West Bromwich Summit

19 December 2018

Event Feedback

Contents

Page

1. The Event 3

2. What are the issues? 4

3. What are the solutions – Long term? 7

4. What are the solutions – Quick wins? 10

5. How can you support the following groups specifically?

a. Gangs 12

b. Street drinking 14

c. Homelessness 16

d. Anti-social behaviour 18

6. What opportunities exist? How can we use them effectively? 20

7. Summary 21

2

The Event

In response to a growing number of issues facing West Bromwich town centre it was decided to organise an event that would bring together key agencies and stakeholders to explore the problems and identify solutions.

On the 19 December 2018 Sandwell Council hosted the West Bromwich Summit. 168 people were invited and 79 attended. Attendees included representatives from various organisations for example Sandwell College, Secondary Schools, voluntary, Albion Foundation, Police, and retail.

An introduction was made by Deputy Leader Syeda Khatun and Councillor Simon Hackett (Cabinet Member for West Bromwich)

David Stevens, Lead Director for West Bromwich, delivered a presentation of the issues arising in West Bromwich Centre. The presentation included a video of local people giving their points of view and a video of a West Bromwich homeless person who has been helped into settled accommodation.

The main focus of the summit was a workshop where delegates were asked to share their insight, knowledge and experiences to help formulate a comprehensive picture of the issues, solutions and opportunities for West Bromwich town centre.

This document contains feedback from the event workshops. A total of 516 pieces of information were contributed and it has not been possible to include them all. Analysis of the information has included theming responses and including examples of contributions that best illustrate those themes.

At the Summit feedback focussed on young people in West Bromwich and for this reason a decision was made to have a young people West Bromwich Summit. Work to organise this is on-going.

3

Workshop Feedback

What are the issues? - For You, Your Organisations and StakeholdersNumber of comments made - 114

Lack of Funding/ Resource

26%

Lack of Partnership Working

15%

Regeneration needed9%

Housing/ Homelessness Issues10%

Other issues/ statements

12%

Anti Social Behaviour12%

Lack of Information sharing / Commu-

nication9%

Training/ Raising Awareness needed

7%

Chart 1: Themes of issues

Examples of Issues Raised Under Themes

Lack of Funding/ Resources (26%) Lack of managed facilities for the young people Youth Hubs needed - Activities for young people and support for their

issues after college Reduction in resources across partnership Lack of Police and EPO's patrols in Carters Green Policing - Response to neighbourhood policing and response at peak

demand to crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB)

4

Lack of Partnership Working (15%) People coming through with very high/ intensive support needs and

complex issues - Low level support and struggle to cope Understanding each other’s roles and policies and legal obligations Not knowing what others are doing - more services need mapping out We need to build community spirit and community responsibility

Housing and Homelessness Issues (10%) Increase in the number of young people becoming homeless We need more "Emergency" accommodation Lack of outreach work around homeless

Anti-Social Behaviour (12%) Security Issues/ large groups of people – bus station, McDonalds, Kings

Square Metro Plaza, Carters Green Depressed retail trade due to anti-social behaviour – poor lighting

Other issues / Statements (12%) Increase in mental health problem with no clear pathway Increase in Mental Health Assessments (MHA) - more facilities in

Sandwell requiring Advance Mental Health Practitioner (AMHP) input i.e. custody block, new hospital and closure to police stations meaning more MHA traffic coming to Sandwell

Issues around young women being exploited Young People quickly and permanently excluded from school and sent to

Pupil Referral Unit's (PRU’s) where behaviour worsens Young offenders unable to get into college because of their convictions so

continue in crime

Lack of Information Sharing / Communications (9%) Effective signposting - beyond your sector Difficulty accessing mental health services understanding thresholds

Regeneration Needed (9%) Alternative uses for vacant buildings - community shops Town centre run down and not attractive Need development of town centre around Farley Centre Carters Green feeling left out of the town

5

Training / Raising Awareness Needed (7%)

Issues around parenting skills needs addressing in the long term Lack of understanding of minority groups (EU nationals x refugee's)

6

What are the solutions?Number of comments made - 65

Regeneration and hous-ing initatives

26%

Support Initiatives15%

Partnership Working13%

Information Sharing/ Communication

13%

Prevention initatives

6%

Training/ Raising Awareness

9%

Provide/ Increase Fund-ing/ Resource

12%

New Way of Working6%

Chart 2: Themes of Solutions

Examples of Solutions Ideas Under Themes

Regeneration and Housing Initiatives (26%) Regeneration of West Bromwich town centre - design out issues and

increase civic pride Development of Farley Centre and Queens centre to match New Square More lighting in streets/ more videos/ body cams Ensure accommodation appropriate in town centre and mixed tenure,

demographic and retail

Support Initiatives (15%) Investing in youth activities - vocational/ entrepreneurial opportunities for

disillusioned young people Respite opportunities for mental health service users - prevent need for

hospital admission Outreach service that offers real help to homeless, food, health, advice

7

Partnership Working Solutions (13%) Agencies willing to come out on evening patrols/ weekend to look at

issues Increase staff, dedicated Environmental Protection Officer's (EPO’s) for

each town, so allows specialist knowledge of areas Making homeless referral systems more straight forward, EU nationals

and for UK residents

Information Sharing/ Communication Solutions (13%) Pub watch for West Bromwich, which could lead to an information/

communication tool so that individuals, can be recognised Licensing closer joint working around public houses and fast food outlets -

share intelligence at problem locations More access to shared databases – Sandwell Community Voluntary

Organisation (SCVO) has a database of community organisations which is open to all to view. Route 2 wellbeing database for health related activities.

Provide or Increase Funding/ Resources Solutions (12%) Emergency accommodation needed (use of council and buildings owned

by council) Increase direct access for hostel accommodation for street homelessness Provide in-borough hostels as homeless don't want to go to Birmingham

areas Channelling young peoples energy - sports, distraction, community

engagement, Variety of leisure options Offer help and other places for youths to go - engage and find out what

they want in order to help them

Training / Raising Awareness Solutions (9%) Programmes in schools to reduce gang culture and encourage activities

for young people Have a youth police cadet’s scheme - like air and army cadets Anger management support for gangs, we have lost a lot of youth workers

bring them back Youth business enterprise opportunities (sponsorship)

Prevention Initiatives (6%) Prevention - start early - in primary schools, health tips etc. Enable young people to lead the changes needed

8

New Ways of Working Solutions (6%) Making homeless referral systems more straight forward, EU nationals/

and for UK residents More structure around rota's between all agencies, e.g. rota - Police/

EPO's Improved camera systems on Town centre e.g. back of college, Queens

car park - Beeches road, Lidl

9

What are the solutions - Quick Wins?Number of comments made - 79

Partnership Working32%

Support Initatives19%Regeneration and Housing initatives

10%

Training/ Raising Awareness

11%

Information Sharing/ Communication

16%

Prevention Initatives7%

Provide or Increase Funding/ Resource

5%

Chart 3: Themes of Quick Win Solutions

Examples of Quick Win Solutions Under Themes

Partnership Working Solutions (32%) Summit for children and young people. Young people in West Bromwich

finding out their issues and solutions Engage with schools and colleges in West Bromwich and include the PRU Work with traders - alcohol, are they a part of the problem or part of the

solution? Develop multi-agency task force to address the key issues - both quick

wins and longer term Social work surgeries - sort the small things quickly and signpost to

relevant services Use town partnerships - target effectively Engage with voluntary sector who are on the ground Use of council powers where offenders come from council tenant homes -

ASB orders etc.

10

Support Initiatives (19%) Engage with parents of young people - how can they be supported to

support their young people Gang / Youth issues - 3rd sector and partnership, Outreach teams into

town to work with youth

Information Sharing/ Communication Solutions (16%) Cross organisational information sharing agreement Data sharing between emergency blue light services to identify frequent

offenders and take proactive action Analysing and researching the age range of young people we should be

working with Housing to promote drop in sessions for people on the streets. Police to be able to assist a homeless person to a session for housing

Training/ Raising Awareness Solutions (11%) Services listing their services / opportunities on

www.sandwellfamilylife.info Free drug and alcohol training through Cranstoun raises confidence in

professionals to discuss these issues

Regeneration and Housing Initiatives (10%) More lighting on streets and in shopping areas Cleaner streets and cleaner shopping areas Use of unused units on the high street for targeted services

Prevention Initiatives (7%) In and around Kings Square youths do move when Police, Police

Community Support Officers (PCSO), College security are around - being more visible would help

Provide or Increase Funding/ Resources Solutions (5%) Commission specialist homeless outreach Albion foundation funding for positive young activities

11

How can you support the following group specifically?GangsNumber of comments made - 29

Training / Raising Awareness

38%

New Way of Working25%

Partnership Working25%

Support Initative13%

Chart 4: Themes of Support for Gangs

Examples of Support for Gangs Under Themes

Training/ Raising Awareness (37%) Mentoring for young people, Individuals in gangs and support for families Partners in the town to understand the difference between a "gang" and a

"group" of youth causing anti-social behaviour - there is a difference Theatre company coming in the spring to educate young people at college

New Way of Working (25%) Use the new child exploitation group to steer and lead interventions Safeguarding week talks working with council safeguarding team at

college Join up the many initiatives that already exist to create capacity for

change

12

Partnership Working (25%) Require an exploitation hub process to tackle gangs - 4 Point Plan

prevents young people at risk Work with those already in gangs through detached street based youth

offer Partnership working with voluntary sector for more young people’s

activities Improve security e.g. McDonalds and bus Station

Support Initiatives (13%) Albion Foundation targeted intervention More work with families of gang members

13

How can you support the following group specifically? Street DrinkingNumber of comments made - 20

New Way of Work-ing

17%

Training/ Raising Awareness

22%

Partnership Working17%

Support Initative22%

Information Sharing/ Communications

9%

Provide/Increase Funding/ Resource

4%

Prevention Initative9%

Chart 5: Themes of Support for Street Drinkers

Examples of Support for Street Drinkers Under Themes

Training/ Raising Awareness (22%) Courses run by Sandwell College - substance misuse - alcohol awareness

training/ education Programmes on safe drinking - partnership with more support groups Raising awareness and resilience with young people existing groups

Support Initiatives (22%) Regular walkabout with Cranstoun to offer support and provide open

access to alcohol treatment Referral to appropriate services e.g. Cranstoun

New way of Working (17%)

Regular town partnership and intervention drawn up through monthly meetings

14

Partnership Working (17%) More partnership with Cranstoun - more presence on streets than office

based Outreach services and support - go to where it is needed

Information Sharing/ Communication (9%) Communication from the businesses to officers to inform them when

street drinkers are seen

Prevention Initiatives (9%) Traders/ Trading standards – selling cheap high strength alcohol

Provide or Increase Funding/ Resources (4%) More Public Health Funding

15

How can you support the following group specifically? HomelessnessNumber of comments made – 31

Support Initatives60%

New Way of Work-ing

17%

Partnership Work-ing

11%

Training / Raising Awareness

9%

Provide or increase funding/ Resource

3%

Chart 6: Themes of Support for Homelessness

Examples of Support for Homelessness Under Themes

Support Initiatives (60%) Develop a mobile facility to engage with homeless providing food, advice

and support Direct access to a hot meal service, where people can access support

with problems and housing Outreach support to take people to appointments and provide on-going

support Direct access hostel - lack of provision in Sandwell

New way of Working (17%) Joined up approach of all agencies walking the streets to offer support/

advice - Wolverhampton model Possible West Bromwich Albion Football Club (WBA FC) campaign to

develop a homeless fan base

16

Partnership Working (11%) Work with developers to produce pod type accommodation (modular

build) to ease the short term needs of homeless families through planning service

Training/ Raising Awareness (9%) Process for housing is complicated - Long and stressful for workers and

individual

Provide or Increase Funding/ Resources (3%) Access to funding for travel expenses - plus out of hours access

17

How can you support the following group specifically?Anti-Social BehaviourNumber of comments made – 31

New Way of Working42%

Support Initative24%

Partnership Working9%

Information Sharing / Communications

12%

Training / Raising Awareness

6%

Regeneration3%

Prevention Initative3%

Chart 7: Themes of Support for ASB Work

Examples of Support for ASB Under Themes

New Way of Working (43%) Albion foundation - Kicks and @youth positive activities DOCO (Design Out Crime Officer) to review ASB locations e.g.

multistorey Monthly interventions delivered by youth services on high street and more

early intervention work with younger children 5-11 (children’s centre) Involving more young people in SHAPE youth forums they are involved in positive activities

Joint working and targeted interventions with the youth offending service

18

Support Initiative’s (24%) Targeted family interventions and support at very early stage. Not

"thresholds" as can be too late We have improved our communication with students and about ASB -

Street ambassadors from Sandwell College Youth café with youth services and creative academies

Information Sharing/ Communications (12%) ASB team to share more info with other agencies e.g. if properties have

markers Highlight issues to school and college leaders if students are involved -

request school or college resource to assist

Partnership Working (9%) Identifying issues through schools through SHAPE Early help partnership - early intervention More youth work, working with YMCA

Training/ Raising Awareness (6%) Safeguarding days in schools - junior, senior, PRU's, Colleges, youth

clubs

19

What opportunities exist? How can we use them effectively?Number of comments made – 147

Examples of feedback for existing opportunities Albion Foundation

o Links with College and SHAPEo Promotion of Foundation work

Increase work experience Police Gang Exploitation Meeting (GEM) Information sharing agreement Meetings/ Forums

o Town taskingo Borough taskingo Town partnership meetingso Ward partnership meetingso SHAPE strategic boardo SCVO Children/ young people forumo Police and college, George Salter and Phoenixo Local tactical delivery board (LTDB)o Community of practice meetingso SCVO - Sandwell Networkers groupo Learning Community meetingso Public Health network meetingso Town BID

20

SummaryThere was a strong theme of joint working through existing meetings and forums. There were comments that these could be better co-ordinated to maximise their effectiveness and increase partnership working approach.

There were a number of expressions of preventative work through education. Creating opportunities for specialist agencies to interact with young people to inform of services were identified.

Issues around information sharing were expressed. It was identified that better information sharing would help improve co-ordination of actions. The creation of an agency wide information sharing agreement is a suggested resolution.

There was a strong theme of increasing the provision of support to vulnerable groups including homeless, mental health and young people.

There were funding opportunities identified. These need to be better communicated to ensure all funding streams are accessed.

21