07.01.14
New Early Action Response service for Lancashire
Police and social workers should collaborate to form new Early Action Response service in Lancashire, the council has announced.
The proposals would see £6m investment from Lancashire County Council (LCC) and Lancashire Constabulary to facilitate earlier intervention with vulnerable people.
The service, which is supported by the local Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), will consist of two Early Action Response teams working with police early action teams and LCC’s Emergency Duty Team.
It will create the equivalent of 27 full-time posts, and bring together social workers, child and parenting support, youth workers, mental health workers and police.
County councillor Jennifer Mein, leader of LCC, said: “Tackling potential problems at an early stage produces better results for people and reduces the demand on public services.
“This approach would strengthen our ability to respond out of hours and, by getting involved earlier, will tackle problems before they turn into crises. This is a more focused, targeted and efficient way of providing services, which offers better value for money and better results for the people we serve.”
Assistant Chief Constable Andy Rhodes of Lancashire Constabulary added: “This is an exciting opportunity to work completely differently in areas where the demands on all our services are causing real problems for some of our most vulnerable people.
“By responding together and sharing information at the point of crisis we will achieve far better outcomes at far less cost. Given the pressures on all our services this is critical for us all if we are to protect vulnerable children and adults across Lancashire.”
Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw said: “Intervening in the lives of our most vulnerable residents and families and providing them with the help they need is vital if we are to avoid greater issues further down the line.
“This kind of partnership working is crucial to making the best use of resources, time and expertise.”
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Image c. Lee J Haywood