Agenda item

Report of the Neighbourhood Protection Manager, Regeneration and Local Services.

The Chairman introduced the Neighbourhood Protection Manager,  Ian Hoult to give a update to Members in respect of Vulnerability Intervention Pathways (VIP) and formerly MAIS (Multi-Agency Intervention Service) (for copy see file of minutes).

The Neighbourhood Protection Manager explained that VIP was a multi-agency approach with local partners working together to manage adults who may:

·       Be a victim of ASB or crime

·       Repeatedly cause ASB or crime

·       Be a persistent complainant

·       Be at risk of harm and/or have other factors which increase their vulnerability

·       Place a high demand on services

It was noted that there were excellent partnership arrangements in place in Durham, and that the change was to try and understand the underlying causes of behaviour, rather than just responding to incidents.  It was added that of over 400 people engaged with: 50% had mental health issues; 49% causing ASB with alcohol as a factor; 25% had suffered domestic abuse; 25% had some level of drug or substance misuse; with a significant number also having issues in terms of unemployment and finances.

It was explained that there were often a number of complex factors involved and referred members to case studies within the agenda papers.  It was noted that individuals identified for multiple agency involvement would have a “team around the adult” meeting arranged by their Navigator, with the relevant specialists and professionals would also have an action plan agreed and this would be regularly reviewed by the Navigator.  

The Neighbourhood Protection Manager noted that a lean review had been carried out last summer and this had looked at making the process less complex, and to generate more “buy-in”.  It had also lead to employing specific Navigators and some funds had been allocated by the Council and Durham Constabulary.  It was added that in terms of referrals there had been a number element changed in order to help early interventions:

·       The ability to refer for frontline officers had been simplified

·       The use of existing referrals to the “central referral unit” (CRU) to assess and redirect to VIP appropriate cases, this additionally allows CRU referrals that did not meet high risk levels to be channelled for further work

·       The data feed that comes from police systems has been changed to one that reflects risks and run on a 6 monthly basis to review

It was added that the operational board had multi-agency involvement and that as a SDP initiative the project continued to provide updates on a regular basis.

The Chairman thanked the Neighbourhood Protection Manager and asked members for any questions.

Councillor J Allen asked as regards young people that may requires support and those services being available at appropriate times, not just “9 to 5” services.  

The Neighbourhood Protection Manager noted that while VIP was for adults, there was out of hours support for those young people as described, with a suite of officers and small fund in terms of funding travel costs.

The Chairman asked as regards where referrals came from.  The Neighbourhood Protection Manager noted that the majority came via the police and was fairly distributed with around 40% from the East of the County, 30% from the South West and 30% from the North.  It was added that the emphasis was on helping to simplify processes to help in terms of time pressures, noting good referrals from the police and via the council itself, with some improvements to be made in terms of referrals from Health. 

Councillor J Armstrong added he felt that the Navigators would be very important in this initiative.  The Neighbourhood Protection Manager noted there were currently none in place, however coordinators were working the role around their day jobs.  It was added that the Lean Review had identified a need for consent of those involved and motivation and therefore Navigators were needed with skills to do this.  It was explained that there would be six in total across County Durham, based in localities though flexible.  It was noted that a joint unit would evaluate in terms of early interventions.

Resolved:

(i)    That the report and presentation be noted.

(ii)   That the Safer and Stronger Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee receive a further update in twelve months’ time.