ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR IN OUR COMMUNITY
Information for Parents/Carers and how to encourage positive choices
Barry Drennan (Head Teacher)
Megan Rhynd (Social Worker)
WHAT WE WILL COVER…
Anti-social behaviour
Current situation in our area
Encouraging positive choices
Advice for Parents/Carers
Interventions and Next Steps
How we change this together
WHAT IS ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR?
Personal antisocial behaviour is when a person targets a specific individual or group
Nuisance antisocial behaviour is when a person causes trouble, annoyance or suffering to a community.
Environmental antisocial behaviour is when a person’s actions affect the wider environment, such as public spaces or buildings.
WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE AMONG OUR YOUNG PEOPLE…
Trespassing – primary schools, company buildings, containers
Ringing doorbells and nuisance behaviour
Large groups being rowdy / intimidating
Large groups in local businesses causing issues
Disrespect/lack of manners when in bigger groups
Not respecting police or adults seeking to move them on
Poor behaviour on public transport/
at bus stops
Littering
CURRENT SITUATION
Increase in issues with anti-social behaviours
Increased police involvement
Increased community/facebook posts citing issues
Fuelling a poor view of/reputation of young people
**The minority, not the majority
WHY?
Boredom
Social Media Trends
Bus passes!
Peer Pressure - *influence from others….being able to say no!
Boundaries/Freedoms
WHAT WE ARE SEEING IN SCHOOL…
Awareness of what a bystander and an upstander is
A fear of being called a snitch/grass/tell-tale etc
Understanding of what accountability is
Lack of owning own actions in the moment, in some cases
WHAT ENCOURAGES GOOD CHOICES?
Explicitly clear boundaries
Discussion about things when it goes wrong
Appropriate and realistic consequences
Following through on consequences and sticking to them
Avoiding too many external rewards not linked to the actual behaviour
We need them doing the right thing because they know it’s the right thing!
UPSTANDER VS BYSTANDER
Promoting being a good person
Reporting crimes or anti-social behaviour you know is happening
*Please discuss with your young person at home and always encourage them to do the right thing; to inform us of any concerns or issues…
This is the only way to shift the narrative and change the issues – we can only act on what we know!
HOW DO WE IMPROVE THIS?
Working together
Home
Schools
Police
Social Work
Health
Third Sector
Early Intervention
WHAT CAN I DO AS A PARENT/CARER?
Have talk to your child about ASB when the time comes that you let them venture out without you, in just the same way you would talk to them about staying safe.
Explain how their behaviour will affect others and how it can be perceived, encouraging them to be mindful and considerate.
It is also important to make them aware of the consequences for them and the family if they became involved in causing ASB.
Accept help and seek support.
BEFORE THEY GO OUT, ASK THEM:
What they are planning to do?
Where they are going?
Who they are going with?
What time, and how they will be getting home?
TELL THEM
To think about what they are doing
Not to cause distress or annoyance to others
Not to cause damage to property
Not to put themselves or others in danger
ACCOUNTABILTY
Promote owning your own words and actions
Encourage ‘owning up’ when they have been involved in something they shouldn’t
Talk about it!
Everyone makes mistakes
Avoid making excuses for the behaviour and think about the impact on others
This promotes accountability and responsibility
WHAT HAPPENS IF THEY DO MAKE MISTAKES?
Police visit you
Police Concern Report
Charges
Alert Social Work and Education
School Intervention
Other intervention e.g. Barnardo’s
YJMU (Youth Justice Management Unit)
Children’s Panel – Children’s Reporter
Any Questions, Thoughts or Feedback?