PCD 1486 Engage North West BCU

PCD 1486 Engage North West BCU

The ENGAGE programme provides vital support to children and young people (aged 10-17) within police custody. The ENGAGE programme locates local authority youth workers within police custody to support them at critical ‘reachable and teachable’ moments. ENGAGE youth workers work closely with the NHS Liaison and Diversion scheme to ensure that young people are offered well-rounded care to support their wellbeing, and ongoing signposting into positive opportunities within the community and statutory support services- where required.  

In financial year 22/23, the ENGAGE programme expanded to a further 4 custody suites, with Harrow taking the ‘lead borough’ role on behalf of North West BCU.  

Due to challenges with mobilisation, officers from across Harrow, Brent and Barnet agree that Barnet are in a better position to lead the programme on behalf of the North West BCU from July 2023 to March 2025 and can start delivering at pace.  

This decision is seeking to end the grant agreement held with the London Borough of Harrow and enter a new grant agreement with the London Borough of Barnet. This decision h

The Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime is recommended to: 

• Agree to the termination of the current Grant Agreement held between the VRU and London Borough of Harrow  

• Agree to the establishment of a new Grant Agreement with London Borough of Barnet to utilise the remaining funding allocated to the North West BCU (£400,000) for the delivery of the ENGAGE programme from July 2023 to March 2025 as no additional cost. 

1 . Introduction and background 

1. The ENGAGE programme is a custody-based intervention that supports children and young people aged 10-17 with a focus on building trusted relationships that prevent further offending and supports access to education, training and positive opportunities.  

2.  Since the pilot in 2019, the ENGAGE programme has been expanded, and is currently operational in 7 custody suites, with the intention to be Pan-London by the end of Summer 2023.  

3.  Harrow had agreed with Barnet and Brent in October 2022 to lead the ENGAGE programme on behalf of the North West BCU. Following the agreement, Harrow have struggled with capacity and mobilisation, and did not access their allocated funding in financial year 22/23. 

4. Following discussions with officers from Harrow, Barnet and Brent, it was agreed that Barnet are in a better position to deliver ENGAGE on behalf of North West BCU. Barnet have already started liaising with the Met Detention team and have internal youth workers that can be transferred to the programme- providing confidence that the service will be mobilised at pace.  

2. Issues for Consideration 

1. The VRU currently hold a grant agreement with Harrow for the delivery of the ENGAGE programme, this grant agreement was signed on 3rd October 2022, and is due to end in March 2025. 

2. Despite entering into a grant agreement with the VRU, Harrow did not draw down on any funding during financial year 22/23, and have not started delivering the programme.  

3. Barnet are in a strong position to deliver the programme, and have support from Brent and Harrow to take on the role of ‘lead borough’ on behalf of the BCU. If approved, youth workers are expected to start delivering support from Colindale custody suite from August 2023. 

3. Financial Comments 

1. The VRU currently have a Grant Agreement with Harrow for £500,000 to deliver ENGAGE from 22/23 – 24-25, this was approved via PCD 1263.   

2. Harrow have not utilised any of the funds available to them. This funding is provided by the Home Office, and there is a remaining £400,000 available for the delivery of the ENGAGE programme until March 2025 with a budget of £200,000 in 2023/24 and 2024/25. 

3. This paper seeks approval to end the existing grant agreement with Harrow and for Barnet to deliver the ENGAGE programme within financial years 23/34 and 24/25. This funding is within budget and no additional funding is required.  

4. Legal Comments 

1. Under MOPAC’s Scheme of Delegation the strategy for the award of individual  

Grants or the award of all individual grants is reserved to the Deputy Mayor for Policing  And Crime. This includes the responsibility for signing the grant agreements. 

2. Paragaph 2.3.3 of MOPAC’s Contract Regulations  2018 states the early termination of all contracts of £500,000 must be approved by the DMPC 

3. Officers can confirm that the DMPC has the legal authority to agree this decision in  

Accordance with the legal framework.        

5. Commercial Issues 

1. The commercial approach will be a new Grant Agreement for Barnet as they will be the leading borough in the North West BCU.  

2. MOPAC has a range of specific responsibilities for commissioning services   and   the   award   of   grants, and   MOPAC   Officers   must   follow   the   appropriate supplementary guidance in these areas.  Notwithstanding this, the MOPAC must always ensure it has the appropriate budget and approvals to proceed consistent with the delegated authorities  set  out in the Scheme of Delegation and Consent. 

6. GDPR and Data Privacy 

1. MOPAC will adhere to the Data Protection Act (DPA) 2018 and ensure that any organisations who are commissioned to do work with or on behalf of MOPAC are fully compliant with the policy and understand their GDPR responsibilities. 

7. Equality Comments 

7.1 MOPAC is required to comply with the public sector equality duty set out in section 149(1) of the Equality Act 2010. This requires MOPAC to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations by reference to people with protected characteristics. The protected characteristics are age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. 

8. Background/supporting papers 

n/a