Welcome to the Respect
Team
Harlow was the first
Local Authority in the UK to set up a dedicated Respect Team in
response to the launch of the Government’s Respect Action Plan in
January 2006 and the Team’s main role is to tackle the root causes
anti-social behaviour in Harlow.
In January 2007 Harlow
was awarded Respect Area status because we have an excellent record
in dealing successfully with issues relating to anti-social
behaviour and the fact that we are willing to do even more so that
Harlow residents can enjoy living in a town that is clean, green
and safe.
The Respect Team work
closely with the Enforcement and Community Engagement sections
within the Community Safety Team, and have a strong focus on
positive citizenship issues, positive diversionary activities for
children and young people, Family Support and Intervention work
where there are issues relating to anti-social behaviour. A new
Family Intervention Project (FIP) will be introduced in July 2007
and this will target the small minority of families who cause
distress to others in the community by behaving anti-socially. FIP
Key Workers will undertake intensive work with referred families to
identify the underlying causes that drive the anti-social behaviour
and will challenge and change unacceptable behaviour.
The team has management
responsibility for the direct provision of services at Sam’s Place
Too (Foldcroft Centre) which delivers services for children with a
disability including Play Schemes in the major school holidays,
Saturday Club and Youth Club sessions. Our staff can also offer
advice, support and guidance to the siblings and families of
children with a disability.
The team also has
responsibility for overseeing and co-ordinating the Active
Retirement Scheme. This service enables residents over the age of
50 to participate in a range of activities and trips throughout the
year.
Respect Team Projects
Street Scene Champions
A project initially aimed
at young people age 11 to 13 years who have shown an interest in
taking care of the environment and improving the appearance of
local areas. Street Scene Champions are encouraged to report static
anti-social behaviour to Contact Harlow and take part in community
project days which include things such as pond clearing, coppicing,
clearing overgrown areas and planting new shrubs and plants
etc. In return for their community spirit and positive
citizenship they receive credit’s on a high street gift card which
can be exchanged for school equipment, books, DVD’s etc.
Participants are also given the opportunity to take part in
training days that will equip them with valuable skills such as
First Aid, fire and water safety and anti-bullying etc.
Action Areas Family Support
Project
Members of the Respect
team are able to work closely with residents who for a variety of
reasons are experiencing difficulties that may, if not addressed,
result in eviction from their home. With their consent, the
family’s needs are assessed and staff work together with other
agencies to give them the right support to help them make positive
lifestyle changes and avoid homelessness.
The Respect Team will
soon be launching an intensive Family Intervention Project that
will use Key Workers to work with the few families that cause a
disproportionate amount
of problems in our communities and will support participants to
make positive lifestyle changes. Where families fail to
engage with the project and refuse to take advantage of the support
that can be made available to them via this project, legal action
will be taken against them. This project is an important
addition to the range of services offered by the Respect Team and
will assist in tackling and preventing anti-social behaviour in the
town.
Healthy Lifestyles Youth Club
This is a youth club for
young people aged 11 –16 where those attending have shown an
interest in promoting local environmental issues and taking
positive action to improve their own lives. There are a variety of
activities available at the club and the young people attending are
encouraged to develop their own healthy lifestyles, become
volunteers and undertake good citizen/environmental projects. The
club differs from most others in that it’s programme and operating
guidelines are set by the young people themselves.
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