Agenda item

(To receive a report from Clare Newborn, Community Safety Manager, which provides an update on the Stay Safe project, it's achievements to date and future plans)

SITTING AS THE CRIME & DISORDER SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

The Committee received a report, which provided an update on the Stay Safe project, it's achievements to date and future plans.

The Chairman invited Clare Newborn, Community Safety Manager, to remotely present the item.

The Committee were provided with background information relating to the formation of the Stay Safe Partnership in 2015; the key objectives of the project, which were to:

·       To make the most effective and efficient use of public resources currently utilised in delivering preventative education to children and young people in a school setting;

·       Tackle existing and developing priorities effecting young people; and

·       Consider the engagement and education of children, teachers, other professionals and parents.

Detail's relating to the Stay Safe offer to schools was shown on page 150 of the report pack.  It was noted that every secondary school in Lincolnshire was offered two 'Stay Safe' days in every academic year, at no cost, and that any additional days were able to be requested, but these would be chargeable.

In addition to the 'Stay Safe' days, primary and secondary schools were also able to book from a range of individual sessions offered by agencies through the County Council Stay Safe Directory, the majority of which were free to schools.  It was noted that currently there were currently 64 packages available to primary schools and 82 packages available to secondary schools and colleges ranging from e-safety to Prevent awareness, modern slavery, mental health, knife crime and hate crime.  It was highlighted that since the Stay Safe Partnership had been set up in September 2015, staff training and student workshops had been delivered to 100% of secondary schools and 99% of primary schools across Lincolnshire, which equated to over 186,000 students and staff. Page 151 of the report provided the Committee with information relating to training provided to schools since 2015.

It was reported that the delivery of 'Stay Safe' days had been impacted by Covid-19 restrictions and school closures, but the partnership had managed to deliver on 'Stay Safe' days virtually to 64% of mainstream secondary schools in 2019/20.  Details of the on-line provision were provided in the report.

In conclusion, the Committee noted that the partnership continually strived to better its offer to schools.  The Committee was able to view feedback from students and teachers which were include in the report.  It was noted that due to the demand from primary and secondary schools for preventative and safety messaging; and in order to expand the work of the partnership beyond secondary age pupils, there was to be further investment in the core Stay Safe team to ensure that the team had the capacity and resilience to meet future demand.

The Committee was invited to comment on the update relating to on the 'Stay Safe' project.  The Committee raised some the following points:

·       The provision of mental health sessions and whether these sessions were available to private schools.  Confirmation was given that the 'Stay Safe' offer was available to all schools;

·       One member commended the work done by the partnership and enquired whether any work was done with parents to help them keep their children safe.  The Committee noted that the partnership did engage with parents, and that during lockdown, webinars sessions had been held for parents;

·       The prevalence of knife crime in Lincolnshire.  The Committee was advised that the issue of knife crime in Lincolnshire was not an issue as it was in some other areas.  One member enquired whether the use of scanners had been considered.  Clarification was given that the introduction of a scanner would be the responsibility of a school;

·       Whether any of the sessions took into consideration anti-social behaviour.  It was noted that this area was touched on in the sessions but, it was an area that would be covered by the Community Safety team; and

·       Whether there were any disclosure trends.  It was noted that there had been a greater number of domestic abuse disclosures, and that these were delivered and managed by expert providers.  The Committee also noted that there had been an increase in on-line bullying.

The Chairman extended his thanks on behalf the Committee to the Community Safety Manager for her presentation.

RESOLVED

That the report on the 'Stay Safe' project be received and that support be extended to the continued delivery of the 'Stay Safe' project and that the comments raised by the Committee be received and taken in to account.