A better York for everyone

Transcription

1 A better York for everyone An Independent Report by the York Fairness Commission to the City of York Ideas for Action September 2012 Chair of the York Fairness Commission: Ruth V. Redfern Report authors: Les Newby and Nicky Denison For copies of this report please go to

2 CONTENTS IDEAS FOR ACTION Introduction 3 Health and Wellbeing 4 Income, Economy and Jobs 8 Education and Training 11 Housing and Homelessness 14 Communities and Volunteering 18 THE YORK FAIRNESS COMMISSION was established in 2011 with the purpose of promoting greater fairness and reduced inequality in York. Our first report was completed in November 2011 and focused on how the City of York Council could square commitment to equity and social justice with the need to make sizeable cuts in its budget setting process. The Commission s second and final report A better York for Everyone: Findings and Recommendations takes our work a step further by recommending how to promote fairness in the long term and across the whole of York. One of the headline recommendations in the final report (Recommendation G) is to: Further assess the full range of ideas and proposals for action made in our public consultation and agree mechanisms for taking them forward. The purpose of this report A better York for Everyone: Ideas for Action is to set out the detail of the ideas and proposals that were at the heart of our consultation with people and to form the framework for action on Recommendation G. 2

3 Introduction A vast range of ideas and proposals for action emerged through the consultation process. Input to the consultation process produced an extensive set of ideas and proposals that if delivered would make a big difference to fairness and inequality in the city. These have been provided by people that have in-depth working knowledge of the issues and challenges that the city faces, for which the Commission is extremely grateful. They are backed by local evidence and good practice in York and elsewhere. They have informed the Commission s work, and helped us to arrive at the headline recommendations set out in our Findings and Recommendations report. It is for the city as a whole to take forward these proposals. We have strived to reflect the wealth of ideas and proposals that emerged across the six consultation themes: Health and Wellbeing Income, Economy and Jobs Education and Training Housing and Homelessness Communities of Interest Communities and Volunteering Given the cross cutting nature of diversity and equality issues, the Communities of Interest theme looked at all of the other five fairness themes. The ideas raised by this group (both in the consultation events and in individual meetings) have therefore been merged into the core theme action tables that are now presented, so it does not have an action table of its own. The majority of actions are aimed at all sections of society, especially those on low incomes or facing disadvantage, and including diverse communities. Some will have special relevance for a particular group, and many of the actions have been proposed by or have particular benefit for certain groups including: Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities Disabled people Gypsies and Travellers Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people Older and younger people MAKING YORK A BETTER PLACE FOR EVERYONE 3

4 Health and Wellbeing Religious and belief based communities Gender The Commission has reviewed the suggestions and endorses work being undertaken to move each one forward. Following an assessment of the activity already in place, our support is categorised as one of the following: Continued action: Maintain existing course of action : Review existing activity and seek to extend its reach, scope, scale and impact : Requires development of new activity Action beyond York: Requires broader engagement, e.g. with sub-regional partners, Local Enterprise Partnership, national delivery agencies or central government Assess potential for action: Undertake feasibility, evidence gathering, and partner discussions to investigate and make the case for action or investment Where an idea wholly repeats a headline recommendation it is not repeated here to avoid duplication. However, many of the other ideas also link to and/or support specific headline recommendations made in the Findings and Recommendations report. The Commission would expect delivery partners for the headline recommendations to build these additional ideas and proposals into their planning. If you made written inputs during the consultation and would like to have your submission published on the Commission s website, please let us know. Contact details are on the website. Ideas and Proposals for Action by Theme Health and Wellbeing The context for this theme was that whilst people in York enjoy better than average health and life expectancy overall, this is not the case for all groups, especially those on low incomes. What is more, the current flux in the provision of health and care services, combined with future trends to an ageing population, create new 4

5 Health and Wellbeing opportunities and significant challenges. Issues considered included: The importance of good mental health The need for early and preventative action to support good health How to better integrate social care and health and to work across sectors Considerable gaps in life expectancy, with shorter lifespans particularly notable for men in the most disadvantaged 20% of wards A meeting considering these issues was well attended by a wide range of stakeholders and experts and informed by a presentation from Richard Wilkinson on the relationship between health and income inequalities. A range of issues, ideas and proposals for action were highlighted and these are summarised in the table, together with the Commission s guidance on the suggested response by those organisations with the power to act. Theme: Health and Wellbeing Overall Responsibility: Health and Wellbeing Board HW1 Direct a higher proportion of health spending to communities with lower incomes and greater need. HW2 Tackle the impact of poor housing on health. HW3 Enhance provision/activity to support mental health, with focus on proven preventative and early interventions, including practical support such as debt advice, reducing stigma, building resilience and social support. HW4 Add years to life and life to years by working with the voluntary sector to help build the self-esteem and social networks of isolated and disadvantaged people. MAKING YORK A BETTER PLACE FOR EVERYONE 5

6 Health and Wellbeing HW5 Enable disabled people to access peer support and appropriate housing to help build their resilience and control of their lives. HW6 Make health (and other) information available in accessible formats e.g. using big print and pictures. HW7 Make the publication Pride in Practice available in Care Homes and for/through GPs. HW8 Ensure there is sufficient focus on early life experience and health promotion interventions. HW9 Identify gender-related health needs (including trans-gender). HW10 Research lifestyles/behaviours, and the factors behind these, in the communities with lowest life expectancy in York and respond accordingly. HW11 Deliver community and peer-led health promotion activity in communities with low life expectancy. HW12 Address issues of respect and hate crime (including to those with poor mental health) and make it clear that York has zero tolerance of hate crime. Resource and raise awareness of support for victims; make it safe for victims to report it, address and monitor incidents and act to remove underlying causes. HW13 Implement a cross-organisational commitment to a personalised approach. HW14 Ensure sufficient funding and resources are committed to the personalisation agenda. Continued action 6

7 Health and Wellbeing HW15 Improve health awareness services and publicity for Gypsies and Travellers. HW16 Develop a citywide scheme to protect people suffering from domestic violence. HW17 Advance the social model of the disability agenda through the public, private and voluntary sectors. HW18 Ensure that all service users, especially disabled people, are involved in the design of services. HW19 Use targeted engagement and appropriate communication to guide people through the health system (Healthwatch). HW20 Provide resources and help to support carers who are supporting a relative on an end of life pathway. HW21 Ensure the Health and Wellbeing Board is innovative, joined up, includes all sectors, brings communities together, and is focused on prevention. Continued action Key delivery partners to include: Health and Wellbeing Board, Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group, healthcare providers, City of York Council, voluntary sector and Healthwatch. MAKING YORK A BETTER PLACE FOR EVERYONE 7

8 Income, Economy and Jobs Income, Economy and Jobs Consultation around the theme of Income, Economy and Jobs drew out valuable expert opinion on critical issues covering: The impact of welfare reform Income inequalities and the living wage Engaging all residents in economic success Financial inclusion and helping people to better manage money The business case for diversity NEETs (16-18) and youth unemployment (18-24). The strategic and organisational framework that exists to support economic development was also an area for focus, notably in relation to the York Economic Strategy and the city s role in two Local Enterprise Partnerships. A range of issues, ideas and proposals for action were highlighted and these are summarised in the table, together with the Commission s guidance on the suggested response by those organisations with the power to act in this area: Theme: Income, Economy and Jobs Overall Responsibility: City of York Council IEJ1 Ensure residents maximise all benefit take up. IEJ2 Develop a Financial Inclusion Strategy and proactive model for delivery. IEJ3 Remove barriers to work by ensuring benefit, learning and work advice is high quality and easy to access including through innovative co-location solutions alongside debt, money and (emergency) childcare advice (e.g. GP surgeries, churches, etc.). Use the Financial Inclusion Strategy to do this and the Kingsway Project as a good practice model. Continued action 8

9 Income, Economy and Jobs IEJ4 Promote better access to and use of the city s Credit Union and continue to support with public funding. IEJ5 Co-ordinate good quality financial education in York s schools to give young people the skills they need through expansion and raised profile of existing provision. IEJ6 Prioritise resources towards early intervention to break cycles of dependency to enable people to take responsibility for their own lives and finances. IEJ7 Use Early Years Services to increase engagement with target families. IEJ8 Pool resources and focus efforts on the 1,350 young people who are unemployed and claiming benefits or that are NEET. IEJ9 CYC and wider public sector to review procurement practices to encourage payment of the living wage, diversity of the workforce and flexible working practices. IEJ10 Work with all employers to develop the business case for paying the living wage. IEJ11 Work with all employers to develop the business case for employing a diverse workforce; demonstrating the diversity of their workforce; and raising awareness of diversity amongst their workforce. IEJ12 Develop an Employer Charter Mark to include workforce diversity and payment of living wage. IEJ13 Pool resources and focus efforts across organisations and sectors to tackle child poverty. New/continued action Continued action MAKING YORK A BETTER PLACE FOR EVERYONE 9

10 Income, Economy and Jobs IEJ14 All employers to offer work placements for young people to learn skills for work and social skills. IEJ15 Ensure York s Economic Strategy is brave, bold and fair. Draw on national and international comparators. IEJ16 Work with LEPs to integrate work to tackle neighbourhood deprivation alongside promoting economic growth across functional economic areas. IEJ17 Linking to the City Strategy, York s Economic Strategy should consider how it better connects all residents to economic opportunity (lone parents in poverty and the G&T community particularly noted). IEJ18 Enhance and develop existing graduate schemes to improve graduate utilisation and retention in the city. IEJ19 Improve employment support and employee assistance programmes for people with mental health issues. IEJ20 Develop innovative strategies to promote new business creation and co-operative and mutual business models. IEJ21 Encourage all employers to take a flexible approach to job-sharing and increased job carving so older people or adults with learning difficulties or disabilities can move back into employment on a part time basis. Continued action Further/ new action Key delivery partners to include: Key delivery partners in the city to include: City of York Council, Schools, Voluntary Sector, Private sector employers, Social Enterprises, Childcare Providers, York Economic Partnership, Local Enterprise Partnerships, Learning City Partnership, York Youth Council. 10

11 Education and Training Education and Training This theme covered the interrelated topics of: Early years provision Education and attainment Training, apprenticeships, employment and higher level skills The issues it explored included the availability of childcare, the home learning environment, and gaps in educational attainment (for instance affecting pupils eligible for free school meals (FSM), those with special educational needs and looked after children). It also considered the link between education and business and what can be done to help children realise their potential. A meeting considering these issues was well attended by a wide range of stakeholders and experts. It received a presentation from Grahame Whitfield of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) reviewing evidence on out of school factors that influence attainment and what has been successful in addressing them. A range of issues, ideas and proposals for action were highlighted and these are summarised in the table, together with the Commission s guidance on the suggested response by those organisations with the power to act. Theme: Education and Training (ET) Overall Responsibility: City of York Council ET1 Promote good practice in schools that supports tolerance, understanding and mutual respect of difference and diversity, and an effective anti-bullying culture. ET2 Ensure options exist to take vocational subject choices and lobby for the continuation of modular courses. Continued action Continued action + Action beyond York MAKING YORK A BETTER PLACE FOR EVERYONE 11

12 Education and Training ET3 Act early to remove emotional, cultural and practical barriers to learning with good community-based family support. ET4 Improve information and advice to help young people, their families and people returning to education to make educational choices, with input from businesses. ET5 Run get ready for work sessions led by businesses and work experience placements during school holidays. ET6 Improve data sharing across agencies to enhance provision for vulnerable pupils and ease take up of entitlements and support. ET7 Make use of JRF research and what works information on best use of the pupil premium to head teachers and school governing bodies. ET8 Bid (repeatedly if there is potential of success) to the Educational Endowment Fund to run research based pilot schemes to reduce inequalities. ET9 Create a city centre space for young people with space and facilities for a homework club. ET10 Resolve barriers to completing apprenticeships in the field of childcare. ET11 Ensure more and better skilled benefits/ learning/ work advisors are also able to help people access childcare. ET12 Work with higher education institutions to continue widening participation activity despite loss of HEFCE Aimhigher funding. Continued action Action beyond York 12

13 Education and Training ET13 Increase placements available for students through the Higher York volunteering scheme. ET14 Promote and target education and training opportunities for Gypsies and Travellers. ET15 Develop more skill based courses and apprenticeships for those less academically minded. ET16 Lower tuition fees for courses that don t lead to higher salaries, e.g. motor trade, caring professions, etc. ET17 Improve support for young people who have not done well at school or in exams. ET18 Better support for and engagement with parents of children with learning difficulties and in Gypsy and Traveller communities. ET19 Ensure high quality ESOL provision. Action beyond York Continued action ET20 Ensure children from disadvantaged backgrounds are not priced out of enriching activity (e.g. music, trips, drama, sport). ET21 Implement a school uniform charter for secondary schools, created by York Youth Council, to reduce the costs of uniforms and impact on low income families. ET22 Extend bus fare concessions up to 19 years of age so that young people can travel affordably across the city for education, training and work opportunities. MAKING YORK A BETTER PLACE FOR EVERYONE 13

14 Housing and Homelessness ET23 Roll out best practice in systems for FSM across all York schools to minimise stigma and maximise take up and effectiveness, informed by Youth Council evaluation, and including an event for senior school management, decision makers and caterers. ET24 Aim for all schools in York to achieve Healthy Schools Enhancement Model standards regardless of sector or status. This includes adoption of school meal standards to encourage healthy eating and teaching about mental health and wellbeing. ET25 Lobby government to allow young people who attend college to receive FSMs, not just those who attend sixth form. ET26 Widen financial management education in schools to help people manage money and avoid problematic debt. Action beyond York Key delivery partners to include: Schools, City of York Council, Voluntary and Community Sector, Colleges, businesses, childcare providers, education partnerships, York Youth Council. Housing and Homelessness Affordability, planning and land availability, and the implications of welfare reform on people s ability to afford and sustain their home dominated the Housing and Homelessness theme meeting. Alongside this the group discussed the housing and accommodation needs of a number of specific groups including the growing number of older people (linked to under occupancy, downsizing initiatives and prolonging independent living) and people with disabilities and complex needs, Gypsy and Traveller communities, and young people. There was informed debate on supporting people to avoid a housing crisis and becoming homeless. Input on fuel poverty was also received during the consultation period. A range of issues, ideas and proposals for action were highlighted and these are summarised in the table, together with the Commission s guidance on the suggested response by those organisations with the power to act in this area: 14

15 Housing and Homelessness Theme: Housing and Homelessness (HH) Overall Responsibility: City of York Council HH1 Lobby government to give local control through City Deals of the housing subsidy currently directed towards Housing Benefit so that this can be redirected towards the creation of more social/affordable housing. HH2 Enable people to access more affordable housing options and available work opportunities by creating a more joined up transport infrastructure with cheaper fare options. HH3 CYC to review its rent collection policy to ensure that all tenants are treated equally regardless of tenure. HH4 Develop a robust asset management strategy in the Council that includes options for stock disposal, redevelopment and new provision. HH5 Review housing allocations and tenancy policy to include consideration of an earnings cap for those able to meet need on open market. HH6 Encourage downsizing in the private and social rented sectors including through incentives, availability of attractive alternatives, and better publicity of options. HH7 Support communities to minimise the impact of churn brought about through fixed term tenancies when used. HH8 Continue to analyse the nature of demand (e.g. families, young single people, etc.) to better inform the housing offer. Action beyond York Assess potential MAKING YORK A BETTER PLACE FOR EVERYONE 15

16 Housing and Homelessness HH9 Work more closely with landlords to encourage stability and to sustain tenancies. HH10 Maintain investment in keeping people in their home and relieving homelessness; including through effective multi-agency working and introduction of support workers for people at risk, with specialists for the young, those with complex needs and troubled families. HH11 Support people to become tenancy ready to prevent evictions in the private sector. HH12 Ensure availability and accessibility of high quality housing information and advice services helping people get the right support at the right time; including through innovative co-location solutions, e.g. in courts. HH13 Invest in awareness raising on welfare changes and impact of the single payment direct to claimants, and in associated financial advice including use of direct debit; and better communicate existing services, e.g. the bond guarantee scheme. HH14 Address how to support people without a bank account after the introduction of welfare changes. HH15 The city should lobby government about local housing allowance and how it is calculated. HH16 In terms of housing for specific health needs, consider shared house models with a manager on site. HH17 Continue to increase the energy efficiency of fuelpoor households homes; consider incentivising behaviour change, e.g. through energy bill rebates; and enforcement activity in the private rented sector. Continued/ further action Continued/ further action Action beyond York Assess potential 16

17 Housing and Homelessness HH18 Council to revisit Article 4 planning decision on permissions for Houses in Multiple Occupation for the benefit of allowing shared housing based on social need, e.g. housing the homeless. HH19 Consider equity release scheme for asset rich but cash poor elderly homeowners to access. HH20 Improve accommodation facilities for Gypsies and Travellers; including City of York Council to provide additional Traveller pitches. Assess potential HH21 Address young LGBT homelessness due to coming out. HH22 Provision of more affordable housing especially for older people, disabled people, and for houses of multiple occupancy. HH23 Resolve difficulties people have with internet only housing applications; and respond appropriately to JRF research into improving access to this. Continued action HH24 CYC to fully adopt the lifetime homes standard HH25 CYC to develop a comprehensive evidence base and a needs assessment of housing disadvantage in the city and a strategy to meet this demand. Key delivery partners in the city to include: City of York Council, Homes and Communities Agency, North Yorkshire Strategic Housing Partnership, North Yorkshire Housing Forum, Homelessness Forum, Private Sector Housing Group, Registered Social Landlords, private sector landlords, tenant s groups, Gypsy and Traveller Steering Group. MAKING YORK A BETTER PLACE FOR EVERYONE 17

18 Communities and Volunteering Communities and Volunteering This theme covered the interrelated topics of: The Voluntary and Community Sector ( vol/com sector ) Volunteering Strength of community, neighbourliness and civic participation The context was of a wide and active voluntary sector in York, with much potential that is increasingly being recognised. However, in a context of tight resources there is potentially a gap between expectation and capacity. A meeting considering community and volunteering issues was held and attended by a good mixture of representatives from the voluntary sector and the City of York Council. Archbishop John Sentamu outlined his perspective on the sector and the ensuing discussion covered issues including support for the voluntary sector, its potential to deliver services through a social enterprise model, volunteering and social cohesion. A range of issues, ideas and proposals for action were highlighted and these are summarised in the table, together with the Commission s guidance on the suggested response by those organisations with the power to act. Theme: Communities and Volunteering (CV) Overall Responsibility: City of York Council/York CVS CV1 Ensure the viability and vitality of front-line voluntary organisations by releasing sufficient infrastructure funding on a longer funding cycle to enable sustainable planning. CV2 Resource and recognise those specialist organisations required to support and enable the Equality Act. CV3 Assist the sector to secure new resources and explore new ways of working in partnership with the private sector. 18

19 Communities and Volunteering CV4 Enhance co-ordination between voluntary and community sector organisations so they can more effectively work together and with other sectors to deliver their services. YFC support: CV5 Undertake scoping work to identify what further services could be delivered by or with the vol/com sector and the practicalities of how to move forward, then kickstart action where greatest potential exists. CV6 Tackle procurement obstacles that make it difficult for the vol/com sector to win contracts (e.g. with City of York Council). CV7 Recognise diversity of roles that the vol/com sector can play beyond that of social enterprise. CV8 Provide support for groups that want to provide income streams though trading activities. CV9 Support the vol/com sector to prioritise more early intervention and preventative activities to focus delivery that will reach and help disadvantaged people. CV10 Strengthen the voice and influence of the vol/com sector within City of York Council and York through the appointment of a high profile independent and senior figure to represent and pursue its interests. CV11 Acknowledge capacity constraints in the vol/com sector and enable it to be represented and have influence using inclusive alternatives to meetings. Continued action MAKING YORK A BETTER PLACE FOR EVERYONE 19

20 Communities and Volunteering CV12 Continue and extend activity to encourage volunteering from all aspects of the community, recognising that resources and infrastructure are required to support volunteers and that volunteering should not be at the expense of people s jobs. CV13 Adopt the goal of increasing neighbourliness and social cohesion and identify ways to promote this, for instance using sport to bring communities together. Key delivery partners to include: York CVS, City of York Council and other public sector, Clinical Commissioning Group, York Cares, Volunteering York Partnership, businesses and the wider voluntary sector. The York Fairness Commission 20