ALL THE LATEST UPDATES FROM THE DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY PUBLIC PROTECTION PARTNERSHIP
Dumfries and Galloway Public Protection Partnership is a multi-agency group responsible for the oversight development and delivery of services to the most vulnerable children and adults who are at risk of or experiencing harm.
If you have a question relating to any of the content you read today, please reach-out to the team using one of the contact methods at the end of the newsletter.
The 6th edition of the DGPPP newsletter features a special spotlight article on Lockerbie Learning Loft.
DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY PUBLIC PROTECTION PARTNERSHIP WEEK 14 - 18 FEBURARY 2022
Dumfries and Galloway Public Protection Partnership is delighted to announce that D&G Public Protection Week is taking place from 14 to 18 February 2022.
Dumfries and Galloway Public Protection Week 2022 will be an opportunity for all key partner organisations to connect with the community, share best practices and knowledge, and support each other to continually enhance services. The full week of online events will involve key speakers across public protection to raise awareness and understanding of public protection in Dumfries & Galloway and to facilitate discussions with both staff and our communities.
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Dumfries & Galloway Public Protection Committee Chair, Hamish McGhie, said:
“I am delighted that for a second year we have been able, in these challenging times, to offer a comprehensive programme of events for Dumfries and Galloway Public Protection Week. It will feature online workshops and presentations delivered by multiagency partners in the region and across Scotland. The series of events will highlight ways of working better together to provide safer outcomes for our most vulnerable citizens, with the central aim of creating awareness that leads to action.”
CLICK HERE TO BOOK A PLACE ON EVENTS
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'SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING.' - NATIONAL ADULT SUPPORT AND PROTECTION DAY 2022
Dumfries & Galloway Public Protection Partnership is supporting National Adult Protection Day on Sunday 20th February 2022, aimed at raising awareness of harm and abuse and reminding staff about reporting mechanisms.
Where you know or believe someone is at risk of harm, call Social Work Access Team on 030 33 33 3001 - Call Police on 999 if it's an emergency or 101 for advice - If you See something, Say something!
Over the past 2 years, many people have been isolated from friends and social groups due to the measures in place to manage the pandemic, it is more important than ever that people are encouraged to ‘say something’ if they are worried about someone who may be at risk.
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E-LEARNING Accessing the Adult Support & Protection eLearning module is easy. Find out how here.
MISSING PERSONS A short life working group has been established to implement the National Missing Person’s Strategy in Dumfries and Galloway. The aim is to reduce the number of people reported missing each year and ensure their safe return. The group has representatives from Police Scotland, NHS Dumfries and Galloway, Scottish Care, DGHP, DGC Social Work and Education. The group aim to ensure that all returned individuals have a person-centred return interview to help understand any triggers for going missing and to ensure any health and wellbeing issues of the returning individual are addressed.
Missing People UK are providing in-depth support throughout the implementation process. An eLearning module, developed by Missing People, is available for those required to conduct return interviews.
To access the Return Discussion eLearning course, please contact PublicProtectionTraining@dumgal.gov.uk
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JOINT INSPECTION OF ASP IN THE DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY PARTNERSHIP - NOVEMBER 2021
The joint inspection of adult support and protection arrangements in Dumfries & Galloway was published on 23rd November 2021. This report is available on the Care Inspectorate website. CLICK HERE TO READ THE REPORT
The inspection found that, whilst there were some areas for improvement, these were outweighed by the clear strengths supporting positive experiences and outcomes for adults at risk of harm. We are pleased with findings that the partnership achieved good outcomes for almost all adults at risk of harm, including during the period of Covid-19 restrictions, and that our approach to risk assessments was very strong. The inspection also recognised the commitment of front-line staff, working through a clear vision that ensured adult support and protection remained a strategic priority prior to and during Covid-19.
We are committed to continuing to involve front line staff across the partnership to implement and review the Improvement Plan over the coming months. We would urge all staff where possible to become involved in activities relating to this. Further communication will be sent out via email or via your line manager.
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TASKFORCE PUBLISH REPORT ON WOMEN AND DRUG RELATED DEATHS - 🎙️ WOMEN'S PODCAST
In December 2021, the Scottish Drug Deaths Taskforce published a report on Women and Drug Related Deaths. Two members of the short life working group, Louise Bowman and Adrienne Hannah, discuss how they got involved in the field, the importance of the report, and its recommendations.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN
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💡 SPOTLIGHT FEATURE 💡
LOCKERBIE ACADEMY LEARNING LOFT
It seems that every school is finding pupil school attendance a challenge. We anticipated this as pupils returned from lockdown and adjusted to being back in school.
Those who were already struggling with social anxiety and had been used to working at home. Social media relationships had become toxic and the thought of a face-to-face meeting with peers was too much to bear.
How could we swim against this tide?
Our Pupil Equity Worker, Julia McMurdo Tait, was well established in the school - liked and respected by pupils, parents and carers. She was going to be pivotal. We had built up a great relationship with Jackie Kettles our part time attendance officer (likewise, a great rapport with families and trusted by pupils). A great start!
Lockerbie 'Cycle to Syracuse' fund, for supporting metal health, was being held with our parent council. We applied for this funding to have another post for 2 days a week. Jackie was the successful candidate, which gave us a head start with relationships already established.
We then just needed a space... We converted the now unused conference room to the ‘Learning Loft’. This area has lots of ‘spaces’, these included work areas and spaces to be in during social time. The focus is on ’learning’, but this may take on lots of different forms.
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The Learning Loft support has been used for a variety of things. For example:
- To help pupils integrate back in school without being in a class.
- To have a space to go when they are anxious about a particular class or situation and need support to take the next step.
- To work through an individual programme - or group programme - tackling issues such as personal hygiene, stress related to exams, general anxiety strategies.
The real strength has been great personnel, who are around all the time. They can pick up issues and respond quickly before ingrained patterns of behaviour kick in. Having a base for them has really helped.
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The Venn diagram of pupil equity, attendance, and metal health enabled us to support young people and families at the root of the problem. This is all done with very close communication with Pupil Support Team who are also in-and-out of the Learning Loft on a regular basis, and are instrumental to the plan for each child and how they assess the learning loft. Our multiagency partners are aware of the resource and we build it into plans. |
Some case studies [names changed]
Cheryl has an undiagnosed Autistic Spectrum Disorder. This has been largely hidden by her being able to hide her anxiety and ability to mimic what she sees.
It all came crashing down one day and she no longer attended school. Using this resource we were able to build things up really gradually from an afternoon in the learning loft to a part time timetable in the learning loft for any lessons.
Gradually longer time in school and then started to integrate back into classes. Now she is in school full time and all classes. She will access the learning loft for some social times, but not always. She will check in from time to time for a word of reassurance and a quick check in. She has developed her sense of humour and knows this is a safe place to try out something or to ask for help.
James moved from another school in the region as a result of a sudden need for a Looked After Placement.
He has not been attending school and been disruptive in classes when he attended.
The Learning Loft was a place that he could be for 2 periods of the week. Here he would get some additional emotional support during all the upheaval. He has settled so well, back in school full time and achieving well on track for all National 5s in S4.
Anna really struggles with social relationships and fitting in with her peers. This began to affect her attendance. She has one period in the learning loft which has really helped. She was also part of the girls group where they looked at hygiene and explored questions about their bodies and puberty. The local Salvation Army sponsored this course and provided toiletry packs for all the girls that attended.
The way we use the Learning Loft is evolving all the time and we are learning so much. It has undoubtedly helped with our support for the young people and helped maximise attendance.
[Rosie Bowker - Principal Teacher Pupil Support, Lockerbie Academy]
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16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM - ROUNDUP
16 days of activism for the elimination of violence against women takes place annually from 25th November until 10th December (it starts on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and ends on International Human Rights Day). It is an international campaign that seeks to raise awareness of the extent and impact of violence against women globally and locally and also to challenge the actions and attitudes that encourage it to continue and flourish.
Here, in Dumfries and Galloway, there is always a mix of activity on social media and beyond. During 16 Days 2021 people in Dumfries and Galloway partnered with a Scottish campaign where people participated in #lightup and #whatwillYOUdo – people lit candles and there were a variety of public buildings lit up (including the Council’s Headquarters in Dumfries).
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One of the local activities was a Leaders’ Event which was held remotely on the 25th November which was followed up with the Public Protection Manager giving a presentation on our feedback at a national event on 10th December. The local event was very impactful with input from senior Police Officers, the Improvement Service and the Chair of the local Public Protection Committee. Attendees were particularly challenged and inspired, by the input of Kim a Survivor of domestic abuse who has been supported by Wigtownshire Women’s Aid. Kim spoke of her fear for her children and the impact of the relentless emotional abuse she experienced at the hands of her ex-partner; participants were challenged that this abuse took the form of controlling behaviour rather than physical abuse.
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It was also good to hear from local musician Alix Apples who has embarked on a song-writing career and activism following her earlier participation in the local Violence Against Women Youth Song Writing Competition, reiterating how important it is to encourage people to challenge violence against women in a variety of ways.
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Throughout the event, participants were encouraged to give their views to a few questions. These were:
What are the key issues/challenges currently facing women, children and young people in D&G who have experienced violence, abuse and trauma?
Answers included: the impact on the Court system (delays and Sheriffs understanding/responses); lack of prevention work with young people; links between violence against women and suicide; fear of victims that their children will be taken from them; isolation; impact of trauma and women feeling trapped.
What are the priority areas that you would like to see Dumfries & Galloway focus on in the year ahead?
Answers included: the need to work with survivors of abuse; the need for those working in alcohol and drugs and violence against women to bring their focus together; resources for schools; to be more trauma informed; to have Safe and Together training; to promote the White Ribbon Campaign;
What will you commit to doing to support these priorities?
Answers included: challenge sexism; be more trauma informed; keep having conversations about violence against women; raising awareness; making links to other areas and to continue to believe women’s voices.
Feedback indicates that the event was very worthwhile and it is important for us to continue to work toward the elimination of all forms of violence against women whilst engaging with survivors of such abuse.
CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE
PUBLIC PROTECTION BEACON PAGE
The NHS Dumfries and Galloway Public Protection Team have launched their revised Team Page. Located on the Beacon website; it aims are provide NHS staff across the region with guidance and support in matters relating to Adult and Child Protection.
The 4 R’s of Public Protection are highlighted in respect of NHS staffs duties in relation to child and adult support processes:
Recognise, Respond, Refer and Record, and, relevant contact details of statutory agencies are provided, along with the appropriate guidance and tools in order to complete a referral to Adult or Children and Families Social Work.
Single agency policies and procedures as well as Multiagency documents are held within the team page folders to support practitioners in their role within public protection as well as information on relevant training resources and events.
To access the Public Protection Team page:
- Go to the Beacon home page > click on Teams > scroll to Public Protection Team.
Work on this site is ongoing and being updated on a regular basis. If there are any queries or further guidance required which cannot currently be accessed via the Public Protection Team page please contact the Public Protection Team on 013787 244300.
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💁♀️ ICYMI - JUSTICE, DISRUPTED PODCAST EPISODE 4 (REVEREND RICHARD COLES)
In the latest episode of Justice, Disrupted podcast, Byron Vincent speaks to Reverend Richard Coles.
“If you can walk a couple of miles in the shoes of somebody else, it might make you a little bit more generous and a bit more thoughtful, in how you handle them, if lives gets messy and unpredictable, and difficult.”
Episode 4, with Revered Richard Coles, is live now and available to listen to on Spotify, Google Podcasts and Apple Podcasts.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN AND FIND OUT MORE
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RAISING THE AGE OF CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY
The age of Criminal Responsibility in Scotland increased from 8 years to 12 years on 17th December 2021.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
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PPC L&D TRAINING PROGRAMME 2022
📚 For more information about multiagency public protection training opportunities CLICK HERE.
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CONTACT
Thank you very much for reading this issue of the DGPPP Newsletter.
💬 If you would like to leave any feedback or contribute to the next Newsletter, please contact publicprotection@dumgal.gov.uk
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Visit our DGPPP website for resources and latest Public Protection updates.
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