To receive a presentation from Jergen Goud and James Carroll, from the London Community Rehabilitation Company Ltd.
Minutes:
James Carroll from the London Community Rehabilitation Company, introduced the Community Payback Scheme in Enfield as follows:
· The LCRC had been responsible for Community Payback since February 2015.
· James Carroll and Jergen Goud were the Community Payback Managers responsible for the London Boroughs of Barnet, Enfield, Haringey and Harrow.
· Offenders were sentenced to Unpaid Work via a Court Order. The sentence could range from 30-300 hours, depending on the offence.
· Care Manager/Probation Officers would put forward an offender to the London CRC, who would then risk assess the offender and consult with a Community Payback Control Centre to allocate a suitable placement. The Control Centre would also notify the Care Manager/Probation Officer of any absences.
· The nature of the placement would depend upon the offender and the risk assessment undertaken; for example, a sex offender would not be placed for work in a school. Consideration was also given to the proximity of the placement to where the offender was located to minimise travel costs and time.
· Offenders were required to work arrive on time and to work to a given standard. A health and safety induction was given to all offenders at the start of each day of a placement.
· Due to the fact that most offenders now also worked during the week, the majority of projects now took place at the weekends.
· Project requirements included:
o The provision of welfare facilities such as toilets, facilities to make hot drinks and a room to take breaks;
o The provision of tools and materials needed to undertake the work;
o Public Liability Insurance.
· London CRC provided any Personal and Protective Equipment (PPE) and a Supervisor for up to 10 offenders.
· The types of projects undertaken in Enfield were:
o Enfield Mobile - this was a very successful operation that worked closely with the local authority primarily to clear alleyways of illegal dumping of rubbish. Offenders found this placement particularly rewarding as it was varied, targeted work that generated quick, positive results. Residents would also see a very positive and visible effect from this work.
o Schools – Offenders worked in school grounds assisting with litter picking and sweeping. Schools were also able to provide good welfare facilities, which was a helpful factor in creating successful placements.
o Allotments – Offenders worked on such activities as laying pathways, removing weeds and digging over ground.
o Millfield Arts Centre – Offenders assisted in maintain the extensive grounds of the Centre.
o Agency placements – these were for lower risk offenders and were unsupervised placements, usually working in charity shops.
· Any offender who did not attend a placement when required to do so would be in breach of his Court Order.
· Most offenders were highly motivated to complete their placements as soon as possible and often requested increased hours in order to do so.
The following questions and comments were then taken:
Q: Who decides on where an offender is placed?
A: It would be the Probation Service that decides this.
Q: Who now deals with clearance of leaves in the autumn?
A: Community Payback may be involved in clearance of leaves in alleyways etc. but the local authority is responsible for this on main roads.
Q: What is the current working arrangement with the Council on placements and is there more the Council could do?
A: LCRC has good links with Enfield Council and works closely, in particular, with the Environment and Regeneration Department to source and manage projects. The Council also assist with the provision of certain equipment for some placements. Enfield Mobile is the principal project for placements at the moment in the Borough but we also work with the Council on other projects (at the Millfield Arts Centre for example).
The Chair commented that, under MOPAC guidance, the Board was required to nominate projects for Community Payback and asked how this was best done.
It was AGREED that Board Members should contact Jane Juby, who could then pass on nominations to the link officer in the Environment & Regeneration Department.
James Carroll welcomed in particular any project nominations for Sunday work in the North East of the Borough; a school would be especially welcome.
Q: From where does the London CRC receive remuneration?
A: We are contracted to the Home Office.
Q: Is an annual report produced by the London CRC on its projects?
A: Reports are generated by Borough. A list of projects could be obtained for Enfield from the Environment link officer ACTION: Jane Juby
Q: Why are there currently only two schools in the Borough involved with projects?
A: Schools do not usually require such help; they have their own staff for grounds maintenance. However, where schools have larger grounds, they may need assistance.