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Criminal Justice Services | Orkney Health and Care | Council Offices | School Place | Kirkwall | Orkney | KW15 1NY

Tel: (01856) 873535 Ext 2660 | Email: criminal.justice@orkney.gov.uk

What to expect?

The Sheriff has requested a Criminal Justice Social Work Report, but what does this mean? See below for a road map of the process and the responsibilities for both you and your Social Worker.

  1. Court appearance

  2. Letter with date for interview

  3. Interview(s) with Social Worker

  4. Completion of Risk Assessment

  5. Option to review report

  6. Await sentencing

IMAGE: A process roadmap shows six stages: court appearance; a letter with the date for interview; interview(s) with the Social Worker; completion of the risk assessment; the option to review the report; and awaiting sentencing. The page is branded with the OHAC Orkney Health and Care, Orkney Islands Council, and NHS Orkney logos.

What Will Be Involved?

  • To have an open discussion
  • The offence/incident
  • Your personal feelings towards the offence
  • Your life history including childhood
  • Current circumstances Including relationships and finances
  • Possible disposals

IMAGE: A central diagram titled “What Will Be Involved?” connects six topics for discussion: having an open discussion, the offence/incident, your personal feelings towards the offence, your life history including childhood, current circumstances including relationships and finances, and possible disposals.

Responsibilities

Your Responsibilities

  • Make yourself available
  • Provide open and honest answers
  • Be respectful

Social Worker's responsibilities

  • Provide the court with evidence based, factual report
  • Be non-judgemental and respectful
  • Be aware of welfare needs

IMAGE: A responsibilities diagram separates the responsibilities of “Your Responsibilities” from “Social Worker's responsibilities.” Your responsibilities are to make yourself available, provide open and honest answers, and be respectful. The Social Worker's responsibilities are to provide the court with an evidence based, factual report, be non-judgemental and respectful, and be aware of welfare needs.

Possible Disposal Options

  • Admonishment
  • Restriction of Liberty Order
  • Structured Deferred Sentence
  • Fine or Compensation
  • Community Payback Order
  • Unpaid Work
  • Programme Requirement
  • Custody

IMAGE: A diagram titled “Possible Disposal Options” lists eight options: Admonishment; Restriction of Liberty Order; Structured Deferred Sentence; Fine or Compensation; Community Payback Order; Unpaid Work; Programme Requirement; and Custody.

What happens if I don’t attend?

FAILURE TO ATTEND:

Failure to attend or make contact during the timeframe allocated for the Criminal Justice Social Work Report will result in the Sheriff being notified of your non-attendance. There may be a risk of being remanded in custody for the report to be completed.

If there are challenges to you attending your appointment, please make contact with your Social Worker and support can be provided.

IMAGE: A page headed “What happens if I don’t attend?” warns that failure to attend or make contact during the timeframe allocated for the Criminal Justice Social Work Report will result in the Sheriff being notified, and that there may be a risk of being remanded in custody for the report to be completed. It also says to contact your Social Worker if there are challenges to attending, so support can be provided.

Hear how others felt

“Having gone through the process I now understand how important it is to comply.”

“It's daunting at first, but if you are honest and open, you can get a lot from it.”

“It was my chance for my voice to be heard”

“I didn't know what to expect, everything was going round in my head. I'm glad I did it and was able to move on.”

IMAGE: Four speech bubbles share experiences of the process. They say: “Having gone through the process I now understand how important it is to comply.” “It's daunting at first, but if you are honest and open, you can get a lot from it.” “It was my chance for my voice to be heard” and “I didn't know what to expect, everything was going round in my head. I'm glad I did it and was able to move on.”

How else can we help?

Additional Support:

  • Should you require any additional support for the interview such as a carer or interpreter, please make the Social Worker aware ahead of the appointment.
  • Prior to the interview, you will receive contact from a welfare worker, they can provide support with a wide range of welfare issues.