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Not Reinventing the Wheel... A Directory of Current Practice in Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour by Scottish Local Authorities

New Initiatives

Inevitably there are potentially worthwhile projects under consideration or at an early stage of planning which have not yet been tried and tested.

The following are just a few initiatives that are in the pipeline.

It is also useful (but quite hard) to share:

• projects it has been decided not to proceed with
• projects that did not have the desired outcome and why
• projects that have been partially successful and have been amended to improve them.

Examples of proposed initiatives currently under consideration by local authorities

1. A Good Neighbour Charter linked into points for good neighbours leading to rewards for individuals or the community.
2. Intensive family support in dispersed tenancies.
3. Extending ABCs into restorative justice.
4. Extending mediation into arbitration to avoid court.
5. Using new technology in recording and tracking neighbour disputes responses and outcomes.

Please use the feedback sheet to tell me about any others and to update on progress of those currently at the development stage.

Other Sources of Information on Good Practice

1. Scottish Housing Best Value Network

This group was established following local government reorganisation, initially to help local authorities to prepare for CCT. It now aims to help members (currently 23 local authorities) to achieve Best Value, share information and good practice and influence the housing agenda. The network has introduced cost and performance benchmarking and carries out Estate Management Peer review. It is developing a website and a member's directory.

Contact:

Angela Currie
SHBVN
School of the Built Environment
Heriot-Watt University
Riccarton
Edinburgh
Tel: 0131-451 4603
E-Mail: A.J.Currie@sbe.hw.ac.uk

2. Scottish Local Authorities Community Safety Forum

This is the national forum for officers who are responsible for developing strategic work on community safety. The forum aims "to promote community safety as a strategic policy issue", and does this by exchanging information, working closely with COSLA and the Scottish Executive, and developing and promoting good practice. It holds regular meetings and organises seminars, workshops and training events.

Contact:

Chair: Tim Kendrick
tim.kendrick@fife.gov.uk
Telephone: 01592-418860
Secretary: Louise Smith
louise.smith@inverclyde.gov.uk
Telephone: 014757-14870
Website: communitysafetyscotland.org.uk

3. Anti-Social Behaviour Officers Forum

The forum was formed in April 2000 with the intention of bringing together practitioners dealing with anti-social behaviour in the local authority sector. The opportunity to network with those working in this challenging field and to exchange examples of good practice has been warmly welcomed and the forum now has representation from all local authorities in Scotland as well as from other related interest groups.

To date, the forum has established a database of officers with a responsibility for policy making and service delivery and has held a number of meetings across Scotland covering topics such as Specialist Anti-Social Teams, Mediation Services and responses to Racial Harassment. The forum also strives to ensure that the views of local authority practitioners are taken on board by those making or influencing legislation and to this end has developed a good working relationship with both COSLA and the Scottish Executive.

If you would like more information about the aims and objectives, or the current work plan of ASBOF, please contact the Chair of the Forum:

Julia Kennedy
Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy Manager
City of Edinburgh Council
Tel: 0131-529 7212
E-mail julia.kennedy@edinburgh.gov.uk

4. Community Mediation Consultancy and Training Service

Facilitates the development of good practice in local authority housing departments and housing associations in Scotland. It provides a national consultancy service, publishes good practice guides and provides training in mediation for front-line staff. It is funded by the Scottish Executive and managed by SACRO.

Contact:

Ian McDonough
Community Mediation Consultancy and Training Service
27 York Place
Edinburgh
EH1 3HP
Tel: 0131-558 7759
E-Mail: imcdonough@cmconsultancy.sacro.org.uk

Community Mediation Services in Scotland

The following are the services I am aware of currently operating in Scotland, although at time of publication a number of additional services were at the planning stage:

* These are services provided by SACRO.

5. Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour: Information and Case Studies about Local Authority Work, Local Government Association, Research Briefing

16 July 2002

This report collates information from the Home Office and from LGA surveys about how English and Welsh local authorities are tackling anti-social behaviour. A section on case studies provides useful examples of good practice including use of ASBOs, acceptable behaviour agreements, target setting, diversionary and preventative work.

Contact:

Local Government House
Smith Square
London
SW1P 3HZ
Tel: 020 7664 3000 or 020 7664 3131 (Information Centre)
Website: www.lga.gov.uk

6. Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour: Action Frameworks for:

• Governing bodies/housing committee members
• Senior housing officers
• Front line housing officers
• Tenants and residents

Developed by Judy Nixon and Caroline Hunter, published for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation by CIH, 2001, 25.00.

Contact:

CIH
Octavia House
Westwood Way
Coventry
CV4 8JP

Each framework covers the nature of the problem, monitoring and recording systems, developing preventive measures, multi-agency partnerships, specialist support and training, investigations and witness support measures, taking effective legal action.

7. Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour: The Scottish Executive/COSLA Audit of Practice 2001-2002

8. ASpect: The newsletter for Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour in Scotland (roughly quarterly)

Contact:

Diane Janes
Sociable Neighbourhoods National Co-ordinator
Scottish Executive Development Department
Victoria Quay
EH6 6QQ
E-Mail: SNC@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Website: www.scotland.gov.uk

9. Nuisance News: The Quarterly Newsletter of the Social Landlords Crime and Nuisance Group

Membership chiefly comprises English and Welsh social landlords but much of the good practice described is applicable in a Scottish context.

Contact:

Tim Winter
SLCNG
C/o Whitefriars South
426 New Union Street
Coventry
CV1 2PW
Tel: 024 7683 2699
E-Mail: Tim@slc-ng-group.demon.co.uk

10. An Assessment of Multi-Agency Working in Barmulloch and West Drumoyne. John Flint, Suzie Scott and Tom Mullen. Central Research Unit, Scottish Executive, 2002

Feedback

Please let us know what you are doing by completing this feedback sheet and emailing it to SNC@scotland.gsi.gov.uk It can be downloaded from the SNC website ( www.scotland.gov.uk)

1. Local Authority or RSL

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2. Are the Details of Your Key Player Correct? If Not Please Amend

Name:

Title:

Address:

Telephone:

E-mail:

3. Are the Details of Your Project(s)/Practice(s) Correct? If Not Please Amend

Name of section in directory

Brief details of project/practice

4. New Entries

Name of section in directory, if applicable

Brief details of project/practice e.g.

• Why you developed that particular project
• Corporate/multi-agency influences/involvement
• Time and resources required
• How useful it has been
• Outcomes if known

5. Suggestions for New Categories in Directory

6. Unsuccessful or Partially Successful Projects
(Be Brave!) This can be helpful for others

• What you have tried
• Why you chose to do it that way
• Corporate/multi-agency influences/involvement
• Time and resources required
• How useful was it?
• Outcome and how you plan to use results
• What would you do differently/have done to improve project/practice

7. Any Other Comments

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