A Community Led Solution (CLS) approach has been developed to
enable the partnership to focus resources on issues that matter
most to the community. Thus reducing and addressing ASB and
many community safety associated issues through community
participation and capacity building.
When is a Community Led Solution Group
appropriate?
A Community Led Solution (CLS) Group will normally
be considered when a problem/issue continues to
be ongoing and persistent. However, prior to considering
the appropriateness of a Community Led Solution Group a
problem/issue should be raised at the local Neighbourhood
Action Panel (NAP) &/or Police Community Safety Joint Action
Group (JAG). Neighbourhood Action Panels (NAPs) are a
Police led initiative with each NAP consisting of a wide range of
community representation and statutory groups that are able to
contribute to the problem solving of issues and problems raised by
the community members themselves.
For more information on Neighbourhood Action Panels (NAPs)
click
here
Each NAP determines the top three priorities for the area and
these are then raised at the relevant area Police Community Safety
Joint Action Group (JAG) to enable the wider partner
agencies to assist in remedying the problem.
For more information on Police Community Safety Joint Action
Groups (JAGs)
click
here
The relevant area Police Community Safety Joint Action Group
(JAG) determines the relevance and need for a Community Led
Solution Group which will then include the involvement of wider
residents and partner agencies working together to resolve the
issues.
To access the flow chart on the Community Led
Solution process click on the link to the right-hand
side of this page.
How will a Community Led Solution Group
resolve the problem?
Braintree District Community Safety Partnership Support Officers
then work with representatives from the community in areas of
need around the District to undertake the following:
- Encourage the involvement of residents to resolve issues
that matter most to them .
- Assist community leads in identifying the key issues in
their area and helping them identify possible solutions.
- Assisting community leads in establishing strong links
with agencies/organisations that will help them to progress
proposed solutions.
- Providing the opportunity for the community to take the
lead on resolving issues which may arise in the future.
The emphasis is on the residents taking the lead on resolving
the problems/issues in their community. A Community Safety
Partnership Support Officer is able to provide facilitative support
for the problem solving process.
The extent of support for residents in an area will vary
according to the evidence of issues and where those
reporting/experiencing issues will work with partners in actively
becoming involved in addressing the problems. The Officer's
role is to support the community leads by a variety of means;
including:
- Assisting them in identifying and clearly defining the
problem/issue.
- Identifying the appropriate agency representatives to
attend an area Community Led Solution meeting.
- Actively encouraging community leads to seek and explore
possible solutions to resolve/subside issues.
- Facilitating the problem solving process with community
representatives taking the lead.
How will we know if the Community Led Solution approach
has worked?
This will be dependant on the area where the Community Led
Solution approach is being undertaken, however, it is likely to
include:
- Positive feedback from the community leads, residents
and agencies that the problem/issue is resolved.
- Feedback from Neighbourhood Action Panels/Joint Action
Groups that the issue/ problem is no longer raised as a priority or
'hotspot' area.
- The residents and community as a whole feel a positive
impact and a sense of resolution.
- Residents feel more able to resolve matters arising in
the future.
- Reduction in number of incidents/complaints reported to
Essex Police/Council/Registered Social Landlords (Housing
Providers).
There is no guarantee that Community Led Solution will resolve
issues to everyone's satisfaction. Issues experienced in
everyday life are sometimes about adjusting tolerance levels and
trying to get along in ever changing communities. The
Community Led Solution approach is designed to enable communities
to be an active part of finding the most appropriate level of
resolution available - all a part of the Big Society ethos.
For further information contact the Community Safety
Team on 01376 552525