Agenda item

Report Director of Adult Social Care and Health

78.1     Tom Hook (Assistant Director for Planning, Performance and Engagement) introduced the item by providing an overview of some of the key issues set out in the report. Justine Armstrong-Smith (Safer Communities Manager), Caz Kearton-Evans, (Strategic Commissioning Manager – Substance Misuse) and Michaela Richards (Joint Strategic Commissioner for Domestic and Sexual Violence and  Abuse Services) were also in attendance and provided additional detail in response to queries raised by Members.

A summary of the key issues discussed is set out below:

·         The Relationships Programme: Members asked for clarification about how the Relationships Programme is delivered in primary schools (the programme aims to help young people and children build resilience and recognise when and how to ask for help and teaches basic techniques for resisting pressure to do something dangerous, unhealthy or which makes them uncomfortable). In response, and depending on the topic, the Committee were informed that sessions are delivered in partnership with Sussex Police and the East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service. The Committee also heard that the Department provides all schools in East Sussex with a directory of programmes. This enables individual schools to select sessions which are relevant to their circumstances.

·         Serious Violence Bill: In response to a query about the Serious Violence Bill and its implications for East Sussex, the Committee heard that it sets out amendments to the Crime and Disorder Act (1998) and place duties on schools, police, councils and health authorities to prevent serious violence. In support of this aim the Bill will require the prevention of serious violence to become an explicit priority within Community Safety Partnerships and includes a focus on early intervention. At the time of the meeting no announcements had been made regarding funding to meet these priorities.

·         County Lines: In response to a query about levels of County Lines related criminal activity, the Committee were informed that this had unfortunately continued in recent months, although it may have become more visible to Police during lockdown periods. Stopping County Lines activity continues to be a policing priority at both the regional and national levels. Accordingly, and as part of its work to reduce serious organised crime, the East Sussex Safer Communities Partnership have listed County Lines as one its key priority areas in its Business Plan for 2020/23.

·         Homelessness and prison leavers: The Committee discussed the relationship between the criminal justice system and homelessness. In particular, Members asked for more detail about the steps being taken to support prison leavers who are at risk of homelessness upon release. In response, the Committee were informed about initiatives such as the East Sussex Trailblazer project. This aims to minimise the number of prison leavers facing homelessness and in turn, reduce the risk of them re-offending. In support of this a part-time probation officer and a part[1]time community rehabilitation company officer have been embedded in the Rough Sleeper Initiative Multi-Disciplinary Team (a team which is comprised of health, mental health, social care, substance dependency and housing specialists who provide direct access to support services).

·         Tackling extremist activity: In response to a query regarding steps being taken to tackle far[1]right and other extremist activity in East Sussex, the Committee were informed about the Counter Terrorism Local Profile (CTLP) which identifies risks in East Sussex and the wider region. Members were also informed that there are currently a number of Channel cases in the county (Channel is part of the national Prevent strategy and is a multi-agency approach to identifying and providing support to individuals who are at risk of being drawn into terrorism). The Committee also heard that the Council has strong partnership links with relevant agencies.

78.2     The Committee RESOLVED to note the report