Agenda item

Considered

In introducing the report, the Deputy Mayor emphasised the commitment of both herself and the Mayor to protect vulnerable people across York and North Yorkshire to have access to the support and services they need. The work of the Commissioning team was highlighted, particularly during a period of transition for the Combined Authority. Commissioned services received 52,500 referrals during 2024/25 for 23,000 individuals, with a service satisfaction rating of over 90% achieved consistently across 26 key services. As examples, the eight perpetrator programmes have been enhanced as part of early intervention and prevention work to address root causes, as well as vulnerable people’s services and the community engagement / safety services that are now up and running.

Attention was drawn by the Deputy Mayor to the new services commissioned, such as preventative perpetrator programmes, for those without a previous history of offending seeking to avoid problems escalating. There is also an accommodation focus around domestic abuse, with an audit of accommodation provision for domestic abuse survivors undertaken and gaps in provision identified. A similar programme is underway in York through the operators Changing Lives to support vulnerable women facing homelessness.

It was noted the Mayor is launching a ‘Moving Forward’ campaign, including a Movement, Activity and Sport fund to support projects designed specifically for Women and Girls, as well as early intervention in anti-social behaviour and crime.

Following this introduction, questions from Panel members included the performance and monitoring arrangements in place for the Acer House Victims’ Centre, which would be shared in writing with Panel members. The provision of services for adult survivors of child sexual abuse in Scarborough was queried, as well as what the wider strategy is to protect children in the county from sexual harm and how to support them. In response, the Deputy Mayor explained the work to reach out to health partners to ensure the two victims centres are trauma-informed. Ensuring these pathways are open to enable support for child victims of sexual abuse in all commissioned services was also seen as an important part of this area of work. The Deputy Mayor noted a recent open day in Scarborough had seen good attendance from health partners to help provide reassurance of the working relationships built up with the operators Changing Lives and facilitate any referrals.

Further questions were asked about the Operation Encompass safeguarding initiative and the allocations awarded for 2025/26 from the Community Safety Serious Violence Fund would be responded to in writing. It was also asked what support is given to adults and child victims in respect of therapeutic intervention whilst a criminal investigation is ongoing, and if there is data on the current time lag between an investigation ending and when any court proceedings are completed. The Deputy Mayor responded that this should be considered by the Local Criminal Justice Partnership Board and she would report back to Panel. There was a further question raised about whether data is held for the region on the number of children under the age of 12 that are waiting for court and how long the delays are in these cases. This issue is to be progressed through Local Criminal Justice Partnership.

Finally, the proactive work of fire prevention officers to fit safety alarms where vulnerable people live to ensure accommodation is safe was praised.

Resolved

That Panel notes the report.