The
Independent
Equality Advisory Group
22nd April 2014
Kaposvar Room, Guildhall, Bath
Minutes
Present
Greyam Crowl – Sirona/Black Workers Group (Chair)
Louise Murphy, Corporate Equalities Officer, B&NES Council
Norman Pascal – Chief Inspector, Bath Police
Cllr Nathan Hartley – B&NES Council and Interfaith Forum
Marcia Burgham – B&NES Council
Sarah Gray – B&NES Council
Suzanne Morys – Sirona/Disabled Workers Group
Roy Woods – Action on Hearing Loss
Martin Glanville – Avon Fire and Rescue
Samantha Jones – B&NES Council
Nainesh Pandit – Stand Against Racism & Equality
Ian Lock – Victim Support
Apologies
Jan Bebbington – B&NES Police
Lynda Williams – Off The Record
Kieren Bourne – Living Springs MCC
Berkeley Wilde – Diversity Trust
1. Welcome from Police and Council Representatives
Everyone was welcomed to the meeting and briefly introduced themselves.
2. Action Updates
1. Nick Nicklin – national issue.
2. Has fed this back nationally will c/f
3. Grace to provide literature – Ian will deal and either send electronically to Louise or bring to next meeting.
4. Done list on Council website.
5. Covered in later topic.
7. Norm has literature to hand out.
3. Consultation to the changes to Children’s Centres
Marcia Burgham gave a power-point presentation to those present on the proposed changes to children’s centres. There are 3 proposals suggested that will see the Children’s Centres save the necessary £1.5 million pound required. These proposals were discuss amongst the various groups and suggestions fed back to Marcia who will take these back to her Manager. All groups leaders present were asked to encourage their clients to complete the proposal forms, either in paper format or on line so that wider feedback can be gauged. There is a 6 week consultation period which starts on the 22nd April.
4. Police and Mental Health
Norman gave a power-point presentation regarding this topic. See Police and Mental health presentation.
Samantha asked at what stage is a prisoner diagnosed with mental health.
Action – Norman will raise this with the Prison Service and ask how they identify these individuals. Will report back at the next meeting.
Martin asked about the number of people arrested in Avon & Somerset with mental health issues.
Action – Norman will find out this figure and report back to the next meeting.
The Force now had 4 beds available for patients at Southmead Hospital and Norman stated it would be unlikely that beds would become available at the RUH.
Louise asked what training do police officers get in the use of restraints? Norman stated that restrains are used on any violent prisoner, not just those with mental health issues. Prisoners who are under the influence of drink or drugs become extremely aggressive and strong. As a result it is often necessary to apply leg restraints, which are Velcro straps which prevent them from kicking out. These can be applied at various intervals up the leg, ie ankles, knees and thighs. All officers are also taught how to use pressure points and everyone has to be re-qualified every year.
Roy asked how equipped are you in dealing with people who are misusing the system. Norman stated that in the past it has been poor, but we are getting better.
Samantha asked about the exceptions to S.135 (a warrant to enter a premise). Norman stated that where there is a risk to life and limb then officers have the power under S.17 to enter a premise, this would include cases of domestic violence where there was a genuine concern for the victim’s welfare.
Suzanne asked if there was a support network in place for officers who may be suffering from mental health issues. Norman stated that we have a network called Care First which offers counselling on a variety of issues including financial, marriage and mental health. This is an independent set up away from the Police Service. Most police officers pay into the Police Benevolent Fund which means that should they ever become injured there will be given access to treatments and a stay at a convalescent home.
Everyone was reminded that there is an opportunity to have a Ride Along with the Police if they wish. Anyone wishing to undertake the Ride Along can contact Norman at .
A link will also be provided with these minutes to DIAG.
5. IAG Conference Outcomes
A copy of the main themes were circulated to those present (a copy is attached to these minutes). If anyone has any questions or suggestions then please contact Norman direct.
Independent Critical Friend to Policing
Lloyd who has been an active member of this group and an Independent Advisor for the Police has been successful in his application to become a Special Constable. As such it is no longer possible for him to sit on the IEAG. It was agreed that at this time the IEAG did not wish to replace Lloyd as a critical friend.
Nominations of Topics for Next Meeting
Louise will ask Iwona Erturan – to give a presentation on behalf of the Polish Association.
PREVENT (Samantha / Norman)
Input from the Fire Service
The role of a PCSO (Police Community Support Officer)
AOB Updates
Stop and Search – The stop and search figures are available on the Force Website and the likelihood of being stopped more if you are black was discussed. Norman asked if this was put out to consultation would we get people to come in and discuss their experiences? The consensus from the group was yes they would and felt that a consultation would be of benefit and Norman will feed this back.
Louise is setting up a group to discuss the commissioning panel for sexual health services and asked if anyone would wish to join her on the group. Roy and Jan have already volunteered. If you are interested please contact Louise direct. A 3 hour slot has been allocated on the 19th May to discuss one particular question.
Date of Next Meeting - Thursday 24th July at 1400 hours in the Guildhall. Berkeley has offered to chair the next meeting.
Children’s Centre consultation - Additional notes from Marcia of the points IEAG members raised
Marcia asked the group if they knew what Children’s Centres were and what they provide which they didn’t so she gave them a brief description about the Children’s Centres and what they currently provide. She then explained what the proposals for the Children’s Centre Consultation were and how this could impact the services currently in place – here are some of the points the group raised:
· Dad’s Stay and Play – There were concerns over the reason Children’s Centres run a Dad’s Stay and Play and that this may offend woman and create barriers for working mum’s, this name is very stereotypical and they could not understand the reason behind the group and how being a ‘dad’ meant you were automatically put down as ‘targeted’
· ‘Targeted groups’ - how are these targeted? where does the evidence come from and how do we know that some of the ‘vulnerable families’ are not accessing the universal groups, so therefore by removing the universal groups you may be creating barriers for those in need who may rely on these groups as they may not have been picked up by other services and referred, by using the universal groups could be seen as a stepping stone and can be a preventative social support network to vulnerable families and those that need it. Some families that may come under the ‘targeted groups’ sometimes are very hard to diagnose so therefore these opportunities for support to them will be reduced. The name ‘targeted groups’ may carry a stigma
· Drop in for those centres not opening full time – This is another barrier for anyone who may need support throughout the day, for example a professional may be supporting an individual and may want to signpost to a children’s centre, however this could prove difficult to say to them when the opening hours are so therefore the individual/family may be put off using the children’s centre and will close doors to many families
· By reducing the Management and Administration costs would this not make the necessary savings needed to keep all children’s centres open for longer and more accessible?
· Volunteers – there were some concerns over the use of volunteers. They make a good addition to the children’s centres and provide valuable support however to make them solely responsible is a huge responsibility and will not provide the same support and advice that a paid member of staff would be and parents in need of support may not feel as comfortable talking to a volunteer so therefore may stop attending the volunteer-led groups. Who would be responsible for the safeguarding/health and safety of the volunteer-led groups if there was no qualified staff in the building?
· They would like more information on how the 4 main centres were picked – Chew valley is very remote and expensive to travel in and out of if the family have no transport. The children’s centres that are not open full time are the ones with limited transport and can be very expensive for families – for example it is cheaper to travel into Bath on a bus than Radstock so therefore this can be a huge barrier for vulnerable families. The group all agreed that the opening hours should be reviewed to accommodate rural areas
· What other services are currently being provided for Disabled families?
· It was suggested that the children’s centres are staggered as to when they are open all day so that every children centre is open one full day at least once a week, so that they have staff covering the children’s centre at these times for families in need
· How are the children’s centres reaching families effecting the following – Alcohol and Drug use, Chaotic lifestyles, Homelessness/NFA, Benefit system (Bedroom Tax), help in getting back to work