Community Justice Transition A summary of proposed plans for third sector engagement

Transcription

1 Criminal Justice Voluntary Sector Forum Community Justice Transition A summary of proposed plans for third sector engagement Introduction As part of the move to the new community justice model, all local Community Justice Partnerships were expected to submit Transition Plans to Scottish Government by 31 st January Within these plans, the local statutory partners were asked to include detailed information under the following headings 1 : How CPPs plan to build links with and between statutory community justice partners How CPPs plan to involve the Third Sector, service users, people with convictions, and communities in their local arrangements, planning and delivery in 2016/17 How CPPs intend to work with CJAs to ensure that community justice issues that are led on by CJAs are picked up, where appropriate, by the relevant CPPs in 2016/17 Looking to 2016/17 and beyond, what the local governance arrangements will be for: Community justice, including accountability lines Which organisations and individuals will be involved across the statutory, nonstatutory and community sectors How community justice arrangements will link into the wider CPP How links will be made from broader community planning themes to the community justice agenda and vice versa How partner resources will be leveraged to support change and innovation locally, making the most effective use of transition funding. This briefing provides a summary of the third sector engagement plans set out within the local Transition Plans. The role of the third sector within the legislation The Community Justice Act (Scotland) 2016 includes requirements for statutory partners to engage with the third sector, specifically third sector bodies involved in community justice. At a national level, this applies to the Scottish Ministers and Community Justice Scotland for reviewing national arrangements, frameworks and strategic developments, while at a local level this affects the community justice partners in local planning activities, outcome monitoring and performance reporting. 1 As set out in the Scottish Government s letter to CPPs dated 31 st July Available at: CJ Transition Plans Third Sector Engagement June 2016

2 Common themes emerging from the plans The cohort of transition plans delivered by the local authority partnerships is varied in content and composition. Specific detail is limited in some of the plans, likely a reflection of the phase of transition each area occupied nearing the January 2016 deadline for submission. There is some variety in local governance and delivery arrangements for the new model of community justice, in part due to the diversity of population, size, geography, previous arrangements and future local needs represented across the country. Many are adapting existing partnership groups, some creating new bodies, each fitting at some level into the broader community planning framework. Each area acknowledges the duty to engage with the third sector as described in the Community Justice (Scotland) Act 2016, and provides some detail as to how this is to be achieved. There is slight variation in the interpretation of engagement ; some areas hope to take arrangements forward with the inclusion of a third sector representative on their community justice partnership group and to develop local community justice plans; others focus less on the integration of a third sector voice for strategic input and more on the development of specific consultation and engagement events. In some plans, there is only very limited detail related to engagement with third sector under the new model. Each plan reflects on the need for further and ongoing work to be undertaken to develop their community justice arrangements over the transition period. There is a near universal intention to build upon existing relationships to develop the role of the third sector in the new model. In many cases, there is a recognised need for the statutory partners to scope, identify and explore present relationships and networks locally. Many areas are hosting consultation and engagement events, and some are looking to constitute their own collaborative third sector groups. We would recommend that organisations with active local interests who have not yet been made aware of any local third sector engagement activities contact the local community justice officer, as detailed in the table below. Summary of third sector engagement plans by local area The Table below provides a brief summary of the information contained in each local plan with regards to: Where community justice is likely to sit within local planning structures Who the key contact is for these local arrangements How this local area is looking at engaging third sector organisations within the new model. Where we are aware of individual web-links for local plans, we have included these as hyperlinks below. If you wish a copy of any of the transition plans to explore in greater detail and there is no link present, please contact Rose. 2

3 Fife and Forth Valley Clackmannanshire Falkirk Fife New partnership - Clackmannanshire Community Justice Partnership - to be aligned with existing partnerships; Community Wellbeing and Safety Partnership; Business, Jobs and Skills Partnership; Children and Young People s Strategic group and Public Protection Forum. Overall reporting to Clackmannanshire Executive, accountable to Clackmannanshire Alliance. New Community Justice Partnership group to lead on Public Protection and Community Justice work, reporting to CPP. To be delivered by existing Fife Reducing Offending and Reoffending Partnership Group (RORPG), reporting to the Safer Communities Committee Richard Thomson, rthomson@clacks.gov.uk Dawn Wheildon, Dawn.wheildon@falkirk.gov.uk Gemma Fraser, Gemma.Fraser@fife.gcsx.gov.uk Arrangements as yet unconfirmed - Community justice partners, including FVCJA and appropriate third sector providers and service users, invited to participate in a workshop event that took place in May 2016, aimed at collectively reviewing the strategic assessment and agree a broad set of partnership aims and priorities. Intention to engage by building on existing arrangements and representation on the new group, with the Transition Project Manager to take forward future development: The third sector and communities are already involved as part of our approach to community planning, through a number of steering groups and commissioning services, p4 Alongside our statutory Community Justice partners, engagement with the Third sector and other partners will be vital for planning and delivery and representation on the Partnership will be sought from other agencies as appropriate. Representation from CVS, the Third Sector Interface for Falkirk and District, is being sought on the Community Justice Partnership., P9 Intention to engage by building on existing arrangements: The positive partnership and cross-partnership working that supports the delivery of the Fife Community Plan and respective strategies will support the work of the Reducing Offending and Reoffending Partnership Group (RORPG), P7 TSI (Fife Voluntary Action) invited to be a member of the RORPG. Limited detail on how the Third Sector will be involved directly in the new model. They note; Engagement with the third sector at a strategic level can be challenging 3

4 Stirling A new subgroup to the Stirling Community Planning Partnership to be established taking responsibility for the strategic and operational planning, design and delivery of services for community justice the Safer, Stronger, Reducing Reoffending Partnership Group. Glasgow Glasgow Transitions Working Group has been in place since 2014 to support the move to the new model. Community justice arrangements to be Juliet Matipano, matipanoj@stirling.gov.uk Karen Baxter, Karen.BaxterCED@glasgow.gov.uk as a result of the size and diversity of the sector and uncertainties about funding. For example many third sector agencies are only able to provide support to certain groups or geographical areas. It is the role of the RORPG to design a support network which is inclusive for everyone who has a conviction and for their families and communities., p18 In the transition plan, a case is made for additional ongoing Scottish Government funding to develop arrangements, including Support for the development of new initiatives that allow communities to take control and which draw on local third sector support. P19 The CPP have identified Targeting towards greatest need and community and third sector involvement as one of their SOA priorities for the future. Further detail is limited at this stage, however they state regarding the new community justice group that the SSRRG is intended to provide strategic leadership and accountability across a range of statutory and commissioned services, linking with local communities, the third sectors, services users and those with convictions., p5. Membership of this group is the statutory partners, though with the caveat of and any other partner organisation considered locally relevant. Intention to conduct Strategic Review of all Community Justice work, including Partner engagement with statutory and third sector partners, p12 and the intention to recruit a partnership analyst (though not explicitly mentioned in relation to partnership with the third sector). Third sector to be represented in Community Planning framework to support integrated approach. 4

5 delivered by the extant GCPP subgroups, specifically One Glasgow and Safe Glasgow. It is hoped that wholesale change will not be necessary, as it is likely that existing GCPP structures can be modified to ensure delivery of revised requirements. Consideration will need to be given to the membership of these structures after consultation with partners and recommendations have been formed. We are keen to build on the existing resources of the joint working which has already taken place. This will be undertaken in an inclusive manner reaching out to new partners, including the Third Sector to harness energy and enthusiasm, building on successes scaling up examples of good practice. Lanarkshire North Lanarkshire Community Justice Steering Group formed August 2015, becoming the Community Justice Partnership in April 2016, reporting directly to the North Lanarkshire Partnership Board. Tina Goode, Mapping exercise already conducted, plus the involvement in the Strengthening Engagement project results of these to be worked on to develop current relationships and carried forward into new arrangements. Stakeholder engagement and planning to be supported by the Transition Planning Officer and Community Justice Policy Officer. We are keen to build on the existing resources of the joint working which has already taken place. This will be undertaken in an inclusive manner reaching out to new partners, including the Third Sector to harness energy and enthusiasm, building on successes scaling up examples of good practice. P10 Intention is to build on existing arrangements: The model adopted, allows for links between the broader community planning themes to be incorporated within community justice and vice versa. It will also enable the use of existing forums, systems and processes to engage with communities and third sector colleagues. Chief Executive Officer for Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire (VANL) is a member of the NLP Board and CJP. They note It is anticipated that the membership of the group will become more diverse as the partnership develops. Engagement with the third sector is envisaged as being through the TSI It is foreseen that VANL will have a significant role in engaging third sector colleagues working within the community and justice services on behalf of the CJP. VANL will also promote the development of volunteering opportunities for people with convictions within local communities to maximise social inclusion and citizenship, p16. 5

6 Lothian and Borders South Lanarkshire East Lothian A Reducing Reoffending Partnership and specialist subgroups, sitting underneath the existing Safer South Lanarkshire Board (a subgroup of the Community Safety Partnership) Existing Safe & Vibrant Community Partnership to take on role of Reducing Re-offending Board, from 2016/17 onward, fed by multi-agency Reducing Reoffending Group Malcolm McAuley via Lisa Cambridge, Lisa.Cambridge@southlanarkshire.gcsx.gov.uk Ian Rogan, irogan@eastlothian.gov.uk The plan states South Lanarkshire Council has shown leadership and drive in developing and moving forward services alongside partners, including the third sector, as evidenced in the improved services for Women Offenders, but there is no further exposition as to how this will translate into the new model. It is noted that the RRP will include statutory and non-statutory partners, however there is no explicit mention of the third sector in this context. There is a caveat that future service development will be in part dictated by future national arrangements and Community Justice Scotland/SG influence - South Lanarkshire Council and Justice Services partners have a good track record with reference to partnership working. This will continue to be developed. However, the detail of future commissioning of services for the voluntary and third sector; whether this is done nationally or local autonomy is given for this, will impact on this area of development and the future planning of service delivery., p3. Working groups including the third sector to be arranged to feed into the RRG: In order to ensure that the Third Sector, service users, local communities, and those affected by community justice are involved the Reducing Re-offending Group will establish working groups, which will include representation from the Third Sector, service users, local communities, and those affected by community justice, p5. Programme of engagement events to take place throughout 2016, which will include tailored sessions for providers including national third sector organisations; PSP providers; local third sector organisations; and community organisations., these to be used to strengthen local networks and map services to inform future 6

7 Edinburgh Midlothian Existing Edinburgh Reducing Reoffending Partnership (reporting to the CPP) and Offender Management Committee (reports to the Public Protection Chief officers Group), to be fed by specific subgroups Current Offender Management Group and Public Protection Committee to feed a new Community Justice Working Group, to report to the new Community Safety and Justice Partnership as part of the CPP Pauline McKinnon, pauline.mckinnon@edinburgh.gov.uk Steve Cairns, Steve.Cairns@midlothian.gcsx.gov.uk strategic planning. The plan states that The membership of the Safe & Vibrant Community Partnership will need to be extended to include representation from additional organisations as required in the Scottish Government draft proposals, which theoretically would include the third sector, however this is not made explicit in the plan. Inclusion of Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations Council and Sacro in the ERRP, plus the continuation of integrated partnership in the Willow Service. Intention to scope for current existing arrangements and build on them, but also to represent the Third Sector in strategic arrangements We are currently working with Midlothian Voluntary Action and the Volunteer Centre to find ways of working more effectively together. Representation as yet undefined on the strategic group - Community Safety and Justice Partnership Board members will include those from statutory agencies as identified by the legislation and as well as representatives from the voluntary sector and local communities, p5. There is the intention to do further work to identify current areas of weakness and strength Specific focus will be placed on how the partnership engages effectively with voluntary and third sector stakeholders at relevant stages and in the planning and development of the Strategic Improvement Plan. This stakeholder group will be actively encouraged to participate within the proposed working group and subgroups., P6. 7

8 Scottish Borders Recently established Community Justice (CJ) Board made up of statutory CJ Partners to report to Community Planning Partnership (CPP) Strategic Board. West Lothian Transition Plan has been published. Page 3 contains diagrams of the proposed structures. Proposed delivery of community justice to lie with four specific sub-groups (Youth Justice, Reducing Reoffending, Community Safety Joint Tasking Group and Serious Organised Crime) feeding into the Safer Communities Strategic Planning Board and ultimately the CPP. The membership and specific roles of these groups are to be confirmed. Graham Jones, Graham.Jones@scotborders.gov.uk Paul Streater, Paul.Streater@westlothian.gcsx.gov.uk Under consideration, but as yet undefined. The plan states How best to extend the range of partners is currently under discussion in particular the inclusion of the Third Sector, community and service user representation. The plan states The CJ Board consists of the Statutory CJ partners. It does however require some additional consideration to be given on how best to involve the Third Sector, community and service user representation. An options paper is being prepared for the CJ Board to consider and decide on what approach to take. This will require some flexibility in working through the best solution for the SB. Established relationships exist and this may afford an opportunity to facilitate a broader role in the delivery of the CJ agenda. There is a strong Community Council structure within the SB based around five localities along with Faith and Third Sector groups., p5 The plan also notes outstanding uncertainty about how exactly to define involvement in relation to third sectors in the outcome indicators for performance; they suggest that further clarity is required to reduce confusion (p3) and to inform their arrangements. Continuation and development of existing relationships. The Transition Plan (p1) states: Involvement of the Third Sector is relatively straightforward, in that all significant justice partners are already engaged in existing structures and processes, including the developmental work that has been carried out to date in managing this transition. At present, the third sector has representation via individual organisations on the following Groups and sub-committees: Safer Communities Strategic Planning 8

9 North Strathclyde Argyll and Bute East Dunbartonshire West Dunbartonshire Combining to form new Argyll, Bute and Dunbartonshires (ADB) Partnership For Community Justice it is proposed that the reporting arrangements will collectively go to a Community Justice Partnership Committee. From there, each Local Authority will consider their internal reporting arrangements to their respective Community Planning Partnership (CPP). Norman Firth (ABD Partnership), norman.firth@wdc.gcsx.gov.uk Mary Holt, (transition officer) mary.holt@wdc.gcsx.gov.uk Group: Victim Support WLDAS (West Lothian Drug and Alcohol Service) Reducing Re-offending sub-committee: WLDAS Cyrenians Youth Justice sub-committee: West Lothian Youth Inclusion Project Intention to capitalise on the current relationships with the third sector, build new ones with smaller organisations, and to bring these in at a strategic level to develop community justice plans. The plans highlight the aim of developing a strategic approach to commissioning, specifically the aspiration of an inclusive partnership approach to the achievement of community justice outcomes, p2. There is also the hope that links to service user engagement can be developed in partnership with third sector organisations. East Renfrewshire Transition plan available here. Community Justice Transition Steering Group, formed in February The group will comprise the statutory partners and appropriate non statutory partners and will be supported initially by planning and development officers from the CPP and the Health and Social Care Partnership. A mapping exercise will be undertaken to ensure the group has strategic links to other relevant existing groups such as employability and addictions to avoid gaps but also duplication. Terms of reference will be drawn up to guide the group and meetings thereafter will be frequent, possibly monthly, to ensure the group forms and develops within the relatively short timescales, although the regularity of meetings can later be reviewed. This group will evolve into the Community Justice Partnership Group from April Jonathan Hinds, Jonathan.hinds@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk Voluntary Action East Renfrewshire (the local TSI) involved in preliminary discussions for the redesign, however further involvement of third sector TBC - Attendance, representation, and participation of third sector organisations local/national and large/small - within the new arrangements is yet to be finalised although it is anticipated ERVA will take up a formal place. All of East Renfrewshire s CPP partners have strong as well as positive working relationships with the sector individually and collectively over a very wide range of different themes and activities. Furthermore the sector will be included in the preparation of the new Community Justice Outcomes Improvement Plan due for publication in early 2017, either as full members of the Transition Group, or to attend and participate in workshop development 9

10 Inverclyde events. An interim measure a Community Justice Transition Group has been established. This has the aim of ensuring a smooth transition into shadow arrangements on 1 st April This will operate alongside NSCJA and ensure we are ready for the introduction of the new model for Community Justice on 1 st April Anne Wardlaw, Community Justice Lead Office, ann.wardlaw@inverclyde.gov.uk The role of the third sector and local communities in the new model is viewed positively; an opportunity for East Renfrewshire s vibrant third sector to not only play a part in the new local community justice structure but importantly, potentially provide their services to a new sector of the local population. In particular, it is anticipated that smaller organisations, such as local community groups that operate in localities and specific neighbourhoods and which already play a role in preventing offending and reoffending in an indirect way that is often not fully recognised will contribute to community justice in East Renfrewshire. The new approach will therefore provide an impetus to utilising our community assets and, indeed, it is conceivable that the changes may also lead to the design and delivery of new provision, especially in relation to Community Payback, diversionary work, adult learning/literacy etc. from within the sector as their capacity to respond to need on varying scales is clearly evident. There is also the intention to explore the benefits of future work with the PSPs and CJS s role in strategic commissioning and procurement (p4). Again, the intention is to build on existing relationships, including representation of the third sector on the transition group and potentially beyond, plus engagement events and consultation throughout 2016; The Transition Group includes involvement of all of the statutory partners and representation from Action for Children and Turning Point Scotland who both deliver local services; CVS Inverclyde who form one part of Inverclyde s third sector interface; local Community Safety and Wellbeing Manager, ADP Co-ordinator and NSCJA Policy Officer. 10

11 Renfrewshire Transition plan available here. Community Justice Steering Group, linking in with Community Safety and Public Protection Steering Group and reporting up to the strategic Safer and Stronger Thematic Board (reports to CPP) though regarding future arrangements, It is noted that not all of the community justice partners are part of the CPP arrangements and governance arrangements will need to be more fully explored during the transition year as will links with other groups Northern Aberdeen TBC, to follow the revision of the LOIP: Aberdeenshire Consideration is currently being given to the most effective way to implement governance arrangements for Community Justice partnership working in Aberdeen. Issues to be taken into account include: Which organisations and individuals need to be involved across the statutory, non-statutory and community sectors; The remit of the group; Responsibility and accountability; and How links will be made into the CPP and with the broader Community Planning themes. This section of the Plan will be updated once the way forward has been clarified. (p5) Transition plan available here. As of 1 st April 2016 the Community Justice Strategic Outcomes Group; will formally become the Aberdeenshire Community Justice Partnership Group. This group will sit below the Health and Social Care Joint Integrated Board and report to the Community Planning Board and Executive Annie Torrance (CJ Lead Officer) annie.torrance@renfrewshire.gov.uk Val Vertigans, vavertigans@aberdeencity.gov.uk Kathleen Mowat, Kathleen.Mowat@aberdeenshire.gov.uk Intention to build upon existing networks and relationships, plus representation on the CJSG of Apex Scotland, CJVSF, Engage Renfrewshire (the TSI), Victim Support and The Wise Group. The Third Sector has been, and will continue to be, engaged and involved in delivering effective and efficient services for individuals. The sector has contributed positively to the delivery of outcomes for community justice at a local and national level. We will continue to engage and involve the Third Sector in the planning and delivery of services and improved outcomes for community justice. Again, largely undefined at this stage. The plan details an intention to map current partners and provisions, and to include representation of the third sector in the community justice governance arrangements in some way. Of particular note, there is an intention to form a local forum of third sector organisations by March For more information, please contact Val Vertigans. This plan contains little detail about how the third sector will be engaged in the new model, and says further work needs to be done to identify a way forward: Aberdeenshire recognise that the third sector play a vital role in the delivery of services, especially in rural areas, so it is proposed that a separate piece of work be undertaken with this particular group in terms of what they can contribute to the new model. Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action are a relatively new organisation but already contribute to the 11

12 Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Highland Transition plan available here. New Community Justice Partnership (the statutory bodies, plus local non-statutory partners and potentially a third sector representative) reporting to the Outer Hebrides CPP Transition plan available here. Extension of current arrangements to reflect Community Justice: The intention is to widen the remit of the Criminal Justice Sub-Committee and to include colleagues from NHS Highland, Police Scotland, Scottish Prison Service, Victim Support Scotland and the Third Sector Interface., P4. Michael Stewart, michael.stewart@cnesiar.gov.uk Fiona Palin, fiona.palin@highland.gov.uk Margaret McShane, cjmanager@highlandtsi.org.uk Community Planning Partnership by representing the views of the third sector. It is recognised that there is some work to be done around looking at Community Justice from the perspective of the third sector, and part of the work of the Community Justice Partnership will be to develop the role of the third sector and work with Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action in establishing greater links. (P6) Third Sector representation (Nominated by the TSI, C-CIG) being considered for inclusion on CJP. Beyond this, engagement with the third sector is viewed positively in this plan, but specific plans are non-specific at this stage. The new model is viewed as an opportunity to improve engagement of local 3 rd sector to the community justice agenda in a way which was not available through the CJA model (p7). The plan identifies significant barriers to nationallevel third sector engagement; Involvement locally of national organisations like SPS, Victim Support Scotland, National Mentoring PSPs, and other national third sector community justice partners such as Apex and Sacro will be a challenge given that currently none of the organisations have a presence within the Outer Hebrides and they all will have competing demands of attendance at up to 32 other Community Justice Partnerships nationally. (p7) Intention is to build on existing relationships and include representatives on the community justice partners group. Again, the plan says that much work needs to be done to identify current relationships and consider how best to incorporate them in the future: A job description has been developed and the Third Sector Interface are employing a Project Manager to undertake development work and assist in 12

13 Moray Orkney Transition plan available here. Existing Public Protection Partnership, reporting to CPP, to deliver community justice, to be reviewed in April 2017 to formalise or revise arrangements. Transition plan available here. New Orkney Community Justice Partnership made up of Blair Dempsie, Jon Humphreys, drawing up the Community Justice Plan for Highland. In taking the plan forward in Highland, there are currently good links between Criminal Justice Social Work, Police Scotland and the Third Sector. The focus however, is on offenders and not on the wider preventative agenda. There is a need to consider how links with other partnership groups, such as the Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy Group, can be strengthened. (p3) The aim is to have third sector interface representatives (identified by HTSI) to sit on the CJSC and also on the Community Justice Committee Officer Group. The action plan states the aim; Actively involve the third sector, community based organisations, communities and service users, including offenders and victims, in the planning and delivery of community justice within Highland, in accordance with procurement rules and local needs and circumstances. (p7) Continuing current engagement, with intention to scope and build on current relationship and networks through the transition period. Moray already has a number of links with non-statutory partners, for example the Head of Service for Criminal Justice and Children s Services attends the Alcohol and Drug Partnership, and in terms of work with the Third Sector, Third Sector Interface Moray (TSI Moray) are currently represented on the Public Protection Partnership and will therefore be a key link in terms of representing the views of the Third Sector. Work during the transition year will be to establish greater links with TSI Moray to look at what they can contribute to Community Justice in the Moray area. (P4) Limited mention of the third sector, albeit there is the inclusion of a theoretical third sector 13

14 South West Shetland Dumfries and Galloway statutory and non-statutory partners, reporting to CPP. New Shetland Community Justice Partnership made up of statutory and non-statutory partners, reporting to the Shetland Partnership Board. Transition plan available here. Community Justice Partnership for the region which will involve all statutory members and where relevant additional members who can deliver benefits across the Community Justice Agenda, reporting to CPP. Lizzie Coutts, Andrew Reed, representative on the CJP (though with the caveat that this is an optional local suggestion, p5). Engagement with the third sector is identified as a challenge, to be addressed with mapping exercises, engagement events, face-to-face contact, building new relationships and strengthening old ones. They also indicate that they want to strengthen their service user involvement by working with the third sector. There is also the intention to consider inclusion of Victim Support Scotland and Other Third Sector organisations on the CJP. As yet, not defined in this plan. The plan identifies a programme of mapping current third sector involvement and developing engagement and communication, through the TSI and directly, plus aligning Third Sector against gaps. The intention is to have Clear representation of Third Sector Organisations established at CJ Partnership by April 2016 p10 (likely an error and should read 2017). East Ayrshire North Ayrshire South Ayrshire Each area has produced an individual Transition Plan available here, reflecting the intention to create Community Justice Ayrshire Board, a pan- Ayrshire community justice group, feeding back to each local CPP. A collaborative pan-ayrshire approach to maximise partner engagement and build on the previous work of the CJA is also maintained East Ayrshire Transition Plan, p7 The Board would include political representation from the three CPP areas as well as representation from key partner organisations involved in the delivery of community justice outcomes across Ayrshire. The Board would be empowered to co-opt additional members as Erik Sutherland, erik.sutherland@eastayrshire.gov.uk Hilary Scott, hilary.scott@east-ayrshire.gov.uk Morna Rae, mrae@north-ayrshire.gov.uk Valerie Stewart, Valerie.Stewart@southayrshire.gov.uk This area has already undertaken work to identify and strengthen engagement, and the plans reflect their intention to continue and develop established relationships and connections with Third Sector Engagement of third sector organisations has been central to the work of the SWSCJA and it is intended that the shift to this new model of community justice will build further on this work. The East Ayrshire Council of Voluntary Organisations will be a core member on CJAB. Workshop events and engagement activities to be used to developed further in partnership with third sector organisations. 14

15 appropriate Tayside Angus A new multiagency Angus Safer Communities Forum (ASCF) has been established to oversee arrangements for the strategic planning and delivery of community justice in Angus, reporting to Community Planning Partnership Board. Dundee Perth and Kinross Transition plan available here. A new group reporting to the CPP, Dundee Community Justice Partnership (CJP) has been established, consisting of all the duty to cooperate partners and the CJA. A new Community Justice Partnership to be established - it is our intention to develop a model which incorporates those statutory partners named in the Community Justice Bill, most of whom are either already members of the Tayside Community Justice Authority or the Perth & Kinross Community Safety Outcome Delivery Group - and adding to this Partnership, where appropriate.. Anne Mollison, MollisonA@angus.gov.uk Glyn Lloyd, glyn.lloyd@dundeecity.gcsx.gov.uk John Irons, jmirons@pkc.gov.uk There is to be a third sector representative on the ASCF. The plan does not contain greater detail on how engagement will continue, but notes; It is fortunate that there are already long standing relationships with the third sector particularly Tayside Council on Alcohol and Action for Children. We have a local Public Social Partnership in place delivering services for Women who offend and are we are currently working to secure funding to further embed this service and work with new partners to deliver positive outcomes to the citizens of Angus. The plan notes that there will be further liaison with third sectors to agree representation and to develop Outcomes Improvement plans. The plan details the area s previous involvement with the third sector, including representation of the third sector in current local arrangements, local programs, services and PSPs. In terms of future arrangements, the plan notes that the CJP is exploring Third Sector and community representation (p9), with the intention to build upon the existing arrangements. The area is also considering convening a collaborative group of local third sector providers. Many of the community justice arrangements are theoretical rather than realised in this plan. The plan states that a Voluntary Sector Reference Group is being established, including Victim Support and linking with the TSI PKAVS. This group is to be consulted as to how best to represent the third sector in the CJP; One option is to co-opt a representative from PKAVS and a further representative from the Voluntary Sector Reference Group on to the Partnership, but other avenues will also be considered, consistent with the capacity of these agencies and the nature of 15

16 those responsibilities required of them as a full member of the Partnerships. In light of their specific experience in this area, PKAVS will be invited to plan and lead the engagement exercise at community level while the Voluntary Sector Reference Group will be invited to participate in developing the emerging strategy with the statutory Community Justice Partners., P4 Community engagement exercises are to take place over the transition year to develop this work further, involving third sector colleagues. In addition to those partners noted within the Bill, we would wish the voluntary sector to have strong representation and to ensure that we give voice and involvement to both victims and to people who have had direct experience of the Community Justice system. This approach will, we believe, enable us to articulate and take forward a strategy and action plan which genuinely promotes Community Safety and Justice in our communities, involves people more effectively in consultation and builds upon our continuing efforts to reduce crime and the fear of crime while also working to improve wider Community Safety. 16

17 For further information please contact: Rose McConnachie Development Coordinator Criminal Justice Voluntary Sector Forum About CJVSF The Criminal Justice Voluntary Sector Forum (CJVSF): Supports voluntary sector providers to continuously improve their own criminal justice services through collaboration and sharing of good practice Assists voluntary sector providers to understand, navigate and influence the complex and changing environment in which they operate Promotes broader awareness of the activities, value and impact of voluntary sector services within criminal justice. The CJVSF is hosted by CCPS (the Coalition of Care and Support Providers in Scotland) and receives financial support from The Robertson Trust and The Monument Trust. Further details about the Forum can be found at: CCPS is a company limited by guarantee registered in Scotland No , registered with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator as Charity No.SCO The company s registered office is at Norton Park, 57 Albion Road, Edinburgh. EH7 5QY.