Kent County Council Kent County Council “Innovation in the Public Sector” Marilyn Howell – Head of Operations Shuna Body – Area Manager

KCC Community Wardens 101 Uniformed Community Wardens 101 Uniformed Community Wardens Situated in rural/urban fringes Situated in rural/urban fringes No powers – but not power-less No powers – but not power-less Tackle low level antisocial behaviour, promote community cohesion and quality of life issues Tackle low level antisocial behaviour, promote community cohesion and quality of life issues “eyes and ears” of community “eyes and ears” of community

Youth unemployment - Kent Every district in Kent – rise in youth unemployment Every district in Kent – rise in youth unemployment 103% rise in young people claiming Job Seekers allowance 103% rise in young people claiming Job Seekers allowance Thanet % claiming Job Seekers Thanet % claiming Job Seekers Sevenoaks – 161% rise in unemployment Sevenoaks – 161% rise in unemployment

Jobs for the Future bid 30 Support wardens 30 Support wardens Aged 18 – 24 yrs Aged 18 – 24 yrs Unemployed for one year or more Unemployed for one year or more From deprived areas From deprived areas Provided with 2 weeks training and uniform Provided with 2 weeks training and uniform Work alongside a regular warden Work alongside a regular warden

Issues faced Poor time keeping Poor time keeping High sickness rate High sickness rate Apathy Apathy Unplanned Pregnancy Unplanned Pregnancy Lack of commitment Lack of commitment Lack of life skills Lack of life skills Lack of accountability Lack of accountability Social /personal issues Social /personal issues BUT Only by SOME participants BUT Only by SOME participants

Benefits Learnt how to manage money/journeys to work Learnt how to manage money/journeys to work Highlighted literacy and numeracy issues – training provided Highlighted literacy and numeracy issues – training provided Raised profile of young people Raised profile of young people Raised confidence and skills of young people Raised confidence and skills of young people Increased our knowledge of working with young people Increased our knowledge of working with young people Positive effect on existing staff Positive effect on existing staff Fulltime employment gained by some Fulltime employment gained by some

Work engaged by support wardens: Assisted at fatal road accident Assisted at fatal road accident Delivered puppies ! Delivered puppies ! Discovered stash of drugs Discovered stash of drugs Reunited dogs with owners Reunited dogs with owners Dealt with burnt out cars Dealt with burnt out cars Assisted vulnerable in the snow Assisted vulnerable in the snow Presentations on safety to school children Presentations on safety to school children Reported fly tipping Reported fly tipping Sports Relief Walk – raising £700 Sports Relief Walk – raising £700

Employment gained…. Holiday park warden Holiday park warden Care Home Assistants Care Home Assistants Interview with Navy Interview with Navy Security – Eurotunnel Security – Eurotunnel Local Council Local Council Admin assistant Admin assistant Further training undertaken Further training undertaken

The last word ……… I have picked up skills which will benefit me in all aspects of my life. I have particularly enjoyed the feeling that any action I make, whether big or small, any issue I help to deal with, affects someone’s life for the better. My life's ambition has always been to eventually join the Police Service, and I feel like this job has given me a solid foundation for when I do re-apply