Agenda item
Scrutiny Review Update: Supporting New Communities, Case Study of the Somali Community
To receive a presentation on progress since completion of the review.
Minutes:
Frances Jones, One Tower Hamlets Service Manager, and Sarah Barr, Senior SPP Officer, gave a detailed Powerpoint presentation in addition to the written report. The slides were also Tabled, a copy of which would be interleaved with the minutes.
The new methodology of a presentation and discussion provided an update on implementation of the original review recommendations, as with previous tracking reports; but also set out changes in context, looked at learning from the review, and gave a mechanism for observations to contribute to ongoing policy work through the refresh of the Race Equality Scheme and for capture in the end of year review.
Undertanding Needs: Data
Key points
· Much work done since the review to use existing data better: Published briefings, Census data and anecdotal data from Praxis and local councillors.
· Analysis of NI number data from the DWP reinforced early Census returns showing that immigration was an ongoing challenge for the borough, although less so for the Somali community. Also there was great population churn particularly amongst single people of working age. This was likely to increase given Government welfare reforms.
· It would be important to be nimble in using the learning to improve service delivery.
Discussion focused on the following points:
· Consideration that partnership working was important in this area and there should be a corporate target for sharing data with RSLs other than THH, advocacy providers and other voluntary sector organisations who had significant amounts of data.
Employment
Key points
· Work was continuing to identify and address specific inequalities for different groups, gaps in services and barriers to work in accord with 2011 Employment Strategy commitment.
· Research commissioned by the Council had led the Women and Worklessness programme, done in partnership with Skillsmatch, to set up a project targeting worklessness amongst Somali and Bangladeshi women. Skillsmatch placed 600 local people into sustained employment 46% of whom were Bangladeshi.
· Some employers/ roles introduced unnecessary barriers to employment and work with the Employment Board to challenge employers to be as flexible as possible was continuing.
Discussion focused on the following points:
· Recommendation 5 of the Review: welcome packs for new communities should include reference to the role of ward councillors and how to access them. More widely distributed information on how to access the decision makers and influence change was needed.
· With reference to reported success of Skillsmatch in securing work for BME residents a breakdown by age, gender, ethnicity showing which groups had been more or less successful and their relationship to the labour market (long term residents/ recent arrivals to UK) was requested.
· To succeed in placing unemployed people in work employers needed to be willing to provide training but instead sought trained/ skilled staff. Ms Jones agreed that employers had not been included fully in the discussion; this would be fed back to the Enterprise Board, comprised mostly of employers, as it could play a more proactive role.
Advocacy Services
Key points
The mapping of advocacy services in 2011 had identified that as well as general advocacy services a range of services met the needs of small and new communities, and examples were highlighted. This would inform the current Adults Health and Wellbeing commissioning process for advocacy services.
Discussion focused on the following points:
· Clarification sought and given as to whether independent mental health advocacy had formed part of the mapping. Also whether there was an integrated approach including non-statutory services for users.
Voice and Representation
Key points
· Key elements of the new structures for voice and representation were outlined.
· In developing the new structures a balance between borough-wide and local engagement was important, because some groups were too small to be represented at ward level: small and new communities, disabled and LGBT residents.
· The New Resident and Refugee Forum, delivered by Praxis, would be a key forum, bringing together a range of organisations to ensure their voice was heard across the partnership.
Discussion focused on the following points:
· Clarification sought and given as to ongoing dialogue on the value of borough-wide engagement mechanisms for small groups of residents such as LGBT. Also on the timescale for implementation of the new structures such as the forums.
Supporting the third sector
Key points
· Whilst community and voluntary sector groups were represented on various partnership structures, it was important to hear specifically from small and new communities, so their experience and needs could be reflected in policy making.
· Consequently representation on all Community Plan Delivery Groups and other boards had been agreed. The CVS also facilitated thematic forums which contributed to the Community Plan delivery discussion.
· A piece of work was underway on ways new Neighbourhood Agreements could support grass roots projects run by community groups to improve service delivery and expand their reach to small and new communities; and this would be reported to the OSC in December.
Discussion focused on the following points:
· The approach to community engagement and supporting the third sector seemed complex and it was difficult to see how local residents would connect this with volunteering. Further information on encouragement of volunteering requested.
· A more strategic approach which analysed the Council’s objectives in relation to community engagement/ supporting the CVS and targeting organisations accordingly was needed.
· Clarification was sought regarding the relationship of the Council of Somali Organisations with other Somali groups. If it was an umbrella group it should have a direct role in the engagement of this community. Report back requested.
Areas for more attention
Discussion focused on the following points:
· The development of a communications strategy for new communities at citizenship ceremonies, including welcome packs.
· The need for thought on engagement of professional people resident on private developments, who might want to contribute more actively to their local community if there was a mechanism for it.
· More attention to be paid to the welfare of children and child protection in relation to new communities in the context of recent cases highlighted.
· An examination of how transition from being a migrant to a resident of Tower Hamlets could be facilitated and accelerated using the findings to inform the Council’s provision of services.
· The need for thought on targeting faith communities and gathering places such as mosques and school gates, as a way to overcome population churn and engage with new communities. Specific thought should be given to the introduction of ward councillors to key members of community mosques with a view to forming links with new communities. The methodology of a recent community budgeting exercise in LAP 6 would provide useful learning. Ms Jones indicated this would be fed into the refresh of the Race Equality Scheme.
The Chair Moved and it was:-
Resolved
That the contents of the report and presentation be noted.
Action by:
France Jones, One Tower Hamlets Service Manager
Supporting documents:
- New Communities Update cover rept v3 (2) DG2308121223pm, item 6.4 PDF 70 KB
- New Communities Rept SB2108121212pm Review & Action Plan Only, item 6.4 PDF 1 MB
- New Communities Appendix 2 (2).docx SB2308121141am, item 6.4 PDF 61 KB