Criminal Justice Social Work
We provide a range of services for people who have been in trouble with the law. The aim is to work with offenders in a way that promotes community safety and social inclusion and reduces the risk of re-offending.
Our team provides reports for the Procurator Fiscal and the Criminal Courts. We supervise people placed on probation and community service, as well as those released on parole from custody. We also offer help to prisoners, so they can maintain contact with the communities they come from.
Specialist Social Workers
If you have been convicted of an offence, you may be involved with services provided by specialist social workers regarding Court Reports, Probation, Community Service, Fine Supervision, Compensation Order, Deferred Sentence requirements, Supervised Attendance Orders, Supervised Release Orders and Drug Treatment and Testing Orders, among others.
Social Enquiry Report
The Court may ask for a social enquiry report which will involve a visit from a social worker who will discuss with you and perhaps your family and any other interested party who can offer relevant information, details about your family background, your education, employment, income, health and any other aspects including your attitude towards the offence, which may enable the Court to make an appropriate disposal in your case.
Probation
If the Court orders probation, a social worker will supervise you and meet you regularly to assist you to carry out the requirements of the probation order which may include attending special programmes planned to enable you to avoid re-offending. National Standards require that you be seen at least weekly during the initial stage of a Probation Order, and that you be seen at home if the Supervising Officer requires it. Probation Orders last for anywhere between 6 months and 36 months.
Community Service Order
The Court may also impose a Community Service Order which will involve unpaid work for the benefit of the community, for between 80 and 300 hours, as an Order on its own, or as a Condition of a Probation Order.
If you fail to comply with the requirements of any order made by the Court, you will be taken back to the Court and an alternative sentence including custody may be imposed.
Custodial Sentence
If you are given a custodial sentence there are specialist prison based social workers who will liaise with a community based social worker or agency on your behalf.
When you leave prison, you will have the right to social work advice, guidance and support in the community for up to a year. You may also be subject to a statutory supervision order and will be required to obey the instructions of that order or be returned to Court, and may be sent back to prison.
Other Reports
The Court may also ask for other reports, for example from your Doctor or a Psychiatrist or other specialist such as a Drugs or Alcohol Counselling Agency if it is thought these may have some bearing on your offence. If so you will be interviewed by a specialist either independently or in conjunction with a social enquiry report where your needs will be assessed and a recommendation submitted to the Court.
This may mean further involvement between you and the specialist agency with support from the social worker in order that you may be helped to overcome your offending behaviour.
If that is the case, the Court may make an independent order or an additional requirement to a probation order to that effect. This will require your participation and co-operation with the relevant agency and the Department of Community Social Services until the termination of your order.
Complaints Procedure
If you are unhappy about the service you receive, you have the right to complain. Community Social Services has a comprehensive complaints procedure and information is available on how you may formally make any complaint you may have.
For further information please ring Orkney Health and Care Complaints Officer on 01856 873535.
The Criminal Justice Team can be located at the Council Offices, School Place, Kirkwall, phone 01856 873535.