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Aberdeenshire ABC success

Area

Aberdeenshire

Intelligence - what was the nature of the antisocial behaviour?

The young person, who was subject of an ABC, was a 14-year-old male who had a lengthy offending history. This included frequent assaults, breaches of the peace and vandalism.

It was quite apparent that he seldom committed offences when out unaccompanied or where alcohol was not a factor.

In the period leading up to the ABC he was involved in 8 acts of criminality as either an accused or suspect.

Involvement - which partners were involved?

Grampian Police, Aberdeenshire Council ASB Team, Westhill Academy, Barnardo's, Westhill Community Learning, Aberdeen City Social Work.

Intervention(s) - which intervention(s) were used and why?

The young person initially signed up for the process on a voluntary basis. The school worked closely on his behaviour during their day and reported back. Police and Community Learning worked jointly with the young person and his peers to enter a football diversion project, with coaching and participation in a weekend tournament.

Staff from Barnardo's Gemini team worked with the young person to address his alcohol abuse issues, in conjunction with regular contact with his social worker.

Implementation - how were the intervention methods realised in practice?

An ABC was drawn up by the Police following consultation with the partner agencies and signed by the young person in December 2006.

The young person and his peers entered themselves into the football tournament, and organised 'T' shirts for the occasion. He also attended training sessions delivered by the local Police officer for this event.

Impact - what were the outcomes for the perpetrator, the victims and the wider community?

The terms of the ABC were wide ranging and not always achievable, and the supports were not fully explained until the process had been breached on a couple of occasions, albeit for minor matters.

After this however, the ABC worked well over the next 3 months and upon review was set to run for another 3 months. At the end of this period it was agreed that his offending behaviour had reduced by about 75% and that no assaults had been committed. Therefore the ABC was terminated. His alcohol abuse was still giving cause for concern.

Over a two month period following the termination of his ABC the young person was involved in several offending episodes, which resulted in him being placed on compulsory supervision.

He has recently signed up to another ABC, suggested by his Social Worker. On this occasion all parties concerned were present at the initial meeting, and had an input into the contract.

The young person and his mother had an input into the contract, which addressed more specific issues. The supports available to them were clearly explained by each agency in turn. His mother was offered and accepted a place on a parenting course, which is to run concurrently and which is supported and co-funded by the police locally.

Are there any practices/experiences you have gained during this Intervention that would influence the handling of future Interventions?

The main learning points are that all parties involved participate fully in the drawing up of the agreement or contract.

The young person should suggest ways that he can improve his behaviour and have the supports available to him fully explained. The supports promised must be delivered as the agencies around the table are also entering into a contract with the young person.

Any points to be addressed should be relevant and achievable, and the young person should not be set a task, which he or she is likely to fail.

Most importantly the ABC should be used as a tool to address and correct the unacceptable behaviour, not merely be used as a stepping stone on the road to an ASBO. In this case the young person responded well to the ABC as it gave him a framework with clear boundaries, which allowed him to make changes to his behaviour.

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