Page 90 - Getting it Right for Vulnerable Children and Young People in North Ayrshire

2.2.6 Tenants who are victims of domestic abuse, ASB and harassment Avoiding homelessness is a key concern for the Antisocial Behaviour Investigation Team in any investigation. ASBIT carefully consider the risks to both the complainer and the alleged offender of them becoming homeless as a result of the antisocial behaviour. Both parties to the complaint are interviewed and asked to complete a Victim or Offender Impact Statement, this is a process developed with Social Services to identify vulnerable people and have their support needs properly assessed. This process was developed in response to the Leicester Serious Case Review. Referrals can also be made to Victim Support and/or the Home Security Project. A partnership approach to dealing with antisocial behaviour also helps ensure that support issues are properly addressed throughout the investigation and this approach helps minimise the need for enforcement action that can result in homelessness. Partners include SCRA, Education, Social Services, Legal Services, Environmental Services, Health, Housing Services and Police Scotland Enforcement action is only considered when all partner agencies agree that it is necessary. ASBIT are also represented in the Early and Effective Intervention group to help divert young people away from offending behaviour. Where eviction is required ASBIT also try to minimise the impact on offender's families by using SSSTs, either by converting their own tenancy or offering a SSST in a new home. The SSST allows ASBIT to provide support to address the offending behaviour while still protecting victims from further incidents. As part of the Problem Solving Group ASBIT, working with partner agencies, targets areas identified as asb hotspots. This is a community intervention that has been well received in the target areas and helps people feel safe and secure in their homes, again avoiding the situation where people present as homeless trying to avoid the impact of serious offending behaviour. 2.2.7 Home security project (HSP) The Home Security Project provides practical security measures such as door chains, locks and alarms, and signposting to other services e.g. Victim Support, for people at risk of or suffering from domestic abuse or serious and persistent antisocial behaviour. The project provides an invaluable service to children, young people and families by providing reassurance and stability, helping them to remain in their home when they might otherwise have had to leave. The HSP Co-ordinator works closely with the Multi Agency Domestic Abuse Response Team (MADART). Referrals are received from many agencies throughout North Ayrshire including NAC’s Housing and Social Services, Police Scotland, Victim Support, Women’s Aid etc. The HSP was cited as an example of good practice in HMIE’s inspection of services to protect children and young people in North Ayrshire in 2010. Project has been running since 2005 and to date has received 3137 referrals which have helped people remain in their properties. a. Preventing recurring homelessness The Council has a range of services/initiatives that positively impact on tenancy sustainment within both the Social and Private sector housing, a summary of which is detailed below: 2.3.1 Children North Ayrshire Council provide funding to Barnardo’s to work directly with homeless children to ensure that the impact of homelessness is minimised, therefore protecting the emotional wellbeing of children. During 2012/13 the Barnardo’s family support project worked with 188 children homeless children. The children’s integration officers work to minimise the impact of homelessness for children ensuring they can access service’s including education, health and social networks. In addition, they are responsible for ensuring temporary accommodation meets the needs of homeless children by way of location, size, type and furniture provision and that children feel safe and have a voice throughout the homelessness process. 88