Young People's Services
Parkguard provide a wide range of community safety services, predominantly on behalf of Local Authorities and Police, as well as in partnership with various statutory services. We work to complement and support the Police and other services to effectively fill the gaps in current service provision.
Education is key
Parkguard is in a unique position due to the fact that our considerable success in the first half of our existence was achieved with no policing powers, so we had to achieve a result without the ‘or else’. This is a harder and more time consuming approach, but has proven to achieve not only reductions without confrontation, but also sustainable reductions in issues affecting communities. This approach has also ensured an intelligence-led work ethic across all staff, at all levels and as such we do not suffer issues with the delivery being that of “social control”.
At Parkguard we ensure we have a valid, transparent reason for intervening and therefore are able to explain the reasoning behind our actions. This delivery of wider information during an interaction enables us to inform a persons’ understanding of an issue, and find a resolution with a far more positive response from those engaging in unwanted behaviour.
Like many of our services, this is not a replacement of traditional statutory youth provision; it is a complimentary service that is adapted to remove many constraints that restrict these more traditional projects. For example; there is a no exclusion policy, it is delivered on core nights that experience heightened ASB and can run into the late evening. This provision is still delivered on a set day, time and location like many projects, in order to provide consistency, but the focus is moved from educational activities to that of managing behaviour and reducing ASB impact. It provides a safe haven, engagement and sign posting, but is delivered with clearly defined boundaries and the ability to enforce where required, due to the adapted delivery and staffing arrangements. The main principles are to engage those on the periphery of, or likely to become involved in ASB as well as those responsible for ASB within a given area. It is designed to provide diversion from offending, whilst at the same time providing the local community with respite.
Like many of our services, this is not a replacement of traditional statutory youth provision; it is a complimentary service that is adapted to remove many constraints that restrict these more traditional projects. For example; there is a no exclusion policy, it is delivered on core nights that experience heightened ASB and can run into the late evening. This provision is still delivered on a set day, time and location like many projects, in order to provide consistency, but the focus is moved from educational activities to that of managing behaviour and reducing ASB impact. It provides a safe haven, engagement and sign posting, but is delivered with clearly defined boundaries and the ability to enforce where required, due to the adapted delivery and staffing arrangements. The main principles are to engage those on the periphery of, or likely to become involved in ASB as well as those responsible for ASB within a given area. It is designed to provide diversion from offending, whilst at the same time providing the local community with respite.
This programme aims to engage and change the lives of active gang members. The programme is primarily designed for youths and young adults who are either actively involved in crime or post custodial sentences. The programme is aimed at those who are progressing though existing measures, without a change or a reduction in offending and who, as a result, are no longer in education, employment or training. The course is 20 to 23 weeks long and is framed around an interest in dogs. The programme covers all aspects of dog welfare, law, current issues, basic dog handling, through to dog training, industry opportunities and dealing with dog related issues. However, the underlining focus is on personal presentation, communication, conduct and work ethic to provide the skills they currently do not possess in order to aid them in becoming “employable”. There are input visits to look at potential careers and alternative environments as well as introductions to positive influences and inclusion in different lifestyles. This course also has a by-product of influencing others within their social setting and a pay-back section to support reducing borough priorities. Previous programmes received candidates from a court process but this can be established through any local process of identification. The programme can also be adapted to an early prevention model, for young people on the fringe of more serious crime who have clear escalating behaviour.
- Referring vulnerable young people encountered to relevant local agencies to receive a personalised package of support, information, advice, guidance and learning and development opportunities
- Assisting and supporting agencies within their delivery of services that provide targeted work with young people that often have obstacles that make engagement and change more challenging. This includes young people who are persistently absent or excluded from school, that have behavioural problems or poor emotional, social or coping skills, low self-efficacy, poor aspirations and attitudes which condone risky behaviours. Often these young people also lack appropriate support networks, have family conflicts or problems such as parental substance misuse, are involved in gangs that condone high risk activities, or are living in a deprived neighbourhoods and/or in a state of poverty
Young offender and work experience placements: Providing tailored work experience placements for young people who have an interest in working dogs or community safety and crime reduction.
Young offender placements: Providing activities and positive role model interactions to aid in changing perceptions and providing alternative view points.
Schools and Police Cadets engagement: The use of engagement dogs to aid in delivering safety campaigns such as water safety, fireworks and personal safety.