THIS REPORT RELATES STIRLING COUNCIL TO ITEM 11 ON THE AGENDA
PUBLIC SAFETY SUB-COMMITTEE EDUCATION
14 MAY 2013 NOT EXEMPT
SCHOOL-BASED POLICE OFFICERS
1 SUMMARY
1.1 The purpose of this report is to provide further information on school-based police officers.
2 OFFICER RECOMMENDATIONS
The Public Safety Sub-Committee is asked to:
2.1 consider the school-based police officer protocols that have been agreed with Police Scotland; and
2.2 note the progress made in introducing school-based police officers in Stirling Council.
3 CONSIDERATIONS
3.1 School-based police officer protocols
The school-based police officer protocols set out in Appendix 1 support the role of the school-based police officer which focuses on:
• assisting in educating members of the community about the consequences of actions and the potential for positive citizenship;
• participating in multi-agency initiatives to improve the learning environment;
• assisting in reducing anti-social behaviour and youth crime, including offending by and victimisation of young people within the school and local community; and
• assisting in promoting a positive image of Central Scotland Police with young people through establishment of positive partnerships.
3.2 Deployment of school-based police officers
The Scottish Government has published the summary results for Scottish local authority areas from the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) for 2012. The Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) was used to inform the deployment of school-based police officers. The SIMD identifies small-area concentrations of multiple deprivation across Scotland on an equitable basis. The system allows effective targeting of policies, interventions or funding where the aim is to tackle concentrations of deprivation and the multiple poor outcomes that result.
3.3 Multiple deprivation is made up of separate dimensions - or domains. These measure specific aspects of deprivation that when brought together provide a comprehensive assessment of the level of relative multiple deprivation of an area. The 2012 index is comprised of the following domains:
• Income - adults/ families in receipt of various benefits
• Employment - unemployment claimant count plus various working age benefits
• Health - variety of indicators relating hospital admissions, mortality, substance use.
• Education/ Skills/ Training – pupil attainment, absence, destinations, skill levels
• Geographic Access - drive and public transport times to key services
• Housing - overcrowding and central heating
• Crime - recorded crime rates for key crimes, domestic house breaking, drug offences, minor assault, crimes of violence, vandalism
3.4 High School Catchments – SIMD 2012 ‘Barcodes’ (Appendix 2) highlights the distribution of datazones across the high school catchment areas in Stirling Council. Using this information, school-based police officers have been introduced in Bannockburn High School and Wallace High School to build upon the existing relationship between Police Scotland and local communities with a particular emphasis on improving relationships between the police and young people. 4 POLICY/RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS AND CONSULTATIONS
Policy Implications
Equality Impact Assessment No Strategic Environmental Assessment No Single Outcome Agreement Yes Diversity (age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation) No Sustainability (community, economic, environmental) Yes Effect on Council’s green house gas emissions No Effect
Strategic/Service Plan Yes Existing Policy or Strategy No Risk No Resource Implications Financial Yes People No Land and Property or IT Systems No Consultations Internal or External Consultations Yes
Equality Impact Assessment
4.1 This report was considered under the Council’s Equalities impact assessment and was assessed as having no impact.
Strategic Environmental Assessment
4.2 This report was assessed under the Council’s Strategic Environment impact assessment and was assessed as having no impact.
Single Outcome Agreement
4.3 Adopting the recommendations within this report supports the Single Outcome Agreement. The proposal supports the objectives of strategic topic of making Stirling a place where improved wellbeing adds life to years, not just years to life.
Other Policy Implications
4.4 This report was considered to have no impact on other policies.
Resource Implications
4.5 Police Scotland are funding the costs of the school-based police officers. Consultations
4.6 School-based officer protocols developed in partnership with Central Scotland Police.
Tick ( ) to confirm
The appropriate Conveners/Vice Conveners has been consulted on AB/CMcC this report ME/MB The Chief Executive/appropriate Assistant Chief Executive(s) has LK been consulted on this report
5 BACKGROUND PAPERS
5.1 The Scottish Government, Evaluation of Campus Police Officers in Scottish Schools. (Web only publication) www.scotland.gov.uk/socialresearch
5.2 Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation, Scottish Government 2012
6 APPENDICES
6.1 Appendix 1 – Central Scotland Police and Stirling Council Education Service, Joint Procedural Guidance for Deployment of School Based Police Officers in Secondary Schools.
6.2 Appendix 2 – High School Catchments – SIMD 2012 ‘Barcodes’.
Author(s) Name Designation Telephone Number/E-mail
Kevin Kelman Assistant Head of Education 01786 442616
Approved by Name Designation Signature
Belinda Greer Head of Education
Date 22 April 2013 Service Reference