COG Annual Report
Renfrewshire Council · 29 September 2022
Back to Council — 29 September 2022 and its agenda
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________________________________________________________________________ To: Council On: 29 September 2022 Report by: Chief Executive Heading: Renfrewshire Community Protection Chief Officers Group – Annual Report 2021/22 ________________________________________________________________________ 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 seventh 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 2021/22. It also highlights the ongoing key benefits of excellent partnership working. 1.4 As we emerge from COVID-19 pandemic, partners recognise that this and subsequent restrictions have had a significant impact on Renfrewshire’s most vulnerable residents and that its effects will continue to be seen in the short, medium and longer term. With a focus now on recovery, partners are working together to support individuals, families and communities across Renfrewshire. The impact of the cost of living crisis will also continue to exacerbate issues being experienced across local communities. 1.5 The annual report attached at Appendix 1 to this report provides detailed information on the activities which have been undertaken over the 12 month period to March 2022, whilst section 7 of the report highlights the key priorities which partners have identified for collective focus and action during 2022/23.
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1.6 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 Member Officer Group Terms of Reference set out that the group will be chaired by “a senior member of the administration”. The Administration have nominated Councillor Jacqueline Cameron as Chair of the group. ________________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that elected members : • note the content of the report; • note that Councillor Jacqueline Cameron will Chair the Member Officer Group. ________________________________________________________________________ 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 seventh 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 2021/22, and in doing so highlights the ongoing importance of partnership working.
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3.5 The annual report is provided against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is now recognised as being the most significant challenge to have faced the international community in modern times. As the vaccination programme progressed throughout 2021, restrictions were slowly eased and on 9 August 2021 Scotland moved beyond level 0 with the legal requirement for physical distancing and limits on gatherings removed. However, some restrictions had to be reintroduced for a period in December 2021 as cases of the Omicron variant spread rapidly in the community. 3.6 During these unprecedented times public services continue to be under significant pressure and it is widely acknowledged that many vulnerable individuals will have been impacted significantly and for a considerable time by the pandemic and the unintended consequences of actions taken to control it. While those most vulnerable are likely to have been most disproportionately affected, new vulnerabilities have been created amongst individuals and families as a result of a range of factors such as, loss of employment and other health conditions such as long COVID. 3.7 During the pandemic, the strength of partnership working within the Chief Officers Group has been evident and our approach has adapted and flexed in order to jointly address and respond to emerging issues. The introduction of special meetings of the Chief Officers Group provided a platform for short notice meetings to be arranged to tackle the most imminent issues and threats. 3.8 Despite the challenges of the pandemic, good progress has been made collectively at a local level to drive improvements to joint working and practice across Renfrewshire. A summary of key activities is provided for elected members within the annual report attached at Appendix 1 to this report. ________________________________________________________________________ 4. Strategic focus for 2022/23 4.1 Moving forward the Chief Officers Group have identified a number of specific priorities to be progressed during 2022/23 in addition to ongoing activity. These are: • Collectively monitor continued impact of COVID-19 and the deepening cost of living crisis on our most vulnerable citizens, particularly in relation to child and adult protection and wider community protection; • Monitor and address the impact of Gender Based Violence across Renfrewshire and support the development of the refreshed strategy; • Focus on new and emerging adult protection concerns including financial harm through bogus callers, rogue traders and scams which may have become more prevalent through the pandemic; • Provide 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 through the Alcohol and Drugs Partnership, with a particular focus on drug related deaths / implementation of new MAT standards • Support positive mental health and wellbeing with a focus on suicide prevention and people presenting to agencies in distress;
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• Support the development of trauma informed and responsive services; • Undertake an analysis of cybercrime activity within Renfrewshire and agree preventative actions; • Monitor and review the impact of local work to support the resettlement of Ukrainian nationals in Renfrewshire, and asylum dispersal locally, with a particular focus on safeguarding issues and service response; • Engage with the Scottish Government to consider the implications of the proposed transfer of functions to the National Care Service and the implications for the Chief Officer Group; • Support the work of the Scottish Covid-19 Inquiry. 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 Bail and Release from Custody Bill, Covid Recovery Bill, and the Fireworks and Pyrotechnics Bill. ________________________________________________________________________ Implications of the Report 1. Financial – none 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
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13. Climate Risk – none ________________________________________________________________________ Report Author: Nicola Canavan, Senior Planning and Policy Development Officer Email: nicola.canavan@renfrewshire.gov.uk Appendix 1
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Renfrewshire Community Protection Chief Officers Group Annual Report 2021/22 Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Renfrewshire Profile
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3. Analysis of Current Trends 4. Chief Officers Group 5. Member Officers Group 6. Strategic Partnerships Activities 7. Strategic Focus for 2022/23 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 As elsewhere in the country, Renfrewshire continues to face challenges in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and addressing a range of local protection issues, however 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
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approaches to protect people in the community. This has been evident in the work of those groups, agencies and partnerships involved in public protection. 1.3 This is the seventh 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 2021/22, and in doing so highlights the ongoing importance of partnership working. Impact of the Pandemic 1.4 The annual report is provided against the backdrop of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, which is now recognised as being the most significant challenge to have faced the international community in modern times. As the vaccination programme progressed throughout 2021, restrictions were slowly eased and on 9 August Scotland moved beyond level 0 with the legal requirement for physical distancing and limits on gatherings removed. However, some restrictions had to be reintroduced for a period in December 2021 as cases of the Omicron variant spread rapidly in the community. 1.5 The virus and associated restrictions continued to impact on service provision throughout 2020/21 and at the appropriate points during the pandemic, services worked to restart impacted services in line with Scottish Government guidance and have been required on an ongoing basis to respond flexibly to the changing needs of service users and communities as a result. 1.6 Since the crisis unfolded, many local people, including our most vulnerable citizens, communities and businesses have been impacted, through for example bereavement, loss of income and isolation and loneliness and physical and mental health and wellbeing. Sadly, since the beginning of the pandemic until 28 March 2022, 665 Renfrewshire residents died where COVID-19 was confirmed or suspected, 29% of these deaths occurred in a care home setting. 1.7 During these unprecedented times public services continue to be under significant pressure and it is widely acknowledged that many vulnerable individuals will have been impacted significantly and for a considerable time by the pandemic and the unintended consequences of actions taken to control it. While those most vulnerable are likely to have been most disproportionately affected, new vulnerabilities have been created amongst individuals and families as a result of a range of factors such as, loss of employment and other health conditions such as long COVID. 1.8 During the pandemic, the strength of partnership working within the Chief Officers Group has been evident and our approach has adapted and flexed in order to jointly address and respond to emerging issues. The introduction of special meetings of the Chief Officers Group provided a platform for short notice meetings to be arrange to tackle the most imminent issues and threats. 2. Renfrewshire Profile
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2.1 Covering an area of some 270 square kilometres, the Renfrewshire area hosts major towns such as Paisley, Renfrew and Johnstone, and a number of attractive villages and settlements. 2.2 In terms of population, Renfrewshire is the 10th biggest local authority area in Scotland with a population of around 179,940. Over the 15-year period to 2010 the population did decline but has in recent years increased and is projected to increase steadily over the next 10 years. This brings challenges with a projected decline in the population under 16 in the region of 6% over the next 20 years coupled with 25% increase in the number of pension aged people over the same period. 2.3 Renfrewshire has lots to offer and many strengths and assets to build on. One of the most critical challenges for partners is addressing the gap that has emerged between different communities in Renfrewshire, with the life chances of some being negatively impacted by poverty, poor health, and unemployment. More than 1 in 5 children in Renfrewshire are growing up in poverty. According to the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation, 12 areas (or datazones) are within the 5% most deprived in Scotland. 2.4 Alcohol and drug use are major elements of ill health in Renfrewshire, contributing to the sixth highest rate of drug related deaths in Scotland and the ninth highest rate in Scotland of hospital stays related to alcohol use. Parental neglect and harmful substance use have a significant impact on Renfrewshire’s children. In 2021, there was 587 children in Renfrewshire are looked after by the authority - the sixth highest in population terms in Scotland. 2.5 Renfrewshire is a thriving area for business and economic activity, with Glasgow Airport within its boundaries and excellent transport links across the West of Scotland, nationally and internationally. Employment levels in Renfrewshire had returned to levels experienced before the crash of 2008, with key sectors of employment being in the health and care sectors, transportation and manufacturing. Renfrewshire, as with all areas across the country, now faces the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic and is putting in place strategies to address the effect on jobs and investment, with a particular focus on supporting those in low paid/low skilled work to progress to better paid employment . 3. Analysis of current trends 3.1 Child Protection There were 4,308 child concern referrals received between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2022. This is an increase from 4,020 received from April 2020 to March 2021 and can be attributed to the easing of restrictions following the pandemic and a return to agencies being able to see children and families face to face. It should be noted that these are distinct referrals and not the number of children who were the subject of a referral. 86% of these came from Police Scotland. Domestic abuse was the largest single reason for a referral, with 1,476 concern reports over the 12-month period. Other regularly cited referral reasons included: • Missing person reports – 602 • Youth offending – 402 • Mental health issues (carer) – 255 • Alcohol and/or drugs use by a child – 250 • Child/parent relationship – 157 • Alcohol and/or drugs use by a carer – 126
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There were 333 Inter-agency Referral Discussions (IRD) between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2022, relating to 481 children. Of these, 192 proceeded to a child protection investigation, and 30 to a child protection pre-birth investigation. The number of children on the child protection register has continued to reduce. This reflects the trend nationally and no reason has been determined for this at local or national level. Child protection registrations varied from 65 to 71 throughout the year. One young person was placed in secure care between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2022. 3.2 Adult Support and Protection Between April 2021 and March 2022, 4,263 adult welfare concern and adult protection referrals were received by Renfrewshire. Of these, 1,444 were adult protection concerns and 2,819 were adult welfare concerns. Of these referrals, 1,286 progressed to a section 4 inquiry. Following initial inquiries, 88 adult protection investigations were conducted, a decrease from 112 the previous year. 29 of these investigations resulted in an Initial Adult Protection Case Conference. The table below highlights that this is the largest number of adult welfare concerns and adult protection referrals since 2016/17. 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22 2,578 2,829 2,719 3,106 3,488 4,263 The total referral number for 2021/2022 reflects a 22% increase in the referral rate as compared to the 2020/21 financial year, which was a 12% rise on the previous year. The 2021/22 figure is higher than in any previous years which is as a result of 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. Across the year Police Scotland made 61% of all referrals. There is a long-term trend of a decrease in the ratio of referrals received by Police, though this figure has been unchanged over the past two years. The table below provides an overview of the percentage of referrals that were made by Police Scotland since 2016/17. 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22 77% 70% 66% 61% 61% 61% This reflects an increase in referrals from other sources (Scottish Fire and Rescue Services; care homes; Housing; HSCP Health and Social Work staff; and GPs) throughout the year, leading to the proportion from Police Scotland remaining stable. 3.3 Adults with Incapacity (AWI)
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Demand for AWI reports, which require to be completed by a qualified Mental Health Officer (MHO), had risen steadily over recent years (mirroring increases across Scotland), and this year saw another increase in such requests locally. The complexity of cases has increased; the demand of such reports subsequently has an impact on the service. Some such complexity includes cases referred following financial harm risks identified through adult support and protection processes. The local authority may become involved to pursue the removal of a financial proxy and to pursue alternative financial arrangements to safeguard an adult at risk of harm. The pressure on request for AWI reports where a delayed hospital discharge is involved has risen sharply and this places further pressure on a limited capacity within the MHO Service. In 2021/2022 Renfrewshire received 238 requests for AWI mental health officer reports. In the previous year there were 176 such requests. 3.4 Welfare Guardianships Orders where the Chief Social Work Officer (CSWO) is appointed Welfare Guardian rose in the last year, from 115 in 2020/21 to 125 in 2021/22. 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 485 private welfare guardianship orders running throughout Renfrewshire. These require a minimum of one statutory visit by a guardianship supervisor after being granted. 3.5 Gender Based Violence 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. There has been a slight decrease in MARAC referrals over the preceding year, however 2019/2020 was notably the highest referral rate from the 6 years MARAC data has been recorded in Renfrewshire. In terms of repeat referrals in Renfrewshire these have decreased quite significantly which indicates those discussed at MARAC are less likely to present again with a further incident. Our repeat referrals are also less than the national rate. Cases Discussed at MARAC March 2019 to March 2020 157 March 2020 to March 2021 146 March 2021 to March 2022 134 The number of domestic abuse incidents reported to Police Scotland reduced by 7.1% in 2021/22 compared to the previous year. Period Number of IVPD’s concern reports raised for Domestic Abuse 1st April 2019 – 31st March 2020 2,281 1st April 2020 – 31st March 2021 2,080 1st April 2021 – 31st March 2022 2,011 Referrals to Women and Children First:
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Support and Advocacy Reconnections Total 1st April 2020 – 31st March 2021 185 78 263 1st April 2021 – 31st March 2022 196 62 258 In the table above, referrals to Support and Advocacy relate to adult women. Referrals to the Reconnections part of the service are for children and/or mothers and their children. There has been a slight increase in referrals for support for adult women, however this is broadly in line with the usual annual fluctuations. The lower rate of referrals to Reconnections may be linked to wider services having less contact with families during the pandemic but is returning to normal. The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the delivery of services, in particular the group CEDAR (Children Experiencing Domestic Abuse Recovery) programmes and as such the service is working through the back log of families awaiting this support. Similarly, in terms of support to adult women during the pandemic, priority was given to women (and their children) at immediate risk of harm. Accordingly, there continues to be a waiting list for support for adults in relation to historical experiences of gender-based violence. 3.6 Serious Organised Crime Targeting serious and organised crime continues to be a priority in Renfrewshire. In the reporting period (1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022), there were 143 detections for drug supply, production and cultivation offences—an increase of 14% on the previous five-year average. Meanwhile, the detection rate for all recorded drug supply offences was 92.3%, an increase of 0.6 percentage points on the five-year average. Commodity seizures included etizolam, heroin, cocaine and cannabis. Proactive work is carried out on a daily basis by teams based within Renfrewshire, supported by Divisional teams, which specifically target the Serious and Organised Crime groups, one of which predominantly impacts on Renfrewshire. Enforcement activity is intelligence led to ensure the right people are being targeted in the right places. Police Scotland continue to gather intelligence for further enforcement action in Renfrewshire and it remains a priority for officers to carry out intelligence led patrols ensuring that individuals involved in the possession and supply of controlled drugs are proactively engaged, subsequently leading to obtaining and executing search warrants. 3.7 Missing Person There were 649 recorded missing persons incidents over 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022, an increase of 63.1% on the previous year. Over 11% of the total number of incidents relating to the top five most frequent missing persons within Renfrewshire, all of whom were young people aged under 19 years. Overall, around 81% of all missing persons in Renfrewshire belonged in this age category. Young Persons’ Units continue to feature predominantly amongst the most common locations for missing persons incidents (37%). Nearly 70% of all missing people were traced within 24 hours. Less than five percent of incidents involved people being missing for over one week. 3.8 Cyber Crime There continues to be indications of an increasing trend in relation to cybercrime. Analysis identified a minimum of 713 cybercrimes in the reporting period in Renfrewshire. 42% of
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these involved threatening or abusive communications offences, while a further 36% related to online fraud and other financially motivated crimes. 3.9 Violence and Disorder Overall, between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2022, recorded violent crime has fallen by 3.5% on the five-year average, although a rise of 8.2% has been recorded on the previous year. It should be noted that violence in the previous year declined on previous years, almost certainly due to COVID -19 restrictions which limited opportunities for interpersonal violence to occur. Over the longer term, however, crimes of serious violence are down by 3.5%, while common assaults (including on police officers and other emergency workers) have fallen by 1.3%. Meanwhile, public complaints of disorder have fallen by 26.1% on the previous year— highly likely due to the easing of COVID-19 restrictions and the associated drop in public reporting of breaches of these. 3.10 Sexual Crime Reported sexual crimes increased by 19.2% on the previous five-year average, to a total of 448 crimes. The detection rate for sexual crime is 56.7%, a drop of 2.2 percentage points on the five-year average. 45% of these crimes involved non-recent reporting—with a large proportion of non-recent reports involving child victims. 13% of recorded sexual crimes were cyber enabled in nature. 3.11 Accidental Dwelling Fire The most recent data from Q4 2021/22 on Accidental Dwelling Fires show a decrease of 9% (3 incidents) from this period last year. Cooking remains the most common source of ignition within Renfrewshire accounting for 16 of the accidental dwelling fires. 35% (11) of the incidents required no firefighting action, 26% (8) were due to distraction and 10% (3) were due to alcohol/drug impairment. 28 of the 31 incidents had detection installed and 86% (27) of them operated and raised the alarm. 3.12 Unintentional Injury or Harm Non-fire casualties remain static from this period last year with a total of 17 casualties. Of the 17 casualties 9 were as a result of Road Traffic Collisions (53%). Incidents involving Assisting Other Agencies accounted for 41% (7 incidents) of all the activity within this indicator. Tragically, 2 fatalities were recorded this period. The first incident was effecting entry for multi-agency partners. The second was a recovery operation from the Black Cart Water. 3.13 Deliberate Fire Setting Deliberate fire setting shows an increase of 3% (4) incidents from Q4 last year. Secondary fires accounted for 82% (106) of the incidents within this indicator. Refuse fires was the main area of activity within this metric. 3.14 SFRS Six Areas of Key Demand
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0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 The table below highlights the most recent available provisional data provided by Scottish Fire and Rescue in relation to the six areas of key demand reduction for the period 1 January 2021 to 31 March 2022. 3.15 Alcohol and Drugs In Renfrewshire, there were 50 drug-related deaths in 2021 which represents a decrease of 25% from 67 in 2020, which was the highest in the last decade. Chart 1 : Drug misuse deaths in Renfrewshire, 2010 to 2021 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 19 24 26 13 30 19 42 38 50 45 67 50 Renfrewshire had the seventh highest rate of deaths per 100,000 population (2017-2021) at 29 and above the Scottish average of 22.9. This is an improvement on the previous 5-year rate where we had the sixth highest rate of deaths at 28.
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Chart 2: Drug misuse deaths for selected council areas, age-standardised death rates per 100,000 population, 2017-2021 Initial analysis undertaken across NHSGGC has highlighted deaths are more common in males (68.4%) aged between 45-54 (37.5%). In 2021, there was an overall 9% decrease in male deaths whilst there was a 10% increase in female deaths. This means that the ratio of Male:Female deaths was 2:1. Opiates or Opioids continued to be present in 82% of all drug related deaths in NHSGGC, with Heroin / Morphine implicated in 33%. Methadone was implicated in 51% of all deaths, a decrease of 5% compared with 2020. In 2021 there was a slight fall in the incidence of benzodiazepines implicated but it is still one of the most commonly found family of drugs implicated in drug-related deaths (70%), which is usually due to the drug Etizolam (67%). Area 2020 2021 % Change Renfrewshire 67 50 -25% East Dunbartonshire 14 16 +14% East Renfrewshire 10 6 -40% Glasgow City 291 311 +7% Inverclyde 33 16 -52% West Dunbartonshire 29 28 -3% NHSGGC 444 427 -4% Scotland 1339 1330 -1%
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In Renfrewshire, there were 53 alcohol-specific deaths in 2021 which represents an increase of 20.5% from 44 in 2020, and is the highest number of deaths since 2009. Chart 3: Alcohol- specific deaths in Renfrewshire, 2010-21 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 44 40 47 36 44 37 40 44 50 36 44 53 The alcohol-specific deaths rate for Renfrewshire for 2017-2021 was 24.7. At council area level in the last five years, Inverclyde, Glasgow City, West Dunbartonshire, North Lanarkshire, Dundee City, North Ayrshire and Renfrewshire all had alcohol-specific death rates higher than the Scottish average. Chart 4: Alcohol-specific death rate in council areas, 2017-2021 In 2020/21 the rate of alcohol-related hospital admissions to general acute hospitals was 667 per 100,000 populations. lower than the rate recorded during 2019/20 (786 per 100,000). The COVID-19 pandemic and measures put in place to respond to the pandemic are likely to have contributed to the decrease observed in 2020/21. 3.16 Probable Suicides 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
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0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 In Renfrewshire, there were 25 probable suicides in 2021 an increase from 22 in 2020. In the same period, there were 753 probable suicides registered in Scotland, a decrease of 52 (6%) from the previous year and the lowest number of suicides registered in a year since 2017. Chart 5: Probable Suicides in Renfrewshire, 2010 to 2021 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 27 38 27 27 24 21 16 23 13 16 22 25 For the period 2017-2021, Renfrewshire had the fifth lowest rate of deaths per 100,000 population at 10.9. This was below the Scottish average of 14.1. Between 2017 and 2021 there were 99 probable suicides (72 males and 27 females). In the previous 5-year period (2016-2020) Renfrewshire had the third lowest rate at 9.9 deaths per 100,000 population, again below the Scottish average of 14.1. Chart 6: Probable suicide death rate in council areas, 2017-2021 In Scotland, three-quarters of people who died by suicide in 2021 were male (565 males, 188 females). The highest crude rate of suicide for both males and females occurred in the 45-54 age group in 2021. There is a known link between deprivation and suicide. The probable suicide rate (both crude and age-sex standardised) in the period 2017-2021 was over three times higher in the most deprived areas compared to the least deprived areas.
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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 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 Commission • NSCJA SOG or appropriate senior nominee.
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• Head of Public Protection or Director of Communities and Housing • 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; • 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. 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 Communities and Housing • 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 Communities and Public Protection • Child Protection Lead Officer • Adult Support and Protection Officer • Head of Policy and Commissioning, Chief Executive’s Service • 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 RCPC activity
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RCPC activity has returned to normal, with quarterly meetings of RCPC and its subgroups having resumed from the first quarter of 2021/22. More regular meetings of subgroups have been convened when necessary – including to support the implementation of the National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland 2021. The Committee continues to monitor local and national data and intelligence and remains alert to issues impacting children and families – including the ongoing longer-term impact of the pandemic and restrictions. Meetings have continued to take place online. It is anticipated that the RCPC meeting scheduled for September 2022 will take place face-to-face or utilising a hybrid approach, with some RCPC members attending in person and others remotely. Some of the subgroups have already moved to a hybrid approach and it is hoped that face-to-face meetings can be resumed for all groups from late 2022. 6.1.2 National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland The national guidance for Child Protection in Scotland was published in September 2021 with an eighteen to twenty four month implementation period. The implementation of the guidance locally is being overseen by RCPC’s Policies and Procedures subgroup. A number of the changes required by the guidance have been implemented at pace within Renfrewshire, while some of were already reflected in existing practice. The key changes which have been implemented to date are: • Child Protection Case Conferences are now known as Child Protection Planning Meetings. • The first initial planning meeting for born children can now take place after a period of up to 6 months rather than the previous three months (however, for pre-birth this remains at 3 months). • Core groups can be held up to every eight weeks. • Initial and Significant case reviews have now been replaced with Learning Reviews. Renfrewshire is working collaboratively with neighbouring authorities to update the local child protection guidance to reflect the new national guidance and are in the process of commissioning an independent consultant to develop the guidance. It is anticipated that the new guidance will be available by early 2023. 6.1.3 Learning Reviews In line with the National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland 2021, Initial and Significant Case Reviews have now been replaced with Learning Reviews. From 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022, RCPC commissioned two Learning Reviews which are now complete. These were undertaken by independent reviewers. The main themes emerging from the reviews are: • the use of parental capacity assessments; • GIRFEC; • trauma informed practice; and • thresholds. A new Learning Review procedure has been implemented within Renfrewshire and the Care Inspectorate are attending RCPC in June 2022 to discuss what is expected from RCPC when undertaking Learning Reviews.
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6.1.4 Network Lunches RCPC agreed to undertake a series of network lunches in May and June of 2022. Networking lunches were undertaken by RCPC in the past and evaluated positively. The purpose of the lunches is to: • promote the role of RCPC; • provide workers with an opportunity to meet the independent Chair of RCPC and committee members; • share information about the new inspection model; • provide practitioners and managers with the opportunity to network and meet with colleagues from partner agencies; • disseminate information; and • discuss learning reviews. A further programme of lunches will be rolled out in Autumn 2022. Each of these lunches will focus on a particular theme, with themes based on feedback provided by staff attending the lunches in May and June. 6.1.5 Newsletter At the March 2020 meeting of RCPC, it was agreed that a regular newsletter would be developed to provide practitioners and managers with information about the work of RCPC and about key updates in child protection both locally and nationally. The first newsletter was circulated following the meeting of RCPC in March. Feedback from those receiving the newsletter has been positive. It was agreed that a newsletter will be produced and circulated quarterly following each RCPC meeting. 6.1.6 Training Training has continued to be delivered mainly online as we emerge from the pandemic. There has been some piloting of face-to-face events, both as single and interagency courses. Learning from the past two years has enabled the training team to prioritise which learning events are best delivered face-to-face and which will continue to be delivered online or digitally. Frontline services have largely welcomed more interactive face-to-face courses, although there are practical and logistical reasons why some online courses are more effective. The interagency calendar for 2022 was designed mainly for online delivery but is under review for delivery in person from the summer of 2022 onwards. There are clear and specific areas of practice that continue to be core learning, including: • Understanding Neglect; • CAPADU; • Children Affected by Adult Mental Health; • Child Exploitation/Contextual Safeguarding; and • Chronologies/recording These are likely to be given priority for face-to-face training going forward. Additionally, we have recognised the need for staff reflection on: how practice has functioned throughout the pandemic; the new National Guidance for Child Protection 2021; and learning from SCRs/Learning Reviews, all of which are being delivered across services or are in development for a future learning event. Delivery of the implementation plan (Safe and Together model) for working with domestic abuse is also ongoing.
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Work is ongoing to embed trauma informed practice throughout all training delivered in Renfrewshire. It has been highlighted through Learning Reviews as an area for consideration and, where this is not already the case, it is being embedded in all single and inter agency training. RCPC’s biennial Child Protection Conference was deferred from September 2021 to September 2022 and planning for this is now well under way. It will be a hybrid model of both in person attendance and remote access for a total of 200 people across all partner agencies. The overarching theme this year will be ‘What Do Children Need from Us?’ 6.2 Trauma informed and responsive Renfrewshire Recognising the fundamental issue of trauma that local people and families told the Alcohol and Drug Commission members they had experienced, work has commenced on a partnership programme of work to ensure that recognising and responding to trauma is part of every service we deliver. A coordinator post has been created to lead this programme of work going forward, with recruitment currently underway. The Trauma steering group has been established, and engagement with the Improvement Service and other local authorities has taken place. An action plan is currently being developed, and awareness sessions at a leadership level are already underway. It is anticipated that actions will include: • Reviewing current training and development programmes • Reviewing HR and recruitment policies through a trauma informed lens, • Deliver awareness sessions to highlight what becoming more trauma informed can mean for services and partnership • Linking this work to existing and emerging priorities such as The Promise, Our Values, etc. 6.3 Adult Support and Protection (ASP) 6.3.1 Audit activity The Renfrewshire Adult Protection committee has taken a very proactive approach to the quality assurance and audit activity. Every quarter there is small scale audits completed based on an identified theme. There are 30 cases audited in the quarterly small-scale audits. The theme’s these audits have been based on are as follows – • ASP protection plans • Engagement of service users at inquiry stage • Leadership/management in ASP • The quality of reports submitted to Case Conferences for those invited and those who attended • Review frequency of invitations and decisions sent to GPs for Case Conferences • Service user engagement in Case Conferences • Outcomes of ASP investigation In addition to our quarterly audits, we are conducting a large-scale audit in August 2022. The theme for this audit is people who have high levels of interagency referrals. This is a multi- agency audit involving Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue, Public Protection, Housing Services, Health representation and Adult social work services. There will be 10 cases audited and a report will be produced to committee to examine the findings of this audit.
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6.3.2 ASP National Minimum Dataset – Learning Partner with Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services (IRISS) IRISS has been commissioned by the Scottish Government to work with all Adult Protection Committees and other members of the sector to develop a new National Minimum Dataset for Adult Support and Protection. Renfrewshire RAPC were selected as a learning partner to co-design, test and refine a National Minimum Dataset for quarterly indicators and support package. The RAPC convenor, RAPC lead officer, ASP officer and Data Analyst manager participated in the online workshops. In addition, we have provided IRISS with information on what data we currently collate and why to inform the National Dataset. Feedback has also been given to IRISS on the prototype of the dataset. The RAPC are proud to be involved in this work and to be part of the trialling of the dataset before it is rolled out across the sector. 6.3.3 Missing Persons Protocol Renfrewshire RAPC submitted an Expression of Interest to participate in the National Missing Persons Framework Implementation Project. The submission involved collaboration with a number of partners, including the Renfrewshire HSCP, Renfrewshire Communities, Housing and Planning, Public Protection, Renfrewshire Children Services, the community safety partnership and Police Scotland. This submission of interest was successful, and we began working with Missing People to develop a Missing Persons Protocol. A working group was formed, and we began working on the project focusing on the following points – • Reviewing the response to missing episodes through mapping and understanding current policies, guidance and practice relating to missing persons • Consulting on and developing policies and protocols around Return Discussions and information sharing • Delivering free, tailored training sessions to local professionals • Sharing best practice and learning related to the implementation of The National Missing Persons Framework for Scotland • Building awareness of support services available to Missing People which can allow our partners to focus resources on the operational response to missing persons • The launch of a best practice protocol for professional to use when supporting people at risk of a missing episode and people who have returned from a missing episode The project reached a conclusion in September 2021. The identified aims were successfully achieved. The Renfrewshire Missing Persons Protocol is now being used in practice across the sector. In terms of launching the protocol partner agencies have been able to enrol in training provided by Missing People focusing on return discussions. The RAPC Lead officer has also met with all the adult services teams to provide an overview of the protocol and how this should be used in practice. 6.3.4 Renfrewshire Partnership Hoarding Policy A multi-agency Hoarding policy is in the process of being developed. The guidance will describe what is meant by hoarding; the types of behaviour exhibited and what impact it may be to the individual and those around them. The policy will include a risk assessment to identify the level of risk to the individual and others. In addition, there will be clear guidance on what intervention practitioners should consider to try to mitigate risk. The supports available will also be detailed within the policy. Appended to the guidance will be a
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procedure which provides further details on the practical steps that should be taken once a person who hoards has been identified. 6.3.5 Development of the Care Homes, Extra Care Housing and Supported Living ASP subgroup The Renfrewshire Adult Protection Committee’s data scorecard has shown increasing ASP referral from Care Homes. There was also a noted increase in the number of large-scale inquiries over the subsequent 12-month period. Therefore, it was decided there would be much benefit in implementing a subgroup which focused on ASP referrals from residential care facilities. The subgroups aim is to take an early intervention approach to try to minimise potential increasing risk within residential establishments. The group is operational in nature with the membership including representatives from • Operational adult services • Contracts and commissioning • Clinical director (NHS) • Community pharmacy • Care Inspectorate • Community Nursing • Scottish Fire and Rescue Service • Police Scotland The terms of reference for the group have been formed and agreed at committee with the first meeting due to take place in August 2022. There will be data collated for each care setting looking at a number of key elements. The data will then be discussed with the subgroup and a RAG status will be appointed to each care establishment. The log from the meeting will also be shared with operational staff, it is felt this will better equip teams to identify care establishments with potential increasing risk which could result in a Large-Scale Inquiry. It is envisioned this will support the operational teams to intervene and support at an earlier stage. The anticipated benefits of the subgroup are as follows – • Enhanced quality of life and dignity for adults residing in care settings in Renfrewshire • Lower risk of harm in care settings • Increased confidence for care staff and positive expectations of users and care in receipt of care 6.3.6 Procedure for Large Scale Investigation of Adults at Risk of Harm Renfrewshire have conducted 4 Large-Scale Investigations (LSI) during the reporting period. All the LSI’s have been in independent sector care homes. Comprehensive and collaborative reports were completed for every individual included in the LSI. The reports were shared within the relevant LSI’s meetings and directly contributed towards risk assessments on both an individual and setting wide basis. The LSIs continue to demonstrate an exemplary multi- disciplinary and multi-agency cooperation. Contributions from colleagues across the health service, Police Scotland, the Care Inspectorate, Scottish Fire and Rescue Services, Care
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Home Liaison nurses, commissioning staff, social work services and the third sector led to holistic assessments of risks and strengths within a care setting. The coordinated response to shared concerns enhances the efficiency and efficacy of safeguarding measures undertaken. We have now produced and implemented the procedure for Large-Scale Investigations of Adults at risk of harm. This procedure allows for a consistent and coordinated response to LSI’s. In terms of training the learning and development subcommittee have now created staff’s briefings on the procedure. The briefings have initially been targeted at key staff groups who are likely to be involved in LSI’s. Once these staff groups have attended the briefings, we will aim for a wider reach to increase agencies understanding and knowledge of LSI’s and what this would involve. We anticipate that the briefings will further enhance professionals’ ability to notice issues and risks which may warrant an LSI. 6.4 Oversight of Care Homes and Care at Home Services On 17 May 2020, the Scottish Government published national statutory COVID-19 guidance to provide granular scrutiny, support and oversight of care home and care at home services. The guidance required that from 18 May 2020, clinical and care professionals at NHS boards and local authorities will have a leading role in the oversight for care homes in their area. The enhanced multidisciplinary arrangements will continue to be in place, with some adaptations as the oversight arrangements evolve until the end of March 2023. This includes the joint Chief Social Work Officer/ Nurse Director oversight roles. The following governance arrangements continue to be implemented to strengthen clinical and care oversight of care homes across Renfrewshire: • Renfrewshire Clinical and Care Oversight Group weekly multi-disciplinary team (MDT) meeting: the group is responsible for analysing all aspects of COVID-19, infection control, testing, training and support; classifying each care home using the Scottish Government agreed rating and completing the local return to the Director of Public Health, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. There is also a requirement for the MDT to escalate issues via the Chief Officer / Director Nursing to the Chief Executives of the Council and NHS respectively. • Care Home Peer Support Meeting every 6 to 8 weeks (initially held weekly): this meeting provides a forum for clinical and care advice and support to all registered homes in Renfrewshire. This meeting is well attended by all care homes and has been so successful that it is intended this meeting is continued beyond the pandemic. 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 Equally Safe Equally Safe, Scotland’s strategy for preventing and eradicating violence against women and girls was published in 2014 and updated in 2016. The aim of the strategy is to ensure partnership working across the public, private and third sector in order to create a ‘strong and flourishing Scotland where all individuals are equally safe and protected, and where
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women and girls live free from all forms of violence and abuse – and the attitudes which perpetuate them.’ Scottish Government and COSLA will publish a new short-life Equally Safe delivery plan early next year. This plan will consolidate and build on the existing priorities and commitments contained in the current Equally Safe Delivery Plan and consider what needs to be achieved for the sector to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The implementation of Equally Safe is the responsibility of local Violence Against Women Partnerships. In Renfrewshire the local multi-agency Gender Based Violence (GVB) Strategy Group is jointly chaired by the Head of Child Care and Criminal Justice for Renfrewshire Council and the Head of Health and Social Care for Renfrewshire HSCP and meets quarterly. Renfrewshire GBV Strategy Group provide an annual assessment to the Scottish Government against the Equally Safe Quality Standards and Performance Framework. 6.5.2 Renfrewshire Gender Based Violence Strategy To support the implementation of Equally Safe, the Renfrewshire GBV Strategy Group published its first strategy in November 2018. The vision of Renfrewshire’s Gender Based Violence Strategy (2018–2021) is that ‘Renfrewshire is a place where GBV is not tolerated and where victims, perpetrators and communities are supported to address its causes and consequences.’ Considering the challenges posed by the pandemic, Renfrewshire GBV Strategy Group agreed that rather than publish a full updated strategy as planned this year, that we will spend time planning and preparing for an updated strategy for 2023–2026. This is in line with the national refresh of the Equally Safe Delivery Plan, recognising the impact of the pandemic and allowing us to reflect on the successes achieved and identifying the local priorities and actions required for the next period. A key area for development is how to embed the survivor voice in local service planning and delivery. A development session will take place before the end of the year. The strategic priorities will remain unchanged: 1. Ensure strong partnership working of Renfrewshire’s GBV Strategy Group. 2. Provide high quality services which meet the needs of victims and perpetrators. 3. Improve the knowledge, skills and behaviour of local workers. 4. Improve the knowledge, skills and behaviour of the wider community. The performance of the Renfrewshire GBV Strategy Group continues to be assessed against the Equally Safe Quality Standards and Performance Framework. Work has begun with partners to gather the information for the 2022 return which is due to be submitted in August. Renfrewshire GBV Strategy Group has continued to develop a strong partnership approach to addressing GBV. The group has continued to meet regularly during the last year via Microsoft Teams. The membership has increased to include representatives from the voluntary sector (Kairos+) and Renfrewshire Council Youth Services. 6.5.3 Reclaim the Night
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The annual Reclaim the Night March was postponed however a silent vigil was held in Orr Square where community members were invited to add white ribbons of remembrance to a memorial wreath at any point during the 16 days of Activism. GBV training also moved online and much of the core basic GBV training has been provided free of charge by national services such as the Safe Lives DAART awareness raising tool and Equally Safe in Practice, a joint initiative between Scottish Government Improvement Services and Scottish Women’s Aid. 6.5.4 Local Service Updates Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) is a peer mentoring leadership programme for young people. It gives young people the chance to explore and challenge the attitudes, beliefs and cultural norms that underpin gender-based violence, bullying and other forms of violence. The MVP Programme in Renfrewshire has now been expanded to include 16 local schools and 170 school staff have accessed training on the Whole School Approach. Renfrewshire Council Children’s Services and Youth Services were successful in a bid for funding from the Delivering Equally Safe Fund to deliver the Young and Equally Safe in Renfrewshire project which aims to develop the existing Mentors in Violence Prevention school-based programme into community settings. Youth Services will work in partnership with Children’s Services and the Renfrewshire Youth Work Network 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. This project will be developed and delivered in partnership with young people, creating opportunity to increase and broaden representation on Renfrewshire Youth Voice, will seeking to inform strategic planning. Multi-agency forums such as MARAC (Multi-agency Risk Assessment Conference), MATAC (Multi-agency Tasking and Co-ordination) and MAPPA (Multi-agency Public Protection Arrangements) adapted to remote working by use of Microsoft Teams for video meetings. The delays in the court process due to the pandemic have brought additional challenges from both the perspective of support to victims and in progressing work with perpetrators. Women and children in refuge accommodation are experiencing longer than usual waits for housing provision due to the pandemic. The GBV Strategy Group will continue to work with key stakeholders to prepare a post COVID-19 plan to address some of these challenges. The Up2U perpetrator programme continues to be delivered by the Children’s Services Justice team. Justice Social Workers routinely assess a service user’s suitability to undertake Up2U modules when a Criminal Justice Social Work Report has been requested in relation to domestic abuse offences. The Justice team have 31 service users at present with whom they are attempting to undertake Up2U modules. Portsmouth Council continue offer ongoing support to workers trained in Up2U and provide access to support groups the workers can tap into to discuss their practice. There are weekly support groups and monthly masterclasses available. Workers are encouraged to use this support when required. 6.5.5 Renfrewshire Women’s Aid Renfrewshire Women’s Aid have been awarded a three-year contract with Renfrewshire Council to continue to provide specialised services in supported accommodation and related support services for women and their children affected by domestic abuse. The Own My Life
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course will be running an evening programme during the summer for survivors who are unable to attend during the day. 6.5.6 Women and Children First Renfrewshire Council’s Women and Children First service have returned to full face-to-face delivery of service. Due to the limited access to accommodation during the pandemic and the lockdown restrictions that were at times in place, group work programmes could not be delivered. The service is now working on resuming CEDAR (Children Experiencing Domestic Abuse Recovery) groups as part of the Reconnections service and to work through the backlog of referrals for this service. There is also a high demand for counselling services, particularly in relation to historical experiences of abuse. Any woman or family group at risk of further harm, fleeing violence or struggling financially is allocated immediately for short term intervention and support. During the pandemic the service saw a marked increase in the need for applications to be made to the Buttle Trust, Victim Fund and NatWest Circle Fund for items including food, ring doorbells and other safety equipment, white goods and other household items. The Safe and Together model was introduced to Renfrewshire during its 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 GBV across all services in Renfrewshire and this process is currently underway, with the initial focus on Children’s Service Social Work staff. Children’s Services now have two staff trained as trainers in the Safe and Together model. The four-day Safe and Together training was delivered online to 20 Children’s Services Social Workers/Senior Social Workers in February with positive feedback received. As part of the implementation plan, those staff are champions of the model within their own teams. A further four-day training is planned for early September with a view to a one-day overview course being delivered to a wider staff group. Renfrewshire is now a participant in the Safe and Together National Implementation Forum and is in discussion with Scottish Government’s Improvement Services to plan a self-evaluation. 6.6 Community Safety and Public Protection 6.6.1 CONTEST Prevent Strategy 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
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ensure that those at risk of this are given appropriate advice and support – including oversight of the PMAP process in Renfrewshire. 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 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. 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. 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. 6.6.2 NOTICE-CHECK-SHARE Training 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. 6.6.3 Serious Organised Crime
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Counter Fraud and Operation Aidant The Renfrewshire Deter/Disrupt Sub-Group has been established over the past year to allow Renfrewshire Council and partners to work together to assist Police Scotland in deterring and disrupting people entering into and taking part in Serious and Organised Crime. An action plan has been drafted with quarterly meetings in place to action how this can be delivered. As part of Operation Aidant, Officers have assisted with joint visits to Nail Bars in Renfrewshire to assess for Health and Safety violations which Police Scotland and colleagues from Immigration have looked at the potential for Human Trafficking offences. More recently the group has been further strengthened through the involvement of SEPA with a focus on disrupting groups that contribute to illegal landfill sites abuse waste licenses or fly tip aligning with the investment from Renfrewshire Council in an Environmental Task Force pilot. Shut Out Scammers/Interlinked Smoke Alarms The Renfrewshire Divert Disrupt Sub-Group has been established to maximise opportunities to work in partnership to disrupt opportunities for criminal gain and divert people away from crime or from being a victim of crime. Focused work has been undertaken by Police Scotland and Renfrewshire Council (Trading Standards) to try to raise awareness and tackle scams and bogus callers. In particular, the Community Safety Partnership has issued a leaflet on ways to identify scams/bogus callers and highlighting the costs and implications of installing Interlinked Smoke Alarms to every household in Renfrewshire when people were sent Council Tax bills. This partnership working aimed at combating the opportunity for criminal groups to use the new legislation, introduced by the Scottish Government and requiring interlinked smoke/heat alarms to target vulnerable people and charge above the market rate to install devices. 6.6.4 Financial Harm Strategy In March 2022, the Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board approved the Renfrewshire Financial Harm Strategy. This strategy ensures that partners and agencies work collaboratively and efficiently to tackle financial harm in all its guises and wherever it occurs throughout our communities. It is led on by the Financial Harm Sub-Group and has a clear focus on what it wants to achieve under the 5 ‘E’s’: • Early Intervention and Prevention • Education • Engagement • Engineering • Enforcement 6.6.5 Community Protection Impact of COVID-19 A significant focus of the work of the Renfrewshire Community Protection (Prevent) Steering Group continued to relate to COVID and in particular, consideration of the recovery and the effects that COVID has had and continues to have on communities across Renfrewshire. Ongoing work included supporting Test and Protect, Community Testing and the Local
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Assistance Teams across Renfrewshire to ensure workers and residents were safe and had access to everything they needed e.g., food/grants etc. Needs and the focus of this work changed significantly several times with new waves and different variants e.g., Omicron being detected and the public health landscape changing. Most staff across Communities and Public Protection continued to deliver front-line services to assist vulnerable residents throughout the pandemic including CCTV Operators monitoring public space CCTV, Renfrewshire Wardens dealing with anti-social behaviour, Pest Control Operatives and EHOs/TSOs liaising and working with businesses to ensure they were COVID compliant. Whilst not at the same level as 2020/21, Environmental Health and Trading Standards continued to work on COVID related work including assisting businesses to comply with the ever-changing landscape of legislation and guidance. This was mainly proactive e-mails to assist businesses and as highlighted last year, Renfrewshire remains one of only a few local authorities to have assisted businesses in this way. Community Testing remained in place until April 2022 before being decommissioned. Officers from Communities and Public Protection remained at the forefront, including weekly meetings with the health board to ensuring testing was available, especially when the Omicron variant hit Scotland in December 2021. Regulatory Services – recovery from Covid The development of significant new areas of work of regulatory governance and compliance that was required to be undertaken throughout the pandemic period to protect public health by both Trading Standards and Environmental Health Officers had a significant impact on normal day to day regulatory activities. Consequently, a number of areas of work were deferred by national organisations and require a recovery plan. Food Law inspections have now commenced again, however, the statutory food inspection regime and plan has changed several times due to the changing public health challenges e.g., the new Omicron variant being discovered in December 2021. As inspections have resumed it has been clear that due to Officers not routinely being in premises some standards have slipped – partly due to changes in business operation or due to the replacement of key staff in businesses with less experience of the regulatory framework. In addition, there are a significant number of entirely new businesses that are now being inspected for the first time. This has led to Council Officers spending more time than usual on what would previously have been routine inspections to support businesses back to a suitable level of compliance and means that the recovery period for the normal inspection plan will take longer than originally anticipated. The Lead Food Officer and Environmental Health - Business Regulation Manager has been liaising with Food Standards Scotland to agree an 18-month plan to get inspections back on a more normal footing. 6.6.6 Community Safety Partnership Hub Daily Tasking 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
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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 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. 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 The first annual review was completed in 2021 and noted that the process and monthly tasking is well established and delivering positive benefits. 6.6.7 Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy Throughout 2021 and 2022, an updated Anti-Social Behaviour strategy was drafted and approved at the Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board in March 2022. This included extensive consultation with Elected Members and other partners/forums to ensure all practices and policies were up to date. A key strength of the updated strategy has been to formalise links and build on already effective working with Housing services and RSL’s. 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. 6.6.8 Overdose response team within Renfrewshire Turning Point Scotland were awarded funding to extend the Overdose Response Team that was in place in Glasgow City into Renfrewshire, Inverclyde and East Renfrewshire – this is now in place. The response team now work within Renfrewshire 7 days per week working in teams of 2 outreach workers and 1 coordinator based in the Community Safety Partnership Hub. This has been a great addition for Renfrewshire with staff attending Daily and Monthly tasking to maximise participation and input from partners. 6.6.9 Water Safety
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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 Renfrewshire Water Safety Working Group with partners 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. In addition to the above, a strategic review of Public Rescue Equipment (PRE) was undertaken with new equipment being placed along the River Gryfe. A new Renfrewshire Water Safety Policy was drafted and approved at the Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board in January 2022. 6.6.10 Avian Influenza Highly pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and in particular H5N1 has been within the UK for quite some time. In November 2021, an influenza prevention zone was put in place across Great Britain which required birds to be kept indoors and increased the reporting of dead wild birds. In March 2021, Renfrewshire was part of a surveillance zone due to confirmation of an outbreak of avian influenza in a flock of birds on a farm in Beith, Ayrshire (there was a tighter protection zone within Ayrshire). This led to weekly oversight and meetings with Scottish Government and APHA to ensure bird owners in the zone were made aware of the risk and were actively monitoring their flock for signs of avian influenza. The zones have now been lifted and only one bird has been noted to have Avian Influenza in Renfrewshire which was not linked to the above and deemed to be an isolated incident in December 2021. 6.6.11 Homes for Ukraine (Private Sponsorship and Super Sponsorship scheme) Due to the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Scottish Government, alongside the UK Government, established a Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship scheme. As this report relates to work done in 2021/22 – the scheme was still in its infancy at the end of March 2022, however, Communities and Public Protection are once again at the forefront of ensuring communities remain safe. This includes oversight and inspections from Environmental Health to ensure properties meet the expected/required standard. More importantly, a Multi-Agency Panel (Police Scotland, Social Work, HR and Communities and Public Protection) was set up and chaired by the Head of Communities and Public Protection to discuss contentious applications to ensure the safety of the vulnerable refugees fleeing war torn Ukraine. 6.7 Community Justice Responding to the pandemic has meant that some planned actions within the Community Justice Outcome Improvement Plan 2018-21 have been delayed, with focus diverting to maintaining services, and adapting to national changes. The Renfrewshire Community Justice Outcomes Improvement Plan 2018-2021 was due to be updated by 1 April 2021, however in recognition of the impact of the pandemic on taking forward actions, it was agreed by Community Justice Scotland (CJS) that these could continue until 31 December 2021.
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In May 2021, the Scottish Government and CJS issued a joint statement in relation to the review of the National Strategy for Community Justice and Review of the Outcomes, Performance, and Improvement Framework, advising that this is due in early 2022. Given that local authorities must review their Community Justice Outcome Improvement Plan after the publication, they have advised that it is pragmatic for local authorities in this position to delay publication. As such it was agreed that the plan would be extended until the end of 2022. The continued impact of the pandemic on the capacity of services to take forward improvement actions means that consideration is currently being given to extending our CJOIP by a further year, enabling greater capacity to move forward on previous actions, whilst allowing time to gain a full understanding of current issues to inform a new plan. 6.7.1 Extension to Just Recovery Invest in Renfrewshire provided continued funding for this initiative. This ensures specific support is in place for individuals with convictions in overcoming specific barriers to education, employment and training. In recognition of some of the challenges of meeting the demand for service users subject to Multi-agency Public Protection Arrangements funding was recently gained through the LEP grants programme for APEX for an 18-month period to support these individuals. Renfrewshire Community Justice remain active partners in the Renfrewshire Local employability Partnership. 6.7.2 Development of Pathways/processes for justice service users with addiction issues The Scottish Government’s Challenge Fund, managed by the CORRA Foundation, was made resources available to support activities that tackle harmful alcohol and drug use. Community Justice Renfrewshire was awarded £35,000 from the “Getting ready for Change” category, following the proposal of a project, Just Recovery, to carry out a mapping review of pathways into addiction services for people involved in the criminal justice system living in or returning to Renfrewshire. This includes young people and those who have committed serious and high-risk offences. A Community Justice Development Worker was employed within addiction services from March 2021 to March 2022. Challenges regarding information sharing, and joint working were examined with some overcome, and ongoing areas identified to take forward across justice and addiction services. 6.8 Renfrewshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP) Renfrewshire ADP is a multi-agency strategic partnership, including membership from Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP), Renfrewshire Council, Police Scotland, Scottish Prison Service and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. The ADP is tasked with implementing the national strategic frameworks ensuring that we improve the health of our local population and to prevent and reduce the harm caused by alcohol and drugs. Recent times have seen significant changes in the alcohol and drug landscape as a result of the Scottish Government’s new National Mission on Drugs, the work of the Drug Deaths Taskforce and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of these changes, the ADP recognised that it would benefit from an independent review which has just been completed. This work will prepare the ADP to move to an ‘independent chair’ model of operation and to
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identify potential development needs to improve the outcomes for people who use our services when they experience problems from alcohol and/or drug use. The provision of timely, evidence-based treatment and support to individuals attending Renfrewshire Alcohol and Drug Recovery Service (ADRS) and other key services including the third sector continues to be a priority. Working collaboratively with our key partners has also culminated in a number of key action areas: - 6.8.1 Preventing Drug Related Deaths As part of the ADP’s Drug Deaths Prevention Action Plan, there is a range of work currently underway with partners to prevent and reduce drug related deaths in Renfrewshire. The appointment of the ADP Drug Death Prevention Lead Officer has also provided dedicated support to this area of work. 6.8.2 Targeted Distribution of Naloxone A local multi-agency Naloxone Delivery Group has been established with the key responsibility of driving forward work regarding targeted distribution of Naloxone. A work- plan has been created focussing on reducing barriers, improving education on overdose and Naloxone, and expanding supply networks across Renfrewshire. The development of a training calendar is also underway aimed at health and social care workers and other key stakeholders. Work continues in ensuring that ADRS staff are well trained and confident in the supply of Naloxone. This includes Recovery Peer Workers and Navigators from CIRCLE, the peer led recovery hub service. Additional Naloxone training has been provided, and regular communications have taken place for staff regarding the recording of Naloxone, along with tools to assist delivery (e.g., training checklist, brief intervention tip sheet). Staff were also part of an awareness raising campaign – Naloxone November, to encourage the uptake of Naloxone to those at risk. The campaign included recipients receiving comfort packages alongside kits and pop-up awareness raising sites within the local community. 6.8.3 Assertive Outreach Services The Greater Glasgow & Clyde Overdose Response Team (GORT) was launched in September 2021 in Renfrewshire. The Service was set up to provide a rapid response to near fatal overdoses by providing short, focused periods of support to each person and assertively engage with mainstream alcohol and drug services. Please see section 6.9 for more information on assertive outreach 6.8.4 Implementation of the Medication Assisted Treatment Standards The implementation of the Medication Assisted Treatment Standards established by the National Drug Deaths Task Force. The Standards have a focus on introducing same day prescribing and treatment of choice and have been developed to address issues related to treatment access, retention, and quality of services across Scotland. There are ten standards in total which aim to address change in the service delivery landscape and the culture of services, both over the short and longer term. ADRS is currently implementing the MAT Standards with a focus on introducing same day prescribing and choice of treatment.
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The ADRS will aim to offer ‘same day’ provision for hard-to-reach individuals using rapid access assessment to opiate substitute therapy. In addition to this, the ADRS is currently in the process of training all staff on administering Buvidal, a new, long-acting injectable formulation of Buprenorphine available in weekly and monthly depot-type preparations. Negotiations are underway with a local pharmacy and a standard operating procedure to assist in implementation is currently being developed for Renfrewshire. What data is captured and how it is used is currently being explored to enable the ADP to monitor progress. The ADRS is committed to optimising the use of the MAT Standards in Renfrewshire to ensure individuals who use the service have immediate access to support and treatment and the same range of options as other parts of Greater Glasgow and Clyde. 6.8.5 Access to Residential Rehabilitation Providing enhanced access to residential rehabilitation placements has been introduced as part of the choice of treatment options. A scoping exercise has been carried out to identify abstinence-based services as suitable providers. A standard operating procedure has been developed to ensure consistency of assessment, reinforce roles/responsibilities and aftercare provision. Plans are also underway to address the gaps in stabilisation and crisis service provision. The development of a pathway is also underway to ensure the process of accessing residential rehabilitation services is clear and easy to navigate for staff and service users. 6.9 Renfrewshire Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 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 which have been progressed include the following projects, under the themes of the Commission’s final report: Risk of Harm Assertive Outreach (Harm Reduction Response Team – HaRRT) - A Harm Reduction Response Team (HaRRT) is currently being established in Renfrewshire, aiming to deliver harm reduction services to individuals on an outreach, flexible, and accessible manner, to reduce the risk of overdose and other drug related harms, and to proactively link individuals into treatment and support services. The Service will be provided outwith traditional core hours, on a dynamic and responsive basis across local communities in Renfrewshire – this is informed by the review of drug related deaths data, together with ongoing feedback from service users. The mobile unit to deliver this service has been procured and stocked with supplies, and recruitment of staff has taken place, with all necessary training complete. Services provided include the provision of injecting equipment to reduce the incidence of blood-borne viruses (BBV) as well as BBV testing in the community and wound care management. The Mobile Unit distributes Naloxone and engages with individuals that would not typically access support and care services into treatment. An initial steering group has been set up, and engagement with wider partners has taken place including Community Safety, Homelessness services, Police Scotland and GPs. A soft launch of the service is planned for early Summer 2022, with a more formal launch taking place shortly after. Work is currently underway with the HSCP and Council Communications teams to plan the launch and promotion of the service.
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Holistic Support Model (MYLA – MyLifeAhead) – This housing-led project which provides holistic wraparound support, using many of the elements of Housing First. The project will support any household in Renfrewshire, regardless of tenure, 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. A specialist support provider (Turning Point Scotland) has been appointed to provide this bespoke support intervention via experienced staff, who will deploy a therapeutic and trauma informed approach, with support being centred and tailored around the individual, to help sustain their settled housing and stabilise their lives. A coordinator in Communities and Housing Services has also been appointed. The project formally launched on 16 May 2022, with a steering group also being established, involving partners such as Renfrewshire HSCP, social registered landlords, and third sector support providers. Crisis Based Mental Health Services - The project involves extending the current out of hours crisis support service provided by RAMH to include support in relation to alcohol and drugs. Recruitment has been completed and staff are undergoing training and induction, including shadowing Alcohol and Drug Recovery Services colleagues. The service is anticipated to formally launch by the end of June 2022. Building Based Services - The Alcohol and Drugs Commission and the HSCP Whole Systems Review of the Alcohol and Drugs Services, identified issues with stigma and the environment at the Back Sneddon Street service. As a result, the HSCP are currently undertaking a property review through a trauma-informed lens, the findings will used to inform a Property Strategy. Currently services are utilising space at Back Sneddon Street, Torley Unit (Dykebar Hospital) and New Sneddon Street. 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. Hidden Harm - It is important that partners across Renfrewshire better understand the level of hidden harm in Renfrewshire, recognising that local drug and alcohol services will not engage with all people experiencing issues with alcohol and drugs locally. This is important to understanding how services can better reach out to support people at an early stage. Independent research was commissioned and completed by We are With You and the findings from this research are currently being shared and discussed with partners. Mental Health Trauma Informed and Responsive Renfrewshire Programme - please see section 6.2 for details Youth Health and Wellbeing Service - Service proposals are being progressed for a Youth Health and Wellbeing Service, which will provide drop-in facilities for young people who require to immediately access to mental health support. The service is currently being developed by the HSCP in collaboration with Children’s Services but will work in partnership with clinicians and the third sector whilst complimenting the REN10 programme. Prevention and Early Intervention Alcohol Policy - A partnership officer has been recruited to drive policy change across Renfrewshire, focusing on issues such as alcohol availability, supply and promotion and how employers across Renfrewshire can identify and respond to support people and their families who are affected by alcohol use. Actions over the last six months include: the partnership officer is now the chair of the Licensing Forum and has commenced a review of activity and development of an action plan, as well as looking to recruit new young person’s representatives to the group; and, working with Council HR colleagues to develop a Workplace Alcohol and Substance Policy, as well as colleagues in West College Scotland to update similar policies. £50,000 was initially allocated to support the development of this project, with a further £20k agreed by the Programme Board to allow the project to be extended to 2 years. Approval is requested
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from the Leadership Board to allocate this additional funding as recommended by the Programme Board. Young People and Families Enhanced Education and Training Across Educational Establishments - Children’s Services in partnership with I Am Me Scotland have developed a digital, interactive and progressive curricular programme in substance use for early years to senior phase aligned to the principles of Curriculum for Excellence and reflecting the context of drug use within Renfrewshire. A steering group comprising key partners including representatives from the emergency services and those with lived experience being was established and were involved in the development of the programme. Consultation with pupil steering groups across various primary schools has been very successful, and pupils have contributed to animation scripts, provided voiceovers for animations, and been consulted on lesson plan content. The model is now being replicated at secondary level. Lessons come in the form of engaging interactive PowerPoint presentations for use on class whiteboard, including videos (biteables), animations, discussion points and quizzes. A book for early years has also been developed and copies printed for all early years establishments. The resources will formally launch in August 2022, and links will be explored around the developing stigma and language workstream. Recovery, Relationships and Connections Peer Worker Model - The Commission heard that often people who use drugs and alcohol would benefit from peer support as they worked towards recovery. A Peer Coordinator and two peer workers have been recruited and are actively promoting recovery within Continuing in Recovery Changes Lives Entirely (CIRCLE) and within wider communities. CIRCLE is a Recovery Hub in Renfrewshire for individuals affected by mental health and/or alcohol and drugs, based on a peer-led model that involves people with lived and living experience in all aspects of service planning. 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 development of the Connected and Caring Renfrewshire proposal, as well as its ongoing development with the Scottish Recovery Consortium and wider recovery network. 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. The Fund is also intended to provide opportunities to support piloting new ideas and projects in relation to mental health, recovery, stigma, and social isolation - gaps in provision identified through the extensive engagement during the work of the Commission. Connected and Caring Renfrewshire – Details of this proposal are included at Section 5 below for approval. The proposal, developed by the Scottish Recovery Consortium, involves a programme of events and activities to take place throughout 2022 in Renfrewshire, to highlight and deliver: recovery development support; active Citizenship/Lived Experience Representation; Stigma & Discrimination Reduction; amplification of compassion; and connectedness and community wellbeing across Renfrewshire. The proposal includes an Art of Recovery Festival, as well as the Recovery Walk Scotland to be held in Paisley in September 2022. Stigma/Language Matters - Partners are currently developing a Language Matters initiative, which will support them to challenge preconceptions and stigma around drug and alcohol use and promote positive conversations about recovery in Renfrewshire. Preliminary work has included developing a marketing and communications activity plan, with the following objectives:
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• demonstrating leadership by ensuring that we do not use language that stigmatises people in public or in our communications; • 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 of language. Work on the evaluation framework for the Programme is currently being developed, aligning the projects to the themes and outcomes. The Programme outcomes currently include: • Outcome 1: Strengthen partnership working and adopt a whole system approach • Outcome 2: Increase understanding of trauma and ensure it’s reflected in the way staff work across the partnership; • Outcome 3: Value and further involve those with lived and living experience; and, • Outcome 4: Increase understanding, and strengthen local data, and service insight available relating to alcohol and drugs. The delivery of this programme of work remains a key priority for all partners and it is important that it continues to be delivered at pace given the significant harm that local people are currently experiencing in relation to alcohol and drug use. Key priorities over the next six- months include continuing to progress the existing projects, identifying further actions and funding proposals and consider how best to articulate Renfrewshire’s overall approach to tackling the impact of alcohol and drugs to Commission members, partners and members of the public. 6.10 Suicide Prevention Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the implementation of Renfrewshire’s suicide prevention action plan has continued. The action plan focuses on: • developing a wide range of services and practical support; • raising awareness; and • undertaking research to improve knowledge about suicide. As part of this, suicide prevention training has continued to be rolled out to significant numbers. Renfrewshire’s Choose Life Service Coordinator has developed a suite of “A Conversation About” sessions which are delivered remotely online via MS Teams. This has enabled training to be delivered despite the current pause on face-to-face in person training. Topics covered within the workshops include Mental Health, Anxiety, Depression, Psychosis, Suicide & Staying Safe, Self-Harm and ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training). A third cycle of the programme is expected to be rolled out over the summer months The HSCP has invested in purchasing specific suicide prevention awareness training from Living Works in the Autumn of 2021. Living Works START is an online interactive video, described by Living Works as an “entry level” course that is suitable for anyone age 13 and over that has an interest in suicide prevention. The Choose Life Service Coordinator has also developed a follow up session titled “Beyond START”, which is a reflective session to
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reinforce learning from START and to offer the opportunity for discussion and to answer any questions raised during START. The Scottish Government and COSLA are due to launch a new Suicide Prevention Strategy and Action Plan by the end of September 2022. It will take a long-term view and should include key commitments made by the Scottish Government to look at the wider impact of societal inequalities such as poverty. 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. 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. 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 improvement, and to consider where further opportunities for early intervention and prevention activity would achieve improved outcomes for local people. The strategic focus for the Chief Officers Group and the Member Officers Group for 2022/23 will be discussed and agreed at this meeting of COG, however the following areas are recommended: • Collectively monitor continued impact of COVID-19 on our most vulnerable citizens, particularly in relation to child and adult protection and the wider community protection; • Monitor and address the impact of Gender Based Violence across Renfrewshire and support the development of the refreshed strategy; • Focus on new and emerging adult protection concerns including financial harm through bogus callers, rogue traders and scams which may have become more prevalent through the pandemic; • Provide 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 through the Alcohol and Drugs Partnership, with a particular focus on drug related deaths / implementation of new MAT standards • 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; • 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 e.g., Bail and Release from Custody Bill, Covid Recovery Bill, Fireworks and Pyrotechnics Bill, Gender Recognition Bill; • Monitor and review the impact of local work to support the resettlement of Ukrainian nationals in Renfrewshire, and asylum dispersal locally, with a particular focus on safeguarding issues and service response;
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• Engage with the Scottish Government to consider the implications of the transfer of functions to the National Care Service and the implications for the Chief Officer Group; • Support the work of the Scottish Covid-19 Enquiry.