Star qualities

Homeless people, those with alcohol and drug issues, people with mental health support needs, those with learning disabilities, women at risk of domestic violence and the elderly are amongst the borough's most vulnerable people receiving extra housing related services through the Supporting People programme.

The programme has recently been given a "three stars excellent prospects for further improvement " rating by the Audit Commission.

This is the highest possible score and only five have achieved this score following the inspection of over 100 councils over the last three years.

The programme can help to equip people with the skills and confidence to live independently in the community.

The Audit Commission said: Services are accessible and Supporting People funding has made a significant difference to the lives and the choices available to some of the borough's most vulnerable people".

Find out more about who the Supporting People programme is helping on page 16.

Record GCSE results

This year saw a remarkable increase in the GCSE results; with Tameside pupils registering the borough's best ever scores.

Both Droylsden Girls Mathematics and Computing College and Littlemoss High School have increased the number of their pupils achieving five or more grades at A* to C by a staggering 26% each on last year's results. Massive increases were also recorded at All Saints Catholic College, up 17%, Two Trees Sports College and St Damian's Science College, both up by 16%.

The eight year trend of significant improvement at GCSE level continues and this year's results are set to be just over 56% of pupils gaining five or more grades at A* to C, the third year running results have been over 50%.

Furthermore the figure of five or more A* to C grades including Mathematics and English has increased to over 42% for the first time, improved for the fourth year in succession.

Probation service win award

Unique teamwork involving a Tameside probation officer is helping seasoned criminals get back to work.

Together with local recruitment firm, Labourline UK's Graham Foster, Fuschia Allen was awarded a coveted STAR at a prestigious ceremony organised by national charity Shaw Trust in July.

The Trust, which celebrated its 25th anniversary this year, provides training and work opportunities for people who may find it hard to find a job, for example due to ill health, disability or social circumstances including a criminal record.

Tameside Probation Service and Labourline were among seven winners who were chosen from 50 shortlisted nominees across the north west and will now go forward to the national final in November.

Fuschaia said: "I was surprised and very pleased to win the STAR award. We work very closely with Shaw Trust who help offenders with a history of substance misuses get back to work when they come out of prison.

"In the last six months alone, of the six prolific offenders I've referred to Shaw Trust officer, John Shaw, he has found jobs for three of them. These are the critical few offenders committing a high percentage of the crimes in this area, so this success has a huge knock on effect in the wider society."

Help is at hand for ASB sufferers

Are you suffering because of Anti-Social Behaviour?

The ASB team realise that persistent harassment from a person or a group of people in your community can cause great distress

That's why they are there to help anyone who is suffering with persistent and serious anti-social behaviour, for example:

• persistent verbal abuse or threats
• assault or physical violence
• racial or homophobic harassment
• damage to property
• vandalism near your home

When the team receive a call about persistent and serious anti-social behaviour, the first stage is to talk the problem through with you – in the strictest confidence.

After understanding the problem fully the team will then discuss some of the actions that can be taken to solve the problem

Types of action include:

• setting up mediation sessions
• putting in place an activity that diverts those committing anti-social behaviour to another task
• using acceptable behaviour contracts to deter the person(s) from persisting with their activities
• using anti-social behaviour orders to prevent the person(s) from persisting with their activities

Reporting your anti-social behaviour problem

If you own your home: Report the problem direct to the Anti-Social Behaviour Team on 0161 342 8355

If you rent your home from New Charter Housing or other housing association: Report the problem to your housing officer. They will work with the Anti-Social Behaviour Team to resolve the problem

If you rent your home from a private landlord or agency: Report your problem to your landlord or direct to the Anti-Social Behaviour Team

In an immediate emergency call 999 or in cases of noise nuisance ring Tameside Council 0161 342 8355

Always remember:

• calling the Anti-Social Behaviour Team allows you to speak to someone about persistent anti-social behaviour
• diaries can be provided for your use by the Anti-Social Behaviour Team
• we will treat any information you give us confidentially
• when reporting problems or incidents remember the 4 Ws and clearly state:
  - What you saw: try to remember exactly what you saw
  - Where you saw it: detail where the incident took place
  - When you saw it: make a note of the time and day
  - Who you saw: make a note of the name of the person(s) involved or try and remember as much as you can about the person(s) you have seen for example as age and clothing.

Crime prevention training

Tameside's patrollers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) have been in training to offer crime prevention surveys free of charge.

Called the Rapid Response Team the group will compliment work already carried out by police in providing crime reduction advice as well as signpost residents to crime prevention funding.

Training days for both patrollers and PCSOs was carried out throughout June and July and covered a range of topics, including:

• Training by crime prevention advisers on how to conduct a survey
• Fire service training on how to carry out a home fire risk assessment
• Home watch information
• Alleygating and gating orders information
• Plus information on doorstep crime and a project for older people (POPPs).

Free smoke alarms

Fire chiefs are planning to install smoke alarms in the bedroom of every child aged 16 and under in Hattersley and Mottram.

Once fitted the alarms will be maintained free and have a ten year life.

It is hoped the initiative will:

• prevent death or serious injury from fire in the home
• dramatically reduce the potential of death or serious injury caused by fire
• maximise the safety of every child from the potential of fire in the home
• contribute towards promoting responsibilities of parents and families
• raise public awareness for Hattersley and Mottram residents
• build community links between the fire service and residents.

The Hattersley Neighbourhood Partnership is set to contribute towards the overall costs of the scheme which also involves a number of agencies, including the patrollers.

Inside justice

Tameside Magistrates Court, plus Ashton's police and fire stations are holding a joint open day in November.

They will play host to a variety of events and activities as part of national awareness week. Inside Justice Week (November 3-10) will give the public the chance to discover how the criminal justice system works.

The open day across all three sites will see the public have the chance to see police cells, visit the mobile police unit, sit in on a mock trial and among others, watch what happens during a road collision.

Members of staff from a variety of criminal justice and community agencies will be on hand to explain their role in protecting and supporting Tameside's residents.

More event details will appear on the council's website nearer the time, but in the meantime for more information on Inside Justice Week visit http://insidejustice.cjsonline.gov.uk/ 

Tameside showcases attendance

Tameside Council has won national recognition for its success in turning around its employee attendance levels.

The authority has saved £1.5m in non-cashable savings over the last three years since it reduced average annual employee absences from an average of 13.2 days to 8.88 days. At the same time, the number of staff who rate the council as a caring employer has significantly increased.

Tameside's attendance rates are now the best in Greater Manchester and second best nationally for a metropolitan borough.

Now the groundbreaking success has even won the attention of private industry – the council has been shortlisted for a prestigious CBI award for excellence in the public sector for its Happy, Healthy and Here in Tameside campaign, part of which has targeted attendance.
And Wellbeing Champions from Tameside have been asked to speak to employers at conferences in the North West and London about how they have promoted health and wellbeing.

The council has implemented a new standard of absence management and developed a pioneering health and wellbeing strategy to improve attendance. Its guidelines on attendance management are about being supportive to those who are genuinely ill, being clear about what is expected of employees and making line managers responsible for managing absence within their service.

The health and wellbeing strategy consists of interventions to promote healthy living. For example, over 900 employees from across all services have attended free lifestyle clinics and well over 100 employees have benefited from the council's enhanced flexible working opportunities.

In the 2002 staff survey, 26 per cent of staff agreed with the statement "my employer genuinely cares about me", by 2006 this had risen to 44 per cent. In 2002 57 per cent of staff agreed that "my job enables me to maintain a good work-life balance", by 2006 this had increased to 68 per cent.

Cllr Joe Kitchen, Tameside Council's executive member in charge of human resource strategy, said: "Between 2001 and 2007, the reduction in sickness absence has been equal to an additional 141 full time employees and has also led to £1.5m of non-cashable savings over three years. Both of these have a direct impact on service delivery.

"We also want the council to be perceived as an employer of choice and the health and wellbeing strategy is seen also as a part of this. As many of our employees live in the local area, the initiative contributes to setting the agenda for improving the health of the local community.
"The commitment of our employees in achieving these attendance levels is exceptional. However, there is no room for complacency and the further improvement of attendance levels will remain a priority."

Young achievers

The borough's brightest young stars were put in the spotlight at the annual Tameside Achievement Awards.

All schools were invited to nominate two pupils - one who has achieved very good academic attainment and one who has made excellent progress - for the event.

More than 150 pupils were presented with a certificate by the Civic Mayor, Councillor Michael Smith, at two ceremonies held at Dukinfield Town Hall. Each pupil also received an official photograph of the presentation.

The Tameside Achievement Awards are sponsored by the Stamford Group who were represented at the ceremonies by John Nugent and David Openshaw. The awards are intended to complement the Tom Pendry Award, which is awarded annually to one Tameside student to support him or her through higher education.

Cllr Ged Cooney, executive member for lifelong learning, said: "It is not easy to nominate just two pupils from each of our schools but we are delighted that the achievement of so many young people in our schools is represented by these awards."