The National Model of Secondary School Support (MOSSS) Launch
The Four Welsh Forces in a Successful Partnership with the All Wales School Liaison Core Programme to Reduce Youth Crime.
Staff from the 4 Welsh Police Forces participated in an event which built upon the special partnership arrangement that already exists between the police and school education services across Wales.
Mrs. Linda Roberts, National Coordinator, All Wales School Liaison Core Programme, in consultation with ACPO Cymru and Department for Education and Skills presented a model that sets out a way for School Community Police Officers to work with schools and how local Neighbourhood Policing Teams can link with this work to reduce the harm associated with crime and disorder within school communities. The model will extend the successful “Flagship Programme” (Chief Constable, Gwent Police) that goes on in schools at the moment.
The proposed model was put into context by a number of key speakers namely, the Director General of the DfES who painted the vision for joined up thinking that would lead to improved outcomes for all stakeholders in the community. The Chief Constable, emphasised the importance of meeting public expectations and providing the best service possible for all our users, noting that 70% - 80% of all teachers and pupils surveyed (Evaluation, November 2009) report an increase in trust and confidence in the police as a result of the schools’ programme.
Further contributions were made by Dr. Gwynedd Lloyd, a consultant in restorative processes and Mr. Mike Gibbon, Head teacher at Sandfields Comprehensive School, Port Talbot who provided a wealth of examples of ways in which professionals could, “Support the well being of pupils and the whole community of which school is a major part”. (M. Gibbon, 2010).
The remainder of the seminar provided an opportunity for all the professionals from across Wales to discuss the proposal and to plan a way to move forward. The overwhelming mood was one of cooperation and a very real desire to provide a holistic approach that would help schools and Neighbourhood Police Teams work together to promote safer communities.