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Neighbourhood warden schemes to win awards

Neighbourhood wardens schemes through out England are being invited to apply for the wardens quality standard, a benchmark of approved service to the community, launched this week by the government.

Neighbourhood wardens are the new generation of neighbourhood official with a friendly face, that knows the problems that people experience on their patch, and provide a link with local services for action to be taken.

The first neighbourhood wardens schemes in England were set up in 2000. They are part funded by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for three years, with the intention that if successful they are sustained through mainstream resources.

Four neighbourhood wardens schemes that piloted the quality standard were awarded their certificates yesterday by Jeff Rooker, Minister for Regeneration in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. Certificates were presented to warden schemes from Hull, Knowsley, Merton and Thurrock.

Jeff Rooker said: “It is important that everyone is assured of the quality of the warden scheme that serves their area. This straightforward scheme will enable this."

The quality standard is valid for two years at which point schemes can reapply. Award of the quality standard will depend on organisational performance and plans relating to:

• Ahieving the results the scheme has signed up to.
• Leadership of the scheme including a vision of the area's potential and a strategy for its improvement.
• Management performance including communication and open decision making.
• Financial management.
• Staff management including training.
• Working with the community to ensure all benefit equally from warden support regardless of race, religion, gender and age.

The first four schemes to be awarded the quality standard are:

• Hull Community Wardens
  This scheme of 50 wardens is led by the Goodwin Development Trust and operates in the riverside area of Hull. Hull won the scheme of the Year award for 2002 which is sponsored by ODPM. This scheme has more than doubled beyond the 24 wardens which are being part funded by ODPM.
  Manager: John Marshall.
• Knowsley Neighbourhood Wardens
  Local authority led scheme covering Stockbridge Village, Liverpool. It employs eight wardens and has been sustained through mainstream funding. This scheme's success has led to it is being replicated across the authority. Manager: Paul Cummins.
• Merton Warden Scheme
  This is a local authority led scheme employing nine wardens. The scheme strengths include the large amount of support from local agencies, its direct link in to the local crime and disorder reduction strategy. This scheme is being sustained through mainstream funding.
  Manager: Breffni O'Rourke.
• Thurrock Street Wardens
  This is a local authority led scheme. Originally the scheme employed five wardens but it has expanded to 15 wardens and 5 park wardens. Its strengths include exceeding the targets it has been set support from key partners and stakeholders and the many positive efforts made to involve the full range of community interests, including the black and minority ethnic community.
  Manager: Franceso La Torre.