COMMUNITY

PAYBACK ORDER

ANNUAL REPORT

FINANCIAL YEAR: 2013/14

LOCAL AUTHORITY: Argyll, Bute & Dunbartonshires’ Criminal Justice Social Work Partnership

There is a formal strategic and operational partnership between , and Councils. They share a single strategic partnership manager, single budget, and deliver common outcomes within a joint planning and performance framework, commissioning strategy and report to a joint committee.

Types of unpaid work projects and activities which have been carried out; the total number of unpaid work hours completed during the year; and information and examples that help to demonstrate how communities benefit from unpaid work. Each of the three Partnership Council areas has to respond to factors which define or limit the opportunities for unpaid work projects, particularly in relation to scale and sustainability. This relates to the numbers of individuals available to undertake projects and activities and in the case of Argyll and Bute to geographical factors which challenge the ingenuity of staff and limit the opportunity to concentrate resources. It should be noted that Partnership arrangements include the delivery of all Criminal justice Social Work services in the Helensburgh/Lomond area by West Dunbartonshire Council.

The higher levels of engagement and positive public profile noted in 2012-13 have continued over the period of the present report. The profile of unpaid work received an additional boost through a visit by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice to the Clyde Coastal Path project in May 2013. The visit was generated by the endorsement of the project sponsors (Allander Rotary). Work has continued to maintain the path.

There is a high degree of continuity in terms of projects initiated in 2012-13 continuing into 2013-14 as many projects involve long term commitment, for instance in terms of remedial or further work on projects such a the Clyde Coastal Path (see below) or several projects in a specific area; for instance the help given to the local community clearing tons of rubbish from the beach at the head of Loch Long at Arrochar in early spring 2014 has been followed up by further assistance with improvements to local amenities in the current year.

Major projects per Local Authority undertaken during 2013/14 –

Argyll and Bute:

Projects in Argyll and Bute include the Blarbuie project; a woodland trust project, our workers assist in planting and general wood maintenance. It equips services users with employment skills and benefits the community by enhancing the local area. Similar work is undertaken at the Glenfinnart walled garden in Ardentinny. This project also enables services users to grow vegetables that they can then take home to their families, thus offering work based skills and healthy living. This is a consequence of the services initial involvement in assisting the development of the site noted in last year’s report. The Glenfinnart garden project was featured on the BBC Beechgrove Garden programme. Information on this project and our work with it can be found at http://ardentinny.org/category/trust_walled_garden/

 Auchindrain project – assisting in the upkeep of the site  Kilfinan Community Forest - clearing pathways to open up the countryside to both locals and visitors  Assisting community groups to clear rubbish from beach at head of Loch Long. As noted above this project has led to other work in support of the local community to upgrade community amenities in an area much frequented by tourists and visitors from adjacent areas in west/central .

East Dunbartonshire:

Unpaid work projects in 2013-14 in East Dunbartonshire included the creation of an “outdoor classroom” for a primary school in Bishopriggs, building and setting up benches, planters and bird tables and boxes. The aim of the project is to encourage wild life and extend educational opportunities to the urban natural environment. The service also undertook extensive refurbishing work in an ethnic minority day centre in Kirkintilloch employing a wide range of practical/DIY skills.

The Service in East Dunbartonshire has for some time enjoyed the opportunity to undertake environmental work in and around Mugdock Park, principally path clearing and maintenance and related work such as erecting signs.

 Harestanes Community Centre – external painting  Kirkintilloch family support centre - redecoration  Quarriers in Bearsden and Milngavie – maintenance and support  Ramblers path – clearance  Mavis Valley Heritage site – creation of stepped access  Scottish Waterways – towpath clearing  West Highland Way in Milngavie – path clearance  Uplift and delivery of food parcels for Baptist Church  Uplift and distribution of Xmas parcels for Cash for Kids  Building and siting of bird and bat boxes  Graffiti removal and street furniture painting  Street and road sign cleaning

West Dunbartonshire:

In West Dunbartonshire, the unpaid work team continue to work on environmental projects such as the coastal path noted above. In 2013-14 the service was offered and took up the opportunity to help improve what had become a somewhat neglected amenity in the area around the Strathleven Industrial Estate. The estate has as its focal point Strathleven House, an early 18th century Palladian mansion. The work carried out by the unpaid work team comprises cutting back years of undergrowth and restoring neglected/lost paths creating both an attractive and safe environment for walkers etc.

Arrangements were made with the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park in West Dunbartonshire and Argyll and Bute to undertake regular clearance of lay-bys and accessible beaches on Loch Lomond, of rubbish, fire sites etc. this work was undertaken from spring to autumn 2012 and 13, extending to the head of Loch Long and some of the islands on Loch Lomond.

 Clyde Coastal Path – path building  Pappert Glen – upgrade paths and improve drainage  Overtoun Estate – maintain ditches and clear debris  Leven Towpath – scrub clearance  Arden to Helensburgh cycle path – path maintenance and scrub clearance  Ardmore Nature Reserve – scrub clearance and path maintenance  Ardencaple playing fields – roads and car park surfacing  Levengrove Park, gardening project growing vegetables for charities  Dalmuir Allotments – assisting in upgrading of facilities and accessibility

When considering projects to be undertaken by offenders on unpaid work the benefit to the community is taken into account. The above projects have resulted in the following benefits to their communities, which in the absence of this service would be difficult or impossible to achieve.

 Assisted in the preservation of historic buildings  Developed sites that are accessible to all providing outdoor areas for all ages and all needs  Helped to maintain the access to the countryside and create a sustainable ecologically friendly area for visitors  Pathways are cleaner and safer to walk on  Improved facilities and enhanced usage by local residents and visitors to the area  Discourages fly tipping and other anti-social behavior, if area looks attractive and consequently is used regularly for legitimate purposes  More attractive place to live and visit (stop as opposed to driving past)  Nature trails and paths now being used by more families to enjoy  Enabled the disadvantaged and those most at need in the community to benefit from and have access to facilities and environmental options in their area  improved the quality of life for many under privileged persons

Working on these projects has a number of benefits to the offender including –

 New skills learnt  Improved compliance through stimulating and meaningful work  Larger projects allowed for offenders to complete their hours within shorter timescale  Enhanced service users skills in specific areas of work  Educating about their communities and surrounding environment  Encouraged offenders to improve their health and well being by using the facilities available to them  Increase in self-esteem and self-worth  Sense of achievement  Learning to work together as a team  Allows them to see how their work has been good for the local community  Encourages a work ethic  Improved motivation  Improved employment prospects  Opportunities for new skills and training  The provision of role modelling by the work supervisor  Finding out first hand, the meaning of teamwork

The projects undertaken above have been seen to benefit both the community and offenders. This type of project would, therefore, be undertaken again by the Partnership.

All areas maintain relationships with local organisations such as charity shops and community resources to offer individual placements where appropriate to do so. Feedack from service recipients and offenders indicate that such placements are highly valued by both.

List of placements used during 2013/14 -

Argyll and Bute:

 Barnardos Charity Shop  Help project  Callum’s cabin  KADAS

East Dunbartonshire:

 Barnardo’s Charity shops  Capability Scotland Charity Shop  Turnaround Scotland  Airdrie F.C.  Community Programme  Kidney Research UK  Community Education Centres  Day Care & Activity Centre for Elderly  East Dunbartonshire Addiction Services

West Dunbartonshire:

 Various charity shops  Debra  Salvation Army  British Heart Foundation  Barnardos  Community café

The placements above have been seen to benefit both the agency and the offenders. This type of placement would, therefore, be used again by the Partnership.

It should be noted that owing to data retrieval difficulties it has not been possible to indicate total number of unpaid work hours completed. This information will be available for each of the council areas on completion of the CPO unit return 2013-14.

Quotes from offenders and beneficiaries about the impact of the unpaid work on them and/or the community. With regard to customer feedback the most extensive is in respect of unpaid work with 100% of respondents (persons in receipt of unpaid work service) stating that they would use the service again. This figure has been consistent for some time with similar headline outcomes.

 All customers who responded found the work completed was to a satisfactory, and the majority a good, standard  All customers who responded found the behaviour and conduct of those undertaking the work to be satisfactory with the majority of a good standard  All customers who responded found contact with the officer undertaking the assessment of the work to be done satisfactory with the majority finding it helpful

Feedback from offenders at the conclusion of Orders is also sought and analysed. We have made some effort to improve the level of feedback returns but of course they tend on the whole to reflect the views of those who have achieved success. 100% thought they were treated fairly and 96% thought they were unlikely to re-offend. 95% thought that the work was rewarding. Both formal and informal feedback provides evidence of the value placed on the type of environmental project described above.

It is worth noting in the context of high levels of CPOs with unpaid work and supervision requirements, 90% of respondents indicated that they felt that work undertaken with their Supervising Officer was useful in terms of addressing the problems and changing their behaviour. This is again highly consistent with previous years.

Quotes from beneficiaries:

“On behalf of all the residents I would like to thank the whole team for their high standard of workmanship. The work was faultless and tidy at all times.”

“The work undertaken was carried out quickly and to a high standard. Communication with all staff members was very helpful and they went the extra mile to help. Cannot thank them enough.”

Quotes from offenders:

“Before I was put on this order I offended a lot more than now”

“It has kept me out of trouble”

“Going to college and studying HNC engineering systems full time”

“People treat you with respect”

Types of "other activity" carried out as part of the unpaid work or other activity requirement. Argyll and Bute:

 Literacy work and IT courses at community education  Project work with the Help Project.  Drugs/alcohol support through CCAD  Developmental work regarding mental health needs delivered by Cornerstone  Problem solving offending behaviour work delivered by Turnaround and staff

East Dunbartonshire:

 Employment & training advice  Health & social awareness skills  Anger management  Alcohol & drugs addiction advice and support  Participation in outdoor activities  Numeracy & literary assistance  Turnaround Scotland  Venture Trust  East Dunbartonshire Addiction Services

 East Dunbartonshire alcohol & recovery services

West Dunbartonshire:

 Other activities provided by Turnaround, DACA, Alternatives, Women’s Programme

Activities carried out to consult prescribed persons and organisations, pursuant to section 227ZL of the 1995 Act, and wider communities on the nature of unpaid work and other activities and how the consultation results helped determine which projects were undertaken. Community consultation

Throughout the Partnership unpaid work staff have responded to a more receptive public climate to develop, promote and consult regarding unpaid work projects. The concept of payback appears to strike a chord with individuals, community organisations and the media beyond the high levels of satisfaction traditionally elicited from recipients of unpaid work (see below). In addition positive media coverage included the publication of significant articles in February and March 2014 in several local newspapers in West Dunbartonshire and Argyll and Bute. This is helpful in generating interest in and referrals to the unpaid work teams within the Partnership as does the positive experience of organisations and individuals, for instance the help given to the local community clearing tons of rubbish from the beach at the head of Loch Long at Arrochar in early spring 2014 has been followed up by further assistance with improvements to local amenities this year.

The Partnership also conducts an annual consultation with prescribed persons which has generated a great deal of interest in particular with community groups. Many suggestions have been received and will be followed up over the next few months. Below are other activities carried out to consult.

Argyll and Bute:

Activities carried out to consult prescribed persons and organisations and wider communities on the nature of unpaid work and other activities -

 The website has been developed to allow persons and organisations to contact us  Team Leaders have attended community council forums to inform attendees of the function and value of unpaid work  Visits to project sites  Discussions with beneficiaries about the service that unpaid work can deliver in the community  Survey issued to prescribed persons seeking their views on unpaid work in the local area  Regular liaison with Operational services  Briefing papers to counsellors

Activities carried out to communicate the benefits of community payback orders to the wider community -

 Publicity in local press on projects being undertaken/completed  Details on Council Website  Attendance at community council meetings  Regular liaison with Operational services

 Briefing papers to counsellors

East Dunbartonshire:

Activities carried out to consult prescribed persons and organisations and wider communities on the nature of unpaid work and other activities -

 Regular meetings and contact with designated individuals and local councillors in the communities and organisations mentioned above before and after any works undertaken

Activities carried out to communicate the benefits of community payback orders to the wider community -

 Relaying of relevant information through various channels to the local press

West Dunbartonshire:

Activities carried out to consult prescribed persons and organisations and wider communities on the nature of unpaid work and other activities -

 Presentations delivered to the Criminal Justice Partnership Joint Committee and Church groups  Partnerships continue with National Park, British Waterways, inter departmental groups such as Public Reassurance Team responsible for tackling anti-social behaviour within communities  New partnership formed with Allander Rotary Club  Survey issued to prescribed persons seeking their views on unpaid work in the local area

Activities carried out to communicate the benefits of community payback orders to the wider community -

 Articles relating to projects undertaken featured in local press across West Dunbartonshire  Council website used to display photographs of projects (before & after)

How the consultation results helped determine which projects were undertaken -

 Any suggestions/requests received are considered individually and prioritised according to need  Explanation of the service provided can clear up any confusion as to the type of work which can be undertaken  Agreement reached on projects with degrees of importance, value to the community/individuals/groups and within the capabilities of the scheme

Local Sentencers are also consulted as part of annual liaison to seek their views on the management of orders within the Partnership.

Use by the courts of CPO requirements other than unpaid work, for example what, and in what way, different requirements are being used for those whose offending is driven by drug, alcohol and mental health issues; or how requirements such as programme or conduct are being used to address offending behaviour. The principal requirement used other than unpaid work (86% of CPO), is supervision (58% of CPO) with other requirements (noted below) used to a significantly lesser extent. The work undertaken within the compass of a supervsion requirement is informed and supported by a consistent approach to risk assessment and case management through the medium of the Level of Service Case Management Inventory and other tools where appropriate.

Conduct requirements: Conduct requirements with a condition of good behaviour (to allow for breach on reoffence) have reduced. Other conduct requirements made have involved interventions for drugs, alcohol and programmes. This may reflect a continuing confusion in the minds of some sentencers regarding the specific pupose of CPO requirements. More appropriately Social Workers regularly seek requirements restricting the use of computers and social media in respect of certain sex offenders.

Alcohol Treatment: small numbers in which connection there would appear to be varying practice between jurisdictions in respect of (a) assessment and (b) detail/specificity of requirement, treatment providers etc.

Drug treatment: again very small numbers. There is some evidence that courts continue to find the distinction between DTR and DTTO difficult to understand.

Mental Health Treatment: this requirement is rarely imposed.

On the whole most drug/alcohol issues are dealt with via supervision and we have raised concerns previously that where alcohol or drug treatment requirements are imposed they are often not appropriate.

The absence of specific requirements does not mean that issues such as alcohol, drug misuse or mental health are not addressed. For instance, CJSW remains a substantial source of referral to alcohol and drug services and services relating to mental health. A review of supervision cases in 2012 indicated that other services and/or agencies were involved with offenders subject to supervision requirements directly as a result of referral and support of the supervising officer.

Any issues affecting access to services which are provided by other partners (e.g. drug and alcohol services) and, where such issues have been identified, what work is underway to resolve them. At the outset of implementation the Partnership was concerned regarding the potential additional demands on other agencies/services, particularly in the addictions field and addressed this directly with service providers. In particular there were concerns regarding the capacity of some organisations to service the formal aspects of requirements. We continue to monitor this issue being in particular mindful of the challenges facing partners in terms of demand and resources.

Criminal Justice Social Work is engaged at an operational and strategic level with partners for instance through Alcohol and Drug partnerships, in the field of domestic violence and community planning thematic group. There is an ongoing commitment to links with Child and Adult protection again at both operational and strategic levels.

Any other relevant information. This might include details of work which is carried out with offenders on CPOs to address their offending behaviour but which does not fall into the category of a specific requirement. Most of the work undertaken with offenders (other than unpaid work) is encompassed within supervision requirements. Workload and case audits regularly provide evidence of a wide range of partnership working with other services and agencies supported by a systematic approach to assessment and case management. The support of other agencies/organisations in achieving better outcomes for offenders is critical to the achievement of positive outcomes.

Notwithstanding the relative low frequency of requirements other than unpaid work and supervision the implementation of CPO appears to have had an impact on the profile of work with offenders within other organisations; the ones noted above but also employment/training providers, local colleges, etc. as well as third sector organisations co- located within the service. However, as partnerships with other organisations are developed and strengthened there are emerging issues regarding capacity and sustainability. This occurs within the context of responding to increasing volume, complexity and diversity (of risk and need) within the constraints of resources available throughout the public and third sector.

In the Dunoon office we make use of Turnaround and Cornerstone as interventions to benefit offenders. We tend to use these services without a specific requirement but incorporate it into supervision. Turnaround also benefits clients as an other activity. The Turnaround service is co-located within the CJSW team in Dumbarton and also offers a service to East Dunbartonshire.

The West Dunbartonshire unpaid work team highlighted pressures on service in respect of a small but increasing number of clients with disabilities which limit opportunities in terms of suitable work (typically a medical report will say suitable for light work). Suggested that this is a consequence of the extension of CPO unpaid work requirements across a broader range than was the case with Community Service.

An additional trend is the sentencing of Sex Offenders to CPO with a supervision and unpaid work requirement. This presents the service with challenges in relation to the nature and timing of placements and requires a high level of competence and risk awareness on the part of supervisors.

COMPLETED BY: Norman Firth, Partnership Manager

DATE: 23.10.14

CONTACT FOR QUERIES ABOUT THE REPORT Name: Norman Firth E-mail: [email protected] Telephone: 01389 738484