to develop a guide, which draws upon existing research and practice tools, to provide an outline to support best practice and intervention from a single or multi agency perspective. The initially guidance was produced in 2019/2020, however following a recent refresh was presented to the PPP subgroup approval on 19 December 2022. 6.3.6 To support practitioners, with the complex and challenging area around identifying risks in care home type settings, a Practitioner Toolkit was developed, covering indicators of concern in residential and nursing homes for older people; and indicators of individual harm/ abuse and neglect, in those settings. It provides a tool to collate and analyse evidence. 6.3.7 During Adult Support and Protection Day on 20 February 23, two separate communications reflecting the national key messages of Seen Something, Say Something; and spotlight on neglect and self-neglect were issued. The RAPC Twitter feed was also used to disseminate this material, to carry the same key messages to members of public. 6.3.8 It is envisaged that a quarterly newsletter will be introduced to provide an overview of the work of RAPC; updates on local and national developments around ASP activity; promote research; advertise ASP related learning and development opportunities from external organisations. 6.3.9 There were no Large Scale Investigations during the reporting period. Care homes on the cusp of an LSI were managed under a preventative approach, where the HSCP balanced a supportive approach with a statutory duty under Adult Support and Protection legislation. The HSCP was proactive, as soon as issues were identified and deployed the necessary supports, via HSCP clinical teams, which included Advance Nurse Practitioners; Care Home Liaison Nurses, Practice Development Nurse; Support Nurse; Social Work; and worked in collaboration with partner agencies to improve
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26 standards and reduce the risk to the residents in those particular settings. They also called on the support of the NHS GGC Care Home Collaborative Group, to provide specific training requirements with the identified care homes. 6.3.10 The LSI procedures will be revised to align with the revised ASP Codes of Practice, July 2022. IRISS has launched ASP LSI Framework which will inform any new procedures. 6.4 Oversight of Care Homes and Care at Home Services 6.4.1 Enhanced clinical and care oversight arrangements for care homes were put in place early on in the pandemic to support care home staff to keep residents safe. The guidance required that clinical and care professional at NHS boards and local authorities will have a leading role in the oversight for care homes in their area. There has been considerable learning and examples of excellent partnership working during this time. 6.4.2 On 19 December 2022, the Chief Social Work Advisor and the Chief Nurse set out recommendations, for new arrangements for providing continuing enhanced support to adult and older people’s care homes in Scotland. The recommendations have since been adopted in Renfrewshire and a Collaborative Care Home Support Team is in place. Local strategic oversight of these arrangements continues to be provided by the COG who regular monitored performance, scrutinised reports and established special meetings of the grouped as and when required. 6.5 Gender Based Violence 6.5.1 The impact of Gender Based Violence, which includes domestic abuse, rape, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, childhood sexual abuse, and so called "honour based violence" such as forced marriage and female genital mutilation has an immediate and long lasting impact on the women and children in Renfrewshire who experience it. This Gender Based Violence Strategy has been developed and outlines how partners will work together to ensure that Renfrewshire is a place where gender based violence isn't tolerated and where victims, perpetrators and communities are supported to address its causes and consequences. Mentors in Violence Prevention 6.5.2 The Mentors in Violence Prevention Program (MVP) is a peer education approach to gender-based violence and bullying prevention and is designed to give students the skills to speak out against issues which affect relationships within our schools and communities by adopting a ‘bystander’ approach. MVP is now running in 10 of our secondary schools with our final school participating in training during May 2023. We currently have over 500 senior pupil mentors across Renfrewshire Council facilitating lessons around relationships and gender-based violence to S1 and S2 pupils. Our mentors have also facilitated in lesson delivery with feeder primary schools. With over 400 staff trained since MVP was introduced into Renfrewshire Council, our focus is on a whole school approach which brings the education sector and partners together. Our school work has been supported and strengthened by working closely with our
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27 colleagues in Youth Services through our Young and Equally Safe in Renfrewshire project. Young and Equally Safe in Renfrewshire 6.5.3 Young and Equally Safe (YES) in Renfrewshire is funded through the Scottish Government’s Delivering Equally Safe fund. YES aims to develop the existing Mentors in Violence Prevention school-based programme into community settings. Youth Services, working in partnership with Children’s Services and Community Learning and Development partners, are working to provide safe and brave spaces for young people to explore gender-based violence issues and campaign work to bring about a challenge to norms by promoting a positive social action model through youth work engagement. In 2022 YES participated in the Reclaim the Night March, and in 2023 are looking to launch their YES campaign to tie in with16 Days of Action in Renfrewshire involving the wider community. In addition, to date we have trained approximately 130 teachers, youth work staff, and community sports groups building capacity and confidence to tackle gender-based violence in their organisations, with more training opportunities planned for 2023/24. Women and Children First 6.5.4 Renfrewshire Council’s Women and Children First service continues to provide a holistic support service to women and children affected by abuse. Returning to the Mile End Centre means that the range of face to face supports and group work opportunities are fully operational. The Reconnection part of the service has been awarded a further two years funding from the Scottish Government Delivering Equally Safe Fund. The project outcomes have been reviewed and amended to include stronger service user involvement and to further develop the trauma informed and therapeutic element of the service. 6.5.5 An external evaluation has recently taken place of the Reconnection service. The external researchers will present the findings of the evaluation at a future GBV Strategy Group. The conclusion of the evaluation report notes: “In essence the data show that both of the outcomes for WCFRR have in very large part been met. There was no dubiety of the importance of WCFRR in the lives of the women and children, providing life changing experiences, belief in themselves and the future, strength and resilience and the ability to trust.” Multi-agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) 6.5.6 Renfrewshire continues to operate a successful MARAC. The MARAC is held for a single day every four weeks and on average dealt with 12 to 15 cases at each meeting. In recent months Renfrewshire MARAC has seen an increase in referral figures of 35% with no reasonable expectation these numbers will reduce. It is understood the rise in referral numbers is due to a greater awareness amongst partner agencies in relation to the referral criteria and positively shows more victims of domestic abuse are being recognised and supported across Renfrewshire. This does however,
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28 mean that there are in excess of 22 cases to be discussed at a single meeting – and therefore different arrangements being put into place to accommodate these. 16 Days of Activism/Reclaim the Night March 6.5.7 The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual worldwide campaign that begins on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, International Human Rights Day. As part of our local response, the annual Reclaim the Night March took place on 29 November 2022 with the themes of whatnext# and youthvoice#. Colleagues in Barnardo’s took the lead in organising the event which culminated with the laying of the wreath at Dunn Square in memory of lives lost to violence against women. 3 Safe and Together 6.5.8 The Safe and Together model was introduced to Renfrewshire during the 2016 Child Protection Conference, by the model’s pioneer, David Mandel. Safe and Together is a perpetrator pattern based, child-centred, survivor strengths approach to working with domestic abuse. The model argues that the focus should be on the children’s interests while also maintaining that the perpetrator parent be held to the same parenting standards as the parent who is the victim of the abuse. Safe and Together was originally developed for use in child welfare systems, but it also has implications for domestic abuse advocates, family services and courts, amongst others. The long-term aim is for this model to be embedded as an approach to gender-based violence across all services in Renfrewshire and this process is currently underway, with the initial focus being on Children’s Service Social Work staff. 6.5.9 Children’s Services have two staff trained as trainers in the Safe and Together model. The four-day Safe and Together training was delivered to 48 Children’s Services Social Work staff in 2022 across two cohorts. Another four-day course was delivered in March 2023 and included participants from Health Visiting and Barnardo’s as a pilot to consider the usefulness of this level of training for colleagues across agencies. A further four-day course is planned for August/September 2023. 6.5.10 A one-day inter-agency briefing was delivered in December 2022 to positive feedback. Two further one-day multi-agency briefings are planned for June and October 2023. Staff already trained in the model act as ‘champions’ within in their own teams and reflective coaching sessions are offered in complex, child protection cases. The Safe and Together Steering Group meets quarterly to review the implementation plan. Renfrewshire is a participant in the Safe and Together National Implementation Forum. 6.6 Community Safety and Public Protection CONTEST Prevent Strategy
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29 6.6.1 The Renfrewshire Community Protection (PREVENT) Steering Group co-ordinates work in Renfrewshire in support of the national Prevent strategy aimed at stopping people becoming or supporting terrorists or violent extremists. A specific part of its role is to ensure that relevant arrangements are in place to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism and to ensure that those at risk of this are given appropriate advice and support – including oversight of the PMAP process in Renfrewshire. 6.6.2 The Renfrewshire Prevent Strategy – referrals and PMAP process (2022-2025) was updated during 2021/22 and agreed at the Communities and Housing Policy Board in June 2022. The updated strategy has a clear focus on key processes and referral mechanisms including NOTICE-CHECK-SHARE and the process required to be followed and the key partners involved in conducting Prevent Multi Agency Partnership (PMAP) meetings. PMAP process 6.6.3 Awareness, vigilance, and early intervention are all key to the success of the Prevent strategy and process. Safeguarding is central to the ethos and helps bring confidence to the process, providing reassurance that reporting concerns will lead to support for individuals to fully disengage from radicalisation. 6.6.4 In Renfrewshire it is understood that the vulnerabilities that may lead to people becoming involved in terrorism or supporting terrorist activities may also result in a range of other negative outcomes – becoming involved in crime either as a victim or perpetrator, going missing, becoming involved in exploitation such as slavery, trafficking or sexual exploitation or otherwise becoming involved in or a victim of coercion or control. 6.6.5 All referrals will initially be checked against other information to see if the individual referred is considered to pose a risk to themselves or the wider community which would require immediate action. A referral will not progress to management under the full PMAP process if it is considered malicious or misguided or it is clear the person is not vulnerable to potentially violent extremism / ideologies. PMAP considers individual cases and will develop a support package based on the risk assessment, the needs of the individual and any risks posed to potential support providers. Individuals can only be managed and supported through the PREVENT process with their agreement and consent. If the individual is under 18 their guardians’ permission is also required. NOTICE-CHECK-SHARE Training 6.6.6 Increasing the awareness of frontline officers and the wider community about how to identify potentially vulnerable people and how to share concerns is a key element in improving resilience around the Prevent process. NOTICE-CHECK-SHARE training has been rolled out throughout 2021/22 to not only Renfrewshire Council front-line staff including Housing Officers/EHOs but also to a range of public and third sector partners – even University of West of Scotland Criminology students. It is a key priority of the Community Protection (PREVENT) Steering Group in 2022/23 to continue to roll out the training as it has been well received by everyone undertaking it to date and increased awareness amongst third sector partners will be a focus for the roll out programme.
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30 Serious Organised Crime DISRUPT – targeted interventions to harden sectors against the risk from Serious Organised Crime Groups 6.6.7 Operation CECE is a UK-wide joint initiative between Trading Standards services and HMRC to tackle the illegal tobacco and e-cigarette trade at retail level. A particular focus in the activity was on illicit (counterfeit and duty evaded/smuggled) tobacco products. Intelligence around local sales of illicit tobacco resulted in a test purchase programme to verify the information available. In September, a Day of Action was undertaken, utilising the Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland (SCOTSS) Tobacco Detection dog to find illicit tobacco, where it was not on overt display. Trading Standards Officers took action to remove the illicit product; disrupting the market and preventing fraud. This local action is part of a broader strategy that tackles three ‘tiers’ of criminality, with illegal factories abroad being shut down by HMRC, and Border Force intercepting smuggled products at UK ports & borders. 6.6.8 In its first year, Operation CECE is estimated to have prevented £8.75 in detriment for every £1 of resource spent on it. Work in this area is ongoing, and funding for CECE has been extended into 2023/24. A letter has been sent to all registered retailers of tobacco and Nicotine Vapour Products (NVPs) to remind them of their responsibilities and the local press published an article to highlight the issue. 6.6.9 In May 2022, the enforcement of Liquor and Civic Licensing transferred to the Trading Standards and Licensing Team. This will increase the opportunities to spot potential incursions into legitimate business activities by Serious Organised Crime Groups; as well as maximising opportunities for targeted disruption activities. Divert – directing residents away from using products/services provided by Serious Organised Crime Groups 6.6.10 Any financial downturn opens up opportunities for our communities to be exploited by criminals, looking to prey on worries and vulnerabilities. This year, Public Protection included a leaflet with every Council Tax Bill in Renfrewshire which outlined emerging scams based around the cost of living crisis. Raising awareness of these scams will allow citizens to make informed and confident choices. Scams outlined include energy bill rebate texts, energy saving devices, cold callers promoting energy saving grants, “free shopping vouchers” and quick loans/loan sharks. Deter – internal resilience and business resilience against risks posed by Serious Organised Crime 6.6.11 Public Protection have been involved in the new risk management training module, put in place to address “business as usual” risks. This innovative and challenging approach, led by Renfrewshire Council’s Risk Manager, aims to provide real assurance around risks, including spotting criminality, radicalisation, or insider threat. The module will be rolled out to Heads of Service in 2023/24. Where required, Public Protection will
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31 action any training needs (or other relevant outcomes) around Serious Organised Crime or PREVENT. 6.7 Financial Harm Strategy 6.7.1 In March 2022, the Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board approved the Renfrewshire Financial Harm Strategy for 2022-25. This strategy aimed to ensure - through a robust Action Plan - that partners and agencies work collaboratively and efficiently to tackle financial harm in all its guises and wherever it occurs throughout our communities. The strategy was led on by the Financial Harm Sub-Group and had a clear focus on what it wanted to achieve under the 5 ‘E’s’: • Early Intervention and Prevention • Education • Engagement • Engineering • Enforcement 6.7.2 Throughout 2022-23, the initial Action Plan was completed. A network of partners was solidified, including an exercise to map out each partner’s role and remit in relation to financial harm. With the positive implantation of the strategy, it is noted that there are no discernible trends that imply that adult support referrals are being impacted in the cost-of-living crisis. 6.7.3 It has been agreed that further activity should now be referred to “business as usual” from services who deal with the impact from Financial Harm. Whilst the Strategy has a further 2 years remaining, the Group can be reconvened if these trends change. 6.8 Community Protection Community Safety Partnership Hub Daily Tasking 6.8.1 To ensure early intervention with regards to Community Protection, Daily Tasking has continued on-line with partners to ensure that all issues from the previous 24/48 hours are still being discussed/raised/disposed. Partners meet virtually at 9.30am (Mon – Fri) to allow discussion and action to be taken. Meetings will continue to be held in this format as experience has shown that there can be increased participation and attendance from a wider group of agencies and officers than was previously possible when in face-to-face meetings. Monthly Tasking 6.8.2 Monthly Tasking was established in October 2020 to address cases that recur at daily tasking regularly within a 1-month period. These are taken to Monthly Tasking for a more in-depth discussion and a multi-agency response plan is created to deal with escalating concerns regarding risk.
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32 6.8.3 The group identify the most effective intervention and prevention options to protect vulnerable individuals from being repeatedly drawn into criminal behaviour and activities. In line with the principles of Prevent, the focus of monthly tasking is to ensure vulnerable people are not on a path towards extremism or criminality and to respond quickly and effectively to support those who may be at greater risk of coercion, radicalisation, violence or ongoing criminal behaviour. There are 5 key areas of concern raised at daily tasking that feed into Monthly Tasking: • Concerns for persons • Concerns for children • Noise / Neighbour complaints • Youth disorder • Deliberate fire raising 6.9 Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy 6.9.1 In March 2022, an updated Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) strategy was approved by the Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board. A key strength of the strategy has been to formalise links and build on already effective working with Housing services and Registered Social Landlords. The strategy was well received, and an action plan has been developed to ensure appropriate actions are delivered with updates being provided on a yearly basis. 6.9.2 A working group is currently being formed to progress new ASB procedures across communities and housing services and RSLs which will underpin the Strategy. Work is also ongoing from the Scottish Government in conjunction with the Scottish Community Safety Network (SCSN) to look at the landscape of ASB across Scotland and how to improve the outcomes for all. We have contributed to this research and await published findings. 6.10 Water Safety 6.10.1 Due to the death of a 13-year-old youth in the River Gryfe in June 2021, Renfrewshire Council formalised a lot of the work that had been on-going in previous years. In particular, this focused on setting up a Partnership Water Safety Working Group with including Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Scottish Ambulance Service, Civil Contingencies Service, OneRen, Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership and Open Water Rescue. Progress has included: • a strategic review of Public Rescue Equipment (PRE) which resulted in new equipment being placed along the River Gryfe; and • raising awareness with young people in educational establishments regarding basic water safety surviving techniques and first aid awareness. 6.11 Migration and Asylum 6.11.1 The Chief Officers Group has received regular updates on migration and asylum issues as these have developed throughout 2022/23, including in relation to support for the resettlement of Ukrainian Displaced Persons (UDPs) since March 2022 and in more recent months in relation to the UK Government’s asylum dispersal programme.
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33 Support for Ukrainian Displaced Persons (UDPs) 6.11.2 March 2022 saw the introduction of new visa programmes to allow people fleeing the war in Ukraine to seek refuge and support in the UK. During the first months of the war a number of individual and families came to live in Renfrewshire through the Homes for Ukraine scheme. The Council and its partners were also asked to support the establishment of a Welcome Hub at Glasgow Airport with a key aim of supporting people who arrived in Scotland through the Scottish Government’s super sponsor scheme for UDPs. 6.11.3 A core purpose of the Welcome Hubs is to provide a warm welcome to the country, including the provision of temporary accommodation and support to those arriving, with the aim of UDPs moving to more settled accommodation within other local authority areas, including in Renfrewshire. In practice, those arriving have often stayed many weeks and months within the Welcome Hub, due to factors including the availability of settled accommodation across Scotland. Significant partnership focus has been required to support the high volumes of arrivals experienced, including in relation to housing support, employment support, education, ESOL, health and protection issues etc. 6.11.4 In late 2022, the Scottish Government paused the super sponsor scheme. Whilst the number of arrivals and people being supported in the Welcome Hub has reduced, there continue to be challenges in terms of supporting people staying in the hotel to move to settled accommodation in other local authority areas. In Spring 2023, the Scottish Government started to work with partners on the decommissioning of the accommodation at MS Ambition, with all residents having left by the end of March. Local authorities were asked to support this process and accommodate a number of UDP’s within their authority area, and a number of residents were moved to the Renfrewshire Welcome Hub as part of the initial transition. Asylum Dispersal 6.11.5 In April 2022, the UK Government notified all UK local authorities of their intention to expand asylum dispersal arrangements across the UK, rather than through a number of agreed asylum dispersal areas such as Glasgow. The Home Office’s contractor, Mears, has identified only a small number of properties in Renfrewshire to support asylum dispersal, due to the current pressures being experienced in the local private sector housing market. However, in tandem, Mears have also been working to secure hotel contingency accommodation to be used across Scotland, in response to the large number of asylum seekers currently awaiting decisions (due to backlogs) and the ongoing high level of arrivals being experienced in the South of England. 6.11.6 Officers from the Council, HSCP and Police Scotland have continued to engage with Mears/Home Office around the issues which have developed in relation to their planned use of the hotel accommodation. 6.12 Community Justice
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34 6.12.1 In 2021/22 the effective period of Renfrewshire’s Community Justice Outcome Improvement Plan was extended to the end of 2022. The priorities identified in the plan have continued to guide the work of the partnership over this period and remains the basis for current reporting requirements. In June 2022 the Scottish Government published a revised National Strategy for Community Justice. This sets the national direction for community justice activity and provides a roadmap for future improvement activity. The strategy identifies 4 national aims and 13 priority actions that community justice partnerships are required to support. 6.12.2 Community Justice Renfrewshire – like all justice partnerships – undertook a review of the revised national strategy and considered priority actions in the context of local needs. This was completed in reference to Renfrewshire’s revised Council Plan and Community Plan, both of which were published in September 2022. In March 2023, the Scottish Government published its Community Justice Performance Framework, outlining national outcomes and associated indicators to further guide partnership improvement activity. In response, Community Justice Renfrewshire has developed a Community Justice Outcome Improvement Plan 2023-26, identifying areas of focus that will be subject to closer analysis and assessment over the course of 2023/24 6.12.3 In February 2023 a new Lead Officer was appointed to support the partnership. The Lead Officer has made good progress refreshing and strengthening relationships across the partnership and has taken early steps to review governance arrangements to improve efficiency, decision making and performance reporting. Links have been developed across other complementary workstreams to strategically map the partnership’s added value, with learning and best practice being used to shape an effective collaborative approach. 6.13 Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 6.13.1 Following the Alcohol and Drugs Commission’s final report in December 2020, partners have prioritised a range of actions in response to the key recommendations, as well as establishing a Programme Board to drive the local response, ensuring that all partners work together, join up service developments, and maximise the resources available. Key developments in projects progressed over the year include: • Harm Reduction Response Team (HaRRT) - The Service is delivered through a mobile unit, which has been situated in specific areas in relation to near fatal overdoses and suspected drug deaths postcode data. Launching in early summer 2022, around 153 clients were supported by the service throughout 2022. • MYLA (MyLifeAhead) – This housing-led project offers supports to households in Renfrewshire, whose life is being affected by alcohol/drugs, and builds on the concept that in order to have good health, you need to have a good, settled home. Launching in May 2022, the project is already supporting 26 service users, with referrals coming from a broad range of services/agencies. • FIRST Crisis - This project involves extending the current out of hours crisis support service provided by RAMH to include support in relation to alcohol and drugs. The Service operates between 9am-8pm Monday-Friday and 9-5pm Saturday/Sunday
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35 and public holidays, predominantly through telephone support. Launching in April 2022, 171 clients were supported by the service throughout 2022. • Building Based Services - In response to identified issues with the environment at the Back Sneddon Street Service, the HSCP are reviewing accommodation requirements and the findings will used to inform a Property Strategy. The HSCP are also considering expanding the use of space in other buildings across Renfrewshire to support a shift to a more community-based model, for example more clinical space has been agreed for ADRS use in areas such as Johnstone and Renfrew. • Hidden Harm - Independent research was commissioned to better understand the level of hidden harm from alcohol and drugs in Renfrewshire. This was completed by We are With You and the findings from this research have been shared and discussed with partners. • Mental Health Support for Children and Young People - The Youth Health and Wellbeing Service began in mid-September 2022 and provides drop-in facilities for young people who require access to both health and wellbeing support direct from health professionals. Available one evening a week, the Service complements the wider health and wellbeing work taking place across Renfrewshire. A second phase of the approach to further supporting children and young people’s mental health involves undertaking more targeted work in specific schools experiencing very complex needs. A project has been developed for a multiagency pilot project for young people experiencing significant mental health difficulties and are at risk of missing out on education. • Alcohol Policy - A partnership officer has been recruited to drive policy change across Renfrewshire. Actions over the last year include: continuing to support the Licensing Forum, as well as community councils around their role in the licensing process and for the Licensing Statement Review; and, supporting Council HR colleagues in developing a Workplace Alcohol and Substance Policy, as well as supporting a review of similar policies in West College Scotland. • Enhanced Education and Training Across Educational Establishments - The ‘Alcohol and Substance Awareness Education’ pack, including nursery, primary, and secondary resources, has been produced with Renfrewshire Children’s Services, Teachers, Police Scotland, NHS, Renfrewshire HSCP and, most importantly, children, young people, and those who have lived experience of drug and alcohol use. Since its launch in August 2022, the programme has been accessed by over 400 Renfrewshire teachers. • Family Support Review - An independent review of existing family support provision Renfrewshire has been carried out, engaging with local families and frontline staff to assess where possible gaps in provision exist, and making recommendations on how to address these. The report has been produced, with a mapping exercise against the recommendations currently being carried out across core partners. • Peer Worker Model - The model delivers a core programme of activities and is developing links for future implementation. Current service provision includes activities such as a book group, gardening group, focus group, football, drama etc. The Coordinator and workers have been hugely involved in the Connected and Caring Renfrewshire programme and its development and delivery, including holding a Listening Event. • Recovery Change Fund - The aim of the Recovery Change Fund is to support the development of local groups and organisations which provide social connection and support recovery in Renfrewshire. To date £61,450.54 has been allocated to groups and organisations, supporting various initiatives.
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36 • Connected and Caring Renfrewshire – The Scottish Recovery Consortium (SRC), working in partnership with colleagues in CIRCLE, delivered a programme of events and activities throughout 2022, such as Barshaw Park Gala Day, Blend Event, Live it Up in Linwood, Connected and Caring Carnival, the Art of Recovery Festival, and the Recovery Walk Scotland, which took place in Paisley on 24 September 2022 during Scotland’s celebration of International Recovery. The Programme is joint funded by the ADP and the Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme. • Stigma/Language Matters – High level themes and initial actions have been identified, including supporting staff to understand the power of language, be confident in their use of language, and to challenge stigma by speaking up when people make negative or wrong comments; and supporting national campaigns to help people in Renfrewshire understand the power and impact of language. A review of the resources required to deliver this project is currently underway, exploring the potential to engage a partner to undertake this work. Renfrewshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP) 6.13.2 Prevention of Drug Related Deaths Improved surveillance of drug-related deaths and harms has been a key objective of the ADP. This has resulted in the development of an enhanced drug death review process, including the formation of a Renfrewshire multiagency Drug Death Review Group which aims to identify trends, risk factors, and recognise areas of focus for prevention. The enhanced model will also aim to identify good practice, trends, and learning opportunities which can be communicated to a whole range of partners, and will also allow for a more timely response to effect change where required. 6.13.3 Naloxone A multiagency Naloxone Delivery Group has been established with the goal of expanding Naloxone availability throughout Renfrewshire. The distribution of Naloxone continues to target those most at risk of overdose through supply by local services including ADRS, CIRCLE, HaRRT, the Overdose Response Team, pharmacies, and needle exchanges. The aspiration is to normalise the use of Naloxone through awareness raising via our training calendar, community pop up information stands, and increasing accessibility of information relating to Naloxone specific to Renfrewshire. The Delivery Group has been key in the roll out of community campaigns, including Overdose Awareness Day, and Connected and Caring at Christmas. 6.13.4 Reflective Sessions Drug Death Reflective sessions were held for ADRS staff throughout April 2022. The purpose of these sessions was to learn how ADRS staff can be better supported in the event that someone on their caseload dies. A subsequent report capturing staff insights, and an action plan to drive change was implemented. 6.13.5 Drug Death Prevention Group The Drug Death Prevention Group continues to drive forward and implement actions identified within the Preventing Drug Deaths in Renfrewshire Action Plan. This has been
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37 updated following a development session with group members, facilitated by Scottish Drugs Forum, as well as the newly published recommendations and strategies including the Drug Death Task Force Final Report. 6.13.6 Greater Glasgow and Clyde Overdose Response Team The Overdose Response Team launched in Renfrewshire in September 2021 and continues to provide a rapid response to those who have suffered a non-fatal overdose. The service provides an outreach response and operates out of hours between 10am- 10pm, 7 days a week. The rationale behind this service is to navigate individuals to engage within treatment and care services. Since July 2021, the Overdose Response Team have engaged with 103 people in Renfrewshire. 6.13.7 Lived Experience Forum The Renfrewshire Lived Experience Forum held its first meeting in December 2022 and continues to meet on a monthly basis. Members of the community with lived and living experience of alcohol & drug use, for either themselves or a family member, are invited to learn more about how they have the ability to influence change in Renfrewshire. The purpose of the group is to give members the opportunity to share their views and experiences to help inform the work of the ADP and in turn improve services. It is our aim that with the appropriate support & training, Forum members will feel empowered to contribute their views on strategic proposals and work plans. This will ensure that the voice of people with lived and living experience is embedded in the ADP decision making process and the delivery of services. 6.13.8 Family Support Worker A Family Support Recovery Worker has recently been recruited, in partnership with Barnardo’s. Their role will be to establish a network of support for people in Renfrewshire who are impacted by a loved one’s drug or alcohol use. There is a range of work currently underway to create opportunities for support which will suit the needs of different members of the family. At present, a ‘homework club’ has been set up at CIRCLE for children & young people and their parents to come together in a welcoming environment to spend time together after school. Plans are also progressing to create a family support group, bereavement group, craft groups as well as more tailored one to one support for individuals. The Whole Families Approach Framework will be adopted in all aspects of family support in Renfrewshire ensuring there is a joined-up approach between services. 6.14 Suicide Prevention 6.14.1 Suicide is a complex issue for Renfrewshire, and the ‘Whole of Government’ and ‘Whole Society’ approach of ‘Creating Hope Together’ is welcomed – ‘Suicide is Everyone’s Business’. 6.14.2 One of our short-term strategic priorities is to implement a Chief Officer led local multi- agency strategic group for suicide prevention. The group is currently being established and is expected to meet for the first time in the coming weeks; the remit has been
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38 developed with a comprehensive terms of reference. The group will consist of relevant key partners across Renfrewshire and will lead on developing a suicide prevention strategy and action plan, aiming to reduce the rate of suicide and self-harm within Renfrewshire. This aligns with the national strategy’s whole society approach. 6.14.3 Some of the key responsibilities of the strategic group will be to; gather, analyse and interpret local data in order to understand local context and to identify the most effect interventions to prevent suicidal behaviour; to co-ordinate any ongoing suicide prevention activity in Renfrewshire; to ensure the voice of those with lived experience of thoughts of suicide, suicide attempt and those bereaved by suicide are listened to; and to implement monitoring and evaluation tools and resources to demonstrate the impact of the suicide prevention strategy and action plan once established. 6.14.4 The Choose Life Service Co-ordinator continues to work closely with a range of services to further the work of suicide prevention. As COVID-19 restrictions have reduced, face to face training has recommenced with a comprehensive programme of courses scheduled from January to June 2023. Courses being delivered include: • ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) 5 courses • safeTALK (suicide awareness for everyone) 2 courses • SMHFA (Scotland’s Mental Health First Aid) 2 courses • What’s the Harm (self-harm awareness) 2 courses • Living Works START (interactive online video with follow up session – Beyond START) 10 sessions 6.14.5 The courses so far have been well attended and oversubscribed with courses having waiting lists. Further finance has been requested to hire suitable training venues to run a similar training programme from August 2023 to March 2024. 6.14.6 The Choose Life Service Co-ordinator continues to work collaboratively with a range of partner organisations and services and represents Renfrewshire HSCP at National and board-wide strategic meetings. 7. Strategic Focus 7.1 Renfrewshire Community Protection Chief Officers Group is responsible for leadership, strategic oversight and scrutiny in relation to multi-agency public protection activity and practice in Renfrewshire. During the pandemic, it has had an enhanced role in terms of the scrutiny of care homes and ensuring our most vulnerable citizens are cared for and protected. This will continue as we move forward and plan for recovery and renewal. 7.2 COG will continue to regularly scrutinise and monitor performance across all areas of community protection activity, focusing in on areas where there are ratings are poor, there’s changes in referrals, incidents or concerns reported, or where national research or legislation suggests improvements or change to practice or multi agency working. 7.3 The Chief Officers Group will seek to ensure that performance and practice are scrutinised at a strategic level, to identify what works well, to highlight any areas for
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39 improvement, and to consider where further opportunities for early intervention and prevention activity would achieve improved outcomes for local people. 7.4 Moving forward the Chief Officers Group have identified a number of specific priorities to be progressed during 2023/24, in addition to ongoing activity. These are: • Alcohol and drug related harm • Suicide Prevention • Care homes oversight • Child Protection inspection • Learning Reviews • Trauma Informed and Responsive • Self-evaluation of partnership working