This Guidance Is Divided Into Three Sections As Follows Though Should Be Read As a Whole

Gang and Serious Youth Violence (GSYV) SurgeryMeetings for children or young people who are at risk of street youth violence or crime

This guidance is divided into three sections as follows though should be read as a whole:

Section 1: GSYV Surgery Terms of Reference

Section 2: Initial GSYV Surgery Template and recommended interventions

Section 3: Review GSYVsurgery Template and recommended interventions

Appendix 1: Contexts of Concern, based on Dr Carlene Firmin, MisUnderstood Programme

Appendix 2: Context of Multi-agency approach

Section 1: Terms of Reference for GSYV Meetings

Introduction

The purpose of the GSYV meeting is to explore the risk of harm of a child or young person by their involvement or being affected by gang activity/youth violence and agree an intervention plan to address this risk. GSYVSurgery meetingsare distinctly different from other professional or network meetings e.g. CIN Review/LAC Reviews and concentrate on the risk posed by and to a young person who demonstrates harmful, offending and risk taking behaviour.

The nature and characteristics of gangs vary from area to area. The use ofintelligence and analysis by all local agencies, effectively shared, is vital inbuilding a local profile of gangs. This is needed to understand the issuesand to ensure appropriate responses are made.

Gangs are often territoriallybased – with a particular postcode or group of streets which may definetheir name or identity. Some gangs are based on a particular estate andtheir ethnic make-up reflects the ethnic make-up of that estate.The later, seems to be the overall make up of violent youth groups in Barnet.

All practitioners who have contact with children and young people shouldbe able to recognise when a child is vulnerable to, or at risk of harm from,gang involvement or youth violence activity.

Mission statement

Promote better outcomes for Barnet Children and Young People by building resilience and improving their health and general wellbeing by minimising risk taking behaviour through effective multidisciplinary assessment, intervention and support at the earliest stage possible.

Desired outcomes

Minimise the risk of Barnet Children and Young People to get involved in GSYV.
Reduce the chances of retaliation and escalation of street violence by sharing information with relevant professionals and agencies at the appropriate time.
Serve as a platform for strategic discussion of group violence.
Provide practitioners with appropriate tools to assess risk and develop risk management plans for children, young people and families that are affected by GSYV.
Serve as a reflective space for practitioners to explore alternative interventions for cases relating to GSYV.
Monitor progress of plans and interventions for children and young people involved in GSYV
Assist effective information sharing with regards of GSYV between the different agencies and professionals (i.e. YOT, YS, MET, SCS).

Underlying principles

The following principles provide the foundations for GSYV Surgery meetings including: all decisions that are taken at such meetings and the tools that are used to guide decision-making and record actions;

When young people display, or are thought to have displayed, GSYV harmful behaviour this is primarily a safeguarding concern of which enforcement may, but does not have to, form a part of the response
The choices, attitudes and behaviours displayed by young people who have harmed others, or are at risk of doing so, are informed by a range of social systems upon which they are dependent for their development – GSYV cannot be understood in isolation of context
Intervention plans for young people who have displayed, or are at risk of displaying ,GSYV behaviour should address both the behaviours/attitudes of concern and the contextual factors that may be facilitating or challenging these behaviours/attitudes
Associated to the above point professionals have a role to play in establishing the social conditions (within families, peer groups, schools and neighbourhoods) in which young people can engage in safe and healthy lifestyle.

Routes of Referral

New Referrals to the service

Where ayoung person at risk of GSYV is identified at the point of referral into MASH or through the course of assessment, a referral should be sent to the GSYV co-ordinator and chair of GSYV Surgery .

Referrals received through MASH areassessed to identify any concerns that a young person presents a risk of GSYV. When a referral is made about either that young person or about a young person who has been a victim of GSYV the names of an alleged perpetrator should be provided. MASH will consult with GSYV Lead, and decide to either refer to DAT or to targeted services such as TYS/KYPS, or intervene with consent under a CAF.

New Referrals to the surgery

Where acase is already opened to social care services or CAF and the young person/family is identified to be at risk or involved in GSYV the allocated SW/CW should ensure that the case is referred to the surgery by completing the referral form and sending it to the GSYV co-ordinator and chair of GSYV Surgery

Attendance

GSYV Surgery Meetings will be chaired by GSYV Lead from the Social Care Service.

The GSYVSurgery will also routinely be attended by:

GSYV Surgery professionals / Representative
Social Care Service / GSYV LEAD(Chair)
Police / SPOC (Gangs Unit)
Youth Offending Service / Manager
Youth Service / Manager
Invitees for each case
Family Services / Allocated Social worker and TM
Safeguarding Service / Conference Chair/IRO

Parents, carers and young people should be involved in discussions and planning in a similar way to all other child in need and safeguarding children processes. Consideration will need to be given to any information that should be held as confidential (for example information about another child) and how best to involve and engage young people in a meeting. Where a child is looked after their foster carer or individual key worker should be invited. A member of the foster carers’ fostering support unit or the fostering support social worker should also be invited.

GSYV Surgery Agenda

The agenda will include the following:

Context- a brief summary of the young person’s history and current situation
Current concerns- the reasons for convening this MAP meeting and any additional concerns
Vulnerability, risk and resilience factors
Mapping the risk
Current strengths- what can be built upon with the young person and their family
Information from any specialist assessments undertaken- e.g. AIM Assessment, SEN if applicable
Current professional involvement- who is already involved in supporting the young person and their family
Risk Category- Normal, Inappropriate, Problematic, Abusive, Violent
Agreed plan of intervention/actions

Preparation for the GSYVSurgery meeting

In advance of the initial GSYV surgery meeting please take time to consider the risks that will be explored during the GSYV surgery and the contexts of the Gang Screening Tool m (Appendix 1) in relation to the young person who will be the subject of the meeting.

Decision Making

Actions will be agreed at the meeting to be taken forward and will be the responsibility of individual agencies to follow through and provide an update across the network and at subsequent GSYV surgery meetings.

Recommendations may include:

a criminal investigation and intelligence gathering by the Police
interventions through the Youth Justice Serviceand the Integrated Gangs Unit
an AIM assessment or a Serious Risk of Violent Behaviour assessment
TYS/KYPS
therapeutic intervention from the CAMHS
consideration as to whether Child Protection Enquiries and or a Child Protection Conference should be convened
whether the case should sit within , YOT or Children’s Social Care
the risk category

Risk Categories

The GSYV Surgery process for young people who are at risk of GSYV involvement or victimisation is a new protocol aiming to bring together interventions from a range of agencies to ensure a well-co-ordinated and attuned response.The Surgery process uses categories from HM Government 2010 and will be reviewed and if necessary refined in 3 months’ time to take into consideration emerging themes.

(HM Government 2010)

Frequency

Where there is a risk of significant harm a strategy discussion should take place between Family Services and the Police within 24 hours.

Initial GSYV Surgery Meetings will take place monthly during the allocated GSYV Surgery time.

Review GSYV Surgery meetings will take place every three months until the risk has been reduced. When required, i.e. high risk case, the review date can be brought forward.

Referrals to GSYV

If the GSYV Surgery Meeting concludes that a young person presents a high riskof GSYV the person will be referred to the GSYV Panel which will have oversight of cases, identify themes and patterns, and monitor whether the existing resources are able to respond to and meet the identified risks and needs as required. Referral to GSYV will be determined at the Initial or Review Surgery meeting.

Section 2: INITIAL GSYV SURGERY MEETING - Relating to children and young people who present a risk or are at risk of GSYV

NAME OF YOUNG PERSON:

DOB:

DATE:

VENUE:

CHAIR:

ATTENDING:

Name / Agency / Position

1. SUMMARY OF THE YOUNG PERSON’S BACKGROUND AND CURRENT SITUATION

2. SPECIFIC CONCERNS ABOUT GANG AND SERIOUS YOUTH VIOLENCE

3. IDENTIFICATION OF VULNERABILITY, RISK AND RESILIANCEFACTORS

Attendees may wish to refer to the risk and resiliencefactors outlined in the Gang Screening Tool. This should not be seen as an exhaustive list and professional judgement and analysis should be applied.

Vulnerability Factors

Living in a chaotic or dysfunctional household
Experience of abuse or neglect
Gang association either through relatives, peers, intimate relationships or neighborhood
Attending school or are friends with young people who are involved in offending or GSYV
Absent or exclusion from education or training
Missing from home or care
Learning disabilities
Recent bereavement or loss
Low self-esteem or self-confidence
Experience of being bullied themselves and/ or coercion into bullying others
Alcohol and/ or substance misuse
Recent victim of an physical attack or robbery
Victim of threats
Offending/criminal history (especially in group)

Risk Factors

Formal diagnosis of Conduct Disorder or other formal mental health diagnosis
History of aggressive behavior
Witnessed domestic violence as a child
History of cruelty to animals
Socially and emotionally isolated
Disclosures made then withdrawn by subject or victim
Recruiting others into offending situations
Concerns raised regarding violent or offending behaviour during childhood
Cold, callous attitude towards offending & lack of empathy
Obsession/ pre-occupation with gangs, guns, violence and weapons
Evidence of drug dealing or offending
Allegations have been made against them in respect of threats or ABH, GBH including when NFA’d by the Police

Resilience Factors

Abusive behaviour appears to be peer influenced rather than led by young person
Abusive behaviour ceased when victim demonstrated non-compliance or distress
Accepts responsibility for the offence
Positive talents and or leisure interests
Good negotiation/ problem solving skills
Grown up with consistent and positive relationship with at least one adult
The most significant adults in a young person’s life demonstrate protective attitudes and behaviours
Positive relationships with professionals
Makes positive use of support network
Young person feels emotionally and physically safe in current environment

4. MAPPING THE RISK (CONTEXTS OF CONCERN)

Record any known friends or associates of the young person who also present a risk of demonstrating GSYV harmful behavior and any potential victims. What plans are in place to manage the risk to them?
Record any particular venues, areas or postcodes that are considered to be associated with the young person and of concern.

5.STRENGTHS

6. INFORMATION ON ANY SPECIFIC ASSESSMENTS UNDERTAKEN

7. CURRENT PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT

6. RISK ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORK

(HO Government 2010)

Decision on level of risk: ……………………

7. AGREED ACTIONS:

Attendees may wish to consider actions in the following areas as a prompt for discussion, although this is by no means an exhaustive list of possible appropriate responses.

Intervention with the young person:

Safety planning e.g. imposing curfews, supervising their activities with other young people, reducing access to phones and the internet, etc.
Direct work to address attitudes around offending, conflict resolution, healthy living, substance misuse… Empower have a young males worker who can provide consultation or engage in direct work.
Consider conducting an AIM2 assessment or a Serious Risk of Violent Behavior assessment.(YOT)
Consider use of the Good Lives model.(YOT)
Addressing identified vulnerability and risk factors e.g. through a placement move if the child is placed with other young people at risk, support to re-engage in education; substance misuse intervention, etc.
Engage Gangs Unit and Youth Justice Team where appropriate.
Engagement in positive activities e.g. via TYS, KYPS, YFSS, Community Barnet. Provide an alternative to young person’s peer group is they negatively influence the young person’s behavior.
Consideration as to whether Child Protection Enquiries and or a Child Protection Conference should be convened

Working with parents/carers and the young person’s informal network:

Encourage the informal network toshare any intelligence they have access to e.g. names of peers
Consider whether a Family Network Meeting to discuss concerns and consider a family plan to address the risk would be helpful.
Provide support for parents/carers around developing strategies for enforcing boundaries in the home, responding to rules and gathering evidence.
Considering any associated risks to other children in the home / linked to the young person.

Addressing contexts of concern

Consider potential interventions in relation to contexts of concern (local areas where the young person is spending time, the school environment, the young person’s peer group etc.)

Responding to missing episodes:

Are parents/carers reporting all missing episodes appropriately?
Is Barnet’s Missing Children’s Policy being followed? Please refer to:

Family Services Policy and Guidance Missing.

Review GSYV surgery meeting date (no later than 3 months after the Initial meeting):

Section 3: REVIEW GSYV SURGERY MEETING - Relating to children and young people who present a risk or are at risk of GSYV

NAME OF YOUNG PERSON: