East Lothian’s Justice Social Work Service are finalists at the Scottish Social Service Awards for their efforts in creating a safer community by embracing and implementing world class systems.
From an overwhelming 250 submissions, East Lothian Council’s Justice Social Work Team are one of only a few finalists within the ‘Excellence in Justice Services’ category at the Scottish Social Services Awards 2022, for their exemplary execution of The Caledonian System in East Lothian.
The Scottish Social Services Awards, which has been running since 2017, shine a spotlight and pay tribute to the commitment and innovative approaches taken by social work teams to provide support and assistance to individuals and families in their local communities.
Applications are assessed and scored by a judging panel comprising of Scottish Government policy officials and key sector stakeholders. This year, the panel was blown away by the high calibre talent and success rate of Justice Social Work Services Teams.
East Lothian’s Justice Social Work Services serves the community by supporting people convicted of offences to change their behaviour in order to reintegrate and become valuable members of their communities.
The Caledonian System - which has provided the team with the award nomination - is focused on improving the lives of men, women and children who have been involved in cases of domestic abuse. The Caledonian System is based on a risk and needs assessment, with a risk management approach designed to deal with possible harm to women and children.
The programme enables men to make positive changes in their approach to intimate relationships by attending a carefully planned programme over 24 – 30 months, which includes 1:1 work with social workers, a 26-week long group work programme, and post-group follow up to support men to better their lives through positive motivation and life-long change.
At the same time, the initiative provides information, advice and emotional support to female partners and ex-partners and their children. The system additionally ensures that women and children receive appropriate support and gain access to local services, where required.
Ciara Webb, Justice Social Work Team Leader, comments:
“Caledonian is an important part of our service provision. From April 2021 – March 2022 the Justice Social Work Service has supported 19 men to effect change in their lives. Additionally 15 women accepted support from our Women’s Worker service, and three children worked with our Children’s Worker. The Caledonian System supports behavioural change and puts an emphasis on information sharing to create safer relationships and thereby, safer communities.”
Fiona Wilson, Chief Officer of East Lothian Health & Social Care Partnership, comments; “We are thrilled that the Justice Social Work Team have been nominated for this incredible award. Across the ELHSCP we strive to deliver the best health, best care and best value for our communities. Our teams are not shy about innovating and implementing new services, to provide enhanced support for individuals and their families. This nomination is a testament of the team’s continuous efforts to help enrich the lives of individuals within our communities. We wish the Justice Team all the best of luck at the awards on 9 November.”
Find out more by visiting:
Criminal Justice Social Work Service | East Lothian Council
Caledonian system | Reducing reoffending | East Lothian Council