Respect - find out what it means to YOU!

The Respect initiative is a cross-Government strategy to tackle bad behaviour and to nurture good.

It involves central government, local agencies and communities working together to tackle anti-social behaviour. There is also an emphasis on enforcement and action; the police, local authorities and other agencies will be expected to use their full range of tools and powers to deal with anti-social behaviour. Communities will also be encouraged to speak out and demand a co-ordinated response to problems they are facing.

We signed up to the Respect Standard on 8th August 2007.

In January 2007 our solicitors carried out a Respect Standard audit which involved interviewing staff and looking at our Nuisance and Anti-social Behaviour procedures and Tenancy Agreement. From their audit we set up an action plan to work through prior to signing up to the Respect Standard.

Anti-social behaviour focus group

Two major pieces of work we have carried out over the past few months have been to set up an electronic list of all contacts such as local police beat officers, support workers and voluntary agencies so that all staff have easy access to this information.

We reviewed our Incident Log and now have a much clearer Incident Diary, which we can send to residents to record ongoing incidents of anti-social behaviour. We have also reviewed and updated procedures where necessary and have set up an Anti-Social Behaviour Focus Group involving residents.

In 2008 members of the Focus Group and staff will be meeting to look at a ‘Toolkit’ issued as part of the Respect Standard which will enable us to monitor our performance, gather data to help us improve our performance and to ensure residents are involved in influencing our services.

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