East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership has published its 2023-24 annual report highlighting the achievements of East Lothian’s Justice Social Work service.
The East Lothian’s Justice Social Work Annual Report 2023-24 reflects on the positive impact the various strategies, interventions, programmes and initiatives that have been developed to support service users, their families, individuals accused of crimes, victims of crime and the wider community.
East Lothian’s Justice Social Work service provides all statutory and associated functions related to the supervision and care of persons made subject to community sentences and/or those who have served a custodial term. This includes legislative activities relating to pre-conviction, court/sentencing developments, community disposals, post-release supervision and associated tasks relating to ‘offender’ and offence types, for example domestic abuse, sexual offending and hate crime.
A standout feature of the report incorporates practice examples shared by practitioners showcasing the impact and difference the service has made to supported individuals’ lives. Each example emphasises the person-centred and trauma informed approach taken by the team to work with individuals to build trust, address underlying issues, and support them through their own recovery journey to realise their potential, make positive changes and live a full and healthy life free from crime.
The report details the use and application of the Justice Outcome Star. Using this tool, an individual’s journey of change can be mapped against ten key areas that are known to impact their ability to remain crime free. These include, accommodation, living skills, mental health, relationships, substance use, managing strong feelings, parenting, friends and community, positive use of time, and living a crime free life.
The report also references the positive impact delivered by the TRANSITION initiative which was developed to deliver a multi-agency pre-release planning response to improve a prisoner’s transition from custody back into the community. This programme offers a robust pathway for people leaving prison to ensure access to the right support.
The report further highlights the partnership links which have been developed with APEX Scotland to begin delivering Arrest Referral to East Lothian residents. This initiative is a voluntary process available to adults at the post-arrest, pre-conviction stage of the Justice Pathway. Support offered includes matters relating to employability, finances, mental health, physical wellbeing, and addictions.
Specific reference is also made to the efforts and successes of the Caledonian System, which is an integrated approach to address men's domestic abuse and to improve the lives of women, children, and men. The programme has been so successful, East Lothian’s Caledonian Team were finalists at the 2023 Scottish Social Services Awards excellence in justice category.
Councillor Shamin Akhtar, spokesperson for health and social care, and Integration Joint Board chair comments, “This annual report underlines the important work carried out by the Justice Social work team to support individuals to achieve their personal outcomes, while also holding them to account for their offending behaviour.”
“I was heartened reading each of the practice examples, as they highlight the commitment and dedication given by both the service user and social work team to work together, to support and achieve each individual’s personal outcome and the wider communities.”
“Equally I am encouraged by the outline strategy and service plan for 2024-27 documented in the report, which continues the service’s commitment to balance the risks and needs of people on the justice pathway to promote public safety and social parity.”
Download the 2023-24 Annual Report here.
Notes:
East Lothian’s Justice Social Work services are a delegated function of the East Lothian Integration Joint Board and are subsequently managed by East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership.